Captured Nut Strip Assembly for Precise Multi-Nut Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening assemblies for securing components together using bolts and nuts often face challenges in securely holding the nut during mating, particularly in applications like gas turbine engines where manual handling is difficult or impractical.
Innovation Solution
A nut strip assembly featuring a monolithic carrier with first and second tabs and apertures, which secures nuts between the carrier segments and tabs, allowing fasteners to project through aligned apertures for secure clamping, enabling efficient assembly of components like gas turbine engine cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nut plate is used to hold the nut during mating, then the nut can be securely held, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nut strip assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a base portion for support, a strip portion with multiple nuts, and tab portions for securing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple nuts are combined onto a single strip assembly with a common base, allowing multiple fastening points to be secured simultaneously. The tab portions are merged with the base to form an integrated securing mechanism, reducing the need for separate holding devices for each nut.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple nuts are handled individually, then each nut can be positioned precisely, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nuts are pre-positioned and secured to the strip assembly during manufacturing, with each nut precisely located relative to the base and tabs. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for individual positioning during final assembly, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip assembly acts as an intermediary carrier that holds multiple nuts in precise positions. The tabs serve as intermediaries to secure the nuts to the strip, allowing the nuts to be transferred as a group while maintaining their relative positions, thus achieving both precision and efficiency.
3Strength
If a monolithic carrier with tabs is used to secure nuts, then the nuts are firmly clamped, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed with specific geometric parameters: tab portions that extend beyond the strip thickness, base portions with apertures positioned at specific distances from the strip. These parameter optimizations allow the structure to achieve strong clamping force through simple bending or folding operations, rather than requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic carrier exhibits local quality variations: the base portion provides rigid support with through-apertures for fastener access, the strip portion provides a flexible mounting surface, and the tab portions provide localized clamping force. This differentiation of local properties allows each region to optimize its function while being manufactured as a single piece.
Data Source
AI summary
A nut strip assembly is provided that includes a carrier and a plurality of nuts. The carrier includes a base, a plurality of first tabs and a plurality of second tabs. The base is configured with a plurality of apertures. Each of the first tabs is connected to and project out from a first side of the base. Each of the second tabs is connected to and projects out from a second side of the base. The nuts are secured to the carrier. Each of the nuts are aligned with a respective one of the apertures. Each of the nuts is captured between the base and a respective one of the first tabs. Each of the nuts captured between the base and a respective one of the second tabs.