Housing Fastener Assembly for Thermal Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners fail to ensure proper alignment between housings due to size changes caused by temperature fluctuations, leading to poor assembly quality or damage.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring a protruding portion with a buckling portion, elastic portions, and a connecting portion that allows for relative movement within a gap, enabling alignment adjustment and secure clamping of the fastener to the housing, even when positions deviate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the hook and slot are fixed at predetermined positions on the housings, then the assembly structure is simple, but the alignment fails when housing sizes change due to temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed-position hook and slot into a dynamic system where the fastener can move within the through hole. The connecting portion with gap allows the fastener to adjust its position dynamically, enabling the alignment to adapt when housing sizes change due to temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the fastener from fixed to variable. By allowing the fastener to move within the through hole and adjust its position, the system can compensate for dimensional changes in the housings caused by temperature variations, maintaining alignment accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the fastener is fixed relative to the housing, then the assembly process is simple, but the buckling portion cannot align with the first opening when positions deviate
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is designed with movable capability within the through hole, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during assembly. This enables the buckling portion to align with the first opening even when there are position deviations, while maintaining a simple assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener performs self-alignment by moving within the through hole to accommodate position deviations. The elastic portions provide self-adjusting capability, allowing the fastener to automatically align itself with the buckling portion without requiring precise pre-positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fastener allows position adjustment within the through hole, then the alignment accuracy improves, but the fastener structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is segmented into distinct functional portions: the first portion for alignment, the connecting portion for movement, and the second portion for clamping. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener integrates multiple functions into a single component: alignment (first portion), position adjustment (connecting portion with gap), and clamping (second portion). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, actually simplifying the overall assembly structure while achieving high alignment precision.
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
Ensures accurate alignment and secure assembly of housings by allowing the fastener to adjust its position relative to the housing, preventing damage and improving assembly quality despite temperature-induced size changes.
Implementation Method 1
the buckling portion is allowed to pass through the elastic portions, and after the buckling portion passes through the elastic portions, the elastic portions return and are clamped on the protruding portion
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A fastener is adapted for assembling a first housing to a second housing. The first housing is provided with a protruding portion and a buckling portion, and the second housing has a first surface, a second surface, and a through hole. The fastener includes a first portion, at least one connecting portion, at least two elastic portions, and a second portion. The first portion movably abuts against the first surface and has a first opening. The connecting portion is accommodated in the through hole. One end of the connecting portion is connected to the first portion. The connecting portion is spaced apart from an inner edge of the second housing by a gap. The two elastic portions inclinedly extend into the first opening. The second portion movably abuts against the second surface and is disposed at the another end of the connecting portion.