Retaining Clamp Structure for Stable Cylindrical Post Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners for connecting vehicle components, such as interior panels to body sheet metal, often require complex mounting and securing processes, and may not provide sufficient stability and anti-release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clamp with resilient retaining legs and an anti-release structure, designed to securely connect to a cylindrical post, featuring staggered and helically arranged legs for enhanced stability and a convex portion to prevent disengagement, integrated with a connection seat for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fasteners are used to connect vehicle components, then connection stability is achieved, but the mounting process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening clamp is divided into distinct functional segments: a substrate providing structural support, multiple resilient retaining legs for engagement, and an anti-release structure for security. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mounting process while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient retaining legs automatically deflect and engage with the connecting post through elastic deformation, creating a self-securing mechanism that does not require additional fastening steps or complex mounting procedures. The anti-release structure further enhances this by preventing accidental disengagement without requiring active intervention.
2Strength
If traditional fasteners are used to connect vehicle components, then connection strength is achieved, but the assembly process requires welding or complex securing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining legs utilize elastic deformation as a key parameter, allowing them to deflect during insertion and then spring back to securely engage the connecting post. This elastic parameter change enables strong mechanical engagement without requiring welding or complex securing mechanisms, significantly easing the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining legs transition from a static to a dynamic state during assembly, deflecting elastically as they engage with the connecting post. This dynamic behavior allows the fastening clamp to achieve strong connection through controlled deformation and recovery, eliminating the need for permanent joining methods like welding.
3Ease of operation
If resilient retaining legs are used to simplify mounting, then ease of assembly is improved, but the risk of accidental disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-release structure is designed to preemptively counteract any forces that might cause accidental disengagement. By positioning this structure to engage with corresponding features on the connecting post or first component, it creates a preliminary protective mechanism that prevents release before it can occur, maintaining reliability while preserving assembly ease.
4Reliability
If multiple retaining legs are used to enhance stability, then connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple retaining legs are merged into a single integrated fastening clamp structure, where all legs are formed as one piece from the substrate. This combining approach provides the stability benefits of multiple engagement points while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate components, as the entire structure with all retaining legs is installed as a single unit.
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
Provides stable and secure connections without the need for welding, allowing for easy assembly and preventing accidental disengagement, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the at least two first retaining legs are resilient and configured to deflect about the proximal ends of the at least two first retaining legs
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
The present application provides a fastening clamp, used for connecting a first component to a second component having a connecting post, including: a substrate (101) on which a mounting hole (108) is provided; at least two first retaining legs (103,104,105), and at least two second retaining legs (113,114,115), where the mounting hole (108) is used to receive the connecting post of the second component, proximal ends of the at least two first retaining legs (103,104,105) are connected to an edge of the mounting hole (108), proximal ends of the at least two second retaining legs (113,114,115) are connected to the edge of the mounting hole (108), and the at least two first retaining legs (103,104,105) and the at least two second retaining legs (113,114,115) are on the same side of the substrate (101); where distal ends of the at least two second retaining legs (113,114,115) are closer to the substrate (101) than distal ends of the two first retaining legs (103,104,105), and the at least two first retaining legs (103,104,105) and the at least two second retaining legs (113,114,115) are configured to be able to collectively retain the connecting post of the second component in the mounting hole (108). The fastening clamp in the present application can be mounted on a cylindrical connecting post.