TR Fastenings was approached by a global EV manufacturer to design and develop a new and complex component for their latest model. They needed to work with an experienced partner who could take on the challenge to produce a unique spring and spool solution for their vehicle’s central console.
The requirement
The customer required an engineered fastener solution that would provide the advanced functionality they were looking for in their latest EV. Their requirement was for a bespoke spring and spool product for the sliding central console, with three different versions designed specifically for installation in the tray, cup holder and lid.
The challenge was to achieve a precise speed and timeframe of the open and closure mechanism. The requirement was for collaboration and technical expertise to develop such a product.
The Solution
TR Fastenings stepped in and brought its expert teams together from global locations to develop this specialised component.
Utilising years of experience in developing complex parts, and working with customers and their drawings, TR Fastenings knew what needed to be done to meet the specific challenges. Teams from TR USA and TR Sweden worked with several global manufacturers to design and assemble the final spring and spool product.
New EV components, from initial design and prototyping to full production, require design and engineering expertise, and TR Fastenings was able to provide full-service provision.
The product
To create a smooth and continuous motion of the central console mechanism, TR Fastenings had to match the spring performance with a suitable damper to ensure that the console travelled smoothly and at a continuous speed, both in a stationary vehicle or when driving over a bumpy road.
Understanding the application design requirements, TR Fastenings developed a spring and spool assembly which translates linear motion into rotation. The assembly was tailored to the application to fulfil its function smoothly and without noise.
To achieve this, the spool was designed to align with the geometry of the spring. Controlling and lubricity, as well as manufacturing the spool of a specific polymer, low static and dynamic sliding friction against mating surfaces was achieved.
TR Fastenings was also able to support the customer with cost efficiencies of this product. By reducing the size of the spool, not only would this reduce material costs, but it would also speed up installation time. TR Fastenings used a combination of technical insights and production techniques to produce a product that met the brief of this challenging application.
Project Conclusion
TR Fastenings developed a custom spring and spool system tailored to the customer’s requirements. This solution met the demands of the central console mechanism while maintaining smooth functionality, reliability and cost efficiency.
TR Fastenings has more than 55,000 products across its portfolio. It supplies components to more than 5,000 companies globally across a range of industries from its facilities in 18 countries encompassing seven manufacturing sites.
Patrik Ringdahl, project engineer at TR, said: “Finding the right solution is my passion, and working alongside our customer on this project was an incredible opportunity to bring that to life. Leveraging our experience and global supplier network, we designed a solution that not only met their precise needs but also provided enhanced functionality and durability. This approach means our customer benefits from a reliable, high-performance component, supporting their commitment to quality and innovation. Growing with our customers to create functional, forward-thinking solutions is what drives our teams at TR, every day."
