Stamped Fastener Assembly With Elastic Plug Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for cost-effective fasteners in automobile manufacturing while maintaining quality poses a challenge, as existing fasteners require multiple manufacturing processes, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A fastening assembly comprising a fastener with a curled head section, a body with elastic portions, and clamping portions, along with a plug that can be injection molded, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs by allowing integral stamping of metal materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-process manufacturing methods are used for fasteners, then manufacturing precision and quality can be maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing processes into a single stamping operation. The fastener is formed by one-step stamping from metal plate, integrating what would traditionally require separate forming, assembly, and finishing operations. This merging of processes directly reduces manufacturing cost and improves production efficiency by eliminating intermediate steps and handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design incorporates multiple functional elements into a single component that can be stamped in one operation. The head section, body, elastic portions, and clamping portions are all formed simultaneously from a single metal plate, making the manufacturing process universal and applicable to various fastener configurations without requiring different manufacturing methods for each variant.
2Device complexity
If traditional fastener designs are used, then structural strength can be ensured, but device complexity increases due to multiple manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the formation of complex structural elements into a single stamping process. The head section with curled structure, the body with connecting portion, and the elastic portions with clamping portions are all created in one operation, significantly reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining the structural integrity and strength required for fastening applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is designed with distinct functional segments (head section, body, elastic portions, clamping portions) that are all formed from a single metal plate through stamping. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while being manufactured as an integrated component, reducing overall device complexity compared to assembling multiple separate parts.
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 proposed fastening assembly reduces manufacturing costs and improves efficiency by allowing for single-step metal stamping, while maintaining quality through the use of elastic portions and a secure plug mechanism, effectively addressing the need for cost-effective fasteners in the automotive industry.
Implementation Method 1
two elastic portions 122 spaced apart and extending from the connecting portion 121
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly for fixing components includes a fastener and a plug. The fastener includes a body, and two clamping portion. The body includes a connecting portion and two elastic portion. Each of the two elastic portion have an avoidance groove opened thereon. Each of the two clamping portion includes at least one clamping head inserted into the avoidance groove, and an abutment head disposed on a free end of the clamping portion. The plug includes a pressing portion, and a positioning portion. The positioning portion includes a elastic member, a positioning head, and a plug-in abutting portion. The positioning head includes a connector, a stepped portion, and a locking slot. The plug-in abutting portion includes an elastic connecting portion, and a plug-in head 228. The fastener assembly can reduce manufacturing and material costs, and improve competitiveness.