Segmented Nut Structure for Anti-Loosening Bolt Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nuts that engage with bolts require a minute clearance, leading to loosening and necessitate the use of multiple nuts, which are labor-intensive and increase bolt length, requiring more space.
Innovation Solution
A nut design featuring multiple segments with sloped and sliding portions that allow the segments to expand radially, ensuring close contact with the bolt thread, and a movement restricting mechanism to prevent loosening, using a single nut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single nut is used with conventional design, then the structure is simple, but minute clearance between screw threads causes loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is divided into multiple segments (first nut segment, second nut segment, third nut segment) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each segment to adjust and eliminate clearance with the bolt threads independently, preventing loosening while maintaining engagement stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut segments are designed with movable connections allowing dynamic adjustment during tightening. The segments can shift position to eliminate clearance between the nut's female screw portion and the bolt's male screw portion, then lock in place to prevent loosening, providing both initial engagement and ongoing stability.
2Reliability
If multiple nuts are used to prevent loosening, then engagement stability is improved, but labor intensity increases due to multiple tightening operations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nut segments are merged into a single integrated nut structure that performs the function of multiple nuts. The first, second, and third nut segments work together within one nut body, eliminating the need for separate tightening operations while achieving the same loosening prevention effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut segments automatically adjust their positions relative to each other during a single tightening operation. The movable connections allow the segments to self-align and eliminate clearance without requiring separate adjustment steps, making the system self-servicing during the tightening process.
3Reliability
If multiple nuts are stacked to prevent loosening, then engagement stability is improved, but the bolt length and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nut segments are nested within a single nut body structure. The first, second, and third nut segments are housed within the same external envelope as a conventional single nut, maintaining the same overall dimensions while providing multi-segment engagement functionality that prevents loosening without increasing bolt length.
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 design ensures secure engagement and prevents loosening by maintaining close contact between the nut segments and bolt threads, reducing labor intensity and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding portion that continues from a lower end portion of the outer circumferential portion, is formed at substantially a same angle as the sloped portion, and slides over the sloped portion when a bolt is inserted
Data Source
AI summary
A nut is configured by: a nut main body that has a plurality of nut segment housing portions; a plurality of nut segments that each have a female screw portion formed on an inner side thereof and are respectively housed in the plurality of nut segment housing portions; and a holding means for holding the plurality of nut segments so as not to fall from the nut segment housing portions.