Retained Fastener Sub-Assembly for Angled Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
In engine assembly processes, fasteners often fall out of angled openings due to their position at an angle, causing delays as they need to be manually retrieved and repositioned, which complicates the assembly of multi-component products like engines.
Innovation Solution
A fastener-component sub-assembly with a body having openings that include a retaining member, such as an O-ring, which allows fasteners to move between extended and recessed positions, preventing them from falling out by engaging the wide portion with the retaining member, thus securing them in place during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fasteners are positioned in angled openings for connecting components at angles, then the ability to connect angled components is improved, but the fasteners fall out of the openings causing assembly delays
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is pre-positioned within the opening during component manufacturing, and a retaining member (such as an O-ring or groove) is provided to hold the fastener in place before assembly. This preliminary positioning prevents the fastener from falling out during handling and assembly operations, eliminating assembly delays while maintaining the ability to connect angled components.
Solution Approach 2:
A retaining member (O-ring, groove, or other retention structure) is introduced as an intermediary element between the fastener and the opening. This retaining member prevents the fastener from falling out of the angled opening while allowing the fastener to remain accessible for assembly operations, thus solving the problem of fastener loss without compromising adaptability.
2Reliability
If fasteners are secured with retaining members like O-rings, then fastener retention is improved, but the complexity of the sub-assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member (such as an O-ring or groove) is integrated into the component body during manufacturing, combining the retention function with the existing component structure. This merging approach provides reliable fastener retention while minimizing additional complexity, as the retention feature becomes part of the component itself rather than a separate add-on element.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener-component sub-assembly has a body, a retaining member, and a fastener. The component has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and one or more openings extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. A first opening of the one or more openings has an inlet and outlet, with an axis extending therethrough. The retaining member is disposed in the first opening of the one or more openings between the inlet and the outlet. The fastener is disposed in the first opening, and the fastener includes a narrow portion and a wide portion. The width of the narrow portion is less than the width of the wide portion. The fastener is movable in the first opening between an extended position and a recessed position. The narrow portion of the fastener is sized such the fastener is able to freely move along the axis and through the retaining member. The wide portion of the fastener is sized such that the fastener is prevented from moving toward the inlet of the first opening when the wide portion engages the retaining member.