Rapid-Release Fastener Using Material Flow Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening methods, such as using screws, make it difficult to repeatedly and rapidly couple and separate objects, as they are often difficult to demount and do not facilitate easy engagement or removal.
Innovation Solution
A fastener with a fitting portion, an engaging portion, and a filler portion that allows the fastener to be firmly attached to an object by passing through a sliding hole, where the fitting portion presses against the object to allow material to enter or flow into the filler portion, enabling easy engagement and disengagement with another object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to fasten objects together, then the coupling strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in demounting and repeated engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into distinct functional portions: a fitting portion for pressing against the object, an engaging portion for coupling with another object, and a filler portion for receiving material. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, enabling both strong coupling and easy demounting by addressing these as separate operational steps rather than a single irreversible fastening action
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener transitions from a static screw design to a dynamic system where the fitting portion can be pressed against the object to deform material and then released. The engaging portion allows for repeated engagement and disengagement motions, transforming the fastening process from a static, irreversible operation to a dynamic, reversible process that maintains strength while improving ease of operation
2Strength
If conventional fastening methods are used, then the coupling strength is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming assembly and disassembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting portion is designed to be pressed against the object in advance to deform the material and create a secure fit before the engaging portion is used for coupling. This preliminary action of pressing and deforming material prepares the fastener for rapid subsequent engagement and disengagement operations, improving overall productivity while maintaining coupling strength
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using threads or interlocking mechanisms that require complex rotational or insertion movements, the invention inverts the approach by using a pressing action that deforms material to create the fastening effect. This inversion simplifies the operation to a single pressing motion for both assembly and disassembly, significantly improving assembly speed while maintaining adequate coupling strength
3Reliability
If the fitting portion presses against the object to allow material to enter the filler portion, then the reliability of fitting is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple portions and material flow requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener applies local quality by concentrating the material deformation action at the fitting portion where it presses against the object, while the filler portion simply receives the deformed material. The engaging portion has its own specialized function for coupling. This local specialization of functions across different portions improves fitting reliability through controlled material deformation while keeping each portion's design relatively simple and focused
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 rapid and repeated coupling and separation of objects by providing a secure yet easily removable fastening solution, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
the fitting portion presses against the object, allowing a material of the object to enter or flow into the filler portion
Implementation Method 2
a die presses against the material dedicated to the object and positioned proximate to the sliding hole to allow a material of the object to deform at the sliding hole, such that the deformed material blocks the sliding hole to stop the fitting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener and a method of mounting the same in place includes a fitting portion, an engaging portion and a filler portion. The fastener passes through a sliding hole of an object, and then the fitting portion presses against the object, allowing a material of the object to enter or flow into the filler portion, so as to fit the fastener and the object firmly together. The engaging portion is engaged with or removed from another object. Therefore, the fastener and the method can couple together and separate at least two objects repeatedly and rapidly.