Polygonal Push-Pin Fastener Anti-Pivoting Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-pin and christmas-tree fasteners face challenges in providing a secure attachment with simple insertion, maintaining centering within apertures, and preventing slippage or disengagement, especially in non-circular apertures and multi-layer substrates, often requiring additional fasteners to prevent pivoting.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system featuring a polygonal or trapezoidal shaped fastener with flexible wings arranged at an acute angle, designed to correspond with a complimentary shaped aperture, ensuring secure engagement across multiple substrate layers and preventing pivoting with a single fastener.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a basic rounded shank fastener is used, then insertion is simple, but the fastener risks separation in non-circular apertures and cannot prevent pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs a polygonal shank cross-section (triangle, square, or rectangle) instead of a circular cross-section. This asymmetric shape corresponds to a complimentary shaped aperture, preventing rotation and pivoting while maintaining simple insertion. The asymmetric geometry ensures the fastener can only be inserted in the correct orientation and remains securely positioned without requiring additional fasteners.
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners or additional attachments are used to prevent pivoting, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity and parts quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates multiple functions into a single fastener: the polygonal shank provides both the securing function and the anti-pivoting function simultaneously. The asymmetric geometry of the shank combined with the complimentary shaped aperture creates a self-locking mechanism that prevents rotation without requiring additional washers, clips, or secondary fasteners, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a fastener is designed for secure fit with difficult removal, then reliability is improved, but insertion process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The polygonal shank with complimentary shaped aperture creates a design where simple linear insertion is possible, but removal requires significant force. The asymmetric geometry allows the fastener to be pushed straight through the aperture with ease, while the interlocking shape prevents easy removal and certainly prevents pivoting, thus achieving secure fit without complicating the insertion process.
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 system achieves secure and stable fastening with easy insertion, self-centering, and reduced need for additional fasteners, accommodating a wide range of substrate thicknesses and preventing slippage and disengagement, while ensuring ideal insertion direction.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible wings extending outwardly from at least one side wall of the at least two side walls, wherein the plurality of flexible wings are arranged at an acute angle in relation to the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening system and method of use is disclosed. The fastening system includes a substrate, an aperture and a fastener. The fastener includes flexible wings that allow for insertion of the fastener into an aperture of a vehicle component.