Piercing Rib Clip for Vehicle Assembly Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal and plastic fasteners for blind connections in vehicle assemblies face issues such as noise due to metal-to-metal contact, corrosion, high insertion force, and complex manufacturing requirements, including the need for molded doghouses and holes in plastic ribs.
Innovation Solution
A plastic rib clip with a piercing pin that extends from one leg to another, allowing for efficient installation without requiring a window in the rib, reducing noise and corrosion issues, and simplifying tooling and manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal clips are used for blind connections, then connection strength and durability are improved, but noise from metal-to-metal contact and corrosion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces durable metal clips with a disposable plastic clip that has a limited service life. The clip is designed to be installed on a rib and eventually break or deform after serving its purpose, eliminating the need for corrosion-resistant coatings and reducing noise issues associated with metal-to-metal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the physical and chemical properties of the clip. This material substitution eliminates corrosion susceptibility and reduces noise generation while maintaining adequate connection strength for the application.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If plastic clips are used to eliminate noise and corrosion, then harmful factors are reduced, but insertion force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a resilient leg that can flex and deform during installation. This dynamic feature allows the leg to bend during insertion to reduce peak insertion forces, then maintain clamping pressure on the rib after installation. The resilient nature of the plastic material enables this dynamic behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing pin is pre-formed as an integral part of the clip structure before installation. During installation, this pre-formed pin automatically pierces the rib without requiring separate operations, reducing the overall insertion force and simplifying the installation process compared to clips that require pre-drilled holes or molded doghouses.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional plastic clips are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but complex molded features like doghouses and holes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piercing function into the clip structure itself through an integrated piercing pin. This eliminates the need for separate piercing operations, pre-drilled holes in the rib, or molded doghouse features. The clip and piercing function are combined into a single integrated component that can be molded as one piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing pin is pre-formed as an integral part of the clip structure before installation. During installation, this pre-formed pin automatically pierces the rib without requiring separate operations, reducing the overall insertion force and simplifying the installation process compared to clips that require pre-drilled holes or molded doghouses.
Data Source
AI summary
A piercing rib clip has first and second legs defining a space for receiving a rib of a component held thereby and a piercing pin held by at least one of the legs piercing the rib held between the legs.