Reaction-End Stud Fastening for Safe High-Torque Nut Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems face challenges in safely releasing nut-type fasteners due to reaction torque, ensuring correct torque application, and preventing operator injury, particularly in industrial applications where conventional power tools can generate excessive torque and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that incorporate a threaded male member with a reaction portion at one or both ends, allowing for the application of torque to the nut and counter-torque to the reaction portion, enabling safe release and featuring an anti-rotation device to prevent premature loosening, with a locking mechanism that can withstand significant torque and provide visual indication of tightening status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional power tools are used to tighten or release nut-type fasteners, then productivity is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to excessive reaction torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reaction portion as an intermediary element between the power tool and the fastener system. This reaction portion absorbs and manages the reaction torque generated during tightening or releasing operations, preventing it from being transmitted to the operator's hand or the power tool housing, thereby maintaining both productivity and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system is segmented into distinct functional components: the nut-type fastener, the threaded male member, and the reaction portion. This segmentation allows the reaction torque to be isolated and managed by the dedicated reaction portion, separating the harmful torque effect from the operator and power tool
2Reliability
If high torque is applied to tighten fasteners, then fastening reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for torque management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction portion is designed to automatically engage and manage reaction torque during the tightening process. The system is self-sufficient in handling torque management without requiring external monitoring devices or complex control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable fastening
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction portion serves multiple functions: it provides torque reaction management, prevents fastener rotation during tightening, and ensures proper torque transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, keeping the device simple while achieving reliable fastening
3Reliability
If anti-rotation device is added to prevent premature loosening, then fastening reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation functionality is merged with the existing reaction portion and fastener structure. The reaction portion itself is configured to prevent rotation, and the locking mechanism is integrated into the same component rather than being a separate addition, thereby achieving anti-loosening capability without significantly increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for providing a threaded male member for a fastening arrangement are disclosed. The threaded male member can include at least one reaction portion at or towards at least one respective end of the threaded male member for use in reacting applied torque during tightening or releasing an associated nut of the fastening arrangement. The at least one reaction portion can be a permanent feature of the threaded male member and can remain part of the threaded male member after said tightening to a target torque.