Lock Nut Structure Using Annular Wedge Friction Against Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock nuts, such as hard lock nuts and nuts with slits, face challenges in providing a simple, low-cost solution for secure tightening that resists loosening due to external forces like vibrations, and often require complex assembly and higher production costs.
Innovation Solution
A nut design featuring an annular member and outer frame member with specific gaps and inclining surfaces that deform to securely engage with bolt threads, providing strong frictional force and resisting loosening while being easy to tighten and produce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard lock nuts with eccentric fitting are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is divided into three functional segments: the nut main body with tapped hole, the annular member with spiral configuration, and the outer frame member with inclining inner wall. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The annular member is designed as a flexible spiral structure that can elastically deform during tightening. This flexibility allows the annular member to engage with the bolt threads and deform against the inclining inner wall of the outer frame member, creating locking action without complex mechanisms
2Reliability
If hard lock nuts with eccentric fitting are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member and outer frame member are combined in a simplified configuration where the annular member's spiral structure integrates the functions of both the locking element and the engagement mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of simple components - the spiral configuration of the annular member and the inclining angle of the outer frame member's inner wall - to achieve locking functionality without requiring complex manufacturing processes or multiple specialized parts
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional nuts are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but reliability against vibration-induced loosening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member is designed to dynamically deform during the tightening process. As the nut is tightened onto the bolt, the annular member elastically deforms and engages with the inclining inner wall of the outer frame member, creating a dynamic locking action that resists vibration-induced loosening while maintaining structural simplicity
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 nut design effectively prevents loosening from vibrations and external forces, offers easy assembly and handling, and reduces production costs by eliminating the need for complex structures and multiple nut types.
Implementation Method 1
providing strong frictional force and resisting loosening
Implementation Method 2
The inner wall of the outer frame member is inclining while tapering in an upward direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a nut that resists being loosened and is easy to be tightened. A nut 600 includes a nut main body 10 having a tapped hole 30 formed therein; an annular member 41 formed on the side of a top surface of the nut main body 10; and an outer frame member 45 formed on the side of an outer edge of the annular member 41. The annular member 41 includes a second end portion 42b in contact with a top surface 11 of the nut main body 10 and a first end portion 42a located opposite to the second end portion 42b. A top surface of the first end portion 42a is located above a top surface of the second end portion 42b. A first gap 40 is formed between the first end portion 42a and the top surface 11 of the nut main body 10. A second gap 49 is formed between a side surface of the annular member 41 and an inner wall 47 of the outer frame member 45. The top surface of the first end portion 42a of the annular member 41 is located above a top surface 46 of the outer frame member 45. The inner wall 47 of the outer frame member 45 is inclining while tapering in an upward direction.