Multi-Hole Fastener Alignment for Castellated Nut Torque Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener systems require frequent swapping or adjustment of washers and fasteners to achieve optimal torque and alignment with castellated nuts, especially in vibrating components like helicopter transmissions, leading to increased assembly time and potential balance issues.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring two or more through-holes perpendicular to its axis, allowing for the use of pins like cotter pins to prevent loosening, which can align with notches in castellated nuts without needing washer adjustments or bolt length changes, optimizing torque and reducing assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional single-hole fasteners are used with castellated nuts, then assembly is simpler in structure, but frequent washer swapping and bolt length changes are required to achieve optimal torque and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener body is segmented with multiple through-holes (at least two) positioned at different locations and angles along its length, allowing different sections of the fastener to be used for different functions: one hole for pin insertion through the castellated nut, and another hole for torque application or alignment purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-drilled fastener serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural fastening, enables torque application at optimal angles, allows pin insertion for locking, and eliminates the need for multiple different bolt lengths or washer combinations, making it a universal solution for various fastening scenarios
2Measurement precision
If washers are added or removed to optimize torque, then torque precision is improved, but assembly time increases and component balance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is pre-configured with multiple through-holes positioned at specific angles and locations during manufacturing, so that the optimal alignment with the castellated nut notches and the correct torque application angle are already established before assembly, eliminating the need for trial-and-error washer adjustments
3Manufacturing precision
If bolt length is changed to achieve proper alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and inventory management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring multiple bolt lengths for different alignment needs, the invention uses a single standardized bolt length with multiple through-holes positioned at various angles, allowing the same fastener to achieve proper alignment in different configurations by selecting which hole to use for pin insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from varying the primary dimension (bolt length) to varying the angular position of through-holes on the fastener, providing alignment precision through angular positioning rather than length variation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a fastener comprising: a fastener body having a longitudinal axis and a first external male threaded portion, and two or more through-holes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastener body in the threaded portion.