Resilient-Leg Connector for Single-Operator Component Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of mounting components onto a vehicle body is challenging due to the need for manual alignment and fastening at multiple points, requiring multiple staff members to ensure accurate alignment and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a head, body with a central channel, and resilient legs that attach to a fastener, allowing for easy alignment and secure mounting of components, facilitating the mounting operation by holding the first component relative to the second component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment and fastening operations are performed at multiple mounting points, then mounting precision can be ensured, but the mounting process requires multiple staff members and becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves as an intermediary device that bridges the first component and the fastener. It includes a body with a central channel to receive the fastener, resilient legs that engage with the fastener, and a head with flanges to clamp the first component. This intermediary structure enables precise alignment and secure fastening while simplifying the overall mounting process to be performed by a single operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: the head portion with flanges for clamping the first component, the body portion with the central channel for fastener reception, and the resilient legs for engagement with the fastener. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, contributing to both precision and operational simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple staff members are used to hold and align the component, then alignment accuracy is maintained, but the operation time and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to self-align and self-secure during the mounting operation. The resilient legs automatically engage with the fastener when inserted into the central channel, and the flanges automatically clamp the first component. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for multiple operators to manually hold and align the component, reducing both time and resource requirements while maintaining alignment accuracy.
3Reliability
If the connector structure is made more complex to ensure secure attachment, then connection reliability improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient legs incorporate elastic elements that provide dynamic engagement with the fastener. The resilient nature allows the legs to flex during insertion and then securely lock onto the fastener, providing reliable attachment. This dynamic characteristic ensures strong connection while maintaining ease of operation, as the resilient legs automatically engage without requiring complex manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes changes in physical parameters, specifically the elastic deformation of the resilient legs, to achieve secure attachment. The resilient legs deform elastically during engagement and then maintain a constant securing force. This parameter change approach provides reliable connection through material properties rather than complex mechanical structures, thereby maintaining ease of operation.
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 single-operator mounting of components by maintaining alignment and facilitating fastening, reducing the need for multiple staff members and improving the efficiency of the mounting process.
Implementation Method 1
at least two resilient legs connected to the body, wherein the at least two resilient legs extend obliquely toward the central axis in a direction from the body to the head, and the at least two resilient legs are configured to be engageable with the fastener that is inserted into the central channel
Data Source
AI summary
A connector having a head that holds a first component and a body connected to the head. The body has a central channel extending along a central axis of the connector, and the central channel receives a fastener. The body has at least two resilient legs. The resilient legs extend obliquely toward the central axis in a direction from the body to the head. The resilient legs engage with the fastener, to attach the connector to the fastener.