Self-Retaining Spacer Clip Device for Adjustable Standoff Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spacer designs are fixedly attached between components, lacking removability and adjustable standoff height adjustment, which limits their versatility and serviceability.
Innovation Solution
A self-retaining spacer and clip device with a body featuring a channel that divides into a clip and spacer portion, allowing for adjustable standoff height through compressibility and removability via a mechanical fastener, enabling the device to couple two components while setting a specific spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current spacer designs are fixedly attached between components, then mechanical retention and structural stability are improved, but removability and adjustable standoff height adjustment are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into a clip portion and a spacer portion that can be separated. The clip portion is removably attachable to the first component, while the spacer portion maintains the standoff height. This segmentation allows the device to be removed and repositioned while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer portion is made compressible to allow adjustment of the standoff height. The body can be compressed to reduce the standoff height from its established position, enabling dynamic adjustment while maintaining the self-retaining capability through the clip portion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a self-retaining design is implemented with compressible body, then adjustable standoff height is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clip and spacer functions are merged into a single self-retaining device. The clip portion provides attachment functionality while the spacer portion provides the standoff height function. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment hardware while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is self-retaining through the clip portion that automatically attaches to the first component without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly mechanisms. The compression and retention features work automatically when the device is installed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a removable and adjustable solution for setting a standoff height between components, enhancing serviceability and flexibility by allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, while maintaining effective mechanical retention and clamp load.
Implementation Method 1
the body is compressible to adjust the standoff height
Data Source
AI summary
A spacer and clip device includes a body including a clip portion and a spacer portion separated by a channel edge defining a channel extending longitudinally through the body, the clip portion and the spacer portion connected by a joining portion. The body includes an attachment edge defining an attachment opening that extends laterally through the body, the spacer portion establishes a standoff height, and the body is compressible to adjust the standoff height.