U-Shaped Fastening Clip Structure for High Pull-Out Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fastening clips used to attach airbags and luggage rings to vehicle structures face challenges in withstanding high pull-out forces and preventing damage to panels, as they are subjected to enormous forces during airbag deployment and must securely attach luggage rings without causing unintended removal or panel damage.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip design featuring elastically deflectable retaining members with U-shaped limbs and a stop member, formed from a single folded laminar sheet material, which increases the bearing surface area and pull-out force resistance while minimizing exposed edges that could damage panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional fastening clips are used to attach airbags to vehicle structures, then the clips can be easily installed, but they cannot withstand the enormous pull-out forces generated during airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening clip is divided into multiple functional segments: a head portion for component attachment, a body portion with elastically deflectable retaining members for panel engagement, and bearing surfaces for force distribution. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in handling specific aspects of the deployment forces, improving overall pull-out resistance and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining members are designed to be elastically deflectable, allowing them to dynamically respond to the enormous forces during airbag deployment. The members can deflect under load and return to their original position, enabling the clip to withstand and adapt to the dynamic loading conditions rather than failing statically.
2Force
If conventional fastening clips with exposed edges are used, then they can provide sufficient pull-out force, but they cause damage to the panel during insertion and use
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge of the fastening clip is rounded instead of having sharp exposed edges. This curvature modification eliminates the harmful cutting action on the panel during insertion while maintaining the structural integrity and pull-out force resistance of the clip through its bearing surfaces and retaining members.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the clip have different properties: the leading edge is rounded for panel protection, while the bearing surfaces and retaining members maintain sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand pull-out forces. This local differentiation allows the clip to simultaneously protect the panel and provide adequate fastening strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bearing surface area of the fastening clip is increased to distribute forces, then panel damage is reduced, but the clip complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body portion of the clip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the elastically deflectable retaining members for engagement, and creates bearing surfaces for force distribution. This multi-functionality increases bearing surface area to protect the panel while avoiding additional separate components that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The head portion, body portion, and retaining members are merged into a single integrated fastening clip structure formed from one piece of material. This integration combines the functions of attachment, engagement, and force distribution into one component, increasing bearing surface area without the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts.
4Ease of manufacture
If the fastening clip is formed from a single folded laminar sheet material, then manufacturing is simplified, but the pull-out force resistance is reduced compared to multi-component designs
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece clip incorporates elastically deflectable retaining members that can dynamically respond to load. This elasticity compensates for the limitations of single-material construction by allowing the structure to flex and distribute forces effectively, achieving pull-out resistance comparable to multi-component designs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip utilizes changes in material parameters through elastic deformation of the retaining members and varying thickness distributions in the folded laminar structure. These parameter changes allow the single-piece clip to achieve complex force distribution patterns and pull-out resistance levels that would otherwise require multiple components with different material properties.
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 clip's design enhances pull-out force resistance by approximately 30% and prevents accidental removal or panel damage, ensuring robust, ergonomic, and safe attachment of airbags and luggage rings.
Implementation Method 1
a body portion, extending between an upper end region and a lower end region along a longitudinal axis, wherein the body portion comprises at least one elastically deflectable retaining member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A fastening clip (200) for mounting a component part, such as an airbag or a luggage ring, to a support structure. The fastening clip includes a body portion (204) which extends between an upper end region and a lower end region along a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes at least one elastically deflectable retaining member (210). The at least one elastically deflectable retaining member projects laterally from said lower end region of said body portion, so as to fixingly engage when inserted into an orifice of the support structure. Each elastically deflectable retaining member includes a U-shaped limb (234). Each U-shaped limb includes a first portion extending in a generally longitudinal plane relative to said longitudinal axis, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion and extending in a generally longitudinal plane relative to said longitudinal axis and a third portion extending from at least one of the first portion and the second portion in a transverse plane relative to said longitudinal axis.