Lock Nut Elastic Protrusions Prevent Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bolt-nut units face issues with nut loosening due to vibrations and shocks, where conventional methods like spring washers often result in permanent deformation and reduced reusability.
Innovation Solution
A lock nut with first and second protrusions forming slots on its top and bottom faces, allowing elastic deformation in different directions, which increases friction between bolt and nut threads, enhancing loosening prevention while being reusable and easy to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring washer is used to prevent nut loosening, then the friction force between bolt and nut threads is increased, but the spring washer undergoes permanent deformation and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The lock nut incorporates elastic protrusions that dynamically deform under load to generate friction force. The protrusions are designed to elastically deform within a specific load range, providing continuous loosening prevention while maintaining structural integrity for reuse. This dynamic elastic deformation replaces the permanent deformation of spring washers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material behavior parameter from permanent deformation (plastic) to reversible deformation (elastic). By designing protrusions with specific elastic properties and dimensions, the system achieves the required friction force through reversible elastic deformation, enabling multiple reuse cycles while maintaining loosening prevention effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a complex loosing prevention mechanism is used, then the loosening prevention degree is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock nut merges the loosening prevention function directly into the nut structure itself by integrating elastic protrusions on the nut body. This eliminates the need for separate spring washers or complex locking mechanisms, achieving improved loosening prevention through a unified, manufacturable component that combines fastening and locking functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut body is segmented into functional zones: a fastening hole for thread engagement, elastic protrusions for friction generation, and a flat surface for load distribution. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through standardized production processes.
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 lock nut effectively prevents nut loosening by increasing friction between bolt and nut threads through elastic deformation, offering improved workability and reusability compared to conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of first protrusions formed on a top face of the nut body, the pair of first protrusions forming a first slot therebetween in a first direction, the first slot allowing an elastic deformation of the nut body; and a pair of second protrusions formed on a bottom face of the nut body, the pair of second protrusions forming a second slot therebetween in a second direction different from the first direction, the second slot allowing an elastic deformation of the nut body
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lock nut which is fastened between a bolt and a nut and prevents the bolt and nut from loosening, comprising: a nut body having a fastening hole for fastening onto the bolt; a pair of first projecting parts which are formed projecting from one of the surfaces of the nut body and form a first slot having a first orientation such that the nut body can deform resiliently when the bolt and the nut are fastened; and a pair of second projecting parts which are formed projecting from the other surface of the nut body and form a second slot having a second orientation different from the first orientation, and the invention relates to a fastening unit comprising the lock nut; and provided is a bolt-and-nut loosening prevention structure having an improved loosening-prevention function.