Push-On Fastener With Non-Helical Teeth for Vibration Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nut-and-bolt fasteners require rotational force and specific tools for assembly, can loosen due to vibration, and necessitate stocking various lengths, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A fastener system featuring a bolt with non-helical teeth and a nut with corresponding ridges that allow unidirectional movement, eliminating the need for rotational force and specific tools, and providing secure locking without the risk of loosening due to vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional nut-and-bolt fasteners use helical threads, then rotational movement can convert to linear movement, but rotational force and specific tools are required for assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly operationVSAvoidtool requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helical thread is segmented into discrete non-helical teeth on the bolt and corresponding ridges on the nut. These segmented features engage sequentially during linear movement, eliminating the need for rotational force and specialized tools while maintaining the conversion from linear to linear movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using rotational movement to produce linear movement (conventional threading), the invention inverts the approach by using linear movement directly to engage the fastener components. The non-helical teeth and ridges are configured so that linear motion of the nut along the bolt shaft directly engages the locking features without requiring rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If conventional fasteners use friction and elastic deformation to hold components together, then the fastener can be assembled with rotational force, but the fastener may loosen due to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener securityVSAvoidvibration-induced loosening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The non-helical teeth and ridges are pre-configured to engage in a manner that prevents backward motion before vibration can cause loosening. The geometry of the teeth and ridges creates mechanical interference that actively resists the loosening force generated by vibration, rather than relying on friction alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration that would normally cause loosening is countered by the interlocking geometry of the teeth and ridges, which converts the vibrational energy into sequential engagement of the non-helical features. The rigid mechanical engagement transforms potentially harmful vibration into beneficial repeated engagement of the locking features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different lengths of bolts are stocked for different applications, then the appropriate length can be selected, but inventory complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication suitabilityVSAvoidinventory variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener system maintains adaptability to different applications by allowing variation in the length parameter of the bolt shaft and nut combination. Instead of stocking multiple specialized fasteners, the system uses a standardized non-helical tooth and ridge configuration that can be applied across different length variations, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining application suitability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If rotational force is applied to tighten the nut and bolt, then the fastener can be secured, but over-torquing and under-torquing can create problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener tightnessVSAvoidtorque control

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational mechanical system (nut and bolt threads requiring torque application) is replaced with a linear mechanical system where the nut moves directly along the bolt shaft. The non-helical teeth and ridges engage through linear motion, eliminating the torque control problem entirely by substituting the rotational mechanics with linear mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11867220B2Fastener

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 SENTIENT DESIGN INC

AI summary

A nut-and-bolt fastener is provided. The nut and bolt are configured with a plurality of interlocking teeth that provide unidirectional travel of the nut with respect to the bolt. In particular, the configuration of the teeth arrest separation of the nut from the bolt while permitting the nut to move toward the head of the bolt into a fastened engagement. The teeth are non-helical and arranged concentrically around the longitudinal axis in evenly-spaced steps or segments along the longitudinal axis and around the shaft of the bolt and bore of the nut. Integral winged washers are provided on the bolt head as well as on the nut. Variations with different rake angles of the teeth as well as an expandable nut are also provided.