Circumferential Ring-Gear Locking for Constant Battery Bolt Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-loosening structures, such as multi-tooth and pin-groove designs, fail to maintain a constant pre-tightening force due to limited engagement positions, leading to potential loosening of threaded connections, especially in battery securing devices where space constraints are a concern.
Innovation Solution
A circumferential locking mechanism comprising an inner ring gear with inner straight teeth and an outer ring gear with outer straight teeth, where the teeth are easily machined from engineering plastic and the tightening sleeve is made of metal, allowing for a high number of engagement points and maintaining constant torque through an integrally overmolded structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-tooth or pin-groove anti-loosening structures are used, then locking and positioning function is provided, but the number of engaged teeth or grooves is limited due to structural size constraints, so constant torque cannot be sufficiently maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple fine-pitch teeth distributed around the circumference of the ring gear. Instead of using a few large engagement points, the circumference is divided into many small teeth that can engage sequentially, providing continuous torque maintenance throughout the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from discrete pin-groove engagement in one dimension to continuous circumferential tooth engagement around the entire perimeter. By distributing engagement points around the full 360 degrees of the ring gear circumference, the system achieves constant torque maintenance through multiple simultaneous engagement points.
2Ease of manufacture
If engineering plastic is used for ring gears, then machining ease is achieved, but durability may be compromised; if metal is used, then durability is improved, but machining complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite construction where the ring gear is made of engineering plastic for ease of machining and complex tooth geometry fabrication, while the locking member is made of metal for durability and strength. This composite material approach allows each component to be made from the material best suited for its specific functional requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a circumferential locking mechanism, a battery securing device comprising same, a traction battery, and a vehicle. The circumferential locking mechanism comprises: a first component comprising an inner ring gear (10), the inner ring gear (10) having inner straight teeth (11) distributed along an inner circumference; a second component comprising an outer ring gear (20) and a tightening sleeve (30), the outer ring gear (20) having outer straight teeth (21) distributed along an outer circumference, the tightening sleeve (30) being fixed inside the outer ring gear (20) in an embedded manner, wherein the inner straight teeth (11) are adapted to engage with the outer straight teeth (21).