Sealed Nut Cap Assembly for Blind-Mate Fastener Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical connector systems face challenges in securely attaching internal and external components, particularly when components are difficult to access, leading to misalignment and fluid leakage issues due to complex assembly steps and separate sealing structures.
Innovation Solution
A nut cap assembly with a seal cap and shroud that includes a mounting flange, seal groove, and anti-rotation features, allowing for blind mating and secure attachment of internal and external components with a single assembler, while preventing fluid leakage through a sealed interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nut plates are used to hold nuts in place for connection with bolts from the other side of the component, then the attachment function is achieved, but the parts are difficult to locate and the nuts may be misaligned leading to difficulties or improper attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nut plate, seal, and mounting flange into a single integrated seal cap assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing structures and reduces the number of assembly steps, directly resolving the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through the mounting flange, creates sealed interfaces through the seal groove, and houses the nut for fastener connection. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Reliability
If separate sealing structures are used to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing function is achieved, but additional assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is integrated into the seal cap structure through the seal groove, eliminating the need for separate sealing structures. This merging maintains sealing reliability while reducing assembly complexity by removing the need for additional sealing components and their associated assembly steps.
3Productivity
If traditional nut and bolt connection methods are used, then the connection function is achieved, but misalignment and improper attachment occur due to difficult access to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is pre-positioned within the seal cap structure in a predetermined location, ensuring proper alignment before the fastener is inserted. This preliminary positioning action eliminates misalignment issues that occur with traditional methods where the nut must be manually positioned in difficult-to-access areas, thereby improving both assembly speed and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal cap acts as an intermediary structure that houses and positions the nut, providing a stable reference frame that ensures proper alignment. This intermediary structure eliminates the difficulty of directly positioning nuts in hard-to-reach areas, improving both assembly speed and alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A nut cap assembly for securing an internal component to an external component includes a seal cap having a base and a shroud extending from the base. The base includes a mounting flange configured to be mounted to the internal component. The base includes an opening at a mounting end of the base configured to be mounted to the internal component. The base includes a seal groove surrounding the opening configured to receive a seal. The seal groove is open at the mounting end to interface the seal with the internal component. The shroud includes a nut pocket has a cap anti-rotation feature. The nut cap assembly includes a nut received in the nut pocket. The nut includes a threaded bore configured to threadably receive a threaded fastener used to secure the internal component to the external component. The nut includes a nut anti-rotation feature interfacing with the cap anti-rotation feature.