Heavy-Duty Shackle Bolt Recess Design for Two-Sided Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty shackles pose challenges in inserting the bolt due to their size and weight, and existing anti-rotation mechanisms hinder the secure placement of lock nuts, especially when the bolt must be inserted from one side or when the threaded section is only accessible from one side.
Innovation Solution
A heavy-duty shackle design featuring a raised nut support surface and anti-rotation means with recesses on the end sections allows for bolt insertion from either side and secure locking without hindrance, utilizing non-circular bolt heads and flat support surfaces for the lock nut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a non-circular bolt head with stop elements is used to prevent rotation, then the bolt head cannot rotate during tightening, but the lock nut cannot be placed on that side due to interference from the stop elements
Solution Approach 1:
The end section is divided into two distinct functional zones: an anti-rotation means with stop elements for preventing bolt head rotation, and a separate nut support surface for receiving the lock nut. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interference, as the nut support surface is positioned radially outward from the stop elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by creating an elevated nut support surface that extends radially outward from the anti-rotation means. This vertical and radial dimensionality change allows the lock nut to be placed without interfering with the stop elements in the horizontal plane.
2Ease of operation
If the shackle is turned 180° to allow bolt insertion from the correct side, then the threaded section becomes accessible, but the process becomes time-consuming due to the size and weight of the heavy-duty shackle
Solution Approach 1:
The end sections are designed with asymmetric features including non-circular bolt heads for anti-rotation, and specifically positioned nut support surfaces that are radially outward from the stop elements. This asymmetric design allows the bolt to be inserted from either side while maintaining proper orientation, eliminating the need for 180° repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Each end section is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate bolt insertion from either side of the shackle. The anti-rotation means and nut support surface are configured so that regardless of which side the bolt is inserted from, the head will properly engage the anti-rotation features and the nut can be placed on the elevated support surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stop elements project from the outside of the shackle body to prevent rotation, then the bolt head is secured against rotation, but the lock nut placement is hampered by the protruding stop elements
Solution Approach 1:
The end section is segmented into distinct functional zones: the anti-rotation means with stop elements and the separate nut support surface. This segmentation eliminates interference between the stop elements and lock nut by positioning them in different radial locations on the end section.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut support surface acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the anti-rotation means and the lock nut. By providing a dedicated elevated surface for nut placement that is radially outward from the stop elements, it facilitates proper nut seating without the stop elements interfering with the placement process.
Data Source
AI summary
A heavy-duty shackle has a shackle body with two opposing end sections, each of which having a through-opening for receiving a bolt, which has a threaded section for a locknut at one end and a head at the other end, the head outer edge being non-circular. The through-openings are each surrounded by at least one nut bearing face, which is raised relative to a bearing face, directly surrounding the through-openings, for the head. An anti-rotation means for the bolt is formed in each case by a recessed head receptacle in the nut bearing face, the head outer edge being accommodated fully in the recess and being interlockingly held in place therein.