Spindle Nut Anti-Rotation Lock Using Elastomer Housing Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle mechanisms with spindle/nut assemblies lack a reliable method to prevent the spindle nut from rotating, complicating the installation of rotation locks and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating elastomer elements to create a rotation lock that attaches to the housing, allowing for a non-rotational movement of the spindle nut while maintaining flexibility, enabling a translational movement of the spindle rod through the use of elastomer elements that compress and expand to facilitate installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotation lock is implemented through radial projections on a spindle head interacting with axial grooves on a brake piston, then the spindle nut is secured against rotation, but the installation process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation lock reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the elastomer element from rigid to flexible by selecting materials with appropriate durometer values (Shore A 40-90). This allows the rotation lock to be installed by simply inserting the elastomer element into the housing, where it naturally deforms to engage with the spindle nut, eliminating complex assembly procedures while maintaining reliable anti-rotation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer element serves as a simple, inexpensive replacement for complex mechanical locking mechanisms. As a single-piece flexible component, it can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and installation complexity compared to precision-machined radial projections and grooves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If the spindle nut is secured against rotation using traditional mechanical means, then rotational movement is blocked, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-rotation functionVSAvoidrotation lock structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible elastomer element instead of rigid mechanical components to achieve the anti-rotation function. The elastomer's flexibility allows it to deform during installation and then maintain a secure engagement with the spindle nut, providing reliable rotation blocking with a simple, single-piece component that reduces overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer element acts as an intermediary between the housing and the spindle nut, providing the anti-rotation function without requiring direct mechanical engagement between metal components. This flexible mediator simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex interlocking mechanisms while maintaining functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively blocks rotational movement of the spindle nut, simplifies the installation process, and reduces costs by utilizing elastomer elements that provide both flexibility and structural support, ensuring the spindle nut remains non-rotatable while allowing for linear movement.

Implementation Method 1

enabling a translational movement of the spindle rod through the use of elastomer elements that compress and expand to facilitate installation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The rotation lock contains at least one elastomer element for retaining the rotation lock on the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11280390B2Vehicle device with a spindle/nut arrangement and with an anti-rotation device and method for mounting an anti-rotation device for the manufacture of such a vehicle device

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBH

AI summary

A vehicle mechanism with a housing may have a spindle/nut assembly and a rotation lock, where in order to displace a spindle rod of the spindle/nut assembly in the longitudinal direction of the spindle rod, a rotational movement of a spindle nut of the spindle/nut assembly is blocked by the rotation lock. In order to support the spindle nut such that it cannot rotate, and/or to facilitate an assembly of the vehicle mechanism, and/or the rotation lock, the rotation lock may have at least one elastomer element for retaining the rotation lock on the housing.