Locknut Washer Retention With Axial Thread Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fixation of the locking washer in all-metal lock nuts can be improved to enhance the reliability and elasticity of the locking mechanism, particularly under extreme temperature conditions and varying loads.
Innovation Solution
A lock nut design featuring a nut body with an internally threaded portion, a circumferential shoulder, and a collar that forms an annular groove to securely hold a metal washer, where projections or indentations on the shoulder or washer provide non-positive and positive fixation, allowing for precise adjustment of the axial offset and preventing twisting during thread cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collar is deformed to form an annular groove to retain the locking washer, then the locking mechanism is established, but the fixation of the locking washer in the annular groove is insufficient under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces projections or indentations at specific locations on the collar or locking washer to create localized positive fixation points. These local structural modifications enhance the fixation reliability at critical positions without requiring overall structural changes, thereby improving the holding force while maintaining the simplicity of the annular groove retention mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the locking washer is made from hard elastic material with variable thickness and segment-like recesses to increase elasticity, then the axial deflection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking washer is designed with segment-like circumferential recesses that divide the structure into segments. This segmentation allows the washer to achieve variable thickness and enhanced elasticity through controlled material distribution, enabling axial deflection capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using standard processes.
3Force
If the internal thread of the locking washer is axially offset from the nut thread to adjust clamping action, then the clamping force is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axial offset between the internal thread of the locking washer and the nut thread is predetermined during the design and manufacturing stage. This preliminary positioning ensures that the optimal clamping force is achieved without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during assembly, thereby balancing manufacturing precision requirements with performance optimization.
4Reliability
If the collar is crimped to fix the washer in the annular groove, then the retention is established, but the fixation could be improved under varying loads and temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a combination of deformation (crimping) and mechanical interlocking (projections or indentations) to retain the locking washer. This composite retention approach combines the advantages of both methods: the deformation provides initial retention while the projections or indentations provide additional positive fixation, thereby enhancing reliability and connection stability under varying loads and temperature fluctuations.
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 design enhances the holding force and reliability of the lock nut by ensuring secure fixation and precise adjustment of the washer, maintaining clamping force consistency across multiple screwing operations and extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the locking washer forms a clamping part that can be elastically deformed when screwing in a screw or bolt. This results in radial and axial holding forces
Implementation Method 2
the elastic restoring force of the annular disk remaining so large that high holding forces can be achieved
Implementation Method 3
the projections or depressions or the remaining material between the depressions are partially deformed and/or partially pressed into the opposite surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a locknut having a nut body (12), which has a threaded portion with inner thread (16), a peripheral shoulder (20) adjoining the latter, and a collar surrounding the shoulder, and having an annular disc (22) made of metal, wherein the annular disc rests on the shoulder inside the collar, and the collar is bent inward in order to form, between the bent collar and the shoulder, an annular groove (28) in which the annular disc is received. An inner thread (16') corresponding to the inner thread of the threaded portion of the nut body is cut into the inner circumference of the annular disc, and the inner thread of the annular disc is offset at an axial distance with respect to the inner thread of the nut body. A row of axially protruding projections (40, 44, 60', 60'') and/or depressions (54) is formed on the shoulder or on the annular disc, at the place where the annular disc and the shoulder overlap each other.