Fast Extraction Threaded Nut With Stress Concentration Notches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing threaded nuts from bolts are time-consuming, especially in applications like the mining industry, where rapid replacement of mill linings is necessary to increase equipment availability and production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fast extraction threaded nut design featuring strategically placed notches that concentrate stress, allowing for rapid disengagement by a wedge mechanism, which splits the nut into two parts within 5 seconds, reducing the time required for removal and preventing loosening during operation with a polymer insert.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional threaded nuts are used for connecting mill lining components, then reliable connection is achieved, but removal time is excessive (10 hours out of 30 hours total)
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded nut is segmented by introducing notches that allow it to be divided into two or more parts during removal. The notches create stress concentration points that enable the nut to split apart when subjected to a wedging action, transforming a single monolithic component into separable segments for rapid extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches are pre-formed in the threaded nut during manufacturing, creating predetermined weakness lines before the nut is ever installed. This preliminary structuring ensures that when removal is needed, the nut will split along these pre-planned paths rather than requiring forceful breaking, enabling rapid and controlled disassembly.
2Productivity
If notches are introduced in the threaded nut to enable rapid removal, then removal speed increases to 5 seconds, but structural integrity during operation must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are strategically positioned in specific locations on the threaded nut where they create localized stress concentration points only when needed for removal. During normal operation under compressive loading, these notched regions maintain sufficient structural integrity, but when a wedging force is applied during removal, the stress concentrates at the notch tips causing controlled splitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches introduce what appears to be structural weakness into the threaded nut, but this weakness is converted into a benefit during removal. The notches create predetermined failure paths that enable rapid splitting when wedged, transforming a potential vulnerability into a controlled disassembly mechanism that achieves 5-second removal times.
3Reliability
If the threaded nut is designed for rapid splitting removal, then equipment availability increases by 5 hours, but the design complexity increases with notches and wedge mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded nut is segmented by introducing notches that allow it to be divided into two or more parts during removal. The notches create stress concentration points that enable the nut to split apart when subjected to a wedging action, transforming a single monolithic component into separable segments for rapid extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool extracts the threaded nut from the bolted joint by inserting wedges into the notches and applying a splitting force. This extraction action separates the nut from the connection, enabling rapid removal without requiring unscrewing operations and achieving 5-second extraction times.
4Loss of time
If conventional threaded nuts require unscrewing for removal, then connection stability is maintained, but removal process takes 10 hours out of 30 hours total
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are pre-formed in the threaded nut during manufacturing, creating predetermined weakness lines before the nut is ever installed. This preliminary structuring ensures that when removal is needed, the nut will split along these pre-planned paths rather than requiring forceful breaking, enabling rapid and controlled disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool extracts the threaded nut from the bolted joint by inserting wedges into the notches and applying a splitting force. This extraction action separates the nut from the connection, enabling rapid removal without requiring unscrewing operations and achieving 5-second extraction times.
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
Significantly decreases the time needed to remove threaded nuts, increasing equipment availability and production efficiency by allowing faster replacement of mill linings, potentially saving up to 5 hours per change, resulting in increased revenue.
Implementation Method 1
certain notches have been made which weaken the threaded nut or device only when the nut is removed and the articulation allows the nut to be completely operational when in use
Implementation Method 2
allow cracking of threaded nut or device of rapid removal by separating such nut into two or more parts
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fast extraction threaded nut intended to be used on a threaded bolt or male member wherein the fast extraction threaded nut comprises at least an outer face and an axial bore as to allow insertion of a male member or like, wherein the fast extraction threaded nut and the threaded bolt have tightening means with common geometry, and the fast extraction threaded nut and the threaded bolt or male member are intended to join or connect two elements that need to be attached or coupled to each other, wherein the fast extraction threaded nut comprises in at least the outer face a notch of variable section and the notching is formed by at least two faces wherein the maximum cross-section of the notch is positioned in the outer area and the minimum section is positioned prior to the axial bore at such a distance that allows for the generation of an increase area which extensively grows until reaching the inner surface of the axial bore where the common tightening means is formed thus generating the split of the fast extraction threaded nut.