Segmented Nut Assembly for Bidirectional Bolt Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nut-bolt systems require significant effort to move nuts along long bolts unidirectionally, and existing solutions that allow sliding do not facilitate bidirectional movement efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A segmented nut design with a radial expansion mechanism, utilizing a ring-shaped spring and slant surface engagement between protrusions and grooves, allows bidirectional movement and easy fastening by transitioning through insertion, intermediate, and fastened states via axial movement of the inner cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a taper is employed to expand a nut to allow the nut to pass along an outer side of a bolt, then the nut can be moved unidirectionally, but the nut cannot be moved bidirectionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenut movementVSAvoidbidirectional movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nut main body is designed to dynamically change its radial dimension through expansion and contraction. The ring-shaped spring provides continuous radial outward biasing force, allowing the nut to expand when needed for passage and contract for fastening, enabling bidirectional movement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The nut main body is divided into multiple nut segments that can move relative to each other radially. This segmentation allows the nut to expand by separating segments and contract by bringing segments together, facilitating bidirectional movement along the bolt

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effortless bidirectional movement and fastening of the nut along the bolt, improving work efficiency and allowing for simple operations at construction sites by preventing interference and allowing easy screwing when needed.

Implementation Method 1

a ring-shaped spring disposed on an inner wall of the nut main body and configured to bias the nut main body to cause the nut main body to expand radially

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3816463B1nut
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 NAKAYA SEISAKUSHO CO LTD
  • EP3816463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This nut (1) comprises a nut main body (3) having a substantially cylindrical shape and constituted by a plurality of nut segments (3a), an outer cover (4), a restraining ring (5), an inner cover (6) comprising a restraining plate (6a) at one end portion of the inner cover (6) and serving to cover an outer circumference of the nut main body (3), and a ring-shaped spring (7) serving to bias the nut main body (3) to cause the nut main body (3) to expand radially. Protrusions (8) protruding in a circumferential direction are formed on an inner surface of the inner cover (6). Grooves (9) are formed on an outer surface of the nut main body. The protrusions (8) and the grooves (9) have slant surfaces (10) that contact each other on the same side in the axial direction.