Spring Fastener Retainer for Reusable Bolted Joint Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for securing bolted joints, such as anchor nuts and threaded inserts, have limited use cycles and fail to maintain locking functionality after the bolt is removed, requiring frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A spring device with ring-shaped portions and a unique material composition that provides sustained frictional engagement with the threaded fastener, allowing for multiple loosening cycles without performance degradation, featuring a slit for easy positioning and elastic deformation to maintain stability and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anchor nuts or threaded inserts are used to secure bolted joints, then the locking functionality is provided, but the number of use cycles is limited and functionality is lost after bolt removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and material properties of the securing device by using a spring element with elastic properties. The spring constant and material composition are specifically selected to enable the device to withstand repeated compression and expansion cycles while maintaining locking functionality, thereby increasing the number of usable cycles from limited to at least 10, 50, or 100 cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the securing device through the spring element that can compress and expand. The spring device adapts its shape and friction force dynamically during each assembly-disassembly cycle, allowing it to maintain reliable locking functionality across multiple use cycles unlike static conventional solutions
2Reliability
If anchor nuts or threaded inserts are used to prevent self-unscrewing, then the fastener is secured, but frequent replacement is required due to limited loosening cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device maintains its own locking functionality through its elastic properties without requiring replacement. The spring element automatically restores its shape and friction force after each compression cycle, enabling the device to serve itself across multiple loosening cycles (at least 10, 50, or 100 cycles) without degradation that would necessitate replacement
3Reliability
If friction force is increased to keep the fastener head from rotating, then the fastener stays in place, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible spring element with a specific geometric configuration (including ring-shaped portions and inner peripheral surfaces) that generates the required friction force through elastic deformation. This flexible structure achieves reliable fastener positioning without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms, thereby maintaining relatively simple device structure while ensuring stability
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 spring device ensures the threaded fastener remains securely in place through multiple cycles without the need for replacement, offering enhanced stability and longevity in applications where frequent loosening is required.
Implementation Method 1
the inner peripheral surface of each spring element exerts a friction force against the head of the threaded fastener to keep the head of the threaded fastener from rotating relative the spring device and the fastener arrangement
Implementation Method 2
A spring device with ring-shaped portions and a unique material composition that provides sustained frictional engagement with the threaded fastener, allowing for multiple loosening cycles without performance degradation, featuring a slit for easy positioning and elastic deformation to maintain stability and friction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A spring device (100) for securing a threaded fastener of a bolted joint. The spring device (100) comprises at least one ring-shaped portion (102, 104), and a plurality of elongate spring elements (106). Each spring element (106) is attached at least in a first end to the at least one ring-shaped portion (102, 104). The at least one ring-shaped portion (102, 104) and a body formed by the plurality of spring elements have a common centre axis. Each spring element (106) comprises an inner peripheral surface (108) directed towards the centre axis, and wherein a first portion (108a) of said inner peripheral surface (108) is closer to the centre axis than are other portions (108b) of said inner peripheral surface (108) and closer to the centre axis than an inner peripheral surface (102a) of the at least one ring-shaped portion (102, 104). The disclosure further relates to a system (200) for securing a bolted joint.