Spring-Loaded Gear Bolt Assembly for Thread Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thread damage during bolt fastening applications, particularly due to cross threading, is a persistent issue in various bolt configurations, leading to fastener failure and alignment challenges.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded gear bolt assembly that aligns external and internal threads before torque application, using a test plate assembly with spring-loaded gear bolt assemblies to ensure on-axis contact and reduce the likelihood of cross threading, allowing for single-handed operation and simultaneous alignment of multiple bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional straight on bolt and nut application is used, then the structure is simple, but cross threading occurs leading to thread damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded alignment mechanism performs preliminary alignment of the bolt shaft with the receptacle threads before torque is applied. The spring forces the alignment features into engagement with the thread grooves, ensuring proper alignment is established in advance, which prevents cross threading during the fastening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features (protrusions and grooves) act as intermediaries between the bolt shaft and receptacle. These features mediate the connection by guiding the bolt into proper alignment with the threads before the actual threading engagement occurs, preventing direct misalignment contact between the threads themselves.
2Productivity
If multiple bolts are secured simultaneously, then productivity increases, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded alignment mechanism is self-actuating and does not require external alignment tools or manual positioning for each bolt. As each bolt is inserted, the spring automatically engages the alignment features with the thread grooves, providing self-aligning capability that maintains precision across multiple simultaneous bolting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features perform preliminary positioning of each bolt shaft relative to its receptacle before torque application. This preliminary alignment action ensures that even when multiple bolts are installed simultaneously, each bolt achieves proper alignment independently through the spring mechanism, maintaining precision across all joints.
3Ease of operation
If off axis insertion force is applied, then ease of operation improves, but thread alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism performs preliminary alignment of the bolt shaft with the receptacle threads before the fastening torque is applied. This preliminary alignment action compensates for off-axis insertion forces by forcing the alignment features into proper engagement with the thread grooves, ensuring that thread alignment accuracy is restored even after flexible off-axis insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded alignment features apply a preliminary counteracting force to off-axis insertion misalignment. By engaging the alignment protrusions with the thread grooves before torque application, the mechanism counteracts the detrimental effects of off-axis insertion, preventing cross threading that would otherwise result from the misalignment caused by flexible insertion forces.
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 prevents thread damage by ensuring precise alignment and reducing the chances of cross threading, even with off-axis insertion forces, while enabling easy mounting and dismounting of test plates without binding, thus preserving threads and facilitating secure bolt engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (80S) disposed in the gear housing (70) and resting on the head (51) of the bolt shaft (80)
Data Source
AI summary
Repeated inserting, tightening, loosening, and removing of external threads to internal threads can increase the likelihood of cross threading and thread damage. A spring loaded gear bolt assembly, which promotes alignment of mating threads before applying torque, is described. A spring is disposed on the back end of a bolt shaft to promote alignment of lead mating threads before twisting to engage external to internal threads. A gear chain translates a single hand rotation to thread two bolts into respective affixed internal threaded holes, simultaneously. A spring loaded gear bolt assembly and method described herein promote increased thread life and ease of use ease for test plate securing. Efficient single handed manipulation of multiple bolts simultaneously can be achieved using a test plate assembly, which included spring loaded gear bolt assemblies, as described herein. Applications of a spring loaded gear bolt include infrared adapter test plate assemblies.