Non-metallic Fasteners with Metal Inserts for Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fasteners, particularly in aircraft applications, face challenges with weight reduction, corrosion, and material compatibility issues due to their metal composition, which increases weight and may lead to corrosion and incompatibility with surrounding materials.

Innovation Solution

The development of fasteners using non-metallic materials with innovative designs, such as non-circular passages, cam surfaces, and reinforcement structures, which allow for lighter weight, improved corrosion resistance, and enhanced material compatibility, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal parts are used in fasteners, then strength and corrosion resistance are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener strengthVSAvoidfastener weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by integrating metal inserts embedded within a non-metallic fastener body. The metal inserts provide localized strength and corrosion resistance at critical stress points, while the non-metallic matrix reduces overall weight. This composite approach allows the fastener to achieve metal-level strength characteristics without the full weight penalty of traditional metal construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating metal material only where structurally necessary - specifically in insert elements positioned at high-stress regions. The majority of the fastener body uses lighter non-metallic material, creating a heterogeneous structure with varying material properties optimized for different functional requirements throughout the fastener.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If metal materials are used, then structural integrity is improved, but corrosion and material incompatibility issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcorrosion and material incompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The composite construction with non-metallic body and metal inserts provides both structural integrity and corrosion resistance. The non-metallic material offers inherent corrosion immunity while the embedded metal inserts maintain structural strength, creating a hybrid system that mitigates the harmful effects of pure metal construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The non-metallic matrix acts as an intermediary between the metal inserts and the environment, providing corrosion protection to the metal elements while transferring mechanical loads. This intermediate layer prevents direct exposure of metal components to corrosive environments and incompatible materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7874779B2Fasteners, fastener components and fastener receptacles

Publication Date: 2011.01.25 MONADNOCK CO

AI summary

Fasteners, fastener components and fastener receptacles, including quarter-turn fasteners may use a receptacle body having a non-metal material and one or more fastener engagement structures that together define a non-circular passage in the body. Underneath the fastener engagement structures, one or more support structures extend inwardly under the corresponding fastener engagement structures for supporting the underside of the fastener engagement structures. The support structures can have a concave configuration relative to an axis of the body. Additionally, a support structure can be co-extensive with the corresponding fastener engagement structure.