Locking Washer With Deformable Tabs for Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking washers for screw-threaded fasteners are expensive, limited in effectiveness, and fail to prevent loosening under severe vibration conditions, especially when the substrate surface is smooth and/or harder than the washer material.

Innovation Solution

A locking device comprising a disc-like body with apertures and a deformable clip or shim with projections that deflect under tightening, jamming against the fastener surfaces to resist loosening, using equiangularly spaced notches and tabs to enhance engagement and torque resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the locking element from rigid to deformable. The deformable tab can elastically deform during installation and then jam against the fastener surface, creating a reliable lock without requiring rigid teeth. This approach works effectively on smooth or harder surfaces where rigid teeth would fail to penetrate or engage properly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism uses a thin, flexible tab that can bend and deform elastically. This flexible element is inserted through an aperture and then deforms to jam against the fastener surface, providing reliable locking without the need for expensive rigid toothed structures. The flexibility allows adaptation to various surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If rigid locking teeth are used to engage with fastener surfaces, then locking capability is improved, but the device becomes less effective on smooth and harder substrate surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness and hardness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable tab automatically adapts to the fastener surface characteristics through elastic deformation. During tightening, the tab deflects and jams against the surface, self-adjusting to work effectively on smooth or hard surfaces without requiring surface preparation or modification. The system serves itself by adapting to the substrate conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If deformable tabs are used to jam against fastener surfaces, then effectiveness on smooth surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness on smooth surfacesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is segmented into a base washer portion and separate deformable tab elements that can be inserted through apertures. This segmentation allows the simple base structure to combine with functional locking tabs, achieving effectiveness on smooth surfaces while keeping each component relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable tab serves multiple functions: it acts as a locking element, a spring element for elastic deformation, and a jamming element against the fastener surface. This multi-functionality is achieved within a simple structural framework, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively prevents unwanted loosening of fasteners by maintaining clamping load even under severe vibration, with predictable and consistent torque resistance, allowing controlled loosening when necessary.

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

PatentUS12584511B2Locking device

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 MCLOUGHLIN PETER

AI summary

A locking washer for use with a screw-threaded fastener (71), said locking device comprising 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 or inner periphery and at least one further body (25) held in said one aperture (15). The further body may be a shim (22) also having a central hole (24) and at least one tab (25) extending through the notch (15) and has an end portion which juts above adjacent surface of the washer to engage a surface on the fastener when, on tightening of the fastener, deflects within the void of its aperture under 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.