Lock washer

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock washer (1) designed as a flat washer, the lock washer having a central passage opening for passage of a clamping shank, such as the shank of a clamping bolt, and having a blocking structure on its flat sides (2, 4) arranged transversely with respect to the axis (A) of the central passage opening (D), wherein the blocking structures on the two flat sides (2, 4) are arranged relative to one another so as to be aligned with one another in the axial direction or so as to at least substantially overlap one another in terms of their radial extent. The invention is characterized in that the positive structures (6) of the blocking structure are clamping ribs extending in the radial direction, and said clamping ribs are arranged on one flat side (2) of the lock washer (1) so as to be offset in the circumferential direction relative to the positive structures (6.1) on the other flat side (4), and, for each positive structure (6), a negative structure (7) extending over the radial extent of the lock washer (1) is arranged on the opposite flat side (2) of the lock washer (1), the extent of said negative structure in the circumferential direction of the lock washer (1) corresponding to a multiple of the width of a positive structure (6, 6.1) such that, when said lock washer (1) is clamped, a preload acting in the axial direction can be introduced, via the the positive structures lying against a clamping partner, into the washer portion situated between in each case two positive structures (6) that are adjacent in the circumferential direction.

Description

[0001] locking washer

[0002] The invention relates to a locking washer designed as a flat disc with a central through-opening for the passage of a clamping shaft, for example the shaft of a clamping bolt, and with a locking structure on its flat sides arranged transversely to the axis of the central through-opening, wherein the locking structures on the two flat sides are arranged in relation to each other in such a way that they are aligned with each other in the axial direction or at least largely overlap each other in their radial extent.

[0003] These locking washers, sometimes also called locking washers, serve as anti-loosening and anti-rotation devices and are inserted into a bolted connection between two clamping partners for this purpose. Such locking washers are used when tightening bolted connections that join two flanges. A locking washer is positioned between a bolt head or nut (the first clamping partner with respect to the locking washer) and the outer surface of a flange (the second clamping partner). The bolted connection can then be tightened from the outside of the opposite flange without requiring a locknut or bolt head on the opposite side. These locking washers can also be used on the clamping side of a bolted connection to prevent unintentional loosening after tightening.The locking washers, which are initially used as anti-rotation devices during tensioning, also serve this purpose.

[0004] Locking washers in various designs are known from the prior art. Such locking washers have a friction-enhancing locking structure on their opposing flat surfaces, acting circumferentially against the adjacent clamping partner. This structure is formed, for example, by radially extending interlocking ribs. In these types of locking washers, the ribs serve to increase the surface pressure by concentrating force. This force is then applied to press the clamping partner against such a flat surface, thus preventing unintentional loosening of the clamping partner secured by the locking washer relative to the other clamping partner. Sometimes, pairs of locking washers are used for this purpose. Due to their design, such pairs of locking washers are referred to as wedge locking washer pairs.

[0005] According to another embodiment for increasing surface pressure, such locking washers are made of spring steel and have locking teeth bent out of the plane of the washer on their outer circumference. The desired locking effect is also achieved with such a locking washer by the locking teeth, which, due to the spring force, bear against the surface of the clamping partner with increased surface pressure and their sharp edges. However, such locking washers made of spring steel cannot be used for clamping larger components, especially those subject to high dynamic loads, such as shafts that must be connected in wind turbines. Such a locking washer is known, for example, from DE 20 2019 104 561 U1.

[0006] This locking washer features two flat surfaces equipped with a locking structure with points. The points of this structure are designed to penetrate the surface of the clamping partner being secured against rotation. For this purpose, the points taper from their base towards their free end. Due to the clamping force concentrated on these points, this occurs even with a relatively small clamping force. The resulting positive locking action then secures the clamping partner on which the torque required to tighten the bolt fastening is not applied.With such a locking washer, it is therefore possible to prepare a bolt fastening in conjunction with the arrangement of the clamping partners for the intended clamping purpose, such that one of the two clamping partners is already connected to the component to be clamped in a rotationally secured manner, the other clamping partner is screwed onto the threaded shank and pre-tensioned with such a torque that the clamping partner, secured by the locking washer, no longer rotates when a further torque (clamping force) is applied. Preparing such a pre-tensioned bolt fastening is generally possible without tools or with only small tools.Applying the torque required for clamping generally necessitates a larger tool, which then only needs to be applied to the clamping component, for example, a clamping nut, that is to be tightened against the other clamping component, which is secured by the locking washer. Therefore, only the clamping component to be tightened needs to be accessible for the torque tool.

[0007] US Patent 2017 / 0021478 A1 describes in Figures 15A to 15C another locking washer for preventing a locknut from rotating. As a locking feature, the two flat sides each have radially extending interlocking ribs, separated from each other by a groove. The locking feature of this previously known locking washer is designed in the form of grooves. The radial extent of these interlocking ribs, which are relatively small in cross-sectional area, is limited to a central section of the locking washer, resulting in a concentration of force that facilitates pressing the washer into the surface of the adjacent clamping partner. The areas of the flat sides adjacent to the locking feature in the radial direction serve as contact surfaces for a flat bearing surface against the respective clamping partner.This limits the penetration depth of the locking ribs into the surface of the clamping partner adjacent to the flat side. These previously known locking washers are made of relatively thick material. The structuring of the flat sides is produced by machining. In contrast, the locking washer described in DE 20 2019 104 561 U1 is a stamped part, with the locking structure being produced by an embossing pressing process. Locking washers as described in DE 20 2019 104 561 U1 or also in US 2017 / 0021478 A1 are based on the principle that the desired locking mechanism, or the securing against rotation during tightening of the bolted joint, is provided by a circumferentially acting positive locking between the locking structure and the adjacent material of the respective clamping partner.For this reason, the locking structure with its positive structures must be pressed into the surface of the adjacent clamping partner. It is therefore necessary that the positive structures have a higher hardness than the hardness of the adjacent clamping partner. Furthermore, a corresponding clamping force is required to ensure that the positive structures of the locking structure are pressed into the adjacent clamping partner as intended.

[0008] Based on this discussed state of the art, the invention therefore aims to propose a locking washer to prevent an unintentional loosening of a screw connection or to ensure anti-rotation protection, with which, when inserted into a screw connection, the desired effect can be achieved with lower requirements for the locking washer.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a locking washer mentioned above, in which the positive structures of the locking structure are designed as radially extending interlocking ribs and these are arranged on one flat side of the locking washer circumferentially offset to the positive structures on the other flat side, and for each positive structure of one flat side a negative structure extending over the radial extent of the locking washer is arranged on the opposite flat side, the width of which in the circumferential direction of the locking washer corresponds to a multiple of the width of the positive structure arranged on the opposite flat side.Thus, when this locking washer is clamped, an axially acting preload can be introduced into the washer section located between each pair of circumferentially adjacent positive structures via the positive structures of the two flat sides that abut a clamping partner. This locking washer is designed as a flat washer. This means that the planes of the two flat sides are fundamentally parallel to each other; the locking washer is in any case not conical or designed in the manner of a wave spring. The structuring of the locking washer is achieved solely by the locking structure on the two flat sides. Consequently, such a locking washer designed as a flat washer has a transverse plane oriented parallel to the two flat sides. In the locking washer according to the invention, the apex of the positive structures of the locking structure are arranged at a distance from each other when viewed in the circumferential direction.wherein at least some, but preferably all, positive structures on one flat side of the locking washer are arranged offset from the vertices of the positive structures on the other flat side of the washer. Thus, these positive structures on one flat side of the locking washer are located in a position where a negative structure is located on the opposite flat side. Typically, the center of a negative structure (the midpoint between two positive structures) aligns axially with the positive structure on the opposite flat side. The circumferential spacing of the positive structures corresponds to a multiple of their height.For example, at their radially outer end, the width is 4 to 10 times greater. The width of a negative structure is several times greater in the circumferential direction of the locking washer than the width of the spaced-apart positive structures. The spacing of the positive structures refers to their distance from each other, insofar as they are pressed, are pressed, or are intended to be pressed into the surface of a clamping partner by the clamping process. As a result of this spacing of the apex of the positive structures, viewed in the circumferential direction of the washer, the number of positive structures is significantly reduced compared to the number of such structures in conventional locking washers. This leads to a concentration of force on the smaller number of positive structures compared to the prior art. This, in turn, allows for a design of the positive structures, which are designed as clamping ribs,that these features can extend over the entire radial extent of the locking washer. Therefore, unlike other previously known locking washers, they do not need to be limited to a section of the radial extent of the washer to achieve force concentration, so that they can be pressed into the surface of an adjacent clamping partner with the available clamping force or applied torque. The ability to utilize the entire radial extent of the flat sides of the locking washer improves the desired circumferentially acting positive locking, so that even a shallow penetration depth of the vertices of the positive structures into the material of the adjacent clamping partner results in a very effective circumferential positive locking. This is achieved, above all, without the need to apply higher clamping forces.

[0010] This spacing of the vertices of the positive structures and their offset between the two opposing flat surfaces results in an axially acting preload being coupled into the segment of the locking washer bearing one of the positive structures when a bolted joint is tightened using such a locking washer. This is because the clamping force introduced into one positive structure cannot be transmitted axially to the clamping partner bearing against the other flat surface due to the negative structure located there. This is because the circumferential extent of the negative structure is several times greater than the width of the positive structure on the opposite flat surface.Each positive structure is circumferentially supported on the other clamping partner via a disc segment, which can be described as a bending beam, and its support by two spaced-apart positive structures on the other flat side. For this reason, this circumferential segment of the locking washer tends to bend axially within the elastic range, thereby reducing the depth of the negative structure opposite a positive structure. Since the positive structures on one flat side are offset from the positive structures on the other flat side, with a positive structure typically located midway between two positive structures on one flat side and the other flat side, the clamping force acting on both flat sides couples the preload in adjacent circumferential segments of the locking washer in opposite axial directions.The span of the negative structure between two positive structures, or the span provided for preload between two positive structures, as well as the depth of the area used for preload application, is designed to ensure that deformation of this circumferential segment occurs within the elastic range. Based on the distance between the planes in which the apex of the positive structures of the two flat sides of the locking washers are arranged, the proportion of the washer thickness of the locking structure on each flat side is typically between 5% and 12%. However, to provide sufficient clamping force with a clamping partner, a proportion of the locking structure relative to the total thickness of the locking washer of 5% to 8% is generally sufficient. This specification assumes a material thickness of 3 mm to 5 mm, regardless of the diameter of the locking washer.Regardless of the material thickness, an embossing depth of the locking structures on each flat side of a few tenths of a millimeter is considered sufficient, for example, an embossing depth between 0.14 mm and 0.22 mm. The clamping force required to maintain the intended tightness of such a bolted connection is therefore sufficiently maintained when using such a locking washer, even under vibrations or thermal expansion. In this respect, this locking washer ensures that the flat sides bear against the adjacent clamping partners, typically even over a full surface, and that their clamping ribs engage with the adjacent clamping partner in a positive-locking manner in the circumferential direction, while the locking washer still exerts a certain axial preload on the adjacent clamping partners, similar to a wave spring.The material used for such a locking washer is the same as that typically used for locking washers, for example, an unalloyed steel with a low carbon content, such as grade 1.1191. The special design of this locking washer allows it to be manufactured with a relatively thin material thickness, for example, between 2 and 5 mm. This thickness allows the locking washers to be easily shaped by a stamping process, and the locking structure to be created by a pressing process. This pressing process only deforms the surface section of one flat side, not the entire locking washer. Therefore, the central section of the washer, relative to its thickness, remains unaffected by this step of forming the locking structure on both flat sides.This locking washer does not require the otherwise sometimes complex machining process, particularly to create the locking structure. Instead, creating the locking structure through a surface-forming pressing process has the advantage that at least the apex of the positive structures are formed during this process by a cold forming operation. This results in a certain degree of work hardening, so that special hardening of the locking structure is generally unnecessary. Should the hardness of the apex of the positive structures achieved through such cold forming be insufficient for certain applications, they can, of course, be additionally hardened.

[0011] The locking structure on both flat sides of such a locking washer is typically identical in its structure.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of such a locking washer, the positive structures are designed as radially extending interlocking ribs that extend over the entire radial extent of the locking washer. Such radially extending interlocking ribs can have a straight course, i.e., be precisely radially aligned. It is also quite possible for the interlocking ribs to form an angle with the radial, as well as for them to be curved, with the apex of the curve pointing in the clamping direction. Other configurations of such interlocking ribs are also possible.

[0013] The height of the clamping ribs is typically not excessively high, especially when the height determines the insertion depth into the clamping partner to which they are attached. Typically, the height of the clamping ribs does not exceed their width. According to a preferred embodiment, the height of the clamping ribs is only about 40 to 60% of their width.

[0014] Such clamping ribs preferably have a constant cross-sectional geometry and cross-sectional area along their radial extent. This ensures that such a positive structure can be pressed uniformly into the material of the clamping partner along the radial extent of the locking washer.

[0015] The negative structure located between two positive structures is generally designed as a flat surface or at least includes such a section adjacent to the two neighboring positive structures. These flat surface sections, lying in the plane of the flat side, serve as contact surfaces against the surface of the adjacent clamping partner when the positive structures are pressed superficially into the material of the same. If such a locking washer is to be used with a preload built in by the clamping process, and yet a flat contact surface is provided, at least in surface sections, against the respective clamping partner, a section is located in the center of the negative structure that forms the greatest depth of the negative structure. This section then separates the two contact surface sections bordering a positive structure from each other.According to a preferred embodiment, the width of such a recessed negative structure section is constant in the circumferential direction so that the same preload is applied to the radially outer locking washer sections by the positive structure opposite this deepest section on the other flat side as in the area of ​​the opening of the through-hole. Such a recessed section can be provided by a U-shaped recess or by a stepped design of the negative structure in the circumferential direction. In a stepped design of the negative structure, the flanks between the two steps are preferably inclined towards the deeper section. A flexural design of the flanks is advantageous. It is also quite possible to design a stepped negative structure with more than one step.In such a single- or multi-stage design of the negative structures, the width of the deepest stage in the circumferential direction of the locking washer is greater than the width of the positive structure on the opposite flat side. Even when the screw connection is tightened, this deepest section of a negative structure does not contact the surface of the clamping partner bearing against this flat side.

[0016] Regardless of the design of the negative structure, its extent at the opening of the passage is approximately 4 to 7 times greater than the extent of a positive structure in the same direction. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the circumferential extent of a positive structure to that of a negative structure is 1:5.

[0017] The through-hole is typically formed on both flat sides by a chamfer, in particular a 45° chamfer. This facilitates the placement of such a washer onto the shank of a clamping or threaded bolt, which is used to create and tighten the screw connection.

[0018] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show:

[0019] Fig. 1: a side view of the cutout of a locking washer according to a first embodiment of the invention, arranged between two clamping partners of a screw connection,

[0020] Fig. 2: a perspective view of a locking washer according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3: a top view of a flat side of the locking washer of Figure 2,

[0021] Fig. 4: an enlarged view of a section of the locking washer of Figure 2 and

[0022] Fig. 5 : a side view of the cutout of the locking washer of figure 4, inserted into a screw connection.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a partial side view of a locking washer 1, showing its radially facing outer surface. The locking washer 1 is integrated into a screw connection. One flat side 2 of the locking washer 1 contacts a first clamping partner 3. A clamping nut 5, the second clamping partner, rests against the opposite flat side 4. For clarity, a clamping bolt required for the screw connection is not shown in Figure 1. The locking washer 1 has a circular outline. At its center is a through-hole through which the bolt, for example, the threaded shank of a clamping bolt, passes. Each flat side 2, 4 of the locking washer 1 has a locking structure that allows relative movement in the circumferential direction between the clamping nut 5 and the clamping partner 3.The locking structure of the flat side 2 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced positive structures, which in the illustrated embodiment are designed as radially extending interlocking ribs 6. The interlocking ribs 6 are bead-like. The interlocking ribs 6 have a convexly curved outer surface and thus also a correspondingly curved apex. The height of the interlocking ribs 6 is less than their circumferential width. The interlocking ribs 6 extend from the through-opening to the radially outer edge of the locking washer 6. The interlocking ribs 6 are uniform in cross-sectional geometry and cross-sectional area along their longitudinal extent. The interlocking ribs 6 shown on the flat side 2 in Figure 1 are separated from each other by a negative structure 7.The spacing between the locking ribs 6, which are positive structures, is several times their width. At their end facing the through-opening, the spacing between the locking ribs is approximately five times their width. The opposite flat side 4 has an identical locking structure, with its positive structures, designed as locking ribs 6.1, being arranged circumferentially around the locking washer 1 and offset from those of the flat side 2. The offset is chosen such that the locking ribs 6.1 are offset from the locking ribs 6 of the flat side 2 by half the distance between them. Thus, the centers of the negative structures 7 on the flat side 2 are located opposite the locking ribs 6.1 of the flat side 4 in the circumferential direction.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the material thickness of the retaining washer 1 is 3.5 mm. The retaining washer 1 was manufactured by a stamping process. The locking structure on its flat sides 2, 4 was created by a pressing process. The interlocking ribs 6, 6.1 are thus the result of a forming process. They are therefore work-hardened and exhibit higher strength than the hardness of the other areas of the retaining washer 1.

[0025] When installed in a bolted joint, the apex of the clamping ribs 6, 6.1 are supported at the beginning of the clamping process by the surface of the respective clamping partner 3 or 5, as schematically indicated in Figure 1. When the bolted joint is tightened – the clamping force is indicated by block arrows in Figure 1 – the clamping ribs 6, 6.1 are driven into the material of the respective flat side.

[0026] The clamping partner 2, 4 is pressed into the clamping partner 3, 5. In this way, a circumferentially acting positive locking connection is created between the locking washer and the clamping partner 2, 4, which is in contact with one flat side.

[0027] 3, 5 reached. As long as the locking ribs 6, 6.1 are not yet fully pressed into the material of the adjacent clamping partner – even then, effective anti-loosening or anti-rotation protection is already present – ​​an axially acting clamping force, acting like a wave spring on the bolted joint, is incorporated into the locking washer 1 by the offset of the locking ribs 6 on the flat side 2 compared to the locking ribs 6.1 on the flat side 4. In Figure 1, this is indicated on the flat side 2 by a block arrow. This preload, introduced in the area of ​​elastic deformability of the locking washer 1, secures the bolted joint particularly effectively, especially when the bolted joint is used in a vibrating environment.

[0028] This preload built into the retaining washer 1 also supports the clamping process if the clamping operation is to be carried out until the negative structures on both flat sides 2, 4 contact the adjacent clamping partner 3 or 5. The advantages resulting from the aforementioned preload being incorporated into the retaining washer 1 are realized as long as the negative structures on one flat side 2, 4 do not make full contact with the surface of the adjacent clamping partner 3 or 5.

[0029] Figure 2 showed a locking washer 8, which is fundamentally constructed like the locking washer 1 of Figure 1. The locking washer 8 differs from the locking washer 1 in the design of the locking structure on its two flat sides 9, 10. While the positive structures, designed as locking ribs 11, are identical to the locking ribs 6, 6.1 of the locking washer 1, the negative structures 12 of the locking washer 8 are structured circumferentially. The negative structures 12 are stepped on the two flat sides 9, 10 of the locking washer 8 and comprise a central section 13, which has a greater depth than the circumferentially adjacent contact surface sections 14, each of which borders a locking rib 11. The contact surface sections 14 serve to provide planar contact with the adjacent clamping partner.In contrast, section 13, with its greater depth and flanks inclined towards this greater depth, serves the purpose of preventing this section from contacting the surface of the clamping partner abutting this flat side 9 or 10. In this embodiment, the transition from the contact surface sections 14 to section 13 is flexural, with curved transitions into the respective flank. A clamping rib 11.1 is located opposite the deeper section 13 on the opposite flat side 10. The circumferential width of section 13 is several times greater than the width of the clamping rib 11.1 on the opposite flat side. Section 13 extends over the entire radial extent of the locking washer 8 and its cross-sectional geometry and size are constant along its radial length.

[0030] This design of the locking washer 8 allows a screw connection with such a locking washer 8 to be tightened to such an extent that the contact surface sections 14 contact the surface of the adjacent clamping partner. Thus, the locking washer 8 meets the requirements for a planar contact, while section 13 nevertheless introduces an axially acting preload into the locking washer 8. Since, as in the embodiment of the locking washer 1, the two flat sides 9, 10 of the locking washer 8 also have an identical locking structure, which is arranged circumferentially offset from each other in the manner described above, the effective depth of a negative structure does not need to be excessively deep despite the preload being applied in the manner of a wave spring.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the retaining washer 8 installed in a screw connection after completion of the clamping process, such that the contact surface sections 14 rest against the upper side of the clamping partner. The flat side 9 of the retaining washer 8 rests against a clamping partner 15 and the flat side 10 against a clamping nut 16. In this figure, as in Figure 1, the preload built into the retaining washer 8 by the special design of the negative structures 12 with their sections 13, 13.1 is schematically indicated by block arrows.

[0032] The locking washers 1, 8 are suitable not only for use as anti-loosening devices, but also for creating a bolted connection where otherwise a clamping partner, such as a lock nut, would have to be counter-tightened. By engaging a locking washer 1, 8, this is unnecessary. Instead, the bolted connection can be pre-tensioned by hand to such an extent that, on the side where a lock nut is located, there is no risk of the lock nut rotating when the bolted connection is tightened from the other side. Such pre-tensioning is necessary, for example, when connecting two flanges of a drive shaft, especially drive shafts with larger diameters, such as those used in wind turbines. On the side of the locking washer 1 or 8,On the opposite side of the clamping connection, a further locking washer is inserted into the screw connection, which preferably has rotational drive structures on its outer circumference and is therefore a reaction washer. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, such a reaction washer is designed by a pair of locking washers in the form of a wedge locking washer pair.

[0033] The invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of protection described by the applicable claims, numerous further embodiments of the inventive concept would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, without these needing to be explained in more detail within the scope of these explanations.

[0034] Reference symbol list

[0035] 1 locking washer

[0036] 2 flat sides

[0037] 3 spanning partners

[0038] 4 flat side

[0039] 5 clamping nuts

[0040] 6, 6.1 Clamping rib

[0041] 7 Negative structure

[0042] 8 locking washer

[0043] 9 flat page

[0044] 10 Flat side, 11.1 Clamping rib

[0045] 12 Negative structure, 13.1 Section

[0046] 14 Contact surface section

[0047] 15 spanning partners

[0048] 16 Clamping nut A Axis D Through opening

Claims

Patent claims 1. A locking washer designed as a flat disc with a central through-opening for the passage of a clamping shank, such as the shank of a clamping bolt, and with a locking structure on its flat sides (2, 4; 9, 10) arranged transversely to the axis (A) of the central through-opening (D), wherein the locking structures on the two flat sides (2, 4; 9, 10) are arranged in relation to each other such that they are aligned with each other in the axial direction or at least largely overlap each other in their radial extent, characterized in that the positive structures (6, 11) of the locking structure are designed as radially extending interlocking ribs (6, 6.1; 11, 11.1) and these are circumferentially offset on one flat side (2, 4; 9, 10) of the locking washer (1, 8) relative to the positive structures (6.1, 11.1). ) are arranged on the other flat side (9, 10; 2, 4) and correspond to each positive structure (6, 11 ; 6.1 , 11.1) On one flat side (2, 9; 4, 10) a negative structure (7, 12; 7.1) extending over the radial extent of the locking washer (1, 8) is arranged on the opposite flat side (4, 10; 2, 9), the width of which in the circumferential direction of the locking washer (1, 8) corresponds to a multiple of the width of the positive structure (6, 6.1; 11, 11.1) arranged on the opposite flat side (2, 4; 9, 10), so that when this locking washer (1, 8) is clamped via the positive structures of the two flat sides (2, 4; 9, 10) abutting a clamping partner (15, 16), an axially acting preload is exerted in the space between each pair of circumferentially adjacent positive structures (6, 6.1; 11, 11.1). 11.1 ) can be inserted into the disc section located there.

2. Locking washer according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking ribs (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) have a height which does not exceed their circumferentially extending width.

3. Locking washer according to claim 2, characterized in that the height of the locking ribs (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) corresponds to 40 % - 60 % of their width.

4. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking ribs (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) extend from the through-opening (D) to the radially outer edge of the locking washer (1 , 8).

5. Locking washer according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking ribs (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) are designed with a straight course in the radial direction.

6. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking ribs (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) have a constant cross-sectional geometry and cross-sectional area over their radial extent.

7. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the negative structures (7, 12) have a width that decreases in the direction of the through-opening (D) in their radial extent, but have a constant cross-sectional geometry.

8. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the negative structure (12) located between two positive structures (11 , 11.1 ) has a non-constant depth in the circumferential direction and has its greatest depth in the section (13) located opposite a positive structure (11 , 11.1 ) on the flat side (9, 10) opposite the flat side.

9. Locking washer according to claim 8, characterized in that the negative structures (12) are stepped in their circumferential direction with flanks inclined towards the deeper section (13), wherein the positive structure (11, 11.1) of the The section opposite the other flat side (9, 10) (13) is the one with the greatest depth of the negative structure (12).

10. Locking washer according to claim 9, characterized in that the negative structures (12) adjacent to the positive structures (11, 11.1) limiting such a negative structure (12) in the circumferential direction have a contact surface section (14) located in the plane of this flat side (9, 10) of the locking washer (8) for contact with the surface of the clamping partner (15, 16) abutting this flat side (9, 10) of the locking washer (8), wherein the section (13) of the greatest depth of the negative structures (12) has a greater extent in the circumferential direction than the positive structure (11, 11.1) located on the opposite flat side (9, 10) in the same direction.

11. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in a locking structure segment comprising a positive structure (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) and a negative structure (7, 12) in the circumferential direction at the opening of the through-hole the ratio of the width of the positive structure (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) to that of the negative structure (7, 12) is between 1 : 4 and 1 : 7, in particular about 1 :

5.

12. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized in that in the circumferential direction of the locking washer (1 , 8) the span between the vertices of two adjacent positive structures (6, 6.1 ; 11 , 11.1 ) on the radial outer side of the washer is greater than the thickness of the locking washer (1 , 8) but less than 2.5 times its thickness.

13. Locking washer according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the locking structure on the flat sides (2, 4; 9, 10) of the locking washer (1 , 8) is produced by a pressing process that embosses the flat side (2, 4; 9, 10).

14. Locking washer according to claim 13, characterized in that the positive structures (6, 6.1; 11, 11.1) are the result of a cold forming process.

15. Locking washer according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the opening of the through-hole on each flat side (2, 4; 9, 10) of the locking washer (1, 8) is formed by a chamfer.

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