Security Plug Retention for In-Place Fastener Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security measures for nuts and bolts require either a special new bolt or the removal and reinsertion of the bolt to mount a security cap, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A security plug designed to be attached to a bolt or nut in situ, featuring a complementary outer surface, retaining members, and engagement surfaces for a removal tool, allowing forces to be applied to withdraw the plug from the socket without removing the bolt, using mechanical or magnetic engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a security cap is mounted on a bolt, then security against unauthorized loosening is improved, but the bolt must be removed and reinserted which increases loss of time and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The security plug is pre-formed with an outer surface complementary to the female socket, allowing it to be inserted directly into the socket on the installed bolt without removing the bolt. The retaining members are pre-configured to engage with the socket, providing immediate security upon insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The security plug is designed to be nested within the female socket of the bolt, with the plug's outer surface fitting complementarily into the socket's internal geometry. This nested configuration allows the security device to be housed within the existing bolt structure without adding external bulk or requiring bolt removal.
2Reliability
If a security cap is mounted on a bolt, then security against unauthorized loosening is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to requiring special bolts or security caps
Solution Approach 1:
The security plug is designed with universal applicability to fit female sockets on standard bolts and nuts. The plug's outer surface is complementary to the female socket geometry, allowing it to adapt to various standard fastener types without requiring specialized bolts or complex security cap assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The security function is extracted from the bolt itself and embodied in a separate, standalone plug component. This allows the security feature to be added to standard bolts without modifying the bolt design, simplifying both the bolt and the security device while maintaining security functionality.
3Reliability
If retaining members are added to secure the plug, then reliability of plug retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining members are designed to automatically engage with the female socket upon insertion of the plug. The retention mechanism is self-actuating, using the insertion motion itself to trigger the engaging of retaining members with the socket, eliminating the need for separate manual engagement steps or complex actuation 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
Enables secure attachment and removal of the plug without disassembling the bolt, preventing unauthorized loosening while allowing for direct tightening or loosening of the bolt without interference.
Implementation Method 1
The engagement of the first and second surfaces may be a mechanical engagement or may be a magnetic engagement.
Implementation Method 2
The engagement of the first and second surfaces may be a mechanical engagement or may be a magnetic engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A security plug (10) adapted to be inserted into the female socket (18) of a fastener (20) to prevent a tool, such as an Allen key, engaging in the female socket. The plug (10) has an outer surface (22) complementary to the female socket (18) and a retaining member (14) that retains the plug (10) in the female socket (18), and at least one removal portion (26, 70) adapted to be engaged by a second tool (100), whereby engagement of the second tool (100) and the plug (10) allows forces applied by the second tool (100) to the plug (10) to withdraw the plug from the female socket against the action of the retaining member. The second tool and the removal portion (26, 70) may have complementary self-holding tapers and the retaining member (14) may be a magnet or one or more biased members that engage side walls(s) of the female socket.