Pin And Grommet Fastener for Single-Step Panel Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pin and grommet fasteners require separate steps for inserting the grommet into a panel aperture and seating the pin within the grommet, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A pin and grommet fastener design where the grommet includes panel and pin locking fingers that cooperate to define a pin receptacle, allowing the pin to be retained and inserted as a single unit, with the pin's protrusions forcing the panel locking fingers to flex and inhibit withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the grommet and pin are assembled as a single unit with the pin retained in a temporary position within the grommet, then the end user only needs to handle a single assembly and does not need to manage separate pin and grommet components, but the pin still must be seated within the grommet as a separate step or operation that typically must be done after the pin and grommet fastener is inserted into the aperture of the joining part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the grommet and pin into a single pre-assembled unit where the pin is retained in a temporary position within the grommet before final installation. This merging eliminates the need for users to handle separate components and perform multiple assembly operations, while the flexible fingers allow the pin to be automatically seated during a single insertion motion into the panel aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin is pre-assembled into the grommet and retained in a temporary position within the grommet aperture before final installation. This preliminary assembly prepares the fastener for single-step installation into the panel, eliminating the need for users to perform separate pin insertion operations during final assembly.
2Reliability
If the pin is inserted into the grommet aperture and the grommet is inserted into the panel aperture in separate steps, then proper seating can be ensured, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the grommet insertion and pin seating operations into a single action by pre-assembling the pin within the grommet. The flexible fingers allow the pin to be automatically positioned and seated during the single insertion motion into the panel aperture, maintaining reliability while dramatically improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible fingers that can dynamically adjust during insertion. The fingers flex to allow the pin to be seated within the grommet aperture, then return to their original position to lock the pin in place. This dynamic behavior ensures proper seating occurs automatically during a single insertion operation.
3Quantity of substance
If the pin and grommet are pre-assembled with the pin retained in a temporary position, then handling is simplified, but the pin must still be seated as a separate operation after insertion into the panel aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pin and grommet into a single pre-assembled unit that reduces component handling to one piece. The flexible finger mechanism further merges the pin seating operation into the same insertion motion used to install the grommet into the panel aperture, eliminating the need for separate pin seating steps.
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 design simplifies the assembly process by allowing the pin and grommet to be inserted and secured in a single operation, enhancing efficiency and reducing the risk of misalignment or incomplete assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the panel locking fingers and the pin locking fingers cooperate with one another to define a pin receptacle therebetween... the pin locking fingers engage the pin and thereby retain the pin head in the pin receptacle... the protrusions on the pin engage the panel locking fingers and thereby force the panel locking fingers to flex away from one another and inhibit withdrawal of the fastener
Data Source
AI summary
A pin and grommet fastener includes a grommet and a pin. The grommet includes a base, panel locking fingers, and pin locking fingers. The locking fingers project from the base and cooperate with one another to define a pin receptacle therebetween. The pin includes a pin head, a driving beam connected to the pin head, and protrusions. When the pin head is inserted through an opening in the base and into the pin receptacle, the pin locking fingers engage the pin and thereby retain the pin head in the pin receptable. When the fastener is inserted in one direction into a hole in a panel, the panel engages the driving beam and thereby moves the pin relative to the grommet in the opposite direction, which causes the panel locking fingers to flex away from one another and thereby inhibits withdrawal of the fastener from the hole in the panel.