Deflectable Ratchet Lock Fastener for Vibration-Resistant Tightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastener mechanisms and adhesive materials are not suitable for high-temperature environments or extreme vibration, and require costly and time-consuming custom manufacturing processes to prevent fastener loosening over time.
Innovation Solution
A fastener assembly with a threaded member, a first lock member featuring axially-extending ratchet teeth, and a second lock member with spring fingers that can be positioned to engage or disengage from the ratchet teeth, allowing for quick and cost-effective assembly using stamping processes, providing a locking mechanism that resists vibration and temperature extremes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fastener mechanisms or adhesive materials are used to prevent loosening, then fastener elements can be secured, but they are not suitable for high temperature environments or extreme vibration conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a first lock member with ratchet teeth that provides the locking function, and a second lock member with spring fingers that provides the unlocking function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables the mechanism to operate reliably in harsh environments where conventional unified fastening methods fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring fingers are designed to be deflectable, allowing them to dynamically engage with and disengage from the ratchet teeth. This dynamic capability enables the fastener to maintain secure locking under vibration and temperature extremes while still allowing for controlled unlocking when needed, significantly improving environmental adaptability.
2Reliability
If conventional fastener mechanisms or accessories are used to prevent loosening, then fastener elements can be secured, but the manufacturing time and cost increase due to custom or specialized processes
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the interaction between the spring fingers and ratchet teeth. The spring fingers automatically engage the ratchet teeth when the fastener is tightened, providing locking without requiring additional manual intervention or specialized assembly processes, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical locking systems or adhesive applications with a simpler spring-ratchet mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for custom manufacturing processes while maintaining reliable fastener security, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism with spring fingers and ratchet teeth is used, then fastener security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second lock members are designed to work together as an integrated locking system where the spring fingers of the second lock member engage with the ratchet teeth of the first lock member. This merging of components creates a unified locking mechanism that provides enhanced security without requiring separate complex systems, thereby managing device complexity effectively.
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 fastener loosening in harsh conditions while reducing manufacturing time and costs, offering quick installation and removal, and maintaining secure tightness even under vibration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring finger extending axially from the base portion. The at least one spring finger has a proximal end joined to the base portion and a free end opposite the proximal end
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly includes a threaded member including a threaded body portion and a head portion. The fastener assembly also includes a first lock member including a plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and defining an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is sized to receive the threaded body portion. The fastener assembly further includes a second lock member including a base portion configured to couple to the threaded member for rotation therewith and at least one spring finger extending axially from the base portion. The at least one spring finger has a proximal end joined to the base portion and a free end opposite the proximal end. The second lock member has a lock position in which the free end of the at least one spring finger is configured to engage the plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and an unlock position in which the free end of the at least one spring finger is spaced from the plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth.