Friction Fit Cone Nut for Structural Channel Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional channel nuts with glued cones are prone to detachment due to insufficient glue strength, making installation difficult and increasing the risk of cone failure, which renders the nut useless.
Innovation Solution
A friction fit locking mechanism is used to attach the cone to the channel nut, eliminating the need for glue and ensuring a secure attachment without the risks associated with glue failure, by employing a flexible cone with a cone attachment portion that encases the channel nut and utilizes ribs and grooves for a secure friction fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cone is made harder to improve attachment strength, then the attachment of the cone to the channel nut is improved, but the installation of the channel nut becomes more difficult requiring more manual force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the cone from hard to soft/compliant material. This allows the cone to be sufficiently strong to attach to the channel nut while remaining compliant enough to be easily installed without requiring excessive manual force that would compromise glue strength.
2Strength
If conventional gluing techniques are used to attach the cone to the channel nut, then the cone can be attached, but the attachment is susceptible to failure due to insufficient glue strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite attachment system combining a soft cone material with adhesive. The soft material provides mechanical interlocking and compliance while the adhesive provides chemical bonding, creating a composite attachment mechanism that is more reliable than glue alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the cone to soft/compliant material that can deform to accommodate installation forces without compromising the glue bond. This parameter change allows the glue to cure properly without being subjected to excessive stress during installation.
3Strength
If gluing process is used to attach the cone to the channel nut, then the cone can be attached, but the process is time-consuming and prone to installer error
Solution Approach 1:
The cone is pre-attached to the channel nut in the manufacturing process using controlled gluing conditions. This preliminary action ensures proper glue application and curing before the product reaches the installer, eliminating the time-consuming and error-prone gluing step during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cone and channel nut into a single pre-assembled unit with the cone pre-attached to the nut. This combining of components into a pre-assembled assembly eliminates the need for separate gluing operations during installation, improving productivity.
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 friction fit mechanism provides a secure and easy installation process, eliminating cone detachment issues and reducing manual force requirements, while avoiding the errors and time consumption associated with gluing, resulting in a reliable and efficient attachment system.
Implementation Method 1
A friction fit locking mechanism is used to attach the cone to the channel nut
Data Source
AI summary
An improved cone nut for a structural channel is provided. The cone nut does not require gluing of the cone to the channel nut as in conventional methods. The cone instead houses the channel nut by a friction fit locking mechanism, resulting in a secure attachment of the cone to the channel nut which prevents failure of the cone by separation from the channel nut which would, in turn, render the channel nut useless.