Metal Locknut Washer Fixation for Vibration-Resistant Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The fixation of the retaining annular washer in metal locknuts is not optimal, leading to potential loosening and reduced reliability, especially under extreme temperature conditions and vibrations, as existing solutions do not effectively transfer the adjustment of elasticity and holding force principles from plastic to metal locknuts.
Innovation Solution
A locknut design featuring a metal annular washer with axially offset internal threads and a collar with projections or recesses that form a force-locking and form-fitting annular groove, allowing precise adjustment and secure fixation of the washer, ensuring reliable clamping force retention across multiple screwing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collar is deformed to form an annular groove to hold the annular washer, then the washer is secured in position, but the fixation reliability is insufficient under extreme temperature and vibration conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with locally varied wall thickness (thicker at the front end, thinner at the rear end) to create different mechanical properties in different regions. The thicker front end provides structural strength and forms a stable annular groove, while the thinner rear end allows controlled deformation to create engagement features that prevent loosening under temperature and vibration effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates a deformation element that allows dynamic adjustment during assembly. When the collar is deformed to form the annular groove, the material dynamically changes shape to create engagement features (such as engagement protrusions fitting into engagement recesses) that actively prevent the washer from loosening under external forces like vibrations and temperature fluctuations.
2Strength
If the annular washer is made from hard elastic material with variable thickness and notches, then elasticity and holding force are improved, but the fixation in the annular groove remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The annular washer is designed with locally varied properties including variable thickness and strategically positioned notches or engagement features. These local modifications create regions of different elasticity and strength, allowing the washer to maintain high holding force while also providing specific engagement points that securely fit into corresponding features on the collar.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines the hard elastic material properties of the annular washer with the structural features of the collar (annular groove, engagement protrusions, and recesses) to create a composite fixation system. This combination leverages both the elastic holding force of the washer and the geometric interlocking features to achieve reliable fixation under extreme conditions.
3Reliability
If projections or recesses are formed on the collar or washer, then the fixation is enhanced through force-locking and form-fitting, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement protrusions and engagement recesses are integrated directly into the collar and washer structures during the forming process, rather than being added as separate components. This merging of features into the basic structural elements achieves the force-locking and form-fitting fixation without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The projections and recesses are pre-formed into the collar and washer during manufacturing, so that when assembled, the engagement features automatically provide the force-locking and form-fitting fixation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for additional assembly steps or complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 solution enhances the reliability and adjustability of metal locknuts by providing a secure, force-locking, and form-fitting mechanism for the annular washer, maintaining consistent clamping force and preventing rotation during thread cutting, thus ensuring a stable connection even under temperature fluctuations and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the collar being bent inwards to form an annular groove between the bent collar and the shoulder in which the annular washer is received
Implementation Method 2
The locking washer forms a clamping part that can be elastically deformed when a screw or bolt is screwed in. This results in radial and axial holding forces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a locknut having a nut body having a threaded portion with an internal thread, an adjacent perimetral shoulder and a collar surrounding the shoulder, and having a metal annular washer, the annular washer resting on the shoulder within the collar and the collar being bent inwardly to form an annular groove between the bent collar and the shoulder in which the annular washer is received. An internal thread corresponding to the internal thread of the threaded portion of the nut body is formed at the inner perimeter of the annular washer, and the internal thread of the annular washer is offset axially by a distance with respect to the internal thread of the nut body. For better fixing of the annular washer in the annular groove, a row of projections or recesses is formed on the shoulder or on the annular washer where the annular washer and the shoulder overlap, which projections or recesses project in the axial direction and are arranged distributed around the perimeter of the shoulder or the annular washer. The projections form bearing surfaces, lines or points for the annular washer on the shoulder when the annular washer is placed inside the collar on the shoulder of the nut body. When the collar is deformed to form the annular groove, an axial force is applied to the annular washer, partially deforming the projections or recesses and/or partially pressing them into the opposite surface of the annular washer or the shoulder. As a result, the annular washer is held in the annular groove in a force-locking and form-fitting manner.