Front-Release Snap Fastener for Blind Panel Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snap fasteners face difficulties in being loosened and removed, especially when the back panel is not accessible and multiple fastening elements make it hard to align them for disengagement.
Innovation Solution
The dimensions of the holding surfaces and push members are optimized to allow the fastening projections to lie on the front panel with play, enabling individual snap fasteners to be pulled out successively, with unlocking mechanisms that lock in the open position and guide surfaces aiding alignment, and actuating pins for easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple snap fastening elements are used to securely connect panels, then connection strength and stability are improved, but difficulty in aligning and disengaging all elements simultaneously increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple snap fastening elements are combined into a single integrated snap fastener assembly that acts as one unit during insertion and disengagement operations, eliminating the need to align and operate multiple separate elements simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
A plate component serves as an intermediary element that distributes the fastening force across multiple snap elements while providing a single operational interface for disengagement, mediating between the user's single-action input and the multiple fastening points
2Volume of moving object
If the back panel is not accessible, then installation space is optimized, but ability to access and manipulate fastening elements from behind is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The operational interface for disengagement is inverted from the traditional rear-access design to a front-access design, allowing users to operate the snap fastener from the opposite side where access is already available, eliminating the need to reach behind panels
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking and disengagement mechanism is extracted from the rear of the snap fastener and repositioned to the front, separating the insertion function (which requires rear access) from the disengagement function (which uses front access)
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for simpler disengagement of snap fasteners, ensuring they can be removed entirely without the challenges of prior art, with improved accessibility and alignment features.
Implementation Method 1
pressed by at least one spring into a position in which they project over the end of the guide or channel
Implementation Method 2
fastening projections such as fastening cams (of flexible material) or leaf spring devices having flexible fastening surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A snap fastener which secures a first thin wall with a through-opening. A base part includes a plate which overlaps the longitudinal edges of the through-opening. A head part is provided as a housing with fastening projections such as fastening cams or leaf spring devices having flexible fastening surfaces. The housing is snapped into the through-opening so that it grips only the first thin wall. Unlocking devices are provided in the housing, via which the push elements can be pulled back into the housing from the front, and the housing can be disengaged from the other thin wall (e.g., a wall support). The dimensions between (1) the holding area of the fastening projections and the push members, and (2) the supporting plane of the base part are selected in such a way that, when the push elements are pulled back, the fastening projections lie on the front panel with clearance.