Barrel Nut Assembly Pin With Reduced Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional barrel nut fasteners face challenges in aligning and securely fastening components, especially when one component is hollow or the material is not strong enough to engage a fastener, leading to increased assembly time and potential misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A fastening system featuring a pin with radially extending threaded portions and diametrically reduced ends or notches that engage with the component's sidewalls to align and secure the pin, allowing for proper orientation and secure fastening, even in hollow components, using a threaded fastener to draw the pin towards the other component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional barrel nut fastener is used, then two components can be fastened together, but the pin cannot be properly aligned and secured in hollow components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment and securing of pinVSAvoidapplicability to hollow components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pin features diametrically reduced end portions that create shoulders at specific locations. These shoulders engage with the sidewalls of hollow components to provide alignment and securing. This local modification of the pin structure enables it to work with hollow components while maintaining its fastening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pin is segmented into different portions with varying diameters - a main body portion and reduced end portions. This segmentation allows the pin to have both a sturdy main body for fastening and reduced ends that create engagement shoulders for alignment in hollow components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a conventional barrel nut fastener is used, then fastening can be achieved, but assembly time increases due to alignment difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The diametrically reduced end portions are pre-formed on the pin during manufacturing, creating shoulders that automatically align with hollow component sidewalls during insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment adjustments during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pin is inserted into a hollow component, then fastening is enabled, but the pin tends to slide or rotate within the hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse with hollow componentsVSAvoidposition stability of pin

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reduced end portions create localized shoulders that engage with the hollow component sidewalls at specific points. This localized engagement prevents the pin from sliding or rotating within the hole, providing stability while maintaining compatibility with hollow components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8858141B2Barrel nut assembly

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 LETS GO AERO INC

AI summary

A fastener assembly for securing two components to one another. The fastener assembly includes a barrel or pin that has a radially extending hole in the barrel. The pin also has a reduced diametrical portion on at least one end to form a shoulder and possibly on both ends. The pin is inserted into a hole formed into a hollow or sandwich component. The shoulder engages against a wall on the component to orient and secure the pin in the hole. A threaded fastener is then inserted transversely through the two components to engage in the radially extending hole. The threaded fastener is then rotated to secure the two components to one another.