Push-In Retainer Seal for Zero-Gap Panel Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing push-in type retainers with sealing features often experience a build-up or stack-up condition that compromises the clamp load force, leading to gaps between the surface and support structures, allowing noise, moisture, and dust to penetrate, and complicating installation due to separate seal components.

Innovation Solution

A connection assembly with a push-in retainer featuring a flexible sealing foot that flexes about a living hinge, maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without blocking the retainer's designed orientation, ensuring a 'zero gap' condition and integrated sealing without stack-up issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate seal component is used with push-in retainers, then sealing function is provided, but device complexity increases and installation becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidseparate seal component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is integrated directly into the retainer body as a sealed cavity formed within the retainer structure itself, eliminating the need for separate seal components. The retainer includes a sealed cavity with sealed walls that contain adhesive material, providing sealing function while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer serves multiple functions: mechanical fastening through the push-in mechanism and sealing through the integrated sealed cavity. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing components and simplifies installation while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional seals are used with push-in retainers, then sealing is provided, but clamp load force is compromised due to build-up or stack-up condition

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidclamp load force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is merged with the retainer body forming an integrated sealed cavity that does not create stack-up conditions. The sealed cavity is formed within the retainer structure itself, allowing the retainer to maintain full clamp load force while providing effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If retainers provide continuous pull down force for zero gap condition, then gap prevention is achieved, but noise and moisture penetration occur when pull down force is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezero gap conditionVSAvoidnoise and moisture penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged into the retainer body through the integrated sealed cavity, providing continuous protection against noise and moisture penetration independent of the pull-down force condition. The sealed cavity maintains its sealing function regardless of retainer position or gap conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If separate seal components are used, then sealing function is provided, but installation is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidinstallation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is merged with the retainer body as an integrated sealed cavity, eliminating the need for separate seal components during installation. The retainer provides both fastening and sealing functions in a single component, simplifying installation while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer performs both mechanical fastening and sealing functions through its integrated sealed cavity, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and simplifying the installation process while ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively maintains a 'zero gap' condition between the surface and support structures, preventing noise and moisture intrusion while simplifying installation by integrating a flexible seal that avoids interference with the retainer's movement, ensuring reliable sealing across varying panel thicknesses.

Implementation Method 1

The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge and maintains continuous sliding contact with the support panel in response to applied pressure between the seal and the support panel during use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexing: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11578740B2Push through retainer connection with integrated hinging seal

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.