Torque-Limiting Gasket Fastener Interlock Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gasket systems with torque-limiting features are costly, complex, and time-consuming to produce, and require additional assembly steps, which increases production time and reduces throughput.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system where the torque-limiting feature is integrated into the fasteners rather than the gasket, allowing for preassembly of the gasket and fasteners with the gasket's apertures engaging the fasteners' shoulder portions to secure them together, eliminating the need for a torque-limiting feature in the gasket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torque-limiting feature is included in the gasket, then the gasket can prevent overcompression and preload fasteners, but the cost and complexity of the gasket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque-limiting function is extracted from the gasket and transferred to the fastener's shoulder portion. The gasket is simplified to only perform sealing, while the fastener's shoulder provides the torque-limiting feature by engaging with the gasket aperture to prevent overcompression and preload the fastener.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is given multiple functions: it provides both the sealing function (by engaging with the gasket aperture) and the torque-limiting function (via its shoulder portion). This eliminates the need for the gasket to independently provide torque-limiting capability.
2Reliability
If a torque-limiting feature is included in the gasket, then the gasket can prevent overcompression and preload fasteners, but the number of assembly steps and tooling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque-limiting function is extracted from the gasket and transferred to the fastener's shoulder portion. The gasket is simplified to only perform sealing, while the fastener's shoulder provides the torque-limiting feature by engaging with the gasket aperture to prevent overcompression and preload the fastener.
3Reliability
If a torque-limiting feature is included in the gasket, then the gasket can prevent overcompression and preload fasteners, but the production time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque-limiting function is extracted from the gasket and transferred to the fastener's shoulder portion. The gasket is simplified to only perform sealing, while the fastener's shoulder provides the torque-limiting feature by engaging with the gasket aperture to prevent overcompression and preload the fastener.
4Ease of operation
If the gasket is aligned with components during assembly, then the fasteners can be properly inserted, but the assembly process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is pre-assembled with the fasteners at a remote location before final installation. The fasteners are inserted through the gasket apertures and secured, creating a pre-assembled unit that requires minimal alignment during final installation, thus reducing assembly time at the final location.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket and fasteners are merged into a single pre-assembled unit. The fasteners are inserted through the gasket apertures and retained by the gasket structure, creating a combined assembly that simplifies the final installation process by reducing the number of separate components to be assembled.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5B
AI summary
The present invention utilizes a gasket (26) that interlocks on a fastener (28) thereby enabling the fastener (28), the gasket (26) and a component to be connected together as an assembly. The fastener (28) includes a torque-limiting feature thereby freeing the gasket (26) from the necessity of including such a feature therein. The interlock between the gasket (26) and the fastener (28) is formed by tabs (46) that fit within a shoulder of the gasket (26) or by an interference fit between apertures (44) in the gasket (26) and the shoulder of the fasteners (28).