Pawl Nut Securing Ring for Tool-Free Shaft Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing mechanisms for shafts, such as caulking nuts and castle nuts, are complex to assemble and require special tools, can lead to material deformation and corrosion, and do not allow for easy adjustment or reuse, posing safety risks and increasing axial play under changing loads.
Innovation Solution
A pawl nut with a securing element that is twisted in one direction to secure the topper element on the shaft, featuring elastically deformable pawl indentations and a securing ring that self-locks in the tightening direction and prevents loosening, allowing for easy assembly and manual operation without special tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic deformation is used to secure the caulking nut or securing element, then the connection becomes form-fit and non-rotatable, but the process becomes complex requiring special tools and manual work
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl nut automatically engages with the shaft recess through its own rotational movement without requiring external deformation tools or manual intervention. The pawl indentations self-lock into the recess during normal tightening, eliminating the need for special securing tools and manual work steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex plastic deformation mechanism with a simpler mechanical engagement system using pawl indentations that lock into the shaft recess through geometric interlocking, eliminating the need for deformation tools and complex fastening processes.
2Reliability
If plastic deformation is used to secure the caulking nut, then the connection becomes form-fit, but the caulking nut can only be loosened with great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is segmented into distinct pawl indentations that can be independently engaged and disengaged. This allows the nut to be securely locked during operation but easily released by applying torque in the loosening direction, which causes the pawls to disengage from the recess.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using deformation to create a one-way lock that is difficult to reverse, the invention uses reversible geometric engagement where the pawl indentations can easily transition from locked to unlocked state by reversing the rotation direction, enabling simple loosening.
3Reliability
If plastic deformation is used to secure the caulking nut, then the connection becomes form-fit, but material weakening can lead to corrosion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the plastic deformation mechanism with a geometric interlocking system using pawl indentations. This eliminates material weakening and associated corrosion risks while maintaining secure connection, as the engagement is based on shape complementarity rather than material deformation.
4Reliability
If a castle nut with cotter pin is used, then the nut can be secured on the shaft, but the assembly is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl nut automatically secures itself to the shaft through its rotational engagement with the recess, eliminating the need for separate cotter pin insertion steps and manual securing operations, thereby significantly increasing assembly speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the separate cotter pin component and its associated installation steps, integrating the securing function directly into the nut structure through the pawl indentation mechanism, thus simplifying the assembly process and improving productivity.
5Reliability
If the securing element secures the nut in both tightening and loosening directions, then the connection is secure, but the nut cannot be readjusted after fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl indentations are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides strong engagement in the tightening direction while allowing easy disengagement in the loosening direction. This asymmetric design enables the nut to be securely fastened during operation but easily readjusted or removed when needed, providing both reliability and adaptability.
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 pawl nut provides a simple, secure, and safe assembly process with self-locking functionality, preventing unintentional loosening and reducing the risk of damage, while allowing for easy manual operation and adjustment, thus enhancing operational safety and reducing the need for complex tools.
Implementation Method 1
the securing element being formed as a securing ring which is open in the circumferential direction and is elastically deformable
Implementation Method 2
the pawl nut being twisted in one direction along the tightening direction in relation to the securing element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pawl nut (10) having a securing element (18) for axially securing a topper element (12) of a shaft (14), in particular a bearing of a gear shaft or a wheel shaft of a Cardan shaft, the pawl nut (10) being screwed on a, in particular frontal, thread-shaft section (16) of the shaft (14) in a tightening direction (D1) in order to axially brace the topper element (12) on the shaft (14) along a screwing axis (S) in the mounted state, the securing element (18) having an engagement section (22) which engages in a recess (24) of the shaft (14) and holds the pawl nut (10) along a loosening direction (D2) in the mounted state. In this context, the pawl nut (10) mounts the securing element (18) along the screwing axis (S), the pawl nut (10) being twisted on one side along the tightening direction (D1) in relation to the securing element (18).