Lock Washer With Deformable Tabs for Vibration Loosening Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking devices for screw threaded fasteners are limited in preventing unwanted loosening, especially under severe vibration conditions, and are expensive to manufacture due to the use of rigid teeth that may not effectively engage smooth or harder substrate surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A locking device comprising a disc-like washer with equiangularly spaced apertures and a deformable clip or shim with upstanding projections that deflect and jam against the fastener surface to resist loosening, providing enhanced clamping force and torque resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid teeth are used to engage with fastener surfaces, then locking strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and effectiveness on smooth or harder surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to deformable, allowing the locking element to conform to smooth or harder surfaces through elastic deformation while maintaining locking effectiveness and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a deformable locking element that acts as a flexible component, enabling it to adapt to various surface conditions through elastic deformation rather than requiring precise rigid tooth engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If rigid teeth are used to engage with fastener surfaces, then locking strength is improved, but effectiveness on smooth or harder surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking strengthVSAvoideffectiveness on smooth or harder surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through elastic deformation, allowing the locking element to adjust its shape and conform to the fastener surface in real-time, ensuring reliable engagement regardless of surface conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If deformable projections are used instead of rigid teeth, then adaptability to smooth or harder surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to surface conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the locking device into a simple disc-like body with apertures and a separate deformable locking element, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability through the deformable component's elastic properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If deformable projections are used instead of rigid teeth, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the locking device into simple components that can be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing overall structural complexity while enabling cost-effective production of the deformable locking element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable locking element is designed as a simple flexible component with projections, which is easier and more cost-effective to manufacture than complex rigid tooth structures while maintaining functional effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively prevents unwanted loosening of threaded fasteners even on smooth or harder surfaces, offering improved vibration resistance and cost-effectiveness by using deformable components that engage securely without damaging the fastener or substrate.

Implementation Method 1

the projection deflects within the void of the aperture in which it is located under the influence of the tightening of the engaging surface such that under any tendency to loosen, the tab jams against the opposing surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11692583B2Locking device

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 MCLOUGHLIN PETER

AI summary

A locking device (11), e.g. a lock washer, for use with a screw threaded fastener (71), said locking device comprising at least a first disc-like body (12) comprising an annular portion (13) with at least one aperture (15) therein and a central through-hole (14) e.g. a washer having notches (15) open to the outer periphery and at least one further body (25) held in said one aperture (15). The further body may be shim (22) also having a central hole (24) and at least one tab (25) which extends through the notch (15) and has an end portion which juts above adjacent surface of the washer to engage an adjacent surface on the fastener when compressed, on tightening of the fastener deflects within the void of the aperture in which it is located under the influence of the tightening of the engaging surface such that under any tendency to loosen, the tab jams against the opposing surfaces and resist loosening of the fastener.