Thread-Cutting Screw Attachment Assembly for Inflatable Curtains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Attaching a large or heavy second object to a first object, such as an inflatable curtain arrangement to a vehicle, is challenging for one person due to the difficulty in handling the object, fastening, and limited space, and existing solutions often require multiple steps or insufficient mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
An attachment assembly featuring a thread-cutting or thread-forming screw with a retaining element, such as an end cap, that is fixedly attached to the screw and positioned at its perimeter, allowing for easier handling and secure attachment by one person, with the screw cooperating with a nut fixedly attached to the first object, providing mechanical strength and a snap-in function for alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clip is used to attach the inflatable curtain arrangement to the vehicle, then the attachment can be performed more easily, but the mechanical strength of the final attachment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a clip mechanism with a rigid mechanical fastener (screw and nut assembly) into a single integrated attachment unit. The clip provides initial positioning and ease of operation, while the screw-nut assembly ensures sufficient mechanical strength. This merging of two different attachment mechanisms resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and mechanical strength.
2Ease of operation
If two persons are used to carry out the attachment work, then the attachment can be performed more easily, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of positioning (clip) and fastening (screw-nut assembly) into a single integrated attachment unit that can be operated by one person. This integration reduces the need for multiple operators while maintaining ease of operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a temporary fixation is used to hold the second object, then the attachment can be performed by one person, but time is spent to arrange the temporary fixation and to remove it afterwards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temporary fixation function (clip) and permanent fastening function (screw-nut assembly) into a single integrated unit. The clip provides immediate positioning without requiring separate temporary fixation steps, and the entire assembly can be installed and removed as one unit, eliminating the time spent on separate arrangement and removal of temporary fixations.
4Strength
If a rigid mechanical fastener is used in combination with a clip, then the mechanical strength is sufficient, but two different attachment steps are carried out which takes extra time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clip and rigid mechanical fastener into a single integrated attachment unit where both components are pre-assembled. This allows the operator to perform a single attachment operation rather than two separate steps, maintaining sufficient mechanical strength while reducing the time required for attachment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an attachment assembly (17) for attaching a second object, such as an inflatable curtain arrangement (3), to a first object, such as a cantrail (7). The attachment assembly comprises a screw (19, 79) and a nut (21, 43, 73). The screw has a head (25) and a shaft (27). At least a portion of the shaft comprises a thread (29, 83). The nut is adapted to be fixedly attached to the first object. The nut comprises a bore (35, 47, 75) adapted for receiving the screw, the bore having an axial direction (A) and a height (h) along the axial direction. The attachment assembly further comprises a retaining element (23, 51, 55, 59, 63, 71, 81), which is adapted to be positioned at a perimeter of the shaft of the screw. The bore comprises an inner wall, at least a portion of the inner wall being adapted for receiving and holding the retaining element at least in the axial direction. The bore is unthreaded and the screw is a thread-cutting screw or a thread-forming screw. The disclosure further relates to a use of the attachment assembly for attaching an automotive part to a vehicle. In addition the disclosure relates to a unit for use in the attachment assembly, a first kit, a second kit, a vehicle, as well as to a method for attaching a second object to a first object.