Push-In Fastener With Resilient Fingers For Manual Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional push-type rivets are difficult to install and require tools like a mallet, making them cumbersome for securing structural elements with incidental or light loading.
Innovation Solution
A fastener with a screw opening and resilient fingers that can be manually installed by a push-in screw-out mechanism, allowing for easy installation and removal, and featuring a design that secures structural elements with a high-strength, flexible material like nylon or PEEK, with finger teeth providing a secure grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional push-type rivets are used to secure structural elements, then the attachment strength is sufficient, but the installation difficulty increases and requires tools like a mallet
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener inverts the conventional rivet installation approach by enabling push-in installation without requiring hammering or specialized tools. The resilient fingers and screw mechanism allow the fastener to be inserted by simple pushing motion, reversing the traditional force application method while achieving secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener utilizes parameter changes in the resilient fingers' mechanical properties. The fingers are designed with specific elasticity and flexibility parameters that allow them to deform during push-in installation and then maintain a secure grip on the structural elements, transforming the installation process from difficult hammering to easy pushing.
2Reliability
If conventional rivets require interference fit and wedging effect, then secure attachment is achieved, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs self-service principles where the resilient fingers automatically engage with the structural elements upon push-in installation. The screw mechanism self-threads through the fingers, and the fingers self-adjust to secure the elements, eliminating the need for complex installation procedures or additional tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener body is segmented into multiple resilient fingers that can independently deform and engage with the structural elements. This segmentation allows each finger to independently contribute to the attachment security, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining reliable attachment.
3Ease of operation
If manual push installation is enabled, then installation ease improves, but the fastener must use resilient material which may reduce strength
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener utilizes composite material principles by combining resilient polymer material with metal screw components. The polymer body provides the necessary elasticity for easy push-in installation, while the metal screw reinforces the structure and provides threading functionality, achieving both ease of installation and sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the fastener have different material qualities optimized for their specific functions. The fastener body uses resilient polymer material for ease of installation, while critical load-bearing areas incorporate metal reinforcement and threading, providing local quality enhancement where strength is most needed.
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
Enables quick and efficient attachment and detachment of structural elements with incidental or light loading, providing a secure grip capable of withstanding significant tensile, shear, and bending forces, while being easy to install and remove manually.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of resilient fastener fingers extending from the fastener body
Implementation Method 2
threaded removal from the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener includes a fastener body having a screw opening, a plurality of resilient fastener fingers extending from the fastener body, a finger tooth extending from each of the plurality of fastener fingers and a fastener screw extending through the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers. The fastener screw is adapted for push installation through the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers and threaded removal from the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers.