Magnetic Fastener Assembly for Filter Material Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners for attaching materials to mounting structures are often complex and costly, lacking a simple and cost-effective solution for removably securing materials like filter materials to mounting structures.
Innovation Solution
A fastener assembly comprising a base with an elongate shaft and a retainer, where the shaft has a pointed end for easy insertion and a magnetic interface for attachment to non-magnetic structures, allowing secure and removable attachment of materials with minimized structural complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to securely attach materials to mounting structures, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment function and material securing function into a single integrated fastener assembly. The base with shaft provides attachment to the mounting structure while the retainer secures the material, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener assembly serves multiple functions: the base attaches to the mounting structure, the shaft provides insertion and positioning, and the retainer secures the material. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining attachment reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to securely attach materials to mounting structures, then attachment reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple fastening functions into a single assembly, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This integration lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining secure attachment through the coordinated action of the base, shaft, and retainer.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed to be removable from the base, allowing it to be recovered and reused for securing materials. This separability reduces the need to manufacture complete new fastener assemblies for each material attachment task, lowering overall manufacturing costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple fastener design is used to minimize structural complexity and cost, then ease of manufacture is improved, but attachment reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener assembly is segmented into distinct functional components (base, shaft, retainer) that are simple to manufacture individually but work together to provide reliable attachment. The segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft acts as an intermediary element that connects the base to the retainer and material. This simple intermediate component enables the transfer of attachment forces while maintaining the simplicity of the overall design and ensuring reliable connection between the mounting structure and secured material.
4Strength
If a permanent fastening method is used to maximize attachment strength, then attachment strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to remove and reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener assembly transitions from a static permanent fastening design to a dynamic removable design. The retainer can be easily removed from the base and reattached as needed, providing both strong attachment when engaged and ease of operation when removal or repositioning is required, enabling reuse of the components.
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 fastener assembly effectively secures materials to mounting structures with reduced complexity and cost, minimizing debris entry and allowing for easy removal and reuse, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft has a pointed end for easy insertion and a magnetic interface for attachment to non-magnetic structures
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener for removably attaching a filter material to a mounting structure includes a base and corresponding safety retainer. The base includes an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end including an attachment means for removably attaching the fastener to the mounting structure. The safety retainer is configured to be removably received onto the shaft to secure at least a portion of the filter material between the safety retainer and the base.