Segmented Fastener Assembly for Low-Clearance Panel Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-piece fastener assemblies for joining a panel with a doghouse to a support with an aperture face clearance issues in automotive applications, where sufficient space is limited, and require consistent coupling and uncoupling forces for repeated access.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece fastener assembly design featuring a doghouse fastener piece with a receiver and an aperture fastener piece, including aperture retention arms and a coupling plate, which provides flexibility through a segmented annular wall and plate retention surfaces to accommodate limited clearance and ensure consistent coupling and uncoupling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a two-piece fastener assembly is used to join a panel with a doghouse to a support with an aperture, then the fastener can provide secure joining, but it requires a relatively large amount of clearance between the doghouse and the support
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is received within the receiver structure, with the coupling plate's outer periphery being received by the receiver's inner periphery. This nesting arrangement allows the fastener components to be compactly arranged, reducing the overall clearance requirement between the doghouse and support while maintaining secure joining capability.
2Strength
If existing two-piece fastener assemblies are used, then joining can be achieved, but repeated access behind the panel requires consistent coupling and uncoupling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate and receiver are designed with flexible elements that allow dynamic adjustment during coupling and uncoupling operations. The flexible coupling plate can deform to engage and disengage from the receiver, providing consistent forces that facilitate repeated access behind the panel while maintaining secure joining when coupled.
3Strength
If the receiver and coupling plate are made rigid, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility to couple and uncouple the fastener pieces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver and coupling plate are designed with localized flexible elements at specific regions (such as the coupling interface) while maintaining rigid structures in other areas. This allows the fastener to provide structural strength where needed while having flexibility at the coupling interface to enable repeated coupling and uncoupling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Aperture retention arms can extend outwardly away from an aperture shaft. An insertion end can be positioned below the aperture retention arms and can have an overall conical shape. The insertion end can include an opening having a closed interior terminal end separating a portion of a first lateral half of the insertion end and leaving another portion of the first lateral half as a connecting bridge below one of the aperture retention arms. The opening can include a channel extending from the closed interior terminal end to an open exterior terminal end to separate a second lateral half of the insertion end below another of the aperture retention arms. The insertion end below the open exterior terminal end of the channel can extend laterally outwardly beyond a straight exterior line defined by laterally outermost points of an outer longitudinal side of the second aperture retention arm.