Hinged Latch Clip for Stable Web Clamping Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for components, particularly those involving plastic clips on metal components, face challenges in maintaining a secure clamping force independent of the initial pressing force and are limited in their ability to adapt to various materials and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a U-shaped fastener body and clamping portion, featuring a latch system connected by a hinge, allows for elastic pressing and independent latching to maintain a firm clamping position, adaptable to web portions of varying materials and shapes, including soft materials like plastic or metal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic clip is used to fasten to a metal component, then the fastening device can be easily manufactured and installed, but the clamping force depends on the initial pressing force and cannot be maintained independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the latch movable with regard to the fastener body and connected by a hinge, allowing the latching mechanism to dynamically adjust and maintain the clamping position independently of the initial pressing force. This dynamic structure enables the clamping force to be maintained reliably over time without degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fastening device into distinct functional components: a fastener body, a clamping portion, and a movable latch connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the latch handling the latching action separately from the clamping force generation, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliable clamping force maintenance.
2Reliability
If a latching engagement is used to grip the component, then the fastening security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the latching function and the fastening security into a single integrated movable latch mechanism that is hinge-connected to the fastener body. This unified approach provides reliable fastening security through the latching engagement while avoiding the complexity of separate, independent latching and fastening systems.
3Force
If barbs are provided on the clip to grip the component, then the gripping force is improved, but the adaptability to various materials and shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the clamping portion pressible in the clamping direction, allowing the clamping legs to elastically deform and adapt to different web portion thicknesses and shapes. This elastic deformability enables the device to maintain effective gripping force across various materials and geometries without requiring specific barb configurations for each case.
4Reliability
If a high pressing force is applied to maintain clamping, then the fastening security is improved, but the risk of de-clamping due to force variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the dynamics principle with a movable latch connected by a hinge that can dynamically respond to force variations. This dynamic latching mechanism maintains the clamping position stably even when pressing force varies, as the latch automatically adjusts to maintain engagement without requiring constant high pressing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism provides self-service by automatically maintaining the clamping position through its movable hinge-connected design. The latch self-adjusts to force variations and maintains secure engagement without requiring external intervention or additional components, thereby ensuring both fastening security and position stability.
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
The device provides a stable and firm clamping force that is independent of the initial pressing force, enabling secure attachment to components with diverse materials and shapes, and allows for easy integration of additional components via a mounting arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
the latch is movable with regard to the fastener body and is connected to the fastener body by a hinge
Implementation Method 2
the first and second body leg portions are pressed together in the clamping position by the first and second body leg portions
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fastening device (10) for fastening to a web portion of a component, comprising (i) a U-shaped fastener body (20) having a body base portion, a first body leg portion, and a second body leg portion, wherein the first and second body leg portions each extend from the body base portion such that a base receptacle (B) is defined between the first and second body leg portions (26, 30), and (ii) a U-shaped clamping portion (22) having a clamping base portion, a first clamping leg portion, and a second clamping leg portion, wherein the first and second clamping leg portions each extend from the clamping base portion such that a clamping receptacle (C) for receiving the web portion (16) is defined between the first and second clamping leg portions (62, 66), wherein the clamping portion (22) is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction (z) into the base receptacle (B) of the fastener body (20), so as to establish a clamping position (PC), wherein the first and second clamping leg portions (62, 66) are pressed together in the clamping position (PC) by the first and second body leg portions (26, 30), wherein the clamping portion (22) is held in the clamping position (PC) by a latch (42, 46) of a main latching arrangement (36), and wherein the latch (42, 46) is movable with regard to the fastener body (20) and is connected to the fastener body (20) by a hinge (44, 48).