Sheet Metal Panel Fastener With Cammed Actuator Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quick-acting panel fasteners are expensive to manufacture and lack a cost-effective solution using unitary sheet metal stamping, failing to provide a secure and economical way to join two panels face-to-face.
Innovation Solution
A panel fastener comprising a sheet metal retainer and a cold-forged actuator pin, where the retainer snaps into a first panel and is clamped onto a second panel via a rotatable pin with detented self-locking positions, utilizing progressive stamping and cold-forging technologies for ultra-low-cost production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional quick-acting panel fasteners are used, then secure panel joining is achieved, but manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into two separate components: a retainer made from sheet metal and a cold-forged actuator pin. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured using optimized processes (progressive stamping for the retainer, cold forging for the pin), reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining functional integrity and secure panel joining capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameters and materials from traditional expensive methods to progressive stamping and cold-forging processes. The retainer uses sheet metal with specific grain flow directions achieved through stamping, and the actuator pin uses cold-forged steel, optimizing both cost and performance parameters simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If metal stamped parts are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but quarter-turn functionality is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of sheet metal stamping (cost-effectiveness) with cold-forged actuator pins (functional reliability). The stamped retainer provides the body and resilient legs, while the cold-forged pin provides the precise quarter-turn actuation mechanism with cam lobes and detent engagement, achieving both low cost and reliable quarter-turn functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener uses composite construction combining sheet metal (retainer) and forged metal (actuator pin). Each material is selected and processed for its optimal properties: sheet metal for formability and cost, forged metal for strength and precise geometry, creating a composite fastener that achieves quarter-turn functionality at lower cost.
3Reliability
If the retainer is semi-permanently affixed to the first panel, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener transitions from a static semi-permanent attachment to a dynamic system where the actuator pin can rotate between engaged and disengaged positions. The resilient legs provide dynamic clamping force that maintains secure attachment during use, while the rotatable pin enables easy release when needed, achieving both secure attachment and ease of removal through dynamic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient legs automatically apply clamping force to secure the panel without additional fastening steps, and the detent mechanism on the actuator pin automatically locks in the engaged position. For removal, the user simply rotates the pin which self-releases the clamping force, allowing easy panel separation without complex release mechanisms.
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 solution provides a secure, easy-to-use, and cost-effective means to join panels face-to-face, with the retainer's resilient design allowing for semi-permanent attachment and easy removal, while the pin's manual or tool-actuated rotation ensures reliable engagement and disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer includes outwardly deflectable resilient barbs for providing a loose snap-in retention to a first panel through a square hole having deflector tabs for engaging the barbs upon insertion
Implementation Method 2
Resilient legs on the retainer are laterally expandable for engagement with the backside of a square hole through a second panel for securing the first panel to it face-to-face
Implementation Method 3
The pin includes a cam on its end which co-acts with followers on the legs for selectively moving the legs to an expanded state where the pin is in the engaged position
Data Source
AI summary
A panel fastener is comprised of two separately formed interacting parts: a panel retainer and an actuator pin. The retainer is fashioned from sheet metal using progressive stamping technology. The retainer and pin work together to create a fastener for securing two panels together that can semi-permanently snap into the first panel and then be clamped onto and then selectively removed from the second panel. Attachment to the second panel is obtained by expanding and later released by contracting the legs of the retainer by rotating a cammed expander pin between self-locking positions. A head of the expander pin can be configured for hand actuation, tool-only actuation, or both. The retainer is fashioned from sheet metal using progressive stamping technology.