Curved-Tab Locking Washer for Vibration-Resistant Quick Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking washers in screw-fastening systems used in the aeronautical field tend to detach from screws under vibration, leading to unwanted loss in aircraft applications due to their low mechanical inertia.
Innovation Solution
A locking washer with flexible, curved tabs that form a locking circle, providing enhanced holding strength, and an auxiliary component with a conical rim allowing easy unlocking, ensuring the washer remains securely attached until intentional removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locking washers with planar tabs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the locking washer detaches from the screw under vibration due to low mechanical inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The tabs of the locking washer are curved to form arcs of a locking circle, with their free ends deviating from the plane of the ring. This curvature creates a non-right angle with respect to the screw axis, increasing mechanical inertia and preventing detachment under vibration while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking circle diameter is controlled within specific ranges (0.5-0.8 times the screw shank diameter for the locking position, and greater than the screw annular edge diameter for the unlocking position). These parameter changes optimize the balance between locking reliability and ease of removal
2Strength
If the tabs are made robust with curved shape to prevent detachment, then the locking strength increases, but the unlocking operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking washer is divided into a main component with curved tabs for locking and an auxiliary component with a conical rim for unlocking. This segmentation allows the locking function to be robust while the unlocking function remains easy to perform by pressing the auxiliary component
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary component acts as an intermediary tool that, when pressed against the main component, forces the tabs to deform and expand the locking circle diameter, enabling easy removal without directly manipulating the robust curved tabs
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 prevents unintended detachment of the locking washer from the screw, maintaining robust attachment during vibrations and allowing for quick and easy separation when needed, enhancing the reliability of the fastening system in aeronautical applications.
Implementation Method 1
the tabs of the annular main component are flexible and are curved such that their free ends deviate, on the same side, from a plane formed by the ring and substantially define arcs of the same circle, which is referred to as the locking circle
Implementation Method 2
the auxiliary component is provided with a ring equipped with an inner rim, which projects toward the main component... the rim of the auxiliary component has a conical shape... the main component is pressed against the auxiliary component in such a manner that the peripheral edges of the free ends of the flexible tabs form a circle
Data Source
AI summary
A locking washer includes an annular main component with a ring equipped, on its inner periphery, with flexible tabs which are curved such that their free ends deviate, on the same side, from a plane formed by the ring and substantially define arcs of the same circle, which is referred to as the locking circle, to produce efficient locking and to obtain a robust locking washer, the locking washer also including an annular auxiliary component to interact with the main component to quickly unlock the locking washer.