Pliable Universal Nut for Multi-Fastener Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of nuts and mating fasteners requires specific matching diameters and thread pitches, making it difficult and costly to find replacements when nuts become damaged or lost, leading to increased time and effort in repairing fastening assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A universal hardware nut made from a pliable material with slots or a sized hole that allows it to accommodate fasteners of different sizes and shapes, enabling elastic deformation to match various fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specific nut is designed to match a particular fastener's diameter and thread pitch, then the fastening assembly functions properly, but the complexity of inventory management increases and replacement time increases when nuts are damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single nut body with a through-hole that can accommodate multiple different fasteners (bolts, screws, rivets) of varying diameters and thread pitches. The through-hole configuration allows the nut to function with various fastener types without requiring separate nuts for each fastener specification, thereby reducing inventory complexity while maintaining proper fastening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the nut's internal geometry through the through-hole design, which allows adjustment and adaptation to different fastener parameters (diameter, thread pitch). This geometric flexibility enables the same nut body to accommodate varying fastener specifications without compromising the fastening assembly's reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple specific nuts are maintained for different fastener types, then each fastening assembly can be properly maintained, but the time and expense to acquire specific replacement nuts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal nut design eliminates the need to search for and acquire specific replacement nuts for different fastener types. A single universal nut can replace any damaged or lost nut in the system, regardless of the fastener type, thereby reducing both the time and expense associated with acquiring replacements while ensuring reliability is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of multiple specific nuts into a single universal nut design. By combining the capabilities of various nuts with different internal geometries into one adaptable nut with a through-hole configuration, the system reduces the number of replacement parts needed while maintaining the ability to properly maintain all fastening assemblies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal nut design is used to work with various fasteners, then the adaptability increases and replacement cost decreases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole geometry is designed with specific dimensional parameters and tolerances that enable it to accommodate multiple fastener types. The manufacturing precision is focused on creating a through-hole with appropriate clearance and alignment features that allow adaptation to various fastener diameters and thread pitches without requiring excessive precision across all dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating manufacturing precision requirements on specific critical features of the through-hole (such as alignment and clearance zones) rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire nut geometry. This allows the universal nut to achieve adaptability while maintaining feasible manufacturing tolerances.
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
Enables the use of a single nut with multiple fasteners, reducing replacement costs and time, and ensuring permanent or semi-permanent joining of parts without the need for specific nut-fastener combinations.
Implementation Method 1
enabling elastic deformation to match various fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
A universal hardware nut that may be adaptable for use with various mating fasteners (e.g., bolts and screws). In one embodiment, the universal hardware nut comprises a nut body, wherein the nut body is manufactured from a pliable material; and one or more slots, wherein the one or more slots allow the nut body to accept fasteners of different sizes and shapes. In alternate embodiments, the universal hardware nut may comprise a sized hole instead of the one or more slots, or may comprise a combination of a sized hole and one or more slots.