Lever-Arm Fastening Structure for Tool-Free Vehicle Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fastening devices in the automotive industry are time-consuming, prone to errors, and often require additional tools or torque for assembly, with limitations in reusability and durability, especially when using screws or plastic clips.

Innovation Solution

A releasable fastening device comprising a socket, engagement structure, and lever arms with pivot and sliding connections, allowing for efficient attachment and detachment without additional tools, and designed for robust and flexible construction to minimize manufacturing errors and enable reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screws are used for fastening, then the fastening strength is improved, but the assembly time increases due to torque control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw fastening system with a lever-arm-based mechanical fastening system. The lever arms pivot about pivot points and engage with engagement surfaces through sliding connections, eliminating the need for torque control and thread preparation. This substitution maintains fastening strength while dramatically reducing assembly time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device is segmented into multiple independent lever arms, each with its own pivot point and engagement surface. This segmentation allows each lever arm to be independently positioned and engaged, enabling parallel assembly operations and reducing overall assembly time while maintaining cumulative fastening strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If plastic clips are used for fastening, then the assembly speed is improved, but the construction strength and reusability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidconstruction strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite fastening system combining rigid lever arms with flexible positioning capabilities. The lever arms provide robust construction strength comparable to metal fasteners, while the sliding connections and pivot points enable quick assembly and disassembly similar to plastic clips. This composite approach achieves both high strength and high assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device incorporates dynamic elements including pivot points that allow rotational movement and sliding connections that enable linear adjustment. These dynamic features allow the rigid lever arms to be quickly positioned and engaged, maintaining assembly speed advantages while providing the construction strength of rigid components. The device can be rapidly assembled and disassembled and reused multiple times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If traditional fastening devices are used, then the fastening function is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional tools and torque requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening functionVSAvoidtool requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever arm fastening device is self-servicing in that it requires no external tools or torque control mechanisms. The lever arms automatically engage with the engagement surfaces through their sliding connections and pivot points, and the fastening function is achieved simply by positioning the lever arms into the engaged state. This eliminates all additional tools and complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If single-use clips are used, then the assembly simplicity is improved, but the reusability and durability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the lever arm fastening device to be recoverable and reusable rather than disposable. The lever arms can be easily disengaged from the engagement surfaces and recovered for reuse. The robust construction of the lever arms ensures they maintain their fastening function over multiple assembly and disassembly cycles, eliminating the need for single-use clips while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11746807B2Releasable fastening device and a method for operating a releasable fastening device

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD

AI summary

A releasable fastening device includes a socket, an engagement structure, and first and second lever arms. The socket is insertable into an opening of an object from a first side. The first and second lever arms are pivotably attached to the socket at respective pivot points and are slidably connected to the engagement structure. The fastening device moves between a mounting position where the fastening device is insertable into the object and a fastening position where the fastening device is attached thereto. The first and second lever arms have respective attachment surfaces, respectfully configured to engage a first engagement surface on a second side of the object in connection to the opening in the fastening position and a second engagement surface on the second side of the object in connection to the opening in the fastening position.