Resilient Retaining Clip Structure for Dunnage Part Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dunnage systems for securing parts during transport often result in parts shifting or moving, leading to potential damage due to inadequate support and retention mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of a clip and dunnage strip system with movable retaining arms that can switch between open and locked positions, utilizing resilient materials and angled engaging surfaces to securely hold parts on a rack, thereby preventing movement during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dunnage strips with spaced openings are used to support parts, then parts can be held in racks, but parts may shift or move during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The dunnage strip is segmented into multiple discrete clips along its length, each clip independently securing a part. This segmentation allows each clip to provide localized securement while maintaining the overall simplicity of the dunnage strip structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arm is designed to be movable between locked and open positions, allowing dynamic adjustment. The resilient portion enables the arm to flex and lock into position automatically, providing securement without complex locking mechanisms while maintaining part stability.
2Reliability
If a retaining arm with resilient portion is used to secure parts, then parts are held securely, but the clip structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portion of the retaining arm automatically provides the locking action when the arm is moved into position. The elasticity of the resilient material causes the arm to flex and lock securely without requiring additional springs, cams, or complex locking mechanisms - the structure serves its own securing function.
3Quantity of substance
If dunnage strips are placed in staggered positions, then packing density increases, but the rack configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dunnage strip design with multiple clips allows a single strip to secure multiple parts in various configurations. The staggered placement of clips on different strips enables one standardized strip design to accommodate diverse packing requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized strip types.
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 system effectively secures parts on a rack by retaining them in place, reducing the risk of damage during transport and allowing for efficient loading and unloading, while also enabling higher packing density through staggered configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining arm includes a resilient portion that allows the retaining arm to flex between the locked position and the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A clip for securing a part, having a body portion having a first wall surface and a supporting surface adjacent the first wall surface, a retaining arm connected to the body, the retaining arm comprising a second wall surface opposite the first wall surface, an engaging portion at the distal end of the retaining arm, and an engaging surface on the engaging portion generally opposite the supporting surface. The first and second wall surfaces cooperate to define a groove that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the part therein. The retaining arm is moveable between an open position wherein the portion of the part may be received in the groove, and a locked position wherein the engaging surface at least partially overhangs the groove and the engaging surface and the supporting surface cooperate so as to retain the portion of the part when received within the groove.