Polymeric Base Fastener With Sliding Metallic Retainer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fasteners for automotive interior trim and snap-in visor mounts fail to adequately address vehicular body panel size and thickness variations, resulting in inadequate insertion and retention forces.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect fastener system featuring a polymeric base with a channel for a laterally sliding metallic retainer, allowing for tool-free assembly and providing a high retention-to-insertion force ratio, suitable for varying body panel sizes and thicknesses, with a snap-fit mechanism for secure attachment without adhesives or threaded fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional fasteners are used for automotive interior trim, then assembly is simplified, but insertion and retention forces become inadequate due to body panel variations
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates a resilient retainer with flexible arms that can dynamically adjust to variations in body panel hole size and thickness. The resilient nature allows the fastener to adapt its shape and position during insertion and retention, maintaining adequate engagement forces despite dimensional variations in the installed condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design changes key parameters including using a polymeric base with metallic retainer components, creating a composite structure with different material properties. The resilient retainer's flexibility parameter allows it to deform and adapt to body panel variations, while the rigid base provides structural support for insertion force.
2Force
If conventional fasteners are used for automotive interior trim, then assembly is simplified, but retention and strength forces become inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid polymeric base that provides structural support and insertion force, and a resilient retainer portion that provides adaptation and retention. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve high retention forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener employs a composite construction combining polymeric base material with metallic retainer components. This composite approach leverages the strength and rigidity of the polymeric base while utilizing the elasticity and resilience of metallic components to achieve superior retention forces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fasteners are used, then installation is simple, but the fastener cannot accommodate body panel hole size and thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retainer's dynamic flexibility enables it to deform during insertion to accommodate variations in hole size and panel thickness, then recover to provide consistent retention. This dynamic adaptation maintains adequate insertion force across varying tolerances without requiring precise dimensional control.
4Force
If high retention force is achieved, then connection strength improves, but insertion force may increase making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retainer's elastic properties allow it to be easily deformed during insertion (low insertion force) but resist deformation during retention (high retention force). This dynamic mechanical behavior creates a favorable retention-to-insertion force ratio, enabling tool-free manual installation while achieving strong permanent attachment.
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 a strong and uniform connection with low insertion force and high retention force, accommodating body panel variations, enabling easy installation on a moving assembly line without tools and ensuring a robust, removable, and simplified assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a base and a resilient retainer
Implementation Method 2
a generally rigid polymeric base employs a channel operably receiving a metallic retainer in a laterally sliding manner
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connect fastener system is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a snap-in fastener is used for retaining an automotive vehicle interior trim member. A further aspect of the present invention employs a base and a resilient retainer, one of which includes a metallic portion and the other of which includes a polymeric portion. Moreover, a generally rigid polymeric base employs a channel operably receiving a metallic retainer in a laterally sliding manner to ease in assembly of the retainer to the base in an adhesive and screw-free manner.