Resilient Fastener With Segmented Aperture For Misalignment Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fasteners used in automotive manufacturing are prone to misalignment issues during assembly, requiring high installation force and not easily tolerant of misalignment, leading to improper seating and increased waste due to difficult disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system with a stud that allows for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, featuring a locking mechanism with spring fingers and a dual passage system enabling translation between assembly and disassembly positions, ensuring high retention force and reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional fasteners are used to attach components to vehicle body, then the fastening function is achieved, but high installation force is required and misalignment problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates a resilient body that can dynamically adapt its shape and position during installation. The resilient nature allows the fastener to flex and accommodate misalignment between the fastener and mounting workpiece, eliminating the need for high installation force while ensuring proper seating.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener changes its physical parameters (shape, position) through resilient deformation to accommodate misalignment. This parameter change allows the fastener to adapt to varying alignment conditions without requiring precise pre-alignment or excessive installation force.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If resilient clips are used to secure components, then the fastening function is achieved, but disassembly is difficult and parts are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple portions (first portion for engagement, second portion for disengagement) with passages connecting them. This segmentation allows the stud to be translated from the engagement position to the disengagement position through the passages, enabling easy removal without damaging the fastener or components.
Solution Approach 2:
The passages serve as intermediary pathways that guide the stud from the engagement position to the disengagement position. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled translation and removal of the stud without direct force applied to the engaged components, preventing damage during disassembly.
3Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used, then assembly is achieved, but misalignment tolerance is low leading to improper seating
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient body dynamically adjusts its configuration to accommodate misalignment between the fastener and mounting workpiece. This dynamic adaptation allows the fastener to tolerate a range of misalignments while still achieving proper engagement and secure fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener changes its physical parameters (shape, position) through resilient deformation to accommodate misalignment. This parameter change allows the fastener to adapt to varying alignment conditions without requiring precise pre-alignment or excessive installation force.
4Strength
If high retention force is achieved through conventional means, then fastening strength is improved, but disassembly requires damage to parts
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple portions (first portion for engagement, second portion for disengagement) with passages connecting them. This segmentation allows the stud to be translated from the engagement position to the disengagement position through the passages, enabling easy removal without damaging the fastener or components.
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 fastener system achieves easy installation with low force, high retention, and allows for disassembly without damaging components, reducing part waste and accommodating misalignment, while being simple to manufacture and reuse.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient body comprising a single piece of resilient material and having a longitudinal axis, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, two lateral sides connecting the top side and the bottom side
Implementation Method 2
The bottom side is provided with a first spring finger adapted to apply an elastic force on the part destined to be inserted in the recess
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
System with a fastener and fastener (12) for fastening an object provided with a stud (14) to a component comprising a fastening body having a first recess (30) adapted to receive a first panel, a second recess (36) adapted to receive a second panel, wherein the fastening body comprises an aperture (42) extending from the bottom side to the top side, the aperture (42) being defined by an aperture wall (42'). The aperture (42) comprises a first portion (44) adapted to receive a stud (14) in an assembly position and a second portion (46) adapted to receive the stud (14) in a disassembly position, wherein the first portion (44) comprises a lateral wall (44') defining a cylindrical opening (50) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between the top side and the bottom side, the lateral wall (44') being offset with regard to the aperture wall (42').The lateral wall (44') is connected to the aperture wall (42'), such that a portion of the lateral wall (44') can be deflected toward the aperture wall (42'), and the lateral wall (44') comprises a locking element (58) extending in the cylindrical opening (50) and adapted to secure the position of the stud (14) in the assembly position. At least one passage (54) is provided for the translation of the stud (14) from the assembly position to the disassembly position.