Integrated Fastener for Instrument Cluster Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Instrument cluster assemblies require separate fasteners for assembly, which are costly to produce and not integrated into the housing components.

Innovation Solution

The integration of fasteners into the back cover of the instrument cluster assembly, allowing the front cover to be secured to the back cover without additional fasteners through a 90° rotation mechanism, utilizing a base and flange portions with angled retention surfaces for varying force applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate fasteners are used to connect the front cover to the back cover, then the assembly is secure and reliable, but the production cost increases and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly securityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener is merged with the back cover to form an integrated fastener assembly. The back cover includes a recessed portion with a fastener receiving area, and the fastener is attached to the back cover and can be rotated from a first configuration (secured to back cover) to a second configuration (secured to front cover), eliminating the need for separate fastener components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated fastener serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the back cover and a fastening mechanism for both the back cover and front cover. The fastener can be rotated between two configurations to secure different components, reducing the need for multiple specialized fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate fasteners are used to connect the front cover to the back cover, then the assembly is secure and reliable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly securityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the fastener is integrated into the back cover and rotated 90° to secure the front cover, then the production cost is reduced and component quantity is minimized, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidassembly operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener is designed to be rotatable between two configurations. In the first configuration, the fastener is secured to the back cover; in the second configuration, the fastener is rotated 90 degrees to secure the front cover. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single integrated component to perform multiple fastening functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated fastener assembly includes features such as gates that can be cut to detach the fastener from the back cover, and slots that accept tools with key ways to enable rotation. The design allows the assembly process to be simplified by integrating the fastening function directly into the back cover structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If the angled retention surface is used to increase force application, then the fastening strength is improved for different load requirements, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidangle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The retention surface is configured with a specific angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fastener. This angled retention surface increases the force applied to the separation wall and inner wall as the fastener is rotated, allowing the fastening strength to be adjusted by varying the angle to meet different load requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10654527B2Integrated fastener for instrumentation cluster

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An integrated fastener for an instrument cluster assembly, where multiple integrated fasteners are used to connect the front cover of the assembly to the back cover. The instrument cluster assembly includes at least one fastener integrated into the back cover, a first recessed portion formed as part of the back cover, and a separation wall formed as part of the back cover in proximity to the first recessed portion. A first mounting aperture is formed as part of the separation wall, and the integrated fastener attached to the back cover and located in the first mounting aperture when the integrated fastener is in a first configuration. The integrated fastener is detached from the back cover and rotated such that the integrated fastener is placed in a second configuration, securing the front cover to the back cover.