Sliding Fastener Connection With Elastic Floating Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for composite structures face issues such as increased weight, inconsistency, and complexity due to the use of rivets, and require additional holes, leading to inefficiencies in assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A connection system using modular components with elastic means and adjustable locking mechanisms, allowing for flexible and adaptable fastening that is stable under dynamic loads and easy to install and disassemble.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rivets are used to hold nut plates in place, then the fastening structure is secured, but additional holes must be formed in the composite structure, increasing weight, complexity, and assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rivet component from the fastening system. The nut plate is designed to be self-contained with an integrated locking mechanism that secures the fastener without requiring separate rivets or additional holes in the composite structure, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining fastening security
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the nut plate and locking mechanism into a single integrated component. The nut plate includes an integrated locking mechanism that combines the functions of securing the fastener and locking it in place, eliminating the need for separate rivets and reducing the number of parts and assembly steps
2Stability of the object's composition
If rivets are used to secure fasteners, then the structure is stabilized, but the weight of the structure increases more than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rivet component entirely from the fastening system. The self-contained nut plate with integrated locking mechanism achieves structural stability without the additional weight of rivets, thereby reducing the overall weight of the stationary structure while maintaining compositional stability
3Reliability
If traditional fastening methods are used, then fasteners are secured, but positioning errors within tolerance ranges cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a sliding mechanism that allows the fastener to move dynamically within the nut plate along a controlled path. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the fastening system to compensate for positioning errors within tolerance ranges, maintaining fastening reliability even when manufacturing precision varies
4Reliability
If additional holes are formed for rivets, then fastening is secured, but assembly time and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for additional holes and rivets by using a self-contained nut plate with an integrated locking mechanism. This reduces assembly time by removing the steps of drilling additional holes, inserting rivets, and securing them, while maintaining fastening security through the integrated lock
Solution Approach 2:
The nut plate is designed with a pre-integrated locking mechanism that is prepared in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary integration of the locking function into the nut plate itself eliminates the need for additional assembly steps and equipment, reducing overall assembly time while ensuring fastening security
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 system provides secure fastening that compensates for positional errors, reduces assembly time, and maintains stability under vibration, while being compatible with various materials and geometries.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means for maintaining the floating connection of the fastening element on the surface
Implementation Method 2
The non-circular shape of the body of the threaded plates matches the shape of specific holes in the structure, reducing the rotational movement of the plates within the holes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A connection system of a sliding fastening element on a surface with elastic means is described, consisting of a plate (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5'), a fastening element (6, 6') sliding on a portion of the surface of the plate (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5'), and elastic means (7, 7', 8, 9, 10, 11) provided to keep the connection of the fastening element (6, 6') with the plate (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5') floating.