Flexible Lock Washer Teeth Deformation for Nut Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for retaining bearings on shafts or hubs often require complex machining and multiple braking elements, leading to increased assembly time and cost, and may not effectively prevent accidental loosening under vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device featuring a lock washer with flexible, radially extending teeth that deform upon insertion into an annular groove, providing a single elastic brake that can be easily mounted and offering multiple modes of braking through interference and friction, reducing the need for additional components and complex installation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock washer with lugs and axial splines is used to brake a nut, then the nut can be secured against accidental removal, but the device requires machining an annular groove and fine splines in the nut which increases manufacturing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a lock washer made of flexible material that can deform elastically during installation. The lock washer includes radially extending teeth that bend to engage with the nut's internal space, providing a secure braking mechanism without requiring complex machining of the nut itself. This flexible approach replaces the need for precisely machined splines and grooves with a more adaptable deformation-based solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock washer utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change during installation. The material properties are selected to allow temporary deformation during assembly, enabling the teeth to flex into position and then spring back to provide a secure locking action. This parameter change approach simplifies the nut design while maintaining reliable braking.
2Reliability
If a lock washer with multiple braking elements including a retaining ring is used, then the nut can be effectively braked, but the installation process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple braking functions into a single integrated lock washer component. The lock washer simultaneously provides circumferential braking through its radially extending teeth that engage with notches in the nut, and axial braking through its elastic deformation capability. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate retaining rings or multiple braking elements, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining effective braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock washer is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both circumferential and axial braking actions. The same flexible structure with radially extending teeth provides both rotational restraint through notch engagement and axial restraint through elastic deformation. This universal component approach replaces multiple specialized parts with a single versatile element.
3Ease of operation
If teeth of the lock washer are bent by plastic deformation to be introduced into notches of the nut, then the lock washer can be positioned, but the process takes relatively long time to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deformation mechanism from permanent plastic deformation to temporary elastic deformation. The lock washer teeth are made of elastic material that can be flexed during installation and then spring back to their original shape, providing automatic positioning and locking. This parameter change from plastic to elastic behavior dramatically reduces installation time and simplifies the positioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic lock washer performs self-positioning through its own elastic properties. When installed, the flexible teeth automatically deform to fit into the notches and then spring back to provide a secure fit without requiring external tools or complex positioning procedures. The component serves itself by using its material properties to achieve proper positioning.
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs, and effectively secures the nut by providing a reliable braking mechanism that can slow down rotation and translation, addressing the challenges of accidental loosening and complex installation of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
each tooth being flexible, when the lock washer is in the braking position in the internal space... each deformed tooth being bent following an axial insertion of the lock washer in the internal space by interference with the mechanical member provided with the groove
Implementation Method 2
providing a reliable braking mechanism that can slow down rotation and translation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fastening device (10) comprising a rod (15), a nut (20), and a lock washer (30). The lock washer (30) has a base (31), at least one lug (40), and teeth (50). The rod or nut has an annular groove (60). Each tooth (50) is flexible. When said locking washer (30) is in an internal space (INT), each lug (40) is arranged in a notch (25) of the rod or nut lacking said groove (60), said teeth (50) comprising at least one deformed tooth (54) having a free end (52) arranged in said groove (60), each deformed tooth (54) having an angulation (100) between 0 degrees and 90 degrees with a plane (P1) containing said base (31), said plane (P1) being axially offset with respect to said annular groove (60) and perpendicular to the central axis (AX).