Safety nut

Abstract

The utility model relates to a safety nut, which has the shape of a nut, can be screwed to the tail part of a lengthened bolt with a corresponding diameter dimension through a thread mounting hole, is matched with a fastening nut for use, and is used for detecting the looseness of the fastening nut. The safety nut comprises a nut-shaped upper shell, a nut-shaped lower shell, a plurality of detection contacts, an alarm transceiving module and a battery, and optionally, the safety nut further comprises a miniature solar panel mounted at the top of the safety nut, and a power management chip and an indicator lamp which are mounted in the shells. The safety nut is provided with the alarm receiving and transmitting module, the multiple detection contacts, the indicator light and the solar panel, the state of the fastening nut can be remotely monitored in real time, whether the function of the safety nut is normal or not can be reported, the indicator light can give out flickering indication under remote control, and maintainers can conveniently and rapidly position the fastening nut needing to be maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a safety nut, used in conjunction with a fastening nut, for detecting loosening of the fastening nut and issuing an alarm via a wireless network. Background Technology

[0002] Fastening nuts are widely used and work with bolts to form a fastening device. If a fastening nut becomes loose, it affects the tightening effect, and in severe cases, can lead to safety accidents. Therefore, various types of anti-loosening nuts have been developed.

[0003] A lock nut is a nut that is screwed together with a bolt or screw to fasten it. It is a component that all manufacturing machinery must use. Lock nuts are parts that tightly connect mechanical equipment. They can only be connected together by lock nuts and screws of the same specification through the internal thread. Five ways to prevent lock nuts from slipping: (1) Mechanical lock-locking, which uses a lock nut stop to directly restrict the relative rotation of the lock nut pair. Such as using a toothed pin, a connecting wire and a stop washer. Since the lock nut stop has no preload, the lock nut stop only works when the lock nut is loosened to the stop position. Therefore, this method of locking nuts does not prevent loosening but prevents it from falling off. (2) Riveting lock-locking, which uses punching, welding, bonding and other methods after tightening to make the lock nut pair lose the kinematic characteristics and become an unremovable connection. The disadvantage of this method is that the bolt can only be used once and disassembly is very difficult. It is necessary to destroy the bolt pair before disassembly. (3) Friction anti-loosening: This is the most widely used anti-loosening method. This method generates a positive pressure between the locking nut pairs that does not change with external force, so as to generate a frictional force that can prevent the relative rotation of the locking nut pairs. This positive pressure can be achieved by axially or simultaneously pressing the locking nut pairs. For example, elastic washers, double nuts, self-locking nuts and insert locking nuts are used. (4) Structural anti-loosening: This method uses the structure of the locking nut pair itself, that is, the Tang-style locking nut anti-loosening method. (5) Punching method anti-loosening: After the nut is tightened, a punch is punched at the end of the thread to destroy the thread; adhesive anti-loosening usually uses anaerobic adhesive to apply to the thread engagement surface. After the anti-loosening nut is tightened, the adhesive can cure itself, and the anti-loosening effect is good. The disadvantage of this method is that the bolt can only be used once, and disassembly is very difficult. The bolt pair must be destroyed before it can be disassembled.

[0004] This patent proposes a safety nut, used in conjunction with a fastening nut, to detect loosening of the fastening nut. It issues a loosening alarm and a normal heartbeat via an alarm transceiver module. The safety nut also features an illuminated indicator light that can flash under remote control, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly locate the loosened fastening nut. This safety nut can be used in tower cranes, high-speed rail transmission networks, bridges, and other applications, serving as a valuable safety device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A safety nut includes an upper and lower nut-shaped housing, multiple detection contacts, an alarm transceiver module, and a battery. The nut-shaped housing has threaded mounting holes for screwing onto bolts of corresponding diameters. The nut-shaped housing has multiple detection contacts; when the external fastening nut loosens and retracts, the output state of these contacts changes. The alarm transceiver module sends the status of the multiple detection contacts according to set trigger conditions. The battery powers the multiple detection contacts and the alarm transceiver module.

[0006] In one scenario, the detection contact is a spring-loaded button, which is in a pop-up state during normal operation; when the external fastening nut loosens and causes backward displacement, the spring-loaded button is pressed down; the input interface of the alarm transceiver module can detect the change of the button being pressed down.

[0007] In another scenario, the detection contact is a proximity switch. Under normal operation, it is in a non-proximity state, with the proximity switch open. When the external fastening nut loosens and moves backward, it approaches the detection contact, causing the proximity switch to close. The input interface of the alarm transceiver module can detect the change in the proximity switch's closure.

[0008] The alarm transceiver module sends a normal heartbeat wirelessly at predetermined time intervals when no loose nut is detected, and sends an alarm at a higher frequency according to a strategy when looseness is detected at any detection contact.

[0009] It further includes a micro solar panel and a battery management chip; the micro solar panel is located at the top of the nut-shaped housing for collecting solar energy; the battery management chip manages the charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery.

[0010] It further includes indicator lights, and the alarm transceiver module controls the indicator lights to turn on and off according to remote communication commands.

[0011] In terms of structural layout, multiple detection contacts, an alarm transceiver module, a battery, a micro solar panel, a battery management chip, and the antenna of the alarm transceiver module are connected by a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is a hollow nut shape and is fixed between the upper and lower shells of the nut shape. The antenna of the alarm transceiver module is located on the outer edge of the PCB to achieve better transmission and reception efficiency. Multiple detection contacts are connected to the back of the PCB and protrude from the lower shell to detect whether the fastening nut is loose.

[0012] The nut-shaped housing has a set screw hole, and a set screw can be installed in the set screw hole to fix the nut-shaped housing to the bolt.

[0013] This safety nut features an alarm transceiver module, multiple detection contacts, indicator lights, and a solar panel. It can remotely monitor the status of the fastening nut in real time, report whether the nut itself is functioning correctly, and emit flashing indicators under remote control, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly locate the fastening nut requiring repair. As a safety device, it has significant practical value. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a drawing of the outline of the safety nut;

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the safety nut.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the combination of the safety nut, fastening nut, and bolt.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the safety nut, fastening nut, and bolt.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the safety nut circuit assembly.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the detection contacts and antenna layout for the safety nut circuit assembly.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a typical application schematic diagram of the safety nut battery management chip. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 This is the outline drawing of this safety nut. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the safety nut. From bottom to top, the exploded view shows the lower nut-shaped housing, the circuit assembly, the upper nut-shaped housing, and an optional solar panel. Preferably, the solar panel is embedded in the end face of the upper nut-shaped housing. The circuit assembly is fixed in the enclosed space between the lower and upper nut-shaped housings. Three detection contacts are fixed to the circuit assembly and protrude from the lower end face of the lower nut-shaped housing to detect if the external fastening nut has loosened and moved backward. To ensure normal wireless signal transmission between the internal circuit assembly and the external communication device, both the lower and upper nut-shaped housings are made of engineering plastic. To make the LED lights on the circuit assembly visible from the outside, the upper nut-shaped housing is made translucent. To secure the safety nut to the bolt, two set screw holes are provided on both sides of the lower nut-shaped housing; during installation, the safety nut can be secured to the bolt using two set screws.

[0023] Figure 3This is a diagram showing the combination of the safety nut with the fastening nut and bolt; Figure 4 These are exploded views of the safety nut, fastening nut, and bolt. These two diagrams further illustrate the installation method of the safety nut. From bottom to top, the exploded views show the bolt, fastened component 1, fastened component 2, fastening nut 1, fastening nut 2, and safety nut (lower nut-shaped housing, circuit components, upper nut-shaped housing, and optional solar panel). Between the safety nut and fastening nut 2 are three detection contacts connected to the circuit components, used to detect if the external fastening nut has loosened and moved backward. In actual installation, first install the bolt, fastened component 1, fastened component 2, fastening nut 1, and fastening nut 2. To allow the safety nut to be installed on the bolt, the bolt needs to be longer, allowing for installation without interfering with the solar panel. When installing the safety nut, generally tighten it until one of the detection contacts just triggers an alarm, then loosen it by 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 turn. At this point, none of the contacts will detect any loosening of the nut. Finally, use two set screws to secure the safety nut.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit assembly structure of the safety nut of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the detection contacts and antenna layout for this safety nut circuit assembly. Multiple detection contacts, an alarm transceiver module, a battery, a micro solar panel, a battery management chip, and the antenna of the alarm transceiver module are connected via a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is a hollow nut shape, fixed between the upper and lower outer shells of the nut shape. The antenna of the alarm transceiver module is located on the outer edge of the PCB for better transmission and reception efficiency. Multiple detection contacts are connected to the back of the PCB and protrude from the lower outer shell to detect whether the fastening nut is loose.

[0025] One option for detecting the contact is a spring-loaded button, which is in the pop-up state during normal operation; when the external fastening nut loosens and causes backward displacement, the spring-loaded button is pressed down; the input interface of the alarm transceiver module can detect the change of the button being pressed down.

[0026] Another option for the detection contact is a proximity switch. Under normal operation, it is in a non-proximity state and the proximity switch is open. When it is moved backward by the loosening of the external fastening nut and approaches the detection contact, the proximity switch closes. The input interface of the alarm transceiver module can detect the change in the closure of the proximity switch.

[0027] As one embodiment of a power management chip Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of a typical application for the e-peas AEM10941 power management chip. The e-peas AEM10941 solar harvesting IC is an integrated ambient energy manager (AEM) that can draw DC power from up to seven solar panels, store energy in rechargeable components, and provide two independent regulated voltages to the system. The AEM10941 is designed to extend battery life. The AEM10941 can harvest up to 110mA of usable input current. It integrates an ultra-low-power boost converter for charging energy storage components such as lithium-ion batteries, thin-film batteries, supercapacitors, or conventional capacitors. The boost converter's input voltage range is 50mV to 5V. Thanks to its unique cold-start circuitry, the AEM10941 can start operating with empty storage components at input voltages as low as 380mV and input power as low as 3µW. The low-voltage supply of the AEM10941 can be used to drive microcontrollers with 1.2V or 1.8V. The high-voltage supply can typically be configured to drive alarm transceiver modules with voltages from 1.8V to 4.1V. Both are driven by high-performance LDO (low dropout) regulators, enabling low noise and high stability. The AEM10941 integrates a variety of active components to power a typical wireless sensor. Only five capacitors and two inductors are required, in small 0402 and 0603 sizes respectively. With only seven external components, its high integration, small footprint, and small BOM optimize time-to-market and cost for wireless sensor node designs. The e-peas AEM10941 is packaged in a QFN28 and has a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. In this safety nut configuration, the solar panel is connected to the AEM10941's SRC pin, the rechargeable battery to the AEM10941's BATT pin, and the alarm transceiver module to the AEM10941's HVOUT pin, which sets the output to 3.3V.

[0028] Three detection contacts are connected to three input pins of the alarm transceiver module (e.g., PB5 / PB6 / PB7). Normally, the inputs are high, and the module is in a STOP2 low-power state with an average power consumption of approximately 3uA. When the three input pins detect a loose nut, they go low, acting as an interrupt source to wake up the alarm transceiver module and send an alarm via the wireless communication network. As a preferred reliability strategy, there should be no alarms under normal conditions. A heartbeat signal is sent once a day to keep the safety nut online, so the remote monitoring platform knows the safety nut is in normal working condition; otherwise, personnel investigation is necessary. As a practical strategy, an alarm is sent every hour if only one of the three detection contacts detects a loose nut, and every five minutes if at least two of the three detection contacts detect a loose nut.

[0029] The safety nut provided by this invention is not limited to the one described above. Figures 1 to 7In addition to the specific implementation methods described in the text, other implementation methods derived by those skilled in the art based on the technical solution of this invention also fall within the scope of the technical innovation of this invention.

Claims

1. A safety nut, characterized by: The nut-shaped upper and lower shell, a plurality of detection contacts, an alarm transceiver module, and a battery are included. The nut-shaped shell has a threaded mounting hole that can be screwed onto a bolt of corresponding diameter size specification. The nut-shaped shell has a plurality of detection contacts that change output state when the external tightening nut loosens and moves backward. The alarm transceiver module sends the state of the plurality of detection contacts according to the set trigger condition. The battery powers the plurality of detection contacts and the alarm transceiver module.

2. A security nut as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The detection contacts are elastic buttons that are in a pop-up state when working normally. When the external tightening nut loosens and moves backward, the elastic buttons are pressed down. The input interface of the alarm transceiver module can detect the change in the pressed-down state of the buttons.

3. The security nut of claim 1, wherein: The detection contacts are proximity switches that are in a non-proximity state when working normally, and the proximity switch is open. When the external tightening nut loosens and moves backward, it approaches the detection contacts, and the proximity switch is closed. The input interface of the alarm transceiver module can detect the change in the closed state of the proximity switch.

4. A security nut as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The alarm transceiver module sends a normal heartbeat at a predetermined time interval through wireless means when no nut loosening is detected. When any one of the detection contacts detects loosening, it sends an alarm at a higher frequency according to the strategy.

5. A security nut as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Further including a micro solar panel and a battery management chip. The micro solar panel is located at the top end of the nut-shaped shell to collect solar energy. The battery management chip manages the charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery.

6. A security nut as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein: Further including an indicator light, which is controlled by the alarm transceiver module according to remote communication instructions to turn on and off.

7. A security nut as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: In terms of structural layout, the plurality of detection contacts, the alarm transceiver module, the battery, the micro solar panel, the battery management chip, and the antenna of the alarm transceiver module are connected by a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is hollow and nut-shaped, fixed between the nut-shaped upper and lower shells. The antenna of the alarm transceiver module is located on the outer side edge of the PCB. The plurality of detection contacts are connected to the back of the PCB and protrude from the lower shell.

8. A security nut as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that: The nut-shaped shell has a top screw hole, and a top screw installed on the top screw hole can fix the nut-shaped shell on the bolt.

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