Retaining Clip With Flexible Connecting Element For Buckling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening clips for vehicle trim parts face challenges in securely attaching to openings of varying sizes due to difficulties in insertion and insufficient holding force, as they require different sizes to fit properly.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip with flexible latching wings and V-shaped webs connected by a flexible element, allowing for adaptable fitting and secure hold by springing towards each other to match opening sizes, while preventing buckling through a connecting element that supports the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible fastening section is used to adapt to openings of different sizes, then adaptability is improved, but insertion difficulty increases and holding force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening section is divided into multiple discrete latching wings (at least two) that are spaced apart from one another. Each latching wing can independently deflect and latch onto the opening, allowing the fastening section to adapt to different opening sizes through coordinated movement of individual segments rather than requiring the entire section to deform uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching wings are designed with flexible webs that allow them to deflect dynamically during insertion and latching. The wings can bend toward each other during insertion to navigate through openings of varying sizes, then spring back to their original positions to engage with the opening edges, providing both adaptability and secure holding force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If latching wings are made flexible to adapt to opening sizes, then adaptability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to buckling
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting element is introduced as an intermediary component between the spaced-apart webs. This connecting element provides structural support and restraint to the flexible latching wings, preventing them from buckling or bending excessively while still allowing the necessary deflection for adaptation to different opening sizes. The connector acts as a mediator that balances flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening section combines flexible web materials with supporting connecting elements to create a composite structure. The webs provide flexibility for adaptation, while the connecting elements provide rigidity to prevent buckling. This composite approach allows the structure to exhibit both flexible and stable characteristics simultaneously.
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 clip achieves flexible adaptation to different opening sizes with enhanced stability and secure attachment, ensuring a stable hold without buckling, allowing for effective tolerance compensation and improved assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the webs are spaced apart from one another and the latching wings extending away from one another, with a flexible connecting element being provided between the webs... they can spring towards one another and thus already adapt to openings of different sizes
Implementation Method 2
this flexible connecting element offers an additional support function, which prevents the fastening section, in particular the webs, from buckling or bending over, as a result of which the stability of the webs and thus of the fastening section is improved
Implementation Method 3
The latching wings are designed in such a way that they can latch on the back of the opening and thus ensure that the fastening clip is held in the opening
Data Source
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AI summary
In a fastening clip (10), in particular for a trim part (12) of a vehicle, with a base body (16) on which a retaining section (20) for the trim part (12) and a fastening section (22) are provided, which can be inserted into an opening (24) of a vehicle-fixed component (14), in particular a body part, and can lock into place, the fastening section (22) has at least two flexible locking wings (48) which are each held on a flexible web (40), wherein the webs (40) are spaced apart from each other and the locking wings (48) extend away from each other from the webs (40), and a flexible connecting element (42) is provided between the webs (40) which connects the webs (40) to each other along their entire length.