Nested Clip Fastener for High-Temperature Mounting Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for securing components during high-temperature processes, such as aviation components, fail to reliably withstand extreme temperatures, leading to potential displacement and damage, and are often laborious to install and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system comprising an outer clip and an inner clip that interlock to secure clamshell halves of a mounting tool, using bowed sections and spring-like properties to maintain secure fastening even under extreme temperatures, allowing for thermal expansion and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening systems are used to secure components during high-temperature processes, then the fastening system can be simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but the fastening system fails to reliably withstand extreme temperatures, leading to potential displacement and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into two separate clips: an outer clip that secures to the mounting device and an inner clip that secures to the component. This segmentation allows each clip to be optimized for its specific function and temperature exposure, improving overall reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner clip is nested within the outer clip, with the inner clip positioned inside the U-shaped body of the outer clip. This nested configuration allows both clips to work together in a compact arrangement, providing robust high-temperature fastening without excessive structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional fastening systems are used, then the structure can be simple, but the installation process is laborious and difficult to reuse
Solution Approach 1:
Both clips incorporate弹性 (elasticity) through bowed sections that can flex during installation and then spring into their secured positions. The outer clip's bowed sections allow it to flex around the mounting device tabs, while the inner clip's bowed section allows it to flex during insertion and then spring to secure the component, making installation quick and enabling easy reuse.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rigid fastening structures are used, then the fastening system can provide strong holding force, but the fastening system cannot accommodate thermal expansion at temperatures up to 1950°F
Solution Approach 1:
The clips utilize changes in elastic properties with temperature. The elastic material of the clips is selected to maintain or enhance its spring-like characteristics at high temperatures up to 1950°F, allowing the bowed sections to continue flexing and accommodating thermal expansion while maintaining secure fastening force.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clips are designed to accommodate thermal expansion of the mounted component through their flexible bowed sections. As the component expands at high temperature, the elastic clips can flex and adjust their position, maintaining continuous secure contact without rigid constraints that would cause failure.
4Ease of manufacture
If disposable fastening systems are used, then the system can be simple to manufacture, but material costs increase due to inability to reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The clips are designed to be reusable rather than disposable. After the high-temperature process is complete, the clips can be removed from the mounted component and reused for subsequent components, recovering the material value and reducing overall material costs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 system ensures reliable retention of components during high-temperature processes, preventing damage and enabling efficient, reusable fastening that withstands temperatures up to 1950°F, reducing material and labor costs.
Implementation Method 1
A first outer clip arm and a second outer clip arm, each including a bowed section. The bowed section of the first outer clip arm curves in a first direction and the bowed section of the second outer clip arm curves in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.
Implementation Method 2
configured for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening system for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process. The mounting tool has a first portion having a first tab with a first slot and a second portion having a second tab with a second slot. The fastening system includes an outer clip including outer clip arms and a central portion. The outer clip arms have a gap therebetween. The central portion protrudes into the gap. The fastening system includes an inner clip including inner clip arms. The inner clip is pushed into the gap such that each inner clip arm contacts and pushes one outer clip arm towards the first tab and the second tab. When the fastening system is inserted into the first slot and the second slot, the fastening system limits relative movement between the first tab and the second tab.