Self-Aligning Mechanical Fastener for Automated Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated systems face challenges in achieving accurate mechanical alignment for mechanical fasteners, requiring expensive and complex optical devices and struggling with managing multiple loose components.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning mechanical fastener system comprising an active apparatus with a motor-driven shaft and a passive apparatus with a tapered alignment guide, allowing for automatic alignment and secure locking without the need for manual intervention or complex optical guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical fasteners are used in automated systems, then mechanical security is achieved, but alignment complexity and cost increase due to requiring expensive optical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system performs alignment automatically through its own structural features. The tapered alignment guide on the shaft and the corresponding tapered bore in the fastener body enable self-alignment during insertion, eliminating the need for external optical alignment devices. The system serves its own alignment needs through its geometry rather than requiring separate alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered alignment guide acts as an intermediary element between the shaft and the fastener body. This intermediate feature facilitates the transition from misaligned to aligned states by providing a gradual engagement surface that guides the fastener into proper position during insertion.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment is used for mechanical fasteners, then alignment accuracy is achieved, but automation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system performs alignment automatically through its own structural features. The tapered alignment guide on the shaft and the corresponding tapered bore in the fastener body enable self-alignment during insertion, eliminating the need for external optical alignment devices. The system serves its own alignment needs through its geometry rather than requiring separate alignment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple loose components are managed in robotic systems, then fastening functionality is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple previously separate components into an integrated fastener system. The shaft, alignment guide, locking mechanism, and fastener body are merged into a single coordinated assembly that performs multiple functions (alignment, fastening, and locking) without requiring separate loose components to be managed by the robotic system.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-aligning mechanical fastener includes an active apparatus and a passive apparatus and is configured to have locked and unlocked states. The active apparatus includes a motor that drives a shaft in first direction to advance a plunger towards the passive apparatus to transition the fastener to the locked state. The plunger includes a tapered distal end that mechanically engages a locking body. The locking body is moved laterally by the tapered distal end to apply a force to a locking frame that is located in a slot defined in a housing of the passive apparatus. The force causes the mechanical fastener to be locked. To unlock the mechanical fastener, the motor drives the shaft in a second direction to retract the plunger away from the passive apparatus.