Retaining Clip Segmentation for Captive Battery Cover Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clip fastenings for electronic devices, such as telecommunications terminals, fail to provide a captive and easily detachable attachment solution, leading to instability and increased risk of the device slipping off.

Innovation Solution

A retaining clip arrangement with two parallel legs that attach to a battery compartment cover, utilizing recesses and latching lugs to form a rotary bearing, combined with a spring element and friction elements for secure attachment to clothing, and a latching element for easy battery access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the retaining clip is detachably arranged on the housing, then it can be easily removed, but it may slip off and fall during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidstability during use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining clip is divided into two functional parts: a first retaining clip arranged on the housing for stable attachment, and a second retaining clip on the battery compartment cover for easy detachment. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the first provides stability while the second enables easy removal without compromising the overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery compartment cover acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the second retaining clip. By coupling the second retaining clip to the battery compartment cover rather than directly to the housing, the design enables easy detachment through battery cover removal while the first retaining clip maintains stable connection to the housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the retaining clip is firmly fixed to the housing, then it prevents slipping, but it becomes difficult to detach for battery replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of slippingVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining clip system is segmented into a first retaining clip for firm fixation to the housing and a second retaining clip for easy detachment via battery cover removal. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different attachment strengths to different functional requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, permanently fixed retaining clip to a dynamic configuration where the second retaining clip can be easily detached by removing the battery compartment cover, allowing the attachment state to change based on operational needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple clip arrangement is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it lacks sufficient holding force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of structureVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The design merges multiple functions into the battery compartment cover: it serves as both a protective cover for the battery compartment and as a mounting structure for the second retaining clip. This merging allows the system to achieve sufficient holding force through the combined action of both retaining clips without adding separate complex structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery compartment cover is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a protective element for the battery compartment and as a structural component for mounting the second retaining clip. This universal design enables the system to achieve adequate holding force while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures a captive, non-slip connection to the device and clothing, while allowing easy detachment and battery replacement, enhancing the holding force and reducing the risk of device damage from falling.

Implementation Method 1

The spring element is arranged in such a way that it exerts a restoring force on the retaining clip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The friction element has a reinforcing effect on the holding force of the clip arrangement by increasing the frictional resistance between the holding clip and the section of fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2490412B1Clip fixing to prevent loss
Publication Date: 2013.09.11 GIGASET COMMUNICATIONS GMBH
  • EP2490412B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2490412B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2490412B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The arrangement has a retaining clip (400) for fastening parallel legs (410) to a battery compartment cover (200) of an electronic device. The legs engage through recesses in the cover in latching lugs (230). The cover is fastened to a housing (300) by a fastener. The housing has shoulders (310) engaged with the recesses such that the shoulders limit movement of the legs of the clip in axial direction of a rotational axis of a rotary bearing (240) when the cover is fastened on the housing. A non-slip connection is formed among the legs and the lugs.