Universal Locking Nut Key with Deformable Wall for Patterned Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle owners often lack a locking wheel nut key during breakdowns, necessitating the use of one-time, specialist equipment-dependent adapters for removing locking wheel nuts with patterned grooves, which are not reusable without additional tools.
Innovation Solution
A universal locking nut key with a deformable portion and varying diameters along its length, allowing it to adapt to patterned grooves while maintaining strength, and a hexagonal head for versatile tool connection, enabling reuse without specialist equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a one-time use adapter is forced into the groove of the locking wheel nut, then the locking wheel nut can be removed, but the adapter and locking wheel nut become fixed together and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The locking nut key incorporates a deformable portion that dynamically adapts to the groove shape during insertion, then maintains its original shape for reuse. The key's wall thickness varies along its length, creating regions of different flexibility that allow the distal end to conform to the groove while the proximal end remains rigid for tool engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The key's geometric parameters vary along its length, with wall thickness changing from the proximal end to the distal end. This creates a gradient of mechanical properties where the thinner distal end is more compliant for adapting to the groove, while the thicker proximal end provides structural integrity for reuse.
2Ease of operation
If traditional one-time adapters are used, then specialist equipment is required for removal, but this increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The locking nut key features a hexagonal head portion that can engage with standard hexagonal tools, making it universal and eliminating the need for specialist equipment. The key can be used with common impact drivers or wrenches, broadly applicable to various locking wheel nuts without requiring proprietary tools.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the key wall is made thin to adapt to the groove shape, then adaptability improves, but strength decreases and the key cannot be rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The key exhibits local variations in wall thickness, with the distal end being thinner for groove adaptation and the proximal end being thicker for strength. This localized quality distribution allows each region of the key to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The key's deformable portion dynamically changes shape during insertion to match the groove, then returns to its original rigid state for rotation. The varying wall thickness enables this dynamic behavior, allowing the key to be compliant when needed and rigid when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking nut key for aiding the removal of a locking wheel nut is disclosed having a patterned groove and defining a longitudinal axis (L), the key including a head portion for engagement with a tool, and a wall extending from the head portion at a proximal end to a free distal end along the longitudinal axis (L) of the key. The wall includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface of the wall includes a thickening between the proximal end and the distal end, the outer surface has a first diameter between the proximal end and the thickening and a second diameter at the distal end, the outer surface has a third diameter at the thickening, and the third diameter is greater than the first diameter and the second diameter.