One-piece self-locking nut with crush lips

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional threaded nut fastening methods require additional components and can loosen over time, especially in high vibration environments, leading to inefficiencies in time, material, and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece self-locking nut with internal threading and crush-locking lips that deform into an internal relief cut when tightened, forming a permanent lock on the bolt, eliminating the need for additional locking components and tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to looseningVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function and nut body are merged into a single integrated component. The crush-locking lips are formed as an integral part of the nut body, eliminating the need for separate locking nuts or washers while maintaining the anti-loosening function through the deformation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to looseningVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function and nut body are merged into a single integrated component. The crush-locking lips are formed as an integral part of the nut body, eliminating the need for separate locking nuts or washers while maintaining the anti-loosening function through the deformation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The crush-locking lips are designed to be deformed and discarded in terms of their original shape, transforming into a locked state that permanently secures the bolt. The material is recovered in its deformed state within the relief cut, creating a permanent lock without requiring additional materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but installation time increases due to additional manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to looseningVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function and nut body are merged into a single integrated component. The crush-locking lips are formed as an integral part of the nut body, eliminating the need for separate locking nuts or washers while maintaining the anti-loosening function through the deformation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The crush-locking lips are pre-formed with the capability to deform during installation. The internal relief cut is pre-created to accommodate the deformation, allowing the locking action to occur automatically during the tightening process without requiring separate locking steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional nuts are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loosening in vibration environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidresistance to loosening

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function and nut body are merged into a single integrated component. The crush-locking lips are formed as an integral part of the nut body, eliminating the need for separate locking nuts or washers while maintaining the anti-loosening function through the deformation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the crush-locking lips changes from undeformed to deformed during installation. The lips transition from a flexible state that allows installation to a deformed locked state that prevents loosening, utilizing plastic deformation to achieve permanent locking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 one-piece self-locking nut provides a faster, lighter, and stronger fastening solution that resists vibration and is easier to manufacture and install, offering superior strength and durability compared to conventional two-piece locking nuts.

Implementation Method 1

the crush-locking lips are forced inwardly and deform on the threaded shaft of the fastener bolt and into the space of the internal relief cut

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS9194421B2One-piece self-locking nut

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 ARNOLD PERMANENT NUT

AI summary

A one-piece, self-locking nut is formed with a threaded nut body integrally formed with crush-locking lips on a forward contact face of the nut body spaced by an internal relief cut for accommodating deformation of the crush-locking lips therein. When the nut is tightened down on an object on a fastener bolt, the crush-locking lips are forced inwardly and deformed on the threaded shaft of the fastener bolt into the space of the internal relief cut in order to form a permanent lock on the fastener bolt. The one-piece, self-locking nut can be fabricated by conventional nut manufacturing methods. In use it threads on quickly like a conventional nut and installs with conventional tools.