Panel Fastener Assembly That Cuts Snag Risk Without Weakening Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fastening panels to substrates using long pins result in snag hazards and pin weakening due to bending and straightening processes, requiring multiple steps and potentially compromising structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate with a short, blunt first projection and a fastener with an elongate projection, where the fastener includes a self-locking pin washer for secure attachment, reducing the need for lengthy pins and minimizing snag risks, using a self-locking pin washer with elongate projections for enhanced grip and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long pins are used to fasten panels to substrates, then panel retention is improved, but snag hazards and stab risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into two separate components: a short first projection welded to the substrate and a separate elongate projection on the fastener. This segmentation allows the first projection to be short (reducing snag hazard) while the elongate projection provides sufficient retention length when the panel is attached to the fastener.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener acts as an intermediary component between the substrate and the panel. It receives the short first projection from the substrate and provides the elongate projection that engages with the panel, thereby mediating between the conflicting requirements of short projection length (for safety) and long projection length (for retention).
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pins are bent over to reduce snag hazards, then safety is improved, but pin strength is weakened due to bending and straightening processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the functions of substrate attachment and panel retention into two distinct projections. The first projection remains short and blunt (never bent) for safe substrate engagement, while the elongate projection on the fastener provides retention without requiring bending operations, thus preserving structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bending the projection to reduce snag hazard (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the first projection short and blunt from the start, and instead providing length where needed on the elongate projection of the fastener that attaches to the panel, not the substrate.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple process steps (bending over and re-straightening) are used to prepare pins, then snag hazard is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first projection is provided on the substrate in its final short, blunt form before the panel fastening operation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for subsequent bending and re-straightening steps that would otherwise be required to reduce snag hazards, thereby simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the elongate projection function from the substrate projection and places it on the fastener instead. This extraction eliminates the need to bend the substrate projection, as the elongate projection on the fastener provides the necessary engagement length with the panel without requiring any bending operations on the first projection.
4Reliability
If very long pins are welded directly to the substrate, then panel retention is improved, but snag hazards increase and pin weakening occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into a short first projection (less than 50 mm, preferably 5-20 mm) welded to the substrate and a separate elongate projection on the fastener. This segmentation allows the substrate projection to be short (eliminating snag hazard) while the fastener's elongate projection provides sufficient length for secure panel retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener serves as an intermediary that receives the short first projection from the substrate and provides the elongate projection for panel engagement. This intermediary approach allows the substrate projection to remain short (safe) while achieving long retention through the fastener's elongate projection.
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
This solution reduces snag hazards, minimizes pin weakening, and simplifies the fastening process by using short projections and self-locking pin washers, ensuring secure panel attachment while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the washer is forced onto the first projection, thereby deforming the splines which engage with the first projection, to provide a resistance fit
Implementation Method 2
the elongate projection may have a high friction surface along its shaft, to retain said panel when mounted thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener includes a self-locking pin washer and at least one elongate projection mounted on the self-locking pin washer, where the self-locking pin washer is arranged to be a resistance fit to a projection mounted on a structure or vehicle. A method of fastening a panel to a substrate includes attaching a fastener to a projection of a substrate, wherein the fastener includes an elongate projection that is longer than the projection. The method further includes attaching a panel onto the elongate projection of the fastener.