Multi-Tab Locking Washer for Bolt Torque Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking tab washers in aircraft engines require precise orientation of the bolt head to ensure satisfactory locking alignment, often leading to over or under-torquing issues.
Innovation Solution
A locking tab washer design with at least four circumferentially spaced locking tabs and a retaining feature, allowing the tabs to bend towards the bolt head regardless of orientation, ensuring secure locking without the need for precise bolt head alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking tab washer design with fewer locking tabs is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of locking is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab washer is segmented into multiple locking tabs (at least four) circumferentially spaced around the opening, with each tab independently bendable toward the opening. This segmentation allows the locking function to be distributed across multiple tabs, improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tabs are designed with asymmetric bendability - each tab can bend toward the opening in a first direction but is constrained from bending in opposite directions by the component surface and bolt head. This asymmetric mechanical constraint provides reliable locking without requiring complex bilateral restraint mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If locking tabs are made bendable towards the opening, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tabs transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic semi-flexible structure that can bend toward the opening during installation. This dynamic characteristic allows the tabs to self-align with the bolt head flats through controlled bending, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the locking tabs are optimized by controlling their thickness, length, and material characteristics to achieve appropriate flexibility. This parameter optimization allows the tabs to bend sufficiently for easy alignment while maintaining sufficient rigidity for reliable locking, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with operational ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple circumferentially spaced locking tabs are used, then adaptability to different bolt orientations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab washer with at least four circumferentially spaced locking tabs can accommodate bolts in various rotational orientations. Each tab can engage with bolt head flats at different angles, providing universal adaptability across multiple bolt orientations without requiring different washer designs for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing is segmented into multiple independent locking tabs distributed circumferentially, allowing the structure to adapt to different bolt orientations through selective engagement of appropriate tabs. This segmentation provides orientation versatility while maintaining a simple, standardized washer design that doesn't require complex adjustable mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking tab washer for rotatably locking a bolt fastened to a component in an aircraft engine has a body with an opening and at least four locking tabs positioned about the opening and circumferentially spaced apart from one another at integer multiples of a common angle relative to the center of the opening. The locking tabs are bendable towards to rotatably lock the bolt. The locking tab washer also has a retaining feature positioned about the opening and operable to rotatably retain the locking tab washer to the component.