Universal Clip Fastener for Round Holes and Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners are often designed to work with only one type of opening, such as a round hole or a slot, lacking versatility and functionality in securing automotive components with varying shapes.
Innovation Solution
A fastener with a seamless, integrally molded design featuring a beveled lead-in nose and flexible retention features, allowing secure engagement with both slot and round hole openings, enhanced by reinforced braces and a central stem for structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing fasteners are designed to work with only one type of opening (round hole or slot), then the fastener structure can be simplified and optimized for that specific opening type, but the versatility and adaptability of the fastener are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is designed with a retention portion that can engage with both slot-shaped and round hole-shaped openings through a single unified structure. The retention portion includes a stem and resilient legs that can adapt to different opening geometries, allowing one fastener to perform multiple functions and work with various opening types without requiring different fastener designs
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener incorporates resilient legs with knuckles that can flex and adapt dynamically during installation. The legs are configured to bend and conform to the specific geometry of the opening being engaged, whether slot-shaped or round hole-shaped. This dynamic flexibility allows the fastener to adjust its shape to match different opening types while maintaining a single standardized fastener design
2Reliability
If a fastener is designed with specialized features for a specific opening type, then the engagement reliability for that opening type is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly across different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs a universal retention portion design that can reliably engage with both slot-shaped and round hole-shaped openings. The resilient legs with knuckles provide reliable engagement through their ability to flex and conform to different geometries, while the overall fastener structure remains standardized and suitable for general manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener utilizes material elasticity and resilience parameters to achieve reliable engagement across different opening types. The resilient legs are designed with specific flexibility characteristics that allow them to deform during installation and then spring back to provide secure retention, regardless of whether the opening is slot-shaped or round hole-shaped. This parameter-based approach enables reliable engagement without requiring different fastener designs for different applications
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 fastener provides adaptable and secure connections across different opening shapes, ensuring reliable assembly and structural integrity in automotive components.
Implementation Method 1
the retention portion including resilient legs with knuckles
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fastener to connect a first component to a second component with an opening, whether round or a slot. The fastener includes a head portion that attaches to the first component and a retention portion, which is integrally connected to the head portion and engages with the second component. The retention portion includes a central stem that runs along a center axis and at least one clip wing that is resiliently attached to the distal end of the stem. Each clip wing has a first leg and a second leg, which are joined at one end to the central stem and at the other end to each other through an intermediate knuckle clip that extends outward from the center axis. Together, the first leg, second leg, and intermediate knuckle clip define an aperture.