Counter-Threaded Locking System Resists Vibration Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastening systems fail to prevent loosening of fasteners under vibration or movement, posing safety risks in various industries such as automotive, oil, and aircraft sectors.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system comprising a girder with an externally threaded terminus and internally counter-threaded axial bore, a cap with planar outer face and transplanar bore, a counter-threaded bolt with pin-aperture, and a locking pin that interlocks with the cap's domed arches to prevent counterclockwise rotation, using a tightening tool to secure the cap and bolt in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional clockwise spiral groove fastener is used, then the fastener can be easily installed and tightened, but it loosens under vibration and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by using a counterclockwise spiral groove instead of the traditional clockwise groove. This reverse threading causes the fastener to tighten rather than loosen under vibrational forces, directly solving the reliability problem while maintaining ease of installation through the same spiral groove mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The counterclockwise threading provides preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the fastener to resist the common loosening force (clockwise rotation from vibration) before it occurs. The geometry itself creates a preventive mechanism that counteracts the harmful loosening effect
2Reliability
If a counterclockwise spiral groove fastener is used to tighten during vibration, then resistance to loosening is improved, but the fastener may over-tighten or become difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action through the locking system components (locking washer, cotter pin, or castle nut) that are pre-positioned to engage at specific points during the tightening process. These components prevent over-tightening by mechanically blocking further rotation, thus maintaining control while preserving the vibration-resistant properties of the counterclockwise threading
3Reliability
If wiring wraps and methods are added to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vibration-resistant function directly into the fastener's threading geometry itself, rather than adding separate wiring wraps or external prevention methods. The counterclockwise spiral groove combines the fastening and vibration-resistance functions into a single integrated component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a system and method for fastening a second object to a first object that resists unfastening, for example due to vibration or disturbance, until unlocked. The locking system essentially comprises: a girder having one end anchored to the first object, and another end having an externally threaded terminus also defining an internally counter-threaded axial bore; a cap having an essentially planar outer face, an internally threaded transplanar bore for rotational engagement with the terminus of the girder, and a pair of domed arches on opposite sides of the transplanar bore extending from the circumference of the transplanar bore toward the periphery of the cap; and a counter-threaded bolt having a diameter smaller than the transplanar bore, a length sufficient to rotationally engage the axial bore of the girder while inserted through the transplanar bore, and a head having a pin-aperture; a pin inserted through the pin-aperture cooperating with the domed arches to prevent substantial rotation of the cap engaged with the girder terminus and the bolt engaged with the girder axial bore. The system also includes a tightening tool for tightening the cap.