Slotted Spherical Washer for Irregular Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washers are ineffective when used on irregular surfaces, particularly those that are angled and not perpendicular to the threaded fastener, leading to potential damage or improper function.

Innovation Solution

A slotted spherical washer assembly with a surface engaging portion and a threaded fastener head engaging portion, featuring a slot that allows for an adjustable interface to accommodate a range of surface angles, enabling the washer to function properly on non-perpendicular surfaces by offsetting the surface engaging face parallel to the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional flat washer is used on a surface perpendicular to the fastener, then the washer provides proper load distribution and function, but it cannot accommodate surfaces that are angled or irregular

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to surface anglesVSAvoidproper function on angled surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The washer incorporates a spherical seating surface that allows the fastener head to tilt and adjust to various angles. The slot in the washer body enables the fastener to shift position while maintaining contact with the spherical surface, providing dynamic adaptability to irregular surfaces while preserving proper fastening function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The washer is divided into distinct functional portions: a spherical seating portion for angle adjustment, a slot portion for fastener positioning, and a load distribution portion. This segmentation allows each portion to independently address specific requirements of angled surface mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the hole diameter in the washer is made larger to accommodate the fastener head, then the fastener head can pass through, but the washer cannot properly distribute the load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener head passageVSAvoidload distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The washer features a localized spherical seating area with precise curvature matching the fastener head, concentrating the load distribution function in this specific region. The slot is positioned and sized to allow fastener passage while maintaining structural integrity for load bearing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8790059B2Washer assembly for mounting on irregular surfaces

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A washer assembly includes a threaded fastener head engaging portion and a surface engaging portion. The threaded fastener head engaging portion includes a head engaging face configured to lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal length of a threaded fastener passed through an opening at an axial center of the threaded fastener head engaging portion. The surface engaging portion includes a slot and a surface engaging face. The slot extends through the surface engaging portion along a line extending through an axial center of the surface engaging portion. An adjustable interface is defined between the surface engaging portion and the threaded fastener head engaging portion to enable the slot to receive the threaded fastener such that the surface engaging face lies parallel to a surface that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the threaded fastener.