Elastic Nut Retainer Structure for Easy Bolt-Side Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fall prevention tools for nuts attached to bolts require strong force to fix them in place, making it difficult to detach them without damage during maintenance or dismantling.

Innovation Solution

A fall prevention tool with a bolt holding part and a nut holding part formed by a single metal wire, where the nut holding part is designed to prevent nut rotation using restoring force, allowing for easy detachment without damaging the tool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fall prevention tool is fixed to the bolt with strong force to prevent nut loosening, then the nut can be securely held, but the tool becomes difficult to detach and may bite into the nut during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenut holding reliabilityVSAvoidtool detachability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fall prevention tool is divided into two functional segments: a bolt holding part for securing to the bolt, and a nut holding part for preventing nut rotation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function with appropriate force levels, enabling the nut holding part to prevent loosening without requiring excessive fastening force that would make detachment difficult.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the tool have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The bolt holding part is designed to engage securely with the bolt, while the nut holding part has a specific geometry (such as a hook shape or clamping structure) that prevents nut rotation through localized contact. This local optimization allows effective nut retention without requiring the entire tool to be fixed with strong force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the fall prevention tool is designed to prevent nut rotation using restoring force, then the tool can hold the nut securely, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenut rotation preventionVSAvoidtool structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nut holding part utilizes the elastic restoring force of the tool material itself to prevent nut rotation, without requiring additional springs, dampers, or complex mechanical mechanisms. The tool's own structural elasticity provides the necessary retaining force, allowing the system to be self-sufficient and avoiding added complexity from auxiliary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tool employs elastic deformation and restoring force characteristics of the material to achieve nut retention. By selecting appropriate material properties and structural geometry, the tool naturally generates the required retaining force through elastic recovery, converting material parameter selection into functional performance without adding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 tool effectively prevents nut rotation and falling without applying excessive force to the bolt, enabling easy and non-destructive detachment and reuse.

Implementation Method 1

a nut holding part that is provided integrally with the bolt holding part, is configured to be provided on an outer periphery of the nut, and is configured to prevent rotation of the nut by restoring force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3922870B1Fall prevention tool
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 ADVANEX INC
  • EP3922870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3922870B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fall prevention tool (1) for a nut (N), which is installed in a bolt (B) to which the nut (N) is attached, the tool including a bolt holding part (2b) into which the bolt (B) is inserted, and a nut holding part (3) that is provided integrally with the bolt holding part (2b), is provided on an outer periphery of the nut (N), and is configured to prevent rotation of the nut (N) by restoring force.