Conduit Fastener Lock Assembly for Vibration-Resistant Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastener locking mechanisms are not suitable for high-pressure fluid connectors, high-temperature environments, and structures subject to vibration, as they fail to provide reliable and durable locking solutions.
Innovation Solution
A conduit fastener assembly featuring a tube fitting with a lock assembly that includes teeth and notches, allowing for a locked and unlocked position, where the tube fitting is fixed or rotatable within the conduit nut's inner cavity, providing rotational locking and vibration resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms (lock washers, cotter pins, adhesive materials) are used, then fastener elements can be prevented from loosening in general applications, but they are not suitable for high pressure fluid connectors, high temperature environments, and vibrating structures
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a lock member with teeth that engage with notches in the conduit nut, and a separate bias member (spring) that provides continuous locking force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific functions, enabling reliable operation in extreme conditions while maintaining adaptability across different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from static conventional methods to a dynamic system where the bias member continuously applies force to maintain engagement between the lock member teeth and conduit nut notches. This dynamic locking force adapts to varying conditions including vibration, pressure, and temperature changes, ensuring consistent reliability across extreme environments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a lock assembly with teeth and notches is used to provide vibration resistance, then the tube fitting is fixed against rotation, but the mechanism adds structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the existing fastener structure by integrating the lock member with the conduit nut and the tube fitting. The teeth and notches are formed as integral features of these components rather than separate elements, reducing overall structural complexity while providing effective vibration resistance through the engagement of these merged features.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock assembly is designed to be self-actuating through the bias member that automatically maintains engagement between the teeth and notches. The mechanism serves itself by using the inherent mechanical interaction between the lock member and conduit nut, eliminating the need for additional control systems or complex actuation mechanisms, thus reducing structural complexity while ensuring vibration resistance.
3Reliability
If adhesive materials like epoxy are applied to fastener threads, then fastener elements are staked to prevent loosening, but the solution is not suitable for high temperature environments and high pressure fluid connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical bonding (adhesive materials like epoxy) with a purely mechanical locking system consisting of teeth on the lock member engaging with notches in the conduit nut. This mechanical substitution eliminates temperature sensitivity inherent in adhesive materials, providing reliable fastener stability in high temperature environments and high pressure fluid connector applications where chemicals would degrade.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism changes the fundamental parameter of bonding from chemical (adhesive) to mechanical (teeth-notch engagement). This parameter change enables the system to operate in extreme temperature conditions and high pressure environments where chemical adhesives would fail, while maintaining consistent fastener stability across varying operational parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly includes a tube fitting defining a longitudinal axis, a lock assembly releasably coupled to the tube fitting and including teeth, and a conduit nut. The conduit nut defines an inner cavity sized and shaped to receive a portion of the tube fitting. The conduit nut includes a circumferential wall extending about a periphery of the conduit nut, and notches. The lock assembly is positionable between a locked position in which the teeth are engaged with the notches and an unlocked position in which the teeth are spaced from the notches. The tube fitting is fixed against rotation within the inner cavity when the lock assembly is in the locked position. The tube fitting is rotatable within the inner cavity when the lock assembly is in the unlocked position.