Two-Member Sheet Fastener for Adjustable Thickness and Hidden Seams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet fasteners are difficult to assemble, do not accommodate varying thicknesses of covering materials, and can result in decreased engagement strength, making them visible after installation, which is undesirable in various products.
Innovation Solution
A sheet fastener design comprising a first member with a fixing portion and a holder, and a second member with a head, where the head is insertable into the holder's recess, allowing for contact with a projection and support portion, enabling secure engagement of sheet edges with adjustable thicknesses and minimizing seam visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing sheet fasteners are used, then the structure is simple, but the assembly is difficult and installation time is lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into two separate members: a first member with a holder and a second member with a head. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and simplified, while the overall assembly process is enhanced through the complementary design of these segments that guide each other during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The head of the second member is designed to be insertable into the holder of the first member, creating a nested configuration. The holder defines a recess that receives the head, with projection and support portion features that guide and secure the nested arrangement, significantly easing the assembly process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing sheet fasteners are used, then the structure is simple, but they do not accommodate different covering material thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener design incorporates dynamic adaptability through the nested head-holder configuration. The head can be inserted at various depths into the holder's recess depending on the covering material thickness, allowing the fastener to dynamically adjust to different thickness requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for parameter changes in the engagement depth between the head and holder. By varying the insertion depth of the head into the holder based on the covering material thickness, the fastener adapts to different thickness parameters without requiring complete structural redesign.
3Strength
If existing sheet fasteners are used, then the structure is simple, but engagement strength decreases with varying thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The holder includes pre-formed projection and support portion features that are designed to engage with corresponding features on the head. This preliminary structuring ensures that as the head is inserted into the holder, the engagement strength is maximized from the beginning of the assembly process, regardless of the covering material thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system effectively creates a composite structure by combining the first member (holder) and second member (head) into an integrated assembly. This composite configuration distributes and enhances the engagement strength across the joint, providing robust fastening that accommodates varying thicknesses while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing sheet fasteners are used, then the structure is simple, but seams become visible after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The head of the second member merges with the holder of the first member through the nested configuration, creating a unified fastener assembly. This merging of components ensures that the fastener head is properly positioned and concealed within the holder structure, preventing visible seams while maintaining the simplicity of manufacturing each individual component.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet fastener for fastening a pair of sheet edges includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first fixing portion configured to engage a first edge of the pair of sheet edges and a holder continuous with the first fixing portion. The holder defines a first recess and includes a projection and a support portion that define an opening to the first recess. The second member includes a second fixing portion configured to engage a second edge of the pair of sheet edges and a head continuous with the second fixing portion. The head includes a front edge opposite from the second fixing portion and a head surface extending from the second fixing portion to the front edge. The head is insertable into the first recess such that a portion of the head surface maintains contact with the projection of the holder.