Sunshade Fastener Friction Locking Glazing Edge Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners for sunshades face challenges due to dimensional variances and manufacturing tolerances in glazing edge profiles, leading to difficulties in precise attachment and requiring machining, which slows down installation.
Innovation Solution
A fastener with a suspension element that loosely surrounds the edge profile and incorporates friction elements to increase friction, allowing for easy installation and secure locking without tight fitting, using a support surface and projections to prevent movement along the edge profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tight fitting is used to attach the fastener to the edge profile, then attachment reliability is improved, but installation difficulty increases due to dimensional variances and manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment parameter from tight fitting to loose fitting with friction elements. The suspension element is dimensioned to loosely surround the edge profile, and friction elements (protrusions, rough surfaces, or elastic materials) are introduced to increase friction between the support surface and edge profile, compensating for the loose fit and maintaining attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Friction elements act as intermediaries between the suspension element and the edge profile. These elements (such as protrusions, rough surfaces, or elastic materials) mediate the connection by increasing friction, allowing reliable attachment without requiring tight dimensional tolerances.
2Strength
If tight fitting is used to ensure secure attachment, then attachment strength is improved, but installation time increases due to required machining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from mechanical tight fitting (requiring machining) to friction-based loose fitting. The suspension element loosely surrounds the edge profile, and friction elements provide the necessary holding force, eliminating the need for machining and reducing installation time while maintaining attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tight-fitting system (which requires precision machining) with a friction-based system. The friction elements (protrusions, rough surfaces, or elastic materials) substitute for mechanical interference fits, providing secure attachment without requiring machining operations.
3Ease of operation
If loose dimensioning is used to facilitate installation, then ease of installation is improved, but fastener stability deteriorates without friction elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stability mechanism from geometric interlocking (tight fit) to friction-based stabilization. The suspension element is dimensioned to loosely surround the edge profile, and friction elements increase the friction between the support surface and edge profile, preventing the fastener from moving longitudinally and maintaining stability despite the loose fit.
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 fastener ensures secure attachment and stability on glazing edge profiles despite manufacturing tolerances, facilitating faster and simpler installation by maintaining position under usual load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the suspension element comprises at least one friction element increasing the friction between the edge profile and support surface
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The fastener for a sunshade has gripping means (12, 14) for attaching to the edge rail of the sunshade and a suspension element (22) for attaching to the edge profile of the glazing. The suspension element comprises a support surface to be set against the edge profile or part of the edge profile of the glazing, the support surface having at least one friction element increasing the friction between the edge profile and support surface. The friction element is used for increasing the friction between the support surface and edge profile so big that it prevents the fastener from moving on the surface of the edge profile in the longitudinal direction of the edge profile. The suspension element can comprise a chute with a base (24), first side (26) and supporting element (20). The edge profile or part of the edge profile of the glazing can be loosely fitted to the chute between the first side and supporting element. The friction element can be located in the base of the chute or in the surface of the supporting element or first side. The friction element can comprise a projection (34a, 34b) protruding from the level of the support surface, the projection being provided with at least one point (36) to be set against the edge profile of the glazing.