Lever-Actuated Detachable Fastener for Single-Plate Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening configurations for detachably mounting components to structures, such as aircraft walls, are cumbersome due to their complexity and weight, often requiring multiple plates and tools for detachment, which complicates accessibility and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fastener assembly comprising a plunger, a grommet, and a lever arm, where the lever arm is pivotably coupled to the plunger, allowing for a single mounting plate to be used, enabling easy transition between latched and unlatched states without the need for tools, by radially expanding or collapsing the grommet to secure or release the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple plates are used in conventional fastening configurations, then the mounting strength and reliability are improved, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate mounting plates into a single integrated plate structure. The single plate includes a mounting plate portion and a lever arm portion that are integrally formed, eliminating the need for separate plates and fasteners while maintaining the structural strength and reliability of the mounting connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The single plate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mounting surface for attaching the component to the aircraft structure and as the lever arm for actuating the fastener release mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the fastening system.
2Reliability
If multiple plates and tools are used in conventional fastening configurations, then the mounting reliability is improved, but the accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is designed to be self-servicing through the lever arm mechanism. The lever arm is directly coupled to the fastener plunger, allowing the pilot or operator to directly actuate the fastener release by manipulating the lever arm without requiring separate tools. This improves accessibility and ease of operation while maintaining reliable mounting.
3Strength
If conventional fastening configurations are used, then the mounting strength is maintained, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple separate components (mounting plate, lever arm, fasteners) into a single integrated plate structure, the total weight of the fastening assembly is reduced. The integral construction eliminates the weight of additional fasteners, washers, and separate structural elements while maintaining the required mounting strength through optimized structural design.
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
This solution simplifies the mounting process, reduces weight, and enhances accessibility by allowing a single plate to serve as the exclusive mounting interface, facilitating easier repair, replacement, and maintenance of components like literature pockets on aircraft walls.
Implementation Method 1
the body portion of the grommet is radially expanded and is thus configured to retain the fastener assembly relative to the structure... in the unlatched state the tip portion of the plunger is in a second position relative to the grommet such that the body portion of the grommet is radially collapsed and is thus configured to release the fastener assembly relative to the structure
Implementation Method 2
The lever arm may be actuatable to switch the fastener assembly from the latched state to the unlatched state... the lever arm is pivotably coupled to the plunger, allowing for easy transition between latched and unlatched states
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly includes a plunger, a grommet, and a lever arm. The plunger may include a head, a tip portion, and a longitudinal centerline axis. The grommet may be configured to receive the tip portion of the plunger. The tip portion of the plunger may be axially movable relative to the grommet between a latched state and an unlatched state. The lever arm may be coupled to the plunger between the head and the tip portion. The lever arm extends from the plunger at an angle relative to the longitudinal centerline axis, with the lever arm being actuatable to switch the fastener assembly from the latched state to the unlatched state, according to various embodiments.