Pivoting Retention Stud Fastener for Non-Perpendicular Mating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastener assemblies are limited to perpendicular connections and cannot securely mate components at non-perpendicular angles, restricting their application in scenarios requiring flexible connection orientations.

Innovation Solution

A fastening assembly featuring a female fastening member with retention studs and a male fastening member with a pivotally adjustable internal opening, allowing rotational movement and secure connection through a range of angles via curved interfaces and tapered lateral supports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fastener assemblies use fixed perpendicular mating geometry, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different connection angles is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection angle rangeVSAvoidfastener structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening assembly incorporates a retention stud that can pivot and rotate within the internal opening of the male fastening member. This dynamic capability allows the connection angle to vary while maintaining secure engagement, enabling the fastener to adapt to different mating directions without requiring multiple specialized fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The internal opening of the male fastening member features a curved surface that interfaces with the retention stud. This curved geometry enables rotational movement and angular adjustment, allowing the retention stud to pivot through a range of angles while maintaining continuous contact and secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the fastener allows pivotal movement for angle adjustment, then adaptability to non-perpendicular connections is achieved, but connection stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemating direction flexibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retention stud is designed to pivot within the internal opening during the mating process to accommodate angle adjustment, but once engaged, the curved surface geometry provides mechanical constraint that stabilizes the connection. The dynamic adjustment capability does not compromise final connection stability because the curved interface maintains continuous contact and load-bearing engagement throughout the range of motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2855949B1Adaptable mating fastener assembly
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2855949B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2855949B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2855949B1 patent drawingFigure 7~12

AI summary

A fastening assembly is configured to secure a first component to a second component through a range of connection angles. The fastening assembly may include a female fastening member (10) having at least one retention stud (42), and a male fastening member (60) having an internal opening (70) configured to pivotally retain the at least one retention stud. The retention stud(s) is configured to be pivotally adjusted within the internal opening in order to securely connect the female fastening member to the male fastening member through the range of connection angles.