Spring Fastener Lock for Reusable Bolted Joint Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for securing bolted joints, such as anchor nuts and threaded inserts, have a limited number of use cycles before their locking functionality is compromised, making them impractical for applications that require frequent loosening and re-tightening.
Innovation Solution
A spring device with a ring-shaped portion and elongate spring elements, where each spring element is attached to the ring-shaped portions and has an inner peripheral surface that exerts friction to secure the threaded fastener, allowing for multiple 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 solutions such as anchor nuts or threaded inserts are used to secure threaded fasteners, then the locking functionality is achieved, but the number of use cycles is limited before replacement is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the fastener head during loosening and tightening cycles. This dynamic behavior enables the spring elements to maintain continuous contact and friction force against the fastener head, preserving locking functionality throughout multiple use cycles without degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements utilize elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. During operation, the spring elements deform elastically under load and recover, maintaining consistent friction force against the fastener head. This parameter change allows the device to accommodate repeated loosening and tightening cycles while preserving locking reliability
2Force
If the spring elements have an inner peripheral surface closer to the centre axis, then friction force against the fastener head is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device is segmented into multiple identical spring elements arranged radially around the center axis. Each spring element has the same simplified geometry with one or more straight portions, reducing individual element complexity while the collective arrangement provides the necessary friction force through cumulative contact with the fastener head
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed as composite structures combining radial and axial portions, creating a composite geometric form that achieves both simplicity in manufacturing and effectiveness in generating friction force against the fastener head through the combined action of different geometric segments
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 effectively secures threaded fasteners through multiple loosening and tightening cycles without the need for replacement, ensuring the fastener remains in place due to increased friction and stability, addressing the limitations of conventional solutions.
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
each spring element comprises an inner peripheral surface directed towards the centre axis, and wherein a first portion of the inner peripheral surface is closer to the centre axis than are other portions of the inner peripheral surface
Data Source
AI summary
A spring device for securing a threaded fastener of a bolted joint. The spring device includes at least one ring-shaped portion and a plurality of elongate spring elements. Each spring element is attached at least in a first end to the at least one ring-shaped portion. The at least one ring-shaped portion and a body formed by the plurality of spring elements have a common centre axis. Each spring element includes an inner peripheral surface directed towards the centre axis, and wherein a first portion of said inner peripheral surface is closer to the centre axis than are other portions of said inner peripheral surface and closer to the centre axis than an inner peripheral surface of the at least one ring-shaped portion. The disclosure further relates to a system for securing a bolted joint.