Elastic Screw Lock Ring Prevents Vibration Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw connections in various technologies, especially in vehicle construction, face issues with automatic loosening due to shocks and vibrations, and existing solutions like adhesives and cotter pins can be difficult to remove or may not provide reliable prevention of loosening.
Innovation Solution
A screw lock device with an elastically deformable center attachment section that changes between a relaxed and deformed state, allowing secure locking and easy unlocking, using a tool to compress the center boss portion and engage a latching device for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesives or cotter pins are used to prevent loosening, then the screw connection is secured against automatic loosening, but the securing effect may counteract slight loosening as required or become difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device features a resilient center attachment section that can dynamically change between locked and unlocked states. The resilient nature allows the device to adapt to slight loosening while maintaining secure locking, and enables easy removal by deforming the resilient section to release the latching engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its mechanical state through deformation of the resilient center attachment section. When deformed, the latching section disengages from the latching device, transitioning from a locked to unlocked state. This parameter change allows controlled switching between secure locking and easy removal.
2Reliability
If special adhesives or cotter pins are used, then screw connections are secured against loosening, but maintenance and adjustment work becomes expensive and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed as an inexpensive, simple mechanical component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The resilient center attachment section with latching mechanism provides reliable locking without the high cost and complexity of adhesives or metal cotter pins, making maintenance economical.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient center attachment section automatically maintains its locking function through its elastic properties, requiring no additional maintenance or adjustment. The device self-regulates through its resilient nature, eliminating the need for expensive specialized maintenance procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the center boss portion is compressed to deform the screw lock, then the latching section tilts out of latched position for unlocking, but requires tool application
Solution Approach 1:
The tool acts as an intermediary to apply compressive force to the center boss portion, which then transmits this force to deform the resilient center attachment section and release the latching engagement. This intermediary mechanism enables easy unlocking while maintaining simple device structure.
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 device effectively prevents automatic loosening of screw connections under challenging conditions, such as vibrations, while allowing easy manual release, ensuring secure fixation and easy adjustment without the need for special tools.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first and one second flexurally elastic formation in a central area of the ring part, the device assuming a locking position in a rest position and being displaceable into an unlocking position by elastic tilting deformation about an axis running through the first and second flexible deformation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for locking a screwable element (34, 36), comprising a flat ring part (82) enclosing an opening, with at least one first and second locking section (84a, 84b) arranged in an arc-segment shape on the outer circumference (82b) of the ring part (82) and extending in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the ring part, at least one first and second central projection section (86a, 86b) arranged offset from the first and second locking sections (84a, 84b) on the inner circumference (82a) of the ring part (82) and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the plane of the ring part, which is opposite to the first direction, and at least one first and one second flexible-elastic form (88a, 88b) in a central region of the ring part (82).The device assumes a locking position in a rest position and can be moved into an unlocking position by an elastic tilting deformation about an axis (X) passing through the first and the second flexible shape.