Retainer and Nut Assembly Structure for Low-Force Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retainer and nut assemblies face limitations in production rate, tooling longevity, installation force, and centering accuracy, often requiring high installation forces and potentially leading to premature failure of bending tooling and inadequate alignment with panel apertures.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a retainer with first and second legs extending from a base wall, featuring apertured portions with dimples or shoulders, and a nut coupled to the second leg, facilitating faster production, reduced installation forces, and improved centering through a humpbacked and comb-like configuration, allowing for efficient assembly and tooling longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional retainer designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but production rate is constrained and tooling fails prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into multiple functional segments: a base wall portion, a first leg with a first aperture, a second leg with a second aperture, and intermediate portions connecting them. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity, enabling faster production and reduced tooling stress
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the retainer are given different local properties: the base wall has specific thickness for stability, the legs have varying thicknesses for flexibility and strength, and the intermediate portions have optimized geometry for bending operations. This local quality optimization enables improved production rates without compromising overall structural simplicity
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional retainer designs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but bending tooling experiences premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer design incorporates specific parameter optimizations: the intermediate portions have controlled thicknesses and geometries that reduce bending stresses during manufacturing. The base wall thickness, leg dimensions, and aperture placements are all optimized to distribute tooling forces more evenly, extending tooling life without adding manufacturing complexity
3Force
If conventional retainer designs are used, then installation is straightforward, but high installation forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer design incorporates dynamic characteristics through its leg and intermediate portion geometry, allowing the structure to flex and adapt during installation. This dynamic behavior reduces peak installation forces by distributing loads more evenly across the retainer structure, while maintaining ease of operation through straightforward installation procedures
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional retainer designs are used, then assembly is simple, but centering accuracy with panel apertures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer design employs asymmetric geometry in the intermediate portions and leg configurations to achieve precise centering with panel apertures. The non-symmetric placement of apertures, varying leg dimensions, and optimized intermediate portion shapes provide inherent alignment features that improve centering accuracy without adding complex centering mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer comprises first and second legs extending away from a base wall. In one embodiment, the first leg includes a dimple array surrounding an aperture and projecting from an inboard surface of the first leg. In another embodiment, the first leg has a necked portion having a set of first shoulders extending away from a first base, and a first apertured portion extending away from the set of first shoulders. The second leg has a necked and stepped portion having a step extending away from a second base, and a shouldered portion extending away from the step and having a set of second shoulders extending laterally outwardly, and a second apertured portion extending away from the second shoulders. The retainer of either embodiment may be coupled to a nut to produce a retainer and nut assembly.