U-Shaped Fastening Clip With Offset Hooks For Secure Panel Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening clips for panels, particularly in the automotive industry, require significant assembly effort and may not ensure a secure and reliable fixation due to the complex interaction of deformable wings and hooks, which can lead to instability during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip with U-shaped body and elastically deformable wings, where the inner and outer hooks are offset to overlap and converge, allowing for easy assembly and secure locking of both the panel and support, with the wings designed to guide without being affected by the fixing function, facilitating moderate assembly efforts and reliable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the wings are designed to perform both guiding and fixing functions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of fixation deteriorates due to interference between functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wing structure into distinct functional zones: the branch portions perform guiding functions by fitting into the support orifices, while the wing portions perform fixing functions through hook engagement with the panel anchoring legs. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in its function without interference, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and fixation reliability.
2Reliability
If the hooks are arranged to overlap and cross the median plane, then the fixation reliability is improved through concentrated locking action, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic deformability of the wings to enable dynamic assembly. The wings can be elastically deformed outward to clear the overlapping hooks during insertion, then automatically return to their blocking position to engage the hooks and provide secure fixation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making assembly easier through controlled deformation while maintaining reliable fixation through the overlapping hook arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If the wings are made highly deformable to facilitate assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the strength of fixation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the wing: the wing portions are designed with high deformability to facilitate assembly operations, while the hook portions are designed with high strength and rigidity to ensure secure fixation. This local differentiation of material properties and structural characteristics resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and fixation strength.
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 achieves easy and secure assembly with minimal effort, ensuring reliable fixation by overlapping inner hooks and guiding the panel and support through precise alignment, while the wings' design allows for flexible deformation during assembly without compromising the fixing function.
Implementation Method 1
the first wing is elastically deformed towards the outside of the hollow body before relaxing inwards to lodge in the orifice and block the anchoring leg in the clip
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening clamp which comprises a head (2) extended by a hollow body (3) to be accommodated in an opening (80) of a holder (8) and to receive the anchoring leg (70) of a panel (7) to be fastened to the holder (8), the body (3) comprises first and second resiliently deformable flanges (5, 6) and has the shape of a U, the branches (4) of which comprise recesses (40) receiving the first and second flanges (5, 6), each first and second flange (5, 6) is provided with at least one inner hook (52, 62) projecting inside the U and used to lock the anchoring leg (70) in the U of said fastening clamp (1) and an outer hook (56, 66) projecting inside of U and used to lock the holder (8) between the outer hook (56, 66) and the head (2). An assembly includes such a fastening clamp (1).