Rounded Fastening Clip Structure for High Extraction Without Surface Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening clips with barb retainers and sharp corners can damage components, such as plastic, and prevent their reuse after removal, as they undesirably cut or mar surfaces and fail to securely resist extraction.

Innovation Solution

A fastening clip with an arcuate transition beam connecting opposed frames, featuring exterior and interior contact fingers and contact prongs that securely engage components without sharp edges, providing a robust and resilient connection that resists extraction while minimizing component damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If sharp corners on tabs are used to resist extraction, then the anchoring force is improved, but the component surface is damaged (cut or marred)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction resistanceVSAvoidcomponent surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sharp corners with rounded tabs that have curved surfaces. The rounded geometry maintains extraction resistance through surface contact and friction while eliminating the cutting action that causes component damage. The curved tabs distribute pressure more evenly across the component surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful sharp corner geometry into a beneficial rounded geometry that provides extraction resistance through friction and surface contact rather than through cutting or marring the component. The rounded tabs create a friction-based anchoring mechanism that is less damaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Strength

If barb retainers with sharp corners are used, then the fastening strength is improved, but the component cannot be reused after removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidcomponent reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded tabs eliminate the cutting action that permanently damages the component, allowing the component to be removed and reused. The curved geometry provides sufficient fastening strength through friction and surface contact without compromising the component's integrity for future use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the tabs from sharp corners to rounded surfaces, which alters the interaction mechanism from cutting to friction-based anchoring. This parameter change maintains fastening strength while enabling component reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If sharp tabs are used to anchor the clip, then the extraction resistance is improved, but the outer surfaces of components are cut or marred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction resistanceVSAvoidcomponent surface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded tabs with curved surfaces replace sharp corners, maintaining extraction resistance through friction and surface contact while preserving the component's surface integrity. The curved geometry distributes contact pressure and eliminates cutting action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11105354B2Fastening clip

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A fastening clip is configured to securely couple a first component to a second component. The fastening clip includes a first frame connected to an opposed second frame by an arcuate transition beam. Each of the first and second frames includes an exterior contact finger that is configured to securely abut into a first outer surface of the first component around at least a portion of a first opening formed through the first component, an interior contact finger that is configured to extend into the first opening, and a contact prong that is configured to abut into a second outer surface of the first component.