Lockwireless Rod Assembly With Tab-Locked Nut Against Vibration Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rod assemblies in applications like aircraft face issues with nut loosening due to vibration or forces, leading to position changes, which are typically addressed by using lockwires that increase complexity and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a nut with radially outward protrusions, teeth, and a tab that engages the protrusions to inhibit nut rotation, allowing for secure locking without the need for lockwires, using a combination of teeth and tabs to prevent loosening while allowing tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lockwire is inserted through the nut to inhibit rotation, then the nut is secured against loosening, but the device complexity and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the lockwire from the assembly by integrating the locking function directly into the nut structure through protrusions and tabs that engage with the tube, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function previously separate (lockwire) is merged with the nut structure itself, creating an integrated solution where the nut includes protrusions and tabs that directly engage with the tube to prevent loosening
2Reliability
If a lockwire is used to secure the nut, then the clevis position is maintained, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lockwire component and its associated manufacturing steps, replacing it with a nut design that achieves position stability through integrated protrusions and tabs, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If the nut is allowed to rotate freely, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but vibration causes the nut to back off and change clevis position
Solution Approach 1:
The nut structure provides its own locking function through protrusions and tabs that automatically engage with the tube, eliminating the need for external locking components and maintaining simplicity while ensuring position stability under vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a first member, a threaded shaft, a nut, a set of first teeth, a set of second teeth, and a tab. The threaded shaft is disposed about an axis. The nut is threadably engaged with the threaded shaft. The nut includes a plurality of radially outward extending protrusions. The first teeth face axially and are non-rotatably coupled to the first member. The second teeth are configured to mate with the first teeth. The second teeth are coupled to the threaded shaft for axial movement relative to the threaded shaft and for common rotation with the threaded shaft. The tab is non-rotatable relative to the first member. The tab engages the protrusions to inhibit rotation of the nut relative to the first member.