Presettable Locknut With Pivoting Segment for Vibration Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bolts and nuts in machinery and vehicle applications often loosen due to vibration and thermal expansion, leading to safety risks and equipment failure, and existing locknuts are costly, large, and unsuitable for corrosive or high-temperature environments, with limited adjustability and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A metal locknut with a slot for a shim and a pivoting ring segment or set screw mechanism that provides adjustable locking force, allowing for secure fastening without additional tools and suitable for various environments, including high-temperature and corrosive conditions, while maintaining the same size as conventional nuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-locking nuts are used, then the cost is low and the size is small, but the nuts loosen due to vibration and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The ring segment is designed to pivot dynamically in response to vibration and thermal expansion forces. The pivotable connection allows the ring segment to rotate relative to the nut body, creating a mechanical response that maintains locking force under varying operational conditions, thereby preventing loosening without requiring excessive initial tightening force.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction connection between the ring segment and bolt is designed to adjust its locking parameters in response to external forces. As vibration or thermal expansion occurs, the pivotable ring segment changes its angular position, dynamically adjusting the frictional locking force to maintain secure fastening throughout the operational range.
2Reliability
If prior art locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then the locking force is sufficient, but the size is larger than conventional nuts and they cannot be used in corrosive or high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The locknut is constructed from metal materials that provide both the necessary mechanical strength for reliable locking and chemical resistance for use in corrosive environments. The metallic construction throughout, including the ring segment and all components, eliminates the limitations of plastic or polymer parts while maintaining adequate locking force through the friction-based mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivotable ring segment mechanism provides sufficient locking force through friction without requiring the increased size of traditional locknuts. The mechanical advantage is achieved through the angular movement and friction connection rather than through increased component dimensions, allowing standard nut sizes to be used.
3Reliability
If prior art locknuts are used, then the locking force can be increased for high vibrational installations, but the cost is substantially greater than conventional nuts
Solution Approach 1:
The locknut is divided into functional segments: the nut body with threaded opening and the separate pivotable ring segment. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of each component using standard metalworking processes, reducing overall manufacturing cost compared to complex integrated locknut designs while maintaining effective locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring segment creates its own locking action through friction against the bolt threads as it pivots, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms, washers, or specialized components. This self-generating friction lock reduces part count and manufacturing complexity, thereby reducing cost while providing reliable vibration resistance.
4Ease of operation
If prior art locknuts are used, then some locknuts can be removed and reinstalled, but many include non-metallic parts that cannot be used in corrosive or high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The entire locknut assembly, including the ring segment, is constructed from metal materials that provide both mechanical reusability and environmental resistance. The metallic construction throughout eliminates the corrosion and high-temperature limitations of plastic or polymer components while maintaining the pivotable friction-based locking mechanism for repeated installation and removal.
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 solution effectively prevents unauthorized loosening of nuts due to vibration, is cost-effective, and allows for easy installation and removal, ensuring safety and reliability in diverse operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
As the bolt is threaded into the locknut the ring segment will produce a frictional connection between the bolt and the locknut which prevents unauthorized loosening of the locknut due to vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A locknut which uses a pivotable segment mounted within the locknut body to slightly deflect producing an increased friction (locking force) between the locknut body and bolt which is threaded into the locknut body. This locking force is preset at the construction of the locknut to assume a lower amount of force or a higher amount of force according to the desires of the customer purchasing the locknut. The amount of force could be adjustable by using a set screw.