Laterally Open Latching Fastener for Vehicle Trim Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latching connections for vehicle inner linings fail to maintain a consistent axial tensile force after repeated mounting and demounting, leading to wear and the need for additional securing screws, which complicate the process and compromise sealing against water and dust.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a laterally open latching portion allows for lateral release of the latching connection during demounting, reducing material wear and eliminating the need for separate locking screws, enabling easy mounting and demounting while maintaining high axial extraction resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional latching connections are used for fastening vehicle inner lining, then the latching elements can be clipped on manually in the axial direction, but the axial tensile force absorption capability deteriorates after repeated mounting and demounting due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the demounting direction from axial (parallel to mounting direction) to lateral (oblique with respect to axial direction). The latching portion is designed to be open laterally, allowing the holding element to be released by lateral movement rather than axial extraction. This dimensional change in release direction eliminates wear during demounting while maintaining axial fastening capability.
2Ease of operation
If conventional latching connections are used, then mounting can be performed manually, but additional securing screws are required to maintain axial extraction resistance, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening and release functions into a single latching mechanism. The laterally open latching portion integrates the axial fastening capability with lateral release capability, eliminating the need for separate securing screws. This consolidation reduces the number of components while maintaining both manual mounting ease and axial extraction resistance.
3Productivity
If conventional latching connections are used, then the latching elements can engage in the axial direction, but material wear increases after repeated mounting and demounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates material wear during demounting by changing the release direction from axial to lateral. The latching portion is specifically designed to be open in the lateral direction, allowing the holding element to be shifted laterally out of the latching portion without axial extraction. This prevents friction and wear between the latching elements during repeated operations.
4Device complexity
If conventional latching connections are used, then the latching connection can be formed axially, but sealing against water and dust deteriorates when additional screws are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all fastening functions into the single latching mechanism with laterally open latching portion. This eliminates the need for additional securing screws that would create extra penetration points through the vehicle inner lining. By consolidating the fastening system, the patent maintains effective sealing against water and dust while achieving the required axial extraction resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (20) for fastening a vehicle inner lining (14) to a lining support (12) includes a holding element (22) and a receiving element (24). The receiving element (24) has a latching portion (26) that is laterally open and into which the holding element (22) can engage such that it is fastened to the receiving element (24) in the axial direction. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method of mounting and demounting the vehicle inner lining (14) to or from the lining support (12) by means of this device (20).