Molded Plastic Bushing with Radial Retention for Fastener Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembly components for receiving fastener shanks, particularly screws, are not cost-effective and do not allow for compact packaging, making them inefficient for difficult assembly conditions and requiring additional operations or components.
Innovation Solution
An assembly component comprising a molded plastics body with a bushing having a circumferential wall and inner bore, featuring a wall passage for molded plastics material to extend through, forming a retention part that radially extends from the inner wall to securely hold the fastener shank, allowing for preassembly and compact packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional assembly components are used for receiving fastener shanks, then the assembly process is simple, but the packaging volume is large and additional operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly component: the bushing provides structural support and fastener guidance, while the retention part (formed by molded plastics material extending through wall passages) provides fastener retention. This integration eliminates the need for separate retention components and reduces packaging volume without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention part is pre-formed during the molding process by extending plastics material through wall passages in the bushing. This preliminary formation of the retention feature during manufacturing eliminates the need for additional post-assembly operations to install separate retention components, reducing both packaging requirements and assembly steps.
2Reliability
If additional retention components are added to secure fasteners, then the fastener retention is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is merged with the bushing structure by forming the retention part as an integral feature of the assembly component during the molding process. The molded plastics material extends through wall passages in the bushing to create the retention part, eliminating the need for separate retention components and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly component utilizes a composite structure combining the bushing (metal or rigid material) with molded plastics material that extends through wall passages to form the retention part. This composite approach provides reliable fastener retention through the interaction between the bushing and the molded retention features without requiring additional expensive components.
3Productivity
If multiple separate components are used for fastener assembly, then the assembly is robust, but the packaging and handling efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the bushing and retention part into a single robust assembly component where the molded plastics material extends through wall passages in the bushing to form an integrated structure. This merging maintains structural robustness while significantly improving packaging efficiency and handling by reducing the number of separate components that must be managed during assembly operations.
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 solution enables cost-effective, compact, and efficient assembly of fasteners with low torque requirements, facilitating easy mounting and dismounting, and allowing for preassembled components with reduced packaging volume and cost.
Implementation Method 1
molded plastics material is extending through the at least one wall passage, wherein a segment of the molded plastics material is secured to an inner wall of the bushing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly component (100) for receiving a shank (62) of a fastener (60), particularly a thread (64) of a fastener (60), comprising at least a body (10) of molded plastics material, comprising a bushing (30) secured in the body (10). The bushing (30) comprises at least a wall passage (40) to an inner bore (36). Molded plastics material is extending through the at least one wall passage (40). A segment (12) of the molded plastics material is secured to an inner wall (50) of the bushing (30). The segment (12) is formed by the molded plastics material extending through the wall passage (40). At least one retention part (14) is radially extending in the inner bore (36) of the body (10). The invention relates also to a process of manufacturing an assembly component (100).