Rotating Nut Bracket for Confined Space Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing bolt and nut connections face challenges such as the risk of dropping the bolt or nut, especially in limited spaces, and require additional temporary holding members for secure attachment, which complicates the process and increases the risk of errors.

Innovation Solution

A bracket with an integrated rotatable nut element that is securely retained within the bracket portion, allowing for rotation to tighten the connection without additional holding members, ensuring the nut is not lost and facilitating attachment in confined spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate holding member is used to prevent the bolt from falling out, then the bolt is secured in position, but the device complexity increases and an extra operational step is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of bolt droppingVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding member is merged with the bracket to form an integrated structure. The bracket now includes both the support function and the holding function in a single component, eliminating the need for separate holding members and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the prevention of bolt dropping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a temporary holding member is used to secure the bolt, then the bolt position is maintained, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need to remove the holding member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt position stabilityVSAvoidnumber of operational steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is permanently integrated into the bracket structure, eliminating the temporary nature of separate holding members. The bracket now provides continuous bolt retention without requiring installation or removal of separate components, streamlining the operational process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the nut is held in a fixed position by the anchor plate, then the nut will not be dropped, but there is not enough room to grip the bolt for screwing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of nut droppingVSAvoidaccessibility for bolt tightening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is segmented into distinct functional zones: a support surface for holding the nut in position, and a separate access region that provides sufficient space for gripping and tightening the bolt. This spatial segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If a bolt and nut connection is used to connect objects, then the attachment strength is achieved, but the risk of forgetting components increases due to tracking multiple parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcomponent tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket integrates multiple functions (support, holding, positioning) into a single component that remains attached to one of the objects being connected. This reduces the number of separate components that need to be tracked and assembled, while maintaining the structural strength of the bolt and nut connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2918456B1A bracket and a fastening arrangement
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP2918456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2918456B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2918456B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a bracket (2, 2') comprising a bracket portion (4, 4') and a nut element (6, 6'), the nut element comprising threads (8). The bracket portion comprises an attachment member (12) adapted for attachment of a first object (10) to the bracket portion. The nut element is integrated into the bracket, such that the nut element is retained in the bracket portion and is rotatable around a rotational axis (A1) in relation to the bracket portion. The disclosure further relates to a seat belt arrangement, a fastening arrangement (24), a safety arrangement, a vehicle, a use of the fastening arrangement and a method for attaching the first object (10) to a second object (26) by means of the fastening arrangement.