Screw-Retaining Washer Structure for Reduced Thread Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw-retaining devices wear out quickly when screws are repeatedly screwed and unscrewed, leading to reduced effectiveness in maintaining secure fastening and preventing loss.
Innovation Solution
A screw-retaining device comprising a connecting element with a first end part, a second end part, and an intermediate part, along with a washer part that includes aligned washer apertures to absorb compressive forces and reduce wear, allowing the screw to be securely retained without being completely lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining aperture engages the threads of a screw to retain it, then the screw is securely held in place, but the retaining aperture and surrounding structures experience wear during repeated screwing and unscrewing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
A washer part is introduced as an intermediary element between the screw and the retaining aperture structure. The washer part absorbs compressive forces during screwing and unscrewing operations, preventing direct contact and wear between the screw and the retaining aperture. This mediator protects the retaining structure while maintaining secure screw retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer part is designed as a sacrificial, replaceable component that absorbs wear and damage during repeated operations. By making this intermediate element disposable or easily replaceable, the main retaining structure is protected from wear, extending its service life and maintaining reliability over time.
2Reliability
If a customized screw is used in a screw-retaining arrangement, then the screw can be securely retained, but it becomes difficult to find and replace the screw
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is designed to work with standard screws rather than customized ones. The washer part and retaining aperture are configured to accommodate conventional screw dimensions and thread patterns, making the system universal and compatible with readily available fasteners. This maintains secure retention while enabling easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining aperture and washer part are designed with adjustable or flexible parameters that can accommodate variations in standard screw sizes and specifications. This allows the same retaining mechanism to work with different standard screw types without requiring customized components, facilitating easy replacement and availability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the first end part is positioned in the gap of the washer part before mounting the screw, then wear is reduced and endurance is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first end part of the connecting element is integrated with the washer part structure, combining the retention function and the wear-protection function into a unified assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the wear-reduction benefits of positioning the end part in the gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer part is designed with flexible or resilient characteristics, allowing it to deform and accommodate the first end part in the gap position. This flexibility enables the wear-protection mechanism to function effectively without requiring complex rigid structures, maintaining simplicity while improving endurance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a screw-retaining device (1) comprising a connecting element (2) which in turn comprises a first end part (3), a second end part (4) and an intermediate part (5) that connects the end parts (3, 4). The first end part (3) comprises an at least mainly circumferentially running part (6) that at least partly encompasses a retaining aperture (7) that is arranged to engage the threads (9) of a screw (100), and the second end part (4) is attached to an object (8). The screw- retaining device (1) further comprises a washer part (20) with a first and second washer portion (21, 22), having a corresponding first and second washer aperture (23, 24). The washer portions (20, 22) are connected and spaced apart by a gap (26), and the washer apertures (23, 24) admit passage of a screw stem (19). The first end part (3) is arranged to be positioned in the gap (26) before a screw (100) that is intended to be retained is mounted to the screw-retaining device (1) via the retaining aperture (7) and the washer apertures (23, 24). The present disclosure also relates to a screw-retaining kit.