Deformable Locking Washer for Vibration-Resistant Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for screw-threaded fasteners are limited in preventing unwanted loosening, especially under severe vibration conditions, and are often expensive and ineffective on smooth or harder substrate surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A locking device comprising a disc-like body with apertures and a deformable clip or shim with projections that engage the fastener surface, resisting loosening by deflecting and jamming against opposing surfaces when the fastener is tightened, and designed to maintain clamping load even on smooth or harder surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid locking teeth are used to engage with fastener surfaces, then locking effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and effectiveness is limited on smooth or harder surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from rigid to deformable/malleable material. The locking device uses a deformable body that can be compressed and shaped during installation to engage with the fastener surface, eliminating the need for expensive rigid locking teeth while maintaining locking effectiveness through plastic deformation and friction engagement.
2Reliability
If rigid locking teeth are used to prevent loosening, then anti-loosening capability is improved, but effectiveness is limited on smooth or harder substrate surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mechanical property parameter from rigid to deformable. The deformable body can adapt its shape and hardness characteristics during compression to match various substrate surface conditions, enabling effective engagement with smooth or harder surfaces that would be incompatible with rigid locking teeth.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a deformable body with specific material properties that can locally adapt to the substrate surface characteristics. The material is designed to be softer and more compliant at the contact interface, allowing it to conform to and engage with diverse surface conditions including smooth or harder substrates.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simplified locking device is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but effectiveness in preventing loosening under severe vibration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses parameter changes by selecting a deformable material with appropriate mechanical properties that balances ease of manufacture with effective locking performance. The material is designed to deform during installation to create a secure mechanical engagement that resists loosening under severe vibration, while remaining simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
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 locking device effectively prevents unwanted loosening of screw-threaded fasteners under vibration, maintaining clamping load and ensuring secure fastening even on smooth or harder surfaces, while being cost-effective and efficient.
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
Data Source
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.