Securing Element for Thin-Shaft Screw with Elastic Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems fail to securely prevent unintentional loosening of thin-shaft screws and effectively seal against media ingress, particularly in hygienic areas like food processing, where metal components are inadequate for preventing media penetration.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system incorporating a sealing element attached to the securing element body, which is designed to secure the thin-shaft screw against unintentional loosening and seal the gap between machine elements using elastic materials like EPDM or PTFE, ensuring a reliable seal even under temperature or pressure fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal securing elements are used to secure thin-shaft screws, then the screw is secured against unintentional loosening, but the securing element is inadequate for preventing media penetration in hygienic areas
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element combines metal components (securing element body, retaining element) with a non-metallic sealing element made of elastomeric material. This composite structure allows the metal parts to provide mechanical retention while the elastomeric sealing element prevents media penetration, resolving the contradiction between screw security and media ingress prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing element is added to the securing element, then media ingress is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is integrated directly onto the securing element body, merging the sealing function with the existing securing structure. The retaining element and sealing element work together as a unified system, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining media ingress prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing element protrudes beyond the securing element body, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element protrudes locally only where needed for effective sealing contact with the counterbore surface, rather than extending uniformly in all directions. This localized protrusion minimizes the installation space requirement while maintaining sufficient sealing effectiveness at the critical interface.
4Reliability
If the retaining element is made of elastic material, then the screw is secured against unintentional loosening, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic retaining element utilizes material parameter changes (elastic deformation) to achieve screw retention. The element is designed to deform elastically under assembly load and maintain a constant retaining force over a range of positions, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing precision variations compared to rigid retaining mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively secures the thin-shaft screw against unintentional loosening and prevents media ingress, making it suitable for hygienic environments by utilizing elastic materials that maintain a tight seal under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element is made of elastic material
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a securing element (1) for a screw (2) having a reduced shank, comprising a securing element member (3) that includes a through-hole (4) with which a retaining element (5) is associated; the retaining element (5) is designed to prevent the screw (2) having a reduced shank from accidentally coming loose, at least one sealing element (6) being associated with the securing element member (3).