Slotted Breakaway Nut for Clean Cable Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Breakaway nuts often trap the hex portion on cables when it breaks away, leading to aesthetic issues and interference with subsequent component operations.
Innovation Solution
A breakaway nut design featuring a slot through the hex portion that splits it into sections, allowing the hex portion to fall away from the cable upon breaking, with the slot extending through the side wall and breakaway portion to ensure stable engagement with tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hex portion is solid and intact when breaking away, then the breakaway nut can be applied over cables, but the hex portion becomes trapped on the cable causing aesthetic issues and interference with subsequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The hex portion is divided into multiple sections by forming slots through it. When the breakaway portion fails, the hex portion separates into segments that can fall away from the cable independently, preventing the trapped hex portion problem while maintaining cable applicability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If slots are formed through the hex portion to enable separation, then the hex portion can fall away from the cable, but the structural integrity and tool engagement stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slots are positioned and dimensioned to provide local separation functionality without compromising the overall structural integrity. The slots extend only partially through the hex portion thickness and are spaced to maintain sufficient material for stable tool engagement while enabling cable passage and separation
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 design effectively prevents the hex portion from being trapped on cables, ensuring clean separation and reducing interference with subsequent operations.
Implementation Method 1
Breakaway nuts such as the one shown in FIG. 1 are typically hollow through both hex portion 2 and threaded section 1 so that the breakaway nut can be applied over a structure such as a protruding threaded shaft or the like. When the hex portion breaks away from the threaded section, the hex portion is lifted away and discarded or recycled, and the tightened threaded portion remains in place as intended.
Implementation Method 2
a slot is defined through the hex portion and into the breakaway portion such that, when the breakaway nut breaks at the breakaway portion, the hex portion splits into two sections
Data Source
AI summary
A breakaway nut includes a threaded section; a hex portion; and a breakaway portion connecting the threaded section and the hex portion, wherein a slot is defined in the hex portion along an axial dimension of the hex portion.