Nut With Elastic Holding Section for Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening arrangements for structural components, particularly in motor vehicle construction, face challenges in achieving consistent holding forces and precise positioning due to the reliance on manual assembly methods and the quality of nut placement on bolts, which can lead to fluctuations in holding forces and accidental nut displacement during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A nut design featuring a radially elastic holding section around the opening, including an annular depression and a lug, which provides pre-assembly holding forces and ensures precise positioning, and an introduction taper for easier assembly, along with a smooth socket and inspection section for ensuring complete assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual assembly methods are used for fastening arrangements, then flexibility in assembly process is maintained, but holding forces fluctuate and positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is designed with a self-centering mechanism where the bolt automatically centers itself within the nut during the driven assembly process. The radially elastic holding section and annular depression create a self-adjusting system that ensures precise positioning without requiring manual alignment, thereby improving both holding force consistency and positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes elastic deformation of the radially elastic holding section as a key parameter change mechanism. During assembly, the holding section deforms elastically to accommodate the bolt, then returns to its original shape to create consistent holding forces. This elastic parameter change ensures reliable fastening while maintaining positioning precision
2Ease of operation
If driven assembly is used to simplify the assembly operation, then rotational assembly is eliminated, but nut positioning accuracy and holding force consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The self-centering mechanism allows the bolt to automatically position itself within the nut during driven assembly. The radially elastic holding section and annular depression work together to ensure the bolt centers itself, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while maintaining holding force consistency throughout the assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements through the radially elastic holding section that can deform and adapt during the assembly process. This dynamic behavior allows the nut to accommodate slight variations in bolt positioning while maintaining consistent holding forces, making the driven assembly process both simple and reliable
3Ease of operation
If coarse screw threads are used on the nut for driven assembly, then assembly operation is simplified, but holding force fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. The radially elastic holding section deforms during assembly to accommodate the coarse screw threads, then returns to its original shape to create consistent holding forces. This elastic parameter change compensates for the variability introduced by coarse threads, maintaining holding force stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The elastic holding section enhances pre-assembly holding forces, ensures precise nut positioning, and increases holding forces post-assembly, while the inspection section verifies proper assembly, resulting in consistent and reliable fastening without fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a radially elastic holding section is formed between the opening and the depression
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a nut (26) for a fastening arrangement (10) for fixing an item (12) to a structural component (14), the nut (26) having an axially aligned socket (32) for a bolt (16), which can be joined to the structural component (14), and the socket (32) having an opening (34), via which the bolt (16) can be introduced into the socket (32). In the area around the opening (34) the nut (26) has at least one depression (36), which is designed so that a radially elastic holding section (38) is formed between the opening (34) and the depression (36).