Tapered Screw Elastomer Fixing Structure for Panel Casing Tolerance
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing screw structures fail to securely attach panels to casings due to accumulated tolerance, leading to bending of locking plates and potential breakage of screws, as they cannot effectively bridge the gap between the panel and casing without applying excessive force.
Innovation Solution
A fixing screw structure featuring a screw with a threaded and tapered portion, accompanied by an elastomer and a fixing frame, where the tapered portion expands the elastomer to securely engage with the fixing frame, ensuring a stable attachment of the panel to the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixing force is continued to be applied to close the gap between panel and casing, then the gap is reduced, but the locking plate bends, the hand-screwed screw breaks, or the screw on the back plate breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the elastomer from uncompressed to compressed state as the screw is threaded in, allowing the elastomer to progressively expand and fill the gap. This gradual parameter change enables the gap to be closed without applying excessive force that would damage the locking plate or screws
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer acts as an intermediary between the screw and the locking plate. Instead of the screw directly contacting and potentially damaging the locking plate, the elastomer mediates the force transmission, expanding to fill the gap while protecting the locking plate from bending and the screws from breaking
2Reliability
If the locking plate is plugged to the bottom of the connector to achieve electrical connection, then electrical connection is established, but a gap remains between the panel and casing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fixing function into two independent parts: the locking plate handles electrical connection while the elastomer handles gap filling. This segmentation allows both functions to be optimized independently - the locking plate can be fully inserted for electrical connection while the elastomer simultaneously expands to eliminate the gap between panel and casing
3Reliability
If the locking plate is unable to move due to being plugged to the bottom, then electrical connection is secured, but the screw cannot continue to apply fixing force
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer serves as a mediator that enables continued screw operation. When the locking plate reaches the bottom and can no longer move, the elastomer is still being compressed and expanded, allowing the screw to continue threading in and applying fixing force through the elastomer rather than directly through the locked locking plate
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
This solution prevents bending of locking plates and breakage of screws by distributing the force transversely, providing a secure and adjustable attachment that maintains panel-casing alignment and withstands significant tensile strength.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer disposed around the screw, the elastomer has a taper hole, the taper hole has an inner diameter gradually decreased toward the direction of the first end; and when the screw is screwed toward the direction of the casing, the tapered portion of the screw abuts the inner wall of the threaded hole of the elastomer and the elastomer is expanded to fitly abut the inner wall of the fixing frame
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing screw structure for adjusting a fixing procedure used for fixing a panel to a casing, including a screw, an elastomer and a fixing frame. The screw includes a threaded portion and a tapered portion, and passes through the panel, and the threaded portion is screwed on the casing. The elastomer is annular and disposed around the screw, and has a taper hole corresponding to the tapered portion. The fixing frame is a hollow tube, and is fixed on the panel and positioned around the elastomer. When the screw is screwed, the tapered portion abuts the inner wall of the taper hole and the elastomer is expanded outwardly to fitly abut the inner wall of the fixing frame. The instant disclosure transforms the longitudinal screwing force into a transverse expanding force to fix the panel, thereby eliminating the cumulative tolerance of the casing and the panel.