Single-Side Collet Fastener for Ultra-Low Flush Grip Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners lack an adjustable grip range and often have a protruding head, which is not suitable for applications requiring a low-profile, non-permanent joint that can be easily removed without damaging the workpieces.
Innovation Solution
The design of removable single side fasteners with a low-profile head and ultra-low stack height grip range, featuring a cylindrical housing body with longitudinal slots and a collet body that expands to clamp workpieces securely without protruding beyond the workpiece surface, utilizing a driven nut and compression spring for adjustable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints, then the workpieces can be removed or dismantled without damage, but the fastener head protrudes beyond the workpiece surface
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs a nested structure where the collet body is received within the housing body, and the drive nut is received within the collet body. This nesting arrangement allows the fastener components to be compactly arranged along the longitudinal axis, enabling the fastener head to be recessed below the workpiece surface while maintaining full functionality for assembling and disassembling workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional protruding head design to a recessed head design by utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the fastener. The head portion is positioned to extend below the workpiece surface, effectively using the depth dimension to resolve the conflict between low profile requirement and functional requirement for workpiece removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing fasteners are used to join workpieces of various thicknesses, then adaptability is achieved, but the stack height is not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates a dynamic collet body that can expand and contract radially to grip workpieces of varying thicknesses. The collet body is biased by a spring to maintain constant engagement pressure, allowing it to adapt to different workpiece thicknesses while maintaining a compact stack height. The drive nut translates longitudinally to actuate the collet body expansion, providing adjustable grip range without increasing overall stack height.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the radial dimension parameter of the collet body to accommodate workpieces of various thicknesses. By translating the drive nut longitudinally, the collet body expands radially to grip thicker workpieces or contracts to grip thinner workpieces, providing adaptability while maintaining a low stack height profile.
3Shape
If a low-profile fastener design is implemented, then the flush surface is achieved, but the grip range and adjustability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is segmented into distinct functional components: housing body, collet body, drive nut, and spring. This segmentation allows the grip-range-adjusting mechanism (collet body expansion) to be decoupled from the profile height (head portion recessed below surface). The collet body can expand radially independent of the longitudinal profile, maintaining low stack height while providing full grip range adjustability.
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
Enables secure clamping of workpieces with an ultra-low stack height, preventing damage and ensuring a flush surface, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without the need for tools, thus addressing the limitations of existing fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring disposed within the housing body and in compressional contact with the collet body, the compression spring pushing the collet body and the driven nut forward
Implementation Method 2
the collet body expands to clamp workpieces securely
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A removable single side fastener with ultra-low stake height grip range is disclosed. The fastener includes a housing body, a threaded screw, a drive nut and a collet body. The housing body has a housing head portion and a shank portion extending from the housing head portion with the shank portion forming at least two longitudinal slots. The threaded screw, disposed within the housing body, has a head portion rotatably confined within the housing head portion. The drive nut is rotationally coupled to the threaded screw and rotationally constrained relative to the housing body. The collet body has a pair of collet body legs converging inwardly. Each collet body leg has a toe which may extends radially outward beyond the longitudinal slots to compress work pieces against the housing head portion for fastening.