W-Shaped Winged Spring Clip for Plastic-to-Metal Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening methods for securing plastic parts to sheet metal require additional operations, increase part cost and weight, and are prone to squeaks, rattles, and errors due to the use of separate fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A W-shaped winged spring clip is molded as an integral component of the plastic part, featuring double blocked lateral wings and tunable ribs to dissipate stress concentrations, eliminate the need for separate fasteners, and provide a robust joint, reducing weight and cost while preventing squeaks and rattles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional separate fasteners are used to secure plastic parts to sheet metal, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the assembly weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is integrated directly into the plastic part as an integral component, merging the fastening function with the plastic part itself. This eliminates separate fasteners and reduces assembly weight while maintaining connection strength through the integrated spring clip structure that engages with sheet metal openings.
2Reliability
If conventional separate fasteners are used, then the fastening function is achieved, but the number of assembly operations and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is formed as an integral part of the plastic component during molding, combining the fastening mechanism with the main part. This eliminates separate fastening operations and reduces production time while maintaining reliable fastening function through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip is pre-formed as an integral component during plastic part manufacturing, preparing the fastening mechanism in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate fastening operations during final assembly, improving productivity while ensuring fastening reliability.
3Reliability
If conventional separate fasteners are used, then the fastening requirement is met, but the risk of squeaks and rattles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is integrated into the plastic part as a unified structure, eliminating interfaces between separate fasteners and plastic parts. This merging reduces potential sources of squeaks and rattles while maintaining fastening reliability through the integrated spring clip engagement with sheet metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip is made from the same plastic material as the main part, creating a homogeneous structure. This material uniformity eliminates interface incompatibilities between different fastener materials and plastic parts, reducing squeaks and rattles while maintaining fastening reliability.
4Reliability
If conventional separate fasteners are used, then the fastening function is achieved, but the complexity of assembly and risk of errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is integrated into the plastic part as a single component, simplifying the assembly system by eliminating separate fasteners. This reduces assembly complexity and the risk of errors such as missing or mismatched fasteners while maintaining the fastening function through the integrated 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 W-shaped winged spring clip reduces assembly costs and weight by integrating the fastening mechanism into the plastic part, ensuring a strong and quiet connection with reduced risk of errors and noise.
Implementation Method 1
a first bend having an S-curve segment at each end... forming a bend between a cantilever bar and a support post of the W-shaped spring clip with an S-curve segment at each end of the bend
Implementation Method 2
the spring clip functions to locate, lock and retain parts together in a single snapping action
Data Source
AI summary
A spring clip is provided. That spring clip includes a body having a support post, a first cantilever bar and a second cantilever bar. Junctures between the cantilever bars and the support post include necks and bends. S-curve segments are provided at the ends of those bends.