Locking Plate Unit for Narrow Space Screw Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking plate units complicate the mounting and dismounting of screw joints, especially in narrow spaces, and restrict disassembly to a single direction, making it difficult to facilitate mounting and dismounting from arbitrary axial directions.

Innovation Solution

A locking plate unit with a centre section positioned between hexagonal fasteners to counter rotational torque, adhered to the fasteners via welding or adhesive, allowing easy handling and disassembly by breaking the weld at a recessed area, enabling mounting and dismounting from any axial direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking plate is arranged under the screw head or nut to lock components, then the locking function is achieved, but the screw/nut protrudes more from the structure which creates problems in narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidaccessibility in narrow spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking plate is positioned in a different spatial dimension - between the parallel screw/nut components rather than underneath them. This dimensional repositioning allows the locking function to be achieved without increasing the protrusion distance from the structure, thereby solving the narrow space accessibility problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a locking plate is used to counter rotational torque during fastening, then the fastening process is facilitated in narrow spaces, but the locking plate becomes difficult to dismantle and restricts disassembly to one direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening in narrow spacesVSAvoiddismantling and disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking plate incorporates a flexible center section that allows dynamic deformation. During dismantling, force applied to the arm portions causes the flexible center section to bend, enabling the locking plate to be removed from the same side where fastening occurred, thus facilitating bidirectional operation and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The center section of the locking plate is designed with flexible material or geometry that allows it to bend and deform elastically. This flexibility enables the locking plate to be dismantled by applying force to the arm portions, as the center section can deform to release the locking engagement, allowing removal from the same side as fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the locking plate is made rigid to effectively counter torque, then the torque counteraction is effective, but the locking plate cannot be easily removed by bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque counteraction capabilityVSAvoidremoval by bending

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking plate is segmented into distinct functional zones: rigid arm portions for torque counteraction and a flexible center section for dismantling. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to have different mechanical properties - the arm portions maintain rigidity for effective torque resistance, while the center section provides flexibility for easy removal by bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the locking plate have different mechanical qualities - the arm portions are designed with high rigidity for torque resistance, while the center section is designed with flexibility for dismantling. This local differentiation of material or structural properties allows the component to simultaneously achieve both torque counteraction effectiveness and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Facilitates mounting and dismounting of screw joints in narrow spaces by effectively counteracting rotational torque and allowing easy removal of the locking plate, enhancing versatility and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

adhered to the fasteners via welding or adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3500762B1A locking plate unit and a vehicle comprising such a locking plate unit

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 SCANIA CV AB

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking plate unit (100) adapted to be attached to a structure (12), the locking plate unit (100) comprising a locking plate (20); a first fastener (30') and a second fastener (30''), each fastener (30', 30'') comprising a hexagonal portion (32', 32''). The locking plate (20) comprises a first end section (22'); a second end section (22'') and a centre section (24) between the two end sections (22', 22''). The fasteners (30', 30'') are adhered to the locking plate (20) at a first adhesion point (50') between the hexagonal portion (32') of the first fastener (30') and the first end section (22') of the locking plate (20) and at a second adhesion point (50'') between the hexagonal portion (32'') of the second fastener (30'') and the second end section (22'') of the locking plate (20). The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) comprising such a locking plate unit (100).