Spring Fastener with Bent Receptacle for Secure Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for vehicles fail to securely hold components under high tensile forces while allowing easy insertion and safe release, particularly during accidents or high-speed driving, and are not effective against vibrations and impacts.
Innovation Solution
A device with a spring element featuring a bent or kinked receptacle section that blocks the head's withdrawal until elastic or plastic deformation occurs, allowing secure attachment up to a specified tensile force and easy insertion, using a system with a component and pin, and a travel limiter to prevent excessive movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stronger spring arms are used to increase retention force, then holding force increases, but engagement force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm is divided into functionally distinct sections: a receiving section with bent or kinked geometry for guidance and initial engagement, and a blocking section for retention. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently - the receiving section geometry provides mechanical advantage for easy engagement while the blocking section provides strong retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving section is designed with bent or kinked geometry rather than straight configuration. This curvature creates a mechanical advantage where the head can be easily inserted by pivoting the blocking section, while the geometric shape itself contributes to the retention mechanism through the blocking section's positioning.
2Reliability
If blocking section is designed to prevent withdrawal, then retention reliability increases, but insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking section is designed to be dynamically movable during insertion but becomes statically locked during retention. During assembly, the blocking section can pivot freely to allow head insertion. Once the head is in place, the geometry of the receiving section and blocking section creates a locked position where the blocking section prevents withdrawal while maintaining easy release capability through force application.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a blocking section that permanently prevents removal, the design inverts the approach: the blocking section is designed to allow easy insertion through pivoting motion, and retention is achieved through the geometric interlocking that requires force to overcome but allows controlled release. The system is optimized for easy assembly rather than permanent fixation.
3Strength
If spring arms are made stronger to hold larger components, then holding capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm is designed with non-uniform cross-section and varying material properties along its length. The receiving section has specific geometric features (bent or kinked shape) optimized for guidance, while the blocking section has different geometry optimized for retention. This local differentiation allows each section to contribute to holding capacity without requiring the entire structure to be uniformly strong, reducing overall complexity.
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 and reliable attachment of components, preventing detachment during high forces and impacts, while allowing easy assembly and disassembly, enhancing vehicle safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic or preferably plastic deformation of the blocking section
Implementation Method 2
an elastic or preferably plastic deformation of the blocking section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for holding a head (12) of a pin (13) of a component, said head being disposed at the end of the pin (13), said device having: a receiving space (16) which has an opening (18) via which the head (12) of the pin (13) can be inserted into the receiving space (16) from the outside; a spring element (1) which is disposed in the receiving space (16); and a path limiter (14) which is disposed in the receiving space (16). The spring element (1) has a receptacle (2) for the head (12) of the pin (13) of the component, and the straight line which connects the geometric centre point (GM) of the opening to the geometric centre point of the receptacle (2) forms a reference line (A), and the plane which contains the geometric centre point of the opening (18) and is perpendicular to the reference line forms a reference plane (B). A curved or bent receiving section (3) of a spring arm of the spring element (1) is provided as part of the receptacle (2). The curved or bent receiving section (3) has at least one distance point (21) which is arranged furthest from the reference line (A) than other points along the extension of the curved or bent receiving section (3). As viewed in relation to the position of the receiving section (3) relative to the reference plane (B), a blocking section (4) of the spring arm (1) is provided closer to the reference plane (B), in relation to which blocking section the curved or bent receiving section (3) is designed as a recess. The path limiter (14) is arranged, in terms of the position thereof relative to the reference plane (B), closer to the reference plane (B) than the distance point (21) of the receiving section (3). In relation to the position of the blocking section (4) relative to the reference plane (B), a joint section (8) of the spring arm (1) is provided closer to the reference plane (B), said joint section allowing the receiving section (3) to pivot counter to a restoring force effective towards a starting position when the receiving section (3) is pivoted. Said pivoting of the receiving section (3) makes it possible for a part of the spring arm (1) which lies between the blocking section (4) and the distance point (21) to come into contact with the path limiter (14).