Elastic Fastening Element for Vibration-Resistant Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening elements fail to reliably prevent unintentional loosening, especially under vibrations or changing loads, in applications such as medical implants and prostheses.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element with an elastic element, such as a spring, that is angled relative to the axis of rotation, increasing the force required for initial loosening, ensuring a secure connection by creating a non-positive frictional contact with the counterpart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fastening elements are used, then the connection can be established, but the connection can be unintentionally loosened under vibrations or changing loads
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is pre-loaded to create a preliminary counteracting force that opposes any loosening motion before it occurs. The elastic element is positioned and tensioned in advance so that when vibration or load changes attempt to loosen the connection, the elastic element immediately exerts a restoring force to maintain the fastening element's engaged position, preventing unintentional loosening before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system transitions from a static connection to a dynamic one by incorporating an elastic element that can deform and recover. The elastic element dynamically adjusts to varying loads and vibrations, continuously adapting the fastening force to maintain reliable connection stability under changing operational conditions rather than relying on a fixed rigid connection.
2Reliability
If the elastic element is arranged at an angle to the radial, then the force required for initial loosening is increased, but the construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is integrated directly into the fastening element structure, merging the fastening function with the elastic restoring function into a single unified component. This combination eliminates the need for separate elastic components or additional assembly steps, achieving enhanced resistance to loosening while maintaining simple construction through functional integration of the elastic element within the fastening element body.
3Reliability
If interlocking elements are used to prevent loosening, then loosening resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex interlocking elements are removed from the design, extracting only the essential function of preventing loosening. Instead of using multiple interlocking components, the solution uses a single elastic element that provides sufficient loosening prevention through its elastic restoring force, simplifying the screw arrangement while maintaining reliable loosening resistance.
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 unintentional loosening by requiring a significantly higher force for initial detachment, enhancing the reliability of the connection and securing against loosening due to vibrations or alternating loads.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening element has an elastic element, in particular a spring element, with a contact section for contacting the counterpart, the elastic element being designed in such a way that it is at an angle, at least in sections, in a prestressed and/or non-prestressed state to a axis of rotation related radials
Implementation Method 2
the contact section contacts the counterpart at a contact point and that a tangent related to the axis of rotation in the Contact point extends at least to a portion of the elastic element in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation at an angle other than 90°
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to the invention, a fastening element (1) is provided to prevent unintentional loosening of a connection between the fastening element (1) and a counterpart (2), wherein the fastening element (1) is configured to engage with the counterpart (2) by means of a rotational movement of the fastening element (1) about an axis of rotation (A) in a connection direction (V). The fastening element (1) has an elastic element with a contact section (1c) for contacting the counterpart (2) and is designed such that it can be arranged, at least partially, at an angle to a radial referenced to the axis of rotation (A) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A).