Design of a snap connector to connect panel elements

Abstract

Design of a snap connector to connect panel elements. The aim of this study was to design, manufacture and verify the tensile strength of a prototype snap connector to be used to connect panel elements. Firstly, analyses were conducted on solutions of commercially available designs for connectors invisible from the cabinet’s outside and those with minimized visibility. While searching for the best concept of connector design, three proposals were prepared, of which – after thorough analysis of design – one concept was selected. In the next step, the adopted solution was improved so that the connector met the previously formulated design requirements. In the course of further analyses, the causes and effects of failure were verified in order to limit or eliminate potential defects. In the next stage of the study, numerical calculations were conducted for the nut and the connector, concerning tensile strength, using the Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics program. After a prototype connector was manufactured, tensile strength tests were conducted on the connector using a strength testing machine. Experiments verified the correctness of the developed design in terms of geometry and the physico-mechanical properties of materials of individual elements, and resulted in possible changes proposed in the design of the final connector product.