Modular Screw Captivator With Keyway Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing captive screw fastener assemblies are complex, costly, and inefficient, requiring a significant inventory of customized components, limiting interchangeability and making field repairs difficult due to inseparable components.

Innovation Solution

A modular screw captivator system using conventional threaded fasteners with a simplified installation process, incorporating a retainer and body with keyway surfaces for easy assembly and disassembly, and an optional ejection spring for self-retraction, reducing the number of components needed and enabling easy repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If customized components are used in captive screw assemblies, then the assembly can be tailored to specific requirements, but the inventory of component parts increases significantly and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidinventory of component parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The captivator body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple screw sizes and types through a standardized interface system. The body contains a recess that receives various captivator components, allowing a single body design to serve multiple fastening applications without requiring custom components for each screw type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The captive screw assembly is divided into separable components: a reusable captivator body and replaceable captivator components. This segmentation allows the body to be retained while only the worn or damaged components need replacement, reducing overall inventory requirements and enabling modular replacement strategies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex customized assemblies are used, then specific fastening requirements can be met, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening requirement accommodationVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The captivator body combines multiple functions into a single component: it houses the captivator components, provides the fastening interface, and enables both installation and removal operations. This merging eliminates the need for separate specialized tools and components for each fastening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized interface design allows the same captivator body to work with various screw types and sizes, providing universal adaptability without requiring complex customized assemblies for each application scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If inseparable components are used in captive screw assemblies, then structural integrity is maintained, but field repair becomes difficult and requires entire panel return

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidfield repairability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is designed with separable components that can be independently replaced. The captivator body remains intact and reusable, while only the damaged captivator components need to be removed and replaced in the field, eliminating the need to return entire panels for repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables recovery and reuse of the captivator body while allowing discarding or replacement of only the worn components. This selective replacement strategy maintains structural integrity through body reuse while enabling easy field repair of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional threaded fasteners are replaced with custom captive screws, then specific assembly requirements are met, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The captivator body serves as a universal platform that accommodates various screw types and sizes, eliminating the need for custom-machined components for each application. This standardization significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability to different assembly requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses standard conventional threaded fasteners instead of custom-designed captive screws, leveraging existing, cost-effective components while achieving the desired assembly functionality through the captivator mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8950991B2Screw captivator

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 PRIMORDIAL SOUP

AI summary

A device for captivating a variety of fasteners relative to a first member. A captivator includes a body adapted to be secured to the first member and a retainer received within the body and having a surface engaging a captured fastener. Together the body and retainer maintain the captivated fastener in place relative to the first member. Keyway surfaces are provided upon the body or retainer or both and an external or internal key engages the keyway surfaces to selectively lock the body and retainer together, such as during installation or replacement of the captured fastener. Upon removal of the key, the retainer is free to rotate and translate relative to the body.