Locking Nut Jaw Ring Mechanism for Vibration-Resistant Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing threaded fastening devices fail to provide reliable frictional locking against accidental unscrewing, especially under mechanical excitations like vibrations, and often require complex designs, additional components, or risk losing parts, which can lead to ineffective locking over multiple screwing/unscrewing cycles.
Innovation Solution
A threaded fastening device with a circumferential jaw and an actuation ring that can be rotated to switch between locking and release states, utilizing flexural elasticity to apply locking pressure without damaging threads and requiring minimal additional components, with a design that simplifies manufacturing and maintains reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frictional locking means are used to prevent accidental unscrewing, then reliability is improved, but the locking efficacy is lost rapidly after a small number of cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system uses a dynamic jaw that can move between locked and unlocked positions. The jaw is spring-loaded to automatically engage with the thread flanks during screwing motion, providing continuous frictional locking that maintains efficacy over multiple cycles through dynamic adaptation to the screwing motion
Solution Approach 2:
The locking jaw is designed to activate automatically during the screwing process itself. The relative motion between the screw and nut during tightening causes the jaw to engage with the thread flanks and generate frictional locking without requiring separate locking actions or additional components
2Reliability
If latching type locking systems are used, then locking in discrete positions is achieved, but the recommended torque cannot be respected when it does not correspond to discrete angular positions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking jaw continuously adapts its position along the thread flanks during screwing, rather than being constrained to discrete positions. This dynamic engagement allows the system to maintain locking at any angular position and achieve the recommended torque regardless of discrete positioning constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism changes its engagement parameter from discrete angular positions to continuous frictional contact along the thread flanks. This allows the locking force to vary continuously with the screwing motion and achieve the precise torque required by the application
3Reliability
If additional locking components are added to ensure reliable locking, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and risk of component loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking jaw is integrated directly into the nut body, merging the locking function with the fastening component itself. This eliminates the need for separate locking components such as washers, clips, or additional bolts, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the risk of component loss while maintaining reliable locking
Solution Approach 2:
The nut is designed with multi-functionality, combining both the fastening function (through threading) and the locking function (through the integrated jaw) in a single component. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate parts and simplifies the overall assembly
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 ensures reliable locking with moderate actuation forces, maintains thread integrity, and minimizes weight and size impact, while being easy to use and maintain, without the need for complex redesigns or risk of component loss.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing flexural elasticity to apply locking pressure without damaging threads
Data Source
AI summary
A nut includes locking jaws, a floating end of which is actuated by cam profiles inside a rotary actuation ring. The jaws are produced by removing material from the body of the nut, and shift from a locking state to a release state and vice versa by elastic bending deformation. A locking surface on the inside of the jaws has the same thread as the body of the nut.