Vehicle Panel Fastener With Elastic Spring Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners for fixing panels to vehicle bodies require openings in the support parts, necessitating additional components like washers and sealing rings for tight sealing, and are often heavy and not compact, failing to efficiently handle dimensional variations and high forces, especially in crash scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring hooks extending from a flange with a spring plate and guide section, allowing for compactness, dimensional compensation, and retention of studs without reducing retaining forces, using a snap-fit connection and supportive ribs for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stud and latching connection are used to fasten panels to vehicle bodies, then the fastening can be accomplished without tools, but the support part must have openings that require additional sealing components like washers and sealing rings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the fastening operation itself. The flange of the connecting part creates a sealing contact with the support part surface, eliminating the need for separate sealing components. The fastening and sealing actions are merged into a single operational step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from separate components (washers, sealing rings) and integrates it directly into the connecting part's flange structure. This eliminates unnecessary additional components while maintaining the sealing capability.
2Reliability
If traditional fasteners with studs and openings are used, then secure fastening is achieved, but the weight and size of the fastening arrangement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the connecting part: the body provides structural connection, the flange provides both sealing and mounting surface functions, and the hooks provide retention. This integration eliminates the need for separate washers, seals, and other components, reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange is designed as a thin, flexible element that can deform to create sealing contact with the support part surface. This thin-film approach provides effective sealing without adding significant weight or thickness to the fastening arrangement.
3Reliability
If traditional fasteners are used to handle dimensional variations, then retention is maintained, but the design becomes less compact and requires more material
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are designed to be flexible and deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to dimensional variations in the support part or panel. The elastic deformation of the spring elements maintains constant retention force despite changes in geometry, eliminating the need for oversized adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses changes in the physical state of the spring elements (elastic deformation) to compensate for dimensional variations. By allowing the spring elements to compress or extend within their elastic range, the fastener maintains reliable retention without requiring a larger overall design.
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 design provides a lightweight, compact fastening arrangement that effectively compensates for dimensional variations and maintains high retaining forces, ensuring secure attachment and easy disassembly without damaging parts, while minimizing the need for additional sealing components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring plate having a base body and spring elements projecting from the base body and inclined with regard to the longitudinal axis... allows a compensation of the dimensional variations without decreasing the retaining forces of the connecting part in the receptacle part
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Fastening arrangement (72) and fastener (10) comprising a receptacle part (12) and a connecting part (14) adapted to be fitted with the receptacle part (12). The connecting part (14) being provided with an insertion opening (38) adapted to accommodate a stud (40), a flange (46) adapted to be introduced in the aperture (16), a fastening section (42) comprising elastic hooks (44), and a guide section (52) adapted to be inserted in a guide slot (20). The hooks (44) project from the flange (46) along the longitudinal axis (X), and the connecting part (14) further comprises a spring plate (54) having a base body (56) and a spring element (58) projecting from the base body (56), the spring element (58) being inclined with regard to the longitudinal axis (X), and the guide section (52) extends between the flange (46) and the spring plate (54), the guide section (52) having a reduced cross-section compared to the flange (46) and to the base body (56).