Segmented Locking Nut and Keyed Washer for Articulating Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking mechanisms for pivotally connected features often experience loosening and detachment due to relative movement, lacking effective solutions to maintain secure articulation.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting mechanism comprising a stud with a threaded shaft, a keyed washer with multiple threaded apertures, and a nut with segregated apertures of varying sizes and angular offsets, ensuring alignment and secure engagement through a specific angular variation, preventing unintended loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking mechanism is used for pivotally connected features, then the structure is simple, but the mechanism experiences loosening and detachment due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a keyed washer with selectively engageable apertures, a nut with multiple apertures arranged in different angular positions, and a pivot assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while collectively providing reliable locking during pivotal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism utilizes parameter changes in the form of angular positions of apertures in the nut relative to the keyed washer. By arranging apertures at different angular offsets and using a corresponding keyed washer with specific aperture positions, the mechanism maintains engagement across various angular positions during pivotal movement, preventing loosening and detachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a locking mechanism allows pivoting between connected features, then articulation is enabled, but loosening and detachment occur due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The keyed washer can rotate relative to the nut to different angular positions, allowing the mechanism to adapt to various pivot angles. This dynamic capability enables pivoting motion while maintaining secure engagement through the selectively engageable apertures that lock at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism performs preliminary locking action through the keyed washer that engages with the nut at specific angular positions before pivotal movement occurs. This preliminary engagement establishes a secure connection that prevents loosening and detachment during subsequent articulation, while still allowing controlled pivoting.
3Ease of operation
If multiple apertures are arranged in the nut at different angular positions, then alignment with keyed washer apertures is achieved during rotation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nut serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains multiple apertures for engagement at different angular positions, and works in conjunction with the keyed washer to enable both locking and pivoting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving ease of operation through automatic alignment during rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulated mechanism and associated systems and methods therefore are disclosed. An example articulating mechanism within the scope of the disclosure includes a stud, a keyed washer having a plurality of threaded apertures, and a nut. The nut threadingly engages the stud. The nut includes a plurality of apertures segregated into a plurality of groups. A size of the apertures formed in the nut are larger than a size of the apertures formed in the keyed washer, resulting in an angular variation over which an aperture of the nut remains aligned with an aperture of the keyed washer. The apertures of the respective nut and washer are arranged such that at least one aperture of the nut aligns with an aperture of the keyed washer continuously throughout rotation of the nut relative to the keyed washer. The aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the nut to the keyed washer.