Compensation Nut Locking Mechanism for Vibration Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compensation nuts used in the motor industry face issues with maintaining a locked position during transport and installation, leading to productivity losses due to separation of nut and bolt components under vibrations and shocks, and existing solutions complicate the manufacturing process or interfere with threads.

Innovation Solution

A metal compensation nut design featuring a bolt with mechanical stops and a braking arm that engages with a flange, allowing for a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process while preventing displacement without affecting the threads, ensuring the nut remains locked during transport and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If locking devices with plastic stops or additional pieces are used to prevent nut-bolt separation, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the existing nut and bolt components. The braking arm is integrated into the nut structure, and the mechanical stops are incorporated into the bolt design, eliminating the need for separate locking components while maintaining reliable vibration resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is extracted from complex plastic stops and additional locking pieces, and instead implemented through simple mechanical features (braking arm and stops) that are taken out as minimal necessary elements integrated into the basic component structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms are added to prevent displacement, then the locking reliability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocked position stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the existing nut and bolt components. The braking arm is integrated into the nut structure, and the mechanical stops are incorporated into the bolt design, eliminating the need for separate locking components while maintaining reliable vibration resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using expensive plastic stops or complex locking mechanisms, the invention uses simple, inexpensive mechanical features (metal braking arm and stops) that can be easily manufactured and replaced if necessary, reducing both material and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If additional locking pieces are used to block thread rotation, then the prevention of accidental undoing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thread protection function is extracted from complex locking pieces and instead implemented through the simple mechanical stop-braking arm interaction that blocks rotation at the source without interfering with the thread structure itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical stops and braking arm act as intermediaries between the bolt and nut, providing a mechanical barrier that prevents accidental undoing without directly interfering with the threaded connection, allowing the thread to remain accessible and functional

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively maintains the compensation nut in a locked position during transport and installation, reducing the need for operator assembly and preventing accidental undoing, while being easy to manufacture and free from complex components that interfere with threads.

Implementation Method 1

Said nut also includes a braking arm which provides an area of movement in which the flange mentioned is engaged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The arm has one extremity with a stop and has resilience deriving from its constructed shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3245411B1Locking device in a compensation nut
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3245411B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3245411B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3245411B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

LOCKING DEVICE IN A COMPENSATION NUT, of the type used to secure a part or applied object to a first structure, the said structure having to preserve the distance separating it from another second structure or attachment support, the said separation distance varying for each applied object, the said compensation nut (1) being formed of a first nut (2) and a bolt (3) which can be adjusted with respect to the nut, in which there is a closed position formed by a flexible arm (26) having a zone of movement and engagement (27) enclosing a flange (35) of said adjustable bolt (3), the said engagement preventing accidental expansion of the distance between the said nuts (2) and bolt (3).