Rotating Adapter Clip for Convergent Wall Orifices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fasteners for cantilevered structures are not suitable for through holes with convergent shapes in both directions, lacking flexibility and safety in use, and often require lubrication for movement, which can lead to corrosion and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

A clip with a rigid adapter and complementary rotational securing means, a clamping member, and a deployable retaining tab, featuring a surface treatment for corrosion protection and dry lubrication, allowing for secure attachment in various orifice shapes without tilting and enhancing robustness and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the clip body is shaped to match convergent orifices, then insertion is facilitated, but the clip cannot be used with divergent orifices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different orifice shapesVSAvoidneed for multiple clip variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is divided into two functional segments: a standardized body designed for divergent orifices and an adapter component for convergent orifices. This segmentation allows the main clip body to remain simple while the adapter handles the specialized convergent case, eliminating the need for multiple clip variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adapter component serves as an intermediary element between the standardized clip body and convergent orifices. The adapter translates the geometric mismatch between the clip's cylindrical shape and the convergent orifice shape, enabling universal compatibility without modifying the main clip body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If lubricant is applied to facilitate movement between parts, then movement is easier, but corrosion risk increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement between partsVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip employs self-lubricating materials (PTFE/Teflon coating) that provide lubrication without requiring external lubricants. The material's inherent low friction properties enable smooth movement between parts while maintaining corrosion resistance and eliminating the need for maintenance lubrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The friction parameter is modified by applying a PTFE coating to the clip body and adapter surfaces. This coating changes the surface properties to provide self-lubrication, reducing friction between moving parts without introducing corrosive lubricants that would compromise reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the adapter is made rigid to maintain stability, then positioning accuracy improves, but adaptability to different orifice orientations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidaccommodation of different orifice orientations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter features an asymmetric design with a flat bearing surface on one side and a curved outer surface. This asymmetry allows the flat side to provide precise positioning against the orifice wall while the curved outer surface maintains compatibility with the cylindrical clip body, enabling stable positioning without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2392750B1Tie for removably supporting and attaching a structure to a wall, provided with an adapter
Publication Date: 2012.08.22 SATECO SA
  • EP2392750B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2392750B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2392750B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The fastener (10) for supporting and securing a structure, particularly a cantilevered working structure, is of the type intended to be inserted through a through-hole (11) in a wall (8) from a side (6B) of the wall (8) opposite the structure. The fastener (10) comprises an elongated body (12) adapted to pass completely through the wall (8), between a first face (6B) of the wall (8), on the side opposite the structure, and a second opposite face (6A) of the wall (8), on the side of the structure, and at least one deployable member (24, 27) mounted movable relative to the body (12) between a first insertion and retraction position of the fastener (10) through the wall (8) and a second deployed position, in which it protrudes outside the body (12).The attachment (10) further includes an adapter (61) made of rigid material, mounted on the body (12), and defining a bearing area (68) against an upper internal surface (63) of the orifice (11) passing through. The body (12) and the adapter (61) further include additional means for rotational locking.