Telescoping Sleeve Assembly for Low-Force Fastener Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening assemblies for automotive components require excessive force during assembly, making them difficult to assemble by hand and complicating alignment, especially when securing a sleeve via a component opening.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system with a sleeve assembly that telescopes up or down for full seating and provides tolerance compensation, allowing attachment using low insertion force, featuring upper and lower sleeve components with flexible tabs and a nut configuration for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing sleeve assemblies are used to secure a component via a component opening, then the component can be fastened, but excessive force is required during assembly making them difficult to assemble by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve assembly is divided into an upper sleeve component and a lower sleeve component that can be assembled separately. The component opening is also segmented into a first opening and a second opening, allowing the assembly process to occur in stages with reduced force requirements at each step.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper sleeve component is preliminarily assembled into the first opening before the lower sleeve component is assembled into the second opening. This preliminary action allows for proper positioning and alignment before the final assembly step, reducing the force needed during assembly.
2Reliability
If a stud is fixed to secure a component, then the component can be fastened, but alignment becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is extracted from the fastening process. The sleeve assembly itself provides alignment features through its structure and the telescoping mechanism, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures required by traditional stud-based fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve assembly acts as an intermediary between the component opening and the fastening mechanism. It provides a guiding structure that simplifies alignment while maintaining secure fastening, mediating between the opening and the final fastened state.
3Reliability
If a sleeve assembly is used to secure a component, then the component can be fastened, but the assembly requires excessive force making manual assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve assembly incorporates a telescoping mechanism with flexible tabs that allow dynamic adjustment during assembly. The flexible tabs can deform to accommodate misalignment and reduce insertion force, then return to their original position to provide secure retention, enabling easy manual assembly while maintaining reliable fastening.
4Reliability
If a fastening assembly is designed for secure engagement, then reliability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The upper sleeve component and lower sleeve component are designed to nest together during assembly. The components fit within each other's structure, providing secure engagement through the nested configuration while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanisms.
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 reliable and efficient assembly of automotive components with reduced manual effort, ensuring proper alignment and tolerance compensation, facilitating manual assembly and minimizing clamp load on components.
Implementation Method 1
The lower sleeve component can comprise one or more flexible tabs configured to engage the upper sleeve component
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are fastening systems for coupling a first component to stud, shaft, or the like via a sleeve assembly. The fastening system comprising an upper sleeve component, a lower sleeve component, and a nut. The upper sleeve component defines an upper sleeve opening, while the lower sleeve component defines a lower sleeve opening. The lower sleeve component comprises one or more flexible tabs configured to engage the upper sleeve component via the component opening. The nut is configured to pass through a sleeve opening to engage the stud. The sleeve opening is defined by the upper sleeve opening and the lower sleeve opening.