Lock nut

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking nut, which can abut against an end side piece (1) located on the axial end side of the locking nut (2), and the locking nut (2) includes a nut body (21), the nut body (21) has a center hole, and an internal thread is arranged in the center hole, wherein the locking nut (2) includes at least two protrusions (25) uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction, wherein the protrusions (25) protrude axially from the axial end face of the nut body (21) and are used to abut against the end side piece (1), and the locking nut (2) also includes grooves (24) constructed on both sides of the circumferential side of the protrusions (25), and the grooves (24) respectively start from the axial end face and extend axially on the radial inner side of the nut body (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a locking nut. Background Art

[0002] Lock nuts can be installed onto mating components such as shafts or bolts via their internal threads. They can be used to position and secure components located on the end of the lock nut. For example, a lock nut can be installed on a spindle. The tightening torque of the lock nut applies an axial load to the spindle bearings, maintaining proper clearance within the spindle. Lock nuts feature a locking mechanism that prevents loosening, even under harsh operating conditions such as vibration and impact.

[0003] Various locking mechanisms for locking nuts are known in the prior art. One existing locking nut has a cylindrical nut body with multiple through-holes extending from the outer circumference to the inner circumference. When assembling the locking nut, after the nut body is screwed onto the external thread of a rotating shaft, a set screw is screwed into the through-hole. The set screw bites into the external thread of the rotating shaft, thereby preventing the nut from loosening. For example, patent application number 201410553374.6 discloses a locking nut utilizing this locking mechanism.

[0004] However, current lock nuts present several major issues. First, they can loosen after a period of operation. This can lead to spindle bearing failure, for example, which can severely damage the spindle system. This failure is frequent and requires significant repair time and cost. Second, current lock nuts often consist of two or more mating components, which achieve locking through coordination. This complicates the manufacturing and assembly process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a locking nut, which has a good anti-loosening effect, is easy to assemble and has low cost.

[0006] This technical problem is solved by a locking nut, which can be abutted against an end side piece located on its axial end side. The locking nut includes a nut body, the nut body has a center hole, and the center hole is provided with an internal thread for matching with the external thread of the mating piece.

[0007] According to the present invention, the locking nut includes at least two protrusions evenly distributed along the circumference. The protrusions project axially beyond an axial end surface of the nut body, i.e., the axial end surface facing the end member after assembly, for abutting against the end member. Furthermore, the locking nut includes grooves formed on both circumferential sides of the protrusions. The grooves extend axially from the axial end surface and radially inwardly of the nut body.

[0008] In other words, a protrusion protruding from the axial end face of the nut body forms a resting portion for resting against the end side member and non-resting portions arranged on both circumferential sides of the resting portion on the locking nut, wherein the resting portion and the non-resting portion are separated circumferentially by a groove constructed on the radial inner side of the nut body, wherein the resting portion is provided with a protrusion protruding from the axial end face of the nut body, especially the radial inner area of ​​the axial end face. Here, the structural unit composed of the resting portion and the non-resting portions on both circumferential sides thereof is evenly arranged on the circumference of the locking nut. When the protrusion rests against the end side member, the resting portion and the non-resting portion can be deformed to different degrees, so that the internal threads on the resting portion and the non-resting portion can produce relative displacement, especially in the axial direction, thereby preventing the locking nut from loosening. In addition, since the locking nut of the present invention is a single piece, it is conducive to simplifying the process, especially in assembly, and saving costs.

[0009] In the scope of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the terms “radial direction”, “axial direction” and “circumferential direction” are based on the center axis of the lock nut.

[0010] The present invention does not limit the shape of the locking nut on the radially outer side. For example, the locking nut or the nut body as a whole can be a polygon, especially a regular polygon, especially a circle.

[0011] In the scope of the present invention, the mating element can be a component such as a shaft or a bolt, which has at least partially an external thread for mating with the internal thread of the lock nut. The mating element can be stationary in the working state, or it can perform rotational movement or other forms of movement.

[0012] Within the scope of the present invention, the end-side piece is located on the axial end of the lock nut and should be able to abut against the lock nut when assembled. The end-side piece can be attached to the mating piece or can be part of the mating piece. Alternatively, the end-side piece can be a separate component from the mating piece and not connected to it.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the grooves are evenly distributed around the circumference of the lock nut. In this case, the structures of the abutting and non-abutting portions in the radial plane can be substantially identical. This results in a more uniform structure around the circumference of the lock nut, for example, a more even distribution of mass, which facilitates its use on high-speed rotating spindles.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the groove can axially run through the lock nut. In this case, the lock nut is easy to manufacture and can save material.

[0015] Alternatively, the groove may extend only over a partial axial section of the nut body. In this case, the groove extends through the axial end surface facing the end member after assembly, but not through the axial end surface facing away from the end member after assembly. In this case, the locking nut and the mating member have more thread contact area.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the cross section of the groove in the radial direction is substantially triangular or trapezoidal, which is beneficial for manufacturing the groove.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the axial end surfaces of the projections extend within the same radial plane. That is, the axial end surfaces of the projections, i.e., the contact surfaces for abutting against the end member, not only extend perpendicular to the center axis of the lock nut but also lie within the same plane. This allows the lock nut, or the projections, to rest stably against the end member of, for example, a spindle bearing, thereby steadily applying axial load to the spindle bearing.

[0018] Advantageously, the axial length of the projection is 1 to 2 thread pitches. This advantageously combines the axial dimension of the lock nut with the locking effect. The axial length refers to the axial distance between the axial end face of the projection and the axial end face of the nut body on which the projection is located. The thread pitch corresponds to the pitch of the internal thread of the lock nut.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion is made integrally with the nut body.

[0020] Advantageously, the cross section of the projection in the radial direction is a circular arc segment, which is particularly advantageous in simplifying the processing of the projection.

[0021] Advantageously, the radially inner side of the projection is internally threaded. That is, the distance between the radially inner surface of the projection and the central axis of the lock nut is consistent with the radius of the central hole of the nut body. In this case, the projection and the nut body have identical internal threads. This enhances the relative displacement of the internal threads in different areas after assembly, thereby optimizing the locking effect of the lock nut.

[0022] Alternatively, the protrusion and the nut body can also be manufactured separately and connected to each other in a subsequent step to form a single piece, thereby simplifying the process, especially in terms of assembly, and saving costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are schematically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 is a partial side view of a spindle system having a locking nut according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

[0025] Figure 2 is based on Figure 1 Front view of the lock nut,

[0026] Figure 3 is based on Figure 1 A side view of the lock nut, and

[0027] Figure 4 It is a partial perspective view of a locking nut according to another preferred embodiment.

[0028] In the various figures, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 A partial side view of a spindle system is shown, including a locking nut 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The locking nut 2 is threadedly connected to the spindle 3. The locking nut 2 rests against the spindle bearing 1 at its axial end to apply an appropriate axial load to the spindle bearing 1.

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Shown respectively according to Figure 1 Front and side views of the lock nut, Figure 4 Based on something similar to Figures 1 to 3 A partial perspective view of a lock nut according to another embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The commonalities between the two implementation modes are first introduced below.

[0032] Combine Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen, the lock nut 2 has an overall annular nut body 21. Constructed on the lock nut 2 are an abutment portion 22 and a non-abutment portion 23. The abutment portion 22 and the non-abutment portion 23 are circumferentially separated by a groove 24 formed radially inwardly of the nut body 21. The abutment portion 22 is provided with a protrusion 25 that protrudes from the axial end surface of the nut body 21. In this embodiment, the lock nut 2, or rather, the nut body 21 and the protrusion 25 are integrally formed.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the abutment portions 22 and the non-abutment portions 23 are alternately and evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the lock nut 2. In this case, the grooves 24 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the lock nut 2. Thus, the lock nut 2 has a uniform circumferential structure.

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the grooves 24 respectively penetrate the lock nut 2 in the axial direction and have a substantially triangular radial cross section. This design is particularly beneficial for making the grooves 24 simple and cost-effective in the manufacture of the lock nut.

[0035] like Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the axial end surface of each protrusion 25 is configured as a radially extending plane, and each protrusion 25 has the same axial dimension. This allows the lock nut to rest stably against the spindle bearing, thereby stably applying an axial load to the spindle bearing. The axial end surface of the protrusion 25 is preferably 1 to 2 thread pitches from the axial end surface of the nut body 21.

[0036] Especially Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the protrusion 25 is configured as a circular arc segment, which matches the local structure of the nut body 21 with the groove 24. In other embodiments, the protrusion may be different from the local structure of the nut body 21. In addition, the distance between the radial inner side of the protrusion 25 and the central axis of the lock nut 2 is consistent with the radius of the central hole of the nut body 21, so as to be compatible with the spindle 3 (see Figure 1 ) is continuously provided on the radial inner surface of the protrusion 25 and in the center hole of the nut body 21. The “continuous” described here does not take into account the thread interruption caused by the groove 24.

[0037] The following is introduced by Figure 2 and Figure 3 and by Figure 4 The differences between the two embodiments are shown respectively. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the radial outer surface of the protrusion 25 has the same radial dimension as the groove bottom of the groove 24. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the radial outer surface of the projection 25 is closer to the center axis of the lock nut 2 than the groove bottom of the groove 24. In both embodiments, the end side member 1 (see Figure 1 ) helps to cause relative displacement, especially axial relative displacement, between the internal thread on the abutment portion 22 and the internal thread on the non-abutment portion 23, thereby preventing the locking nut from loosening.

[0038] While the foregoing descriptions illustrate possible embodiments, it should be understood that numerous variations exist through combinations of all known and other technical features and implementations readily conceivable to a skilled artisan. Furthermore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments serve merely as examples and in no way limit the scope, application, or configuration of the present invention. The foregoing descriptions are intended primarily to provide a skilled artisan with technical guidance for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment. Various modifications, particularly regarding the functionality and structure of the components described, may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0039] Reference Signs List

[0040] 1 End piece, spindle bearing

[0041] 2 Lock nut

[0042] 21 Nut body

[0043] 22 Abutment

[0044] 23 Non-abutment part

[0045] 24 grooves

[0046] 25 protrusion

[0047] 3 Mating parts, spindle

Claims

1. A locking nut, wherein the locking nut (2) is capable of resting on an end member (1) located at an axial end side thereof, the locking nut (2) comprising a nut body (21), the nut body (21) having a central hole, an internal thread being provided in the central hole, and characterized in that: The locking nut (2) comprises at least two protrusions (25) uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction, wherein the protrusions (25) protrude axially from the axial end surface of the nut body (21) and are used to abut against the end side member (1). The locking nut (2) further comprises grooves (24) formed on both circumferential sides of the protrusion (25), wherein the grooves (24) respectively start from the axial end surface and extend axially on the radial inner side of the nut body (21). By means of the protrusion (25) protruding from the axial end face of the nut body (21), a resting portion (22) for resting against the end side member (1) and non-resting portions (23) arranged on both circumferential sides of the resting portion (22) are formed on the locking nut (2), wherein the resting portion (22) and the non-resting portion (23) are separated in the circumferential direction by the groove (24) constructed on the radial inner side of the nut body (21), wherein the resting portion (22) is provided with the protrusion (25) protruding from the axial end face of the nut body (21), and when the protrusion (25) rests against the end side member (1), the resting portion (22) and the non-resting portion (23) can be deformed to different degrees, thereby causing the internal threads on the resting portion (22) and the non-resting portion (23) to have an axial relative displacement, thereby preventing the locking nut from loosening.

2. The locking nut according to claim 1, wherein: The grooves (24) are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the locking nut (2).

3. The locking nut according to claim 1, wherein: The groove (24) penetrates the locking nut (2) in the axial direction.

4. The locking nut according to claim 1, wherein: The groove (24) extends over a partial axial section of the nut body (21).

5. The locking nut according to claim 1, wherein: The cross section of the groove (24) in the radial direction is substantially triangular or trapezoidal.

6. The locking nut according to claim 1, wherein: The axial end surfaces of the protrusions (25) extend in the same radial plane.

7. The locking nut according to claim 6, characterized in that The axial length of the protrusion (25) is 1 to 2 thread pitches.

8. The locking nut according to claim 1, wherein: The protrusion (25) and the nut body (21) are made in one piece.

9. The locking nut according to claim 8, wherein: The cross section of the protrusion (25) in the radial direction is a circular arc segment.

10. The locking nut according to claim 9, wherein: The radial inner side of the protrusion (25) is configured with the internal thread.

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