Self-Adjusting Mating Rivet for Variable-Thickness Snap Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional snap systems and rivets each provide only single functions, leading to cluttered appearances and limitations in securing materials with variable thicknesses, as they do not offer structural support and are not adaptable to different material thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional rivet that integrates a traditional rivet with a snap attachment point, featuring a shank that self-adjusts to varying material thicknesses and provides both structural support and a secure attachment point, reducing the number of components needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional rivet and traditional attachment point are used separately, then structural support is provided, but the appearance becomes cluttered and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a traditional rivet and a traditional attachment point into a single integrated component called a 'mating rivet'. This mating rivet has a head that provides the attachment point functionality and a shank that provides the structural support functionality, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing visual clutter while maintaining both structural and attachment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mating rivet is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through its shank that secures material layers, and it provides an attachment point through its head that can receive a snap component. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by consolidating what were previously separate single-function components into one universal component.
2Reliability
If a pin-sized attachment point is used, then it can be secured to a base, but it cannot adapt to materials with variable thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The shank of the mating rivet is designed to be deformable during installation, allowing it to adapt to varying material thicknesses. The shank can be inserted through materials of different thicknesses and then deformed (e.g., by bending or expanding) to secure the attachment point reliably, providing both adaptability to variable thickness and secure attachment.
3Strength
If separate traditional rivet and attachment point are used, then structural support is achieved, but the system lacks multi-functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural support function of the traditional rivet with the attachment point function into a single mating rivet component. The head portion provides the attachment point that can receive snap components, while the shank portion provides the structural support by securing material layers, achieving multi-functionality without compromising structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to a snap system including a mating component and a snap component that connect by means of a snap fit or otherwise. The mating component simplifies the assembly process by combining a structural component and an attachment point. The snap component is associated with a removable component that mates with the attachment point of the mating component. The snap system includes a mating component that combines a structural component to secure a material and an attachment point to secure a snap component. The design of the structural component allows the mating component to be used with a variety of materials having a variable thickness. The mating component is a versatile feature as the structural component self-adjusts to the thickness of the material provided. The snap system decreases the amount of components necessary for manufacturing, which may decrease the cost, as well as improve the visual appeal.