Segmented Washer for Threaded Connector Bolt Load Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tightening and loosening threaded connectors, such as flanges, face challenges in achieving a consistent bolt load due to unknown friction and bolt relaxation, which are influenced by various variables like cleanliness, smoothness, and perpendicularity of the joint faces.
Innovation Solution
A washer design that includes a radially outer body and an optional radially inner segment with a spacer, allowing for different configurations to control bolt elongation and relaxation, functioning as a reaction washer, tension washer, or high precision washer, depending on the application, to absorb reaction forces and control axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If torque is used for tightening or loosening threaded connectors, then the tightening process is simple, but the bolt load is inconsistent due to unknown friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a washer as an intermediary component between the nut and the joint face. This washer provides a controlled, known friction interface that mediates the relationship between applied torque and resulting bolt load, eliminating the uncertainty caused by variable friction on the joint face itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter from an unknown variable (joint face friction) to a known, controlled parameter (washer friction). By standardizing the friction interface through the washer design, the relationship between torque and bolt load becomes predictable and consistent.
2Manufacturing precision
If tension is used for tightening or loosening threaded connectors, then the bolt load can be controlled, but the process is complex due to unknown bolt relaxation
Solution Approach 1:
The washer acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for complex tension-based tightening processes. By providing a controlled friction interface, the washer allows simple torque-based tightening to achieve the same level of bolt load control that would otherwise require complex tension monitoring and control systems.
3Productivity
If the joint face is not perfectly clean, smooth, and perpendicular, then the assembly process is faster, but the bolt relaxation is unknown leading to inconsistent bolt loads
Solution Approach 1:
The washer serves as a mediator that isolates the bolt-nut system from the condition of the joint face. By transferring the friction interface from the joint face to the washer, the system becomes insensitive to joint face cleanliness, smoothness, and perpendicularity, allowing fast assembly without compromising bolt load consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the friction interface from the joint face by introducing a separate washer component. This segmentation allows the joint face conditions to be independent of the friction characteristics, enabling the joint face to be simple (for fast assembly) while the washer provides the precise friction control needed for consistent bolt loads.
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 consistent and precise bolt elongation and load control by absorbing reaction forces and limiting axial movement, ensuring accurate bolt loads even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a radially outer surface adapted to absorb a reaction force of a tool
Implementation Method 2
when the tool applies a turning force to the nut and an equal but opposite reaction force to the radially outer body
Implementation Method 3
a radially inner segment engageable with a thread of the bolt and connectable to the outer body with a limited axial frictional movement relative to the body
Implementation Method 4
connectable to the outer body with a limited axial frictional movement relative to the body
Data Source
AI summary
A washer for tightening and loosening threaded connectors includes an outer body having a radially inner opening larger than a diameter of a bolt and a radially outer surface adapted to absorb a reaction force of the bolt; and optionally a radially inner segment, and a spacer locatable between the radially inner segment and the nut, so that when only the radially outer body is interposed between the nut and the object for regular applications the washer functions as a reaction washer, when the radially outer body and the radially inner segment are interposed together between the nut and the object for applications when even and accurate bolt elongation is necessary the washer functions as a tension washer, and when the radially outer body, the radially inner segment, and the spacer are interposed between the nut and the object for applications when a precise bolt elongation is needed and a bolt elongation must be controlled the washer functions as a high precision washer.