Floating Case Nut Insulation for Electrodeposition Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional case nuts become fixed to the inner wall surfaces of a vehicle body during electrodeposition coating treatment due to contact with metal nuts, preventing them from floating freely and affecting fastening workability.

Innovation Solution

A case nut design featuring a metal nut body with resin insulating members on its surfaces and protrusions that minimize contact with the inner wall surfaces, allowing the nut to remain free-floating by preventing electrodeposition coating deposition and ensuring easy separation after high-temperature drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a metal nut is held inside the case body to float freely for absorbing axial deviation, then fastening workability is improved, but the nut becomes fixed to the inner wall surfaces during electrodeposition coating treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening workabilityVSAvoidnut mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating member made of resin is introduced as an intermediary between the metal nut and the electrolytic solution during electrodeposition coating. This insulating member covers the outer surface of the nut, preventing direct contact between the metal nut and the electrolytic solution, thereby avoiding harmful current flow and preventing the nut from becoming fixed to the inner wall surfaces while still allowing the nut to float freely inside the case body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nut assembly becomes a composite structure combining a metal nut core with a resin insulating member overlay. This composite structure maintains the mechanical fastening function of the metal nut while the resin component provides electrical insulation during electrodeposition coating, preventing the nut from adhering to case body inner walls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the nut is made of metal for strength and fastening function, then fastening performance is improved, but electrodeposition coating material deposits on the nut causing firm fixation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidcoating deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating member acts as a mediator that blocks the path of electrodeposition coating material from reaching the metal nut surface. By covering the outer surface of the metal nut, it prevents the electrolytic solution and coating material from contacting the conductive metal surface, thereby eliminating harmful coating deposition while preserving the metal nut's strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating member is a sacrificial protective layer that serves its purpose during the electrodeposition coating process and can be removed or degraded afterward. This disposable insulating component protects the valuable metal nut from coating deposition during the coating process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 design ensures the nut remains free-floating during and after electrodeposition coating and high-temperature drying, maintaining its ability to absorb axial deviations and facilitate easy mounting of additional parts without sticking to the vehicle body.

Implementation Method 1

a nut provided with a nut body made of metal and an insulating member made of resin and formed on the outside of the nut body to prevent the contact of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the outer surface of the nut body with the inner wall surface of the case body and the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The electrodeposition coating treatment refers to coating treatment of soaking the body in an electrolytic solution and energizing the body to form a coating on a surface of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrodeposition: Electrodeposition

Data Source

PatentEP3324058B1Case nut
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 AOYAMA SEISAKUSHO CO LTD
  • EP3324058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3324058B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3324058B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a case nut in which a nut that is held inside a case body so as to swing freely is not fixed as a result of electrodeposition coating treatment. The case nut is provided with a case body 2 that is welded to a body 1, and a nut 3 that is held inside the case body 2 so as to float freely. The nut 3 is provided with a metal nut body 4 and a resin insulating member 6 that is formed on the outside of the nut body 4 and prevents contact of the upper surface, lower surface and outer surfaces of the nut body 4 with the inner wall surfaces of the case body 2 and with the body 1.