Movable Fastener Band Clamp for Airbag Inflator Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional band clamps with fixed fasteners face alignment issues during airbag inflator installation, leading to misalignment, increased manufacturing costs, and waste due to the need for customized clamps for different vehicle models, and limited flexibility in installation.
Innovation Solution
A movable clip attached to the band clamp allows the fastener to be repositioned along the band, enabling alignment with vehicle connectors regardless of vehicle size or shape, reducing the need for customized clamps and improving installation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed fastener is used on the band clamp, then the structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but alignment with vehicle connectors is difficult and misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is made movable relative to the band through a clip mechanism that allows the fastener to be repositioned along the band length. This dynamic adjustment capability enables alignment with different vehicle connector positions while using a standardized band clamp design, resolving the contradiction between fixed structure simplicity and alignment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The band clamp system is divided into separate functional components: the band, the clip, and the fastener. The clip acts as an intermediary element that can be repositioned independently, allowing the fastener to be adjusted to different positions along the band without requiring customization of the entire band clamp assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized band clamps are manufactured for different vehicle models, then alignment with vehicle connectors is improved, but manufacturing cost and inventory storage pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal band clamp design with a movable fastener mechanism can accommodate multiple vehicle models and connector positions. The clip allows the fastener to be repositioned to match different alignment requirements, eliminating the need for model-specific customized clamps and reducing product variety while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the fastener along the band is made variable through the clip mechanism. By changing the position parameter of the fastener rather than changing the entire band clamp design, the system can adapt to different vehicle models without increasing device complexity or requiring multiple customized variants.
3Ease of operation
If the fastener position is fixed on the band, then the band clamp structure is simple, but installation flexibility is limited and misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The clip serves as an intermediary element between the band and the fastener. It provides the necessary adjustment capability to achieve proper alignment and installation flexibility while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple. The clip absorbs the complexity of making the fastener movable without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration system.
Data Source
AI summary
A clip for use with a band clamp for securing one object to another object includes a generally U-shaped body defining a slot between an inner plate and outer plate where the slot is configured to receive the band of the band clamp. A fastener extends from the outer plate of the clip. When the band is formed into a closed loop but not yet fully tensioned about a first object, the clip is movable along the circumference of the closed loop. such that, the fastener may be accurately relocated as needed to align with a complimentary structure associated with a second object that receives the fastener. The band clamp may then be fully secured and locked to the first object allowing the two objects to be secured to each other.