Elastic Washer Tongue Structure for Visual Torque Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Improper tightening torque in fasteners poses a high security risk and severe quality threat due to the need for expensive professional tools and potential incorrect operations during fastening.
Innovation Solution
An elastic washer structure with a tongue on its convex surface, where the angle between the tongue and the convex surface changes with pressure, intuitively displays the fastening status, allowing for accurate torque application without the need for expensive tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If professional torque tools are used to ensure proper tightening torque, then fastening reliability is improved, but production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive professional torque tools with a disposable elastic washer that has a limited service life. The elastic washer is designed to be replaced after a certain number of uses or when showing signs of wear, providing a low-cost alternative to costly torque tools while maintaining fastening reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic washer is designed with self-indicating features that allow operators to visually determine whether the washer has performed its function correctly. The washer itself provides feedback through color changes or deformation patterns, eliminating the need for expensive torque tools and enabling operators to self-verify proper fastening without specialized equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If professional torque tools are used for fastening, then tightening torque control is improved, but operational complexity increases due to need for professional operation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic washer incorporates self-indicating features such as color-coded zones or deformation patterns that automatically show whether the correct torque has been applied. This eliminates the need for operators to understand complex torque specifications or operate specialized tools, allowing any operator to achieve proper tightening torque control through simple visual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic washer uses color changes or color-coded regions to indicate fastening status. Different colors or color patterns show whether the washer has been properly compressed to the correct torque level, providing intuitive visual feedback that simplifies operation and eliminates the need for professional torque tool operation skills.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If elastic washer with tongue structure is used to indicate fastening status, then detection ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic washer incorporates color-coded zones or color-changing materials that provide visual indication of fastening status. When the washer is compressed to the correct torque level, specific color patterns become visible or color transitions occur, making detection of proper fastening status extremely easy through simple visual inspection without complex measurement equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic washer is divided into functional segments including the tongue portion and different colored zones. The tongue acts as a mechanical indicator while color-coded regions provide visual feedback. This segmentation allows the washer to perform multiple functions (load distribution, indication, torque verification) within a single component, making detection easy without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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 provides a low-cost, efficient method to ensure proper fastening torque, reducing security risks and quality threats by visually indicating the fastening status, thereby enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
when the convex surface of the elastic washer bears pressure, the first angle changes along with a change of the pressure borne by the elastic washer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides an elastic washer structure fastener, including: an elastic washer (1) and one or more tongues (2), where the elastic washer (1) is a sheet object with an inner hole (3), one surface of the elastic washer (1) is a convex surface, the other surface is a concave surface, a tongue (2) is disposed towards a side of the convex surface on an outer edge of the elastic washer, an angle between the tongue (2) and a surface (4) on which the outer edge of the elastic washer is located is a first angle (5), and when the convex surface of the elastic washer bears pressure, there is a negative correlation between the first angle (5) and the pressure borne by the elastic washer (1).