Plastic Nut Clamping Structure for Repeatable Stud Fastening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fastening systems using plastic nuts for motor-vehicle body manufacturing face issues with maintaining sufficient clamping force over multiple detachments and reattachments, leading to potential self-detachment due to vibrations, environmental influences, and assembly errors, which can compromise vehicle quality and safety.
Innovation Solution
A modified plastic nut with a clamping device comprising a radially elastic clamping nose and hollow cylinder section that maintains a consistent clamping force even after repeated use, preventing deformation and wear, and allowing for easy integration with existing automatic nut drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the plastic nut is screwed on and off multiple times, then the fastening system allows for object replacement and assembly flexibility, but the inner surface deforms and clamping force is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamping device with elastic elements that dynamically adapt to the stud surface. The elastic clamping noses flex during screwing operations and maintain continuous contact pressure, automatically compensating for deformations that occur during repeated assembly cycles. This dynamic adaptation preserves clamping force while allowing multiple detachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device changes the physical state of the fastening system by introducing elastic deformation as a controlled parameter. The elastic elements undergo reversible deformation during assembly/disassembly cycles, transforming the rigid plastic nut into a system that can absorb and recover from stress, thereby maintaining reliable clamping force across multiple uses.
2Productivity
If the plastic nut is used repeatedly, then assembly efficiency is maintained, but wear and self-detachment due to vibrations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device with elastic elements provides beforehand cushioning by pre-loading the fastening connection with continuous contact pressure. This elastic pre-compression counteracts the effects of vibrations and wear that occur during vehicle operation, preventing self-detachment before it can occur and maintaining fastening stability throughout the service life of the plastic nut.
3Ease of operation
If manual assembly is performed, then flexibility in handling is improved, but assembly errors and quality inconsistencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device with elastic elements performs self-service by automatically adjusting and maintaining optimal clamping force without requiring precise manual control. The elastic nature of the clamping noses provides self-regulating contact pressure that compensates for variations in assembly technique, enabling manual operators to achieve consistent quality results while retaining handling flexibility.
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 solution ensures a consistent and reliable clamping force is maintained across multiple fastening and unfastening cycles, reducing wear and preventing assembly errors, thus meeting quality standards and enhancing vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping device comprises a radially elastic clamping nose
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic nut for multiple detachable fastening onto a stud with a thread protruding from a workpiece includes a base body with an inner surface partially defining a cylindrical recess penetrating the base body. A support surface is attached to the base body at an axial end of the plastic nut. A clamping device is attached to the plastic nut and configured to provide a clamping force between the plastic nut and the stud when the stud is installed in the cylindrical recess.