Temporary Fastener with Sliding Hooks for Wide Clamping Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary fasteners in the aeronautics industry have limited clamping capacity range, making it difficult to assemble structures with varying total thickness without increasing the fastener length.
Innovation Solution
A tubular fastener with a hooking element and elastic clips, featuring a tubular base with longitudinal grooves and a threaded rod, allowing the tongues to slide axially and expand radially for a wide clamping range, while maintaining a consistent body length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fastener length is increased to accommodate structures with varying total thickness, then the clamping capacity range is improved, but the fastener size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hooking element is designed to slide axially within the body along grooves, transforming the static fastener into a dynamic system that can adapt its effective length. The helical connection between the drive device and hooking element enables rotational motion to be converted into axial displacement, allowing the fastener to accommodate varying structure thicknesses without increasing overall length
Solution Approach 2:
The hooking element with elastic clamps is nested within the tubular body, with the clamps arranged around a central spreader. This nested configuration allows the fastening mechanism to be compact while maintaining the capability to expand radially and axially to accommodate different thicknesses within the available space
2Device complexity
If the fastener design is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the device complexity is improved, but the ability to accommodate varying thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic clamps with hooking beaks are used instead of rigid locking mechanisms. These flexible elements can deform radially to engage with structures of varying thicknesses and automatically adjust to maintain clamping force, simplifying the overall design while enhancing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device serves multiple functions: it rotates to advance the hooking element axially, locks the element in position, and can be operated with standard mounting tools. The grooves in the tubular base both guide the tabs and provide structural support, reducing the need for separate components
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 the assembly of structures over a wide range of total thickness without increasing the fastener length, providing secure clamping from minimum to maximum thickness, and is compatible with various mounting tools.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic clamps connected to one end of said base, each clamp comprising a hooking beak
Implementation Method 2
a hooking element, locked in rotation relative to the body and adapted to slide axially in the body
Implementation Method 3
the hooking element includes a threaded rod extending from the tubular base; and the drive device has a threaded hole suitable for cooperating with said threaded rod
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fastener (10) for the temporary assembly of structures (12, 13), comprising: a tubular body extending between a first end and a second end including at least two longitudinal tabs (46); a hooking element, rotationally locked and capable of sliding axially within the body, said hooking element comprising a tubular base and a plurality of elastic clamps (62) connected to one end of said base, each clamp including a hooking beak (74); a drive device for the hooking element; and a spreader (26) fixed relative to the body, the plurality of elastic clamps being arranged around said spreader. The tubular base (60) has two longitudinal grooves in an external surface; and the fastener is configured such that each tab (46) of the body is capable of sliding axially within one of said grooves.