Rigid Locking Teeth Fixturing for Flexible Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixturing methods for securing surfaces with flexible fasteners are inadequate in providing strong and reliable attachment, as they fail to prevent movement in the fixturing direction once the surface is inserted through an aperture.
Innovation Solution
A fixturing apparatus featuring a housing with subassemblies containing rigid locking teeth that form an aperture, where the teeth have sloping side portions and gripping edges to engage flexible loop-type fasteners, preventing movement in the fixturing direction by locking the fabric or strap in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible loop-type fasteners and flexible hook-type fasteners are used to releaseably attach surfaces, then the attachment can be easily installed and removed, but the fixation strength and reliability are insufficient to prevent movement in the fixturing direction
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple rigid locking teeth distributed around its circumference, each capable of independently engaging with flexible loop-type fasteners. This segmentation allows the aperture to provide multi-point fixation, significantly increasing overall fixation strength while maintaining the releaseable attachment capability through flexible fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid locking teeth are designed with asymmetric geometry featuring sloping side portions and gripping edges. The sloping sides allow the teeth to pass through flexible fasteners during insertion, while the gripping edges prevent backward movement. This asymmetric design enables directional locking that maintains strong fixation while allowing easy installation.
2Reliability
If rigid locking teeth with gripping edges are added to engage flexible fasteners, then fixation strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid locking teeth are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the aperture function with the locking mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate aperture components and reduces overall device complexity while providing strong fixation through the teeth's engagement with flexible fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid locking teeth serve multiple functions: they form the aperture opening, provide mechanical engagement surfaces for flexible fasteners, and act as locking elements preventing backward movement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high fixation strength.
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
The apparatus provides extremely strong fixation by ensuring the fabric or strap cannot be moved backward through the aperture, maintaining secure attachment due to the engagement of the rigid locking teeth with flexible fasteners, enhancing the stability and reliability of the fixturing process.
Implementation Method 1
disposing a plurality of flexible loop-type fasteners on one of the surfaces and a plurality of flexible hook-type fasteners on the other surface. When mated, the plurality of flexible hook-type fasteners engage with the plurality of flexible loop-type fasteners to releaseably secure the first surface to the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method to manufacture a fixturing apparatus, the method including forming a first assembly and a second assembly, wherein both the first assembly and the second assembly comprise a bottom, a first lip extending outwardly from the bottom, an opposing second lip extending outwardly from the bottom, a first side wall extending outwardly from the bottom and connecting a first end of the first lip and a first end of the second lip, a second side wall extending outwardly from the bottom and connecting a second end of the first lip and a second end of the second lip, and a plurality of locking teeth extending outwardly from the bottom, wherein the plurality of locking teeth are disposed between the first lip, the second lip, the first side, and the second side; and forming the fixturing apparatus by attaching the first assembly to the second assembly.