Axially Extended Spring Locknut for Vibration-Resistant Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bolts and nuts in machinery environments experience loosening due to vibration and thermal expansion/contraction, leading to potential disengagement and safety hazards, and existing locknuts are costly and require specialized tools for installation and removal.

Innovation Solution

A locknut design featuring an axially extended spring member with leg members that exert pressure on externally threaded members at radial locations, providing a locking force without relying on plastic inserts, allowing for repeated use and easy installation/removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nut looseningVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simple, inexpensive metal wire or strip to form the locking element within the nut, replacing complex and expensive conventional locknut mechanisms. This basic material can be easily formed and installed, providing effective locking while maintaining low manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler spring-based mechanism. The spring element, formed from basic metal stock, provides the necessary locking force through elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical interlocking, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nut looseningVSAvoidlocknut structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex conventional locknut mechanisms and implements it through a simple spring element and basic metal strip. This removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core anti-loosening functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible metal strip or wire to create the locking mechanism, allowing the material to deform elastically to engage with the threaded member. This flexible approach provides effective locking with minimal structural complexity compared to rigid mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring specialized tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nut looseningVSAvoidinstallation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element automatically engages with the threaded member through elastic deformation, providing self-locking functionality without requiring specialized installation tools. The simple design allows for easy manual or standard tool operation during both installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If conventional locknuts are used to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to destroyed locknuts requiring replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nut looseningVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a locknut with a spring element and metal strip that can be easily reset and reused. After removal from the threaded member, the spring element returns to its original position through elastic recovery, allowing the locknut to be reinstalled multiple times without degradation of locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 locknut design prevents loosening, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows for repeated use without damaging threaded members, while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding debris accumulation issues.

Implementation Method 1

An axially extended spring member having a length that is at least as great as about half a diameter of the externally threaded member includes at least first and second leg members joined together by an apex member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the first and second locking surfaces exert pressure on the externally threaded member at respective first and second spaced-apart radial locations to develop a locking force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260098562A1Locknut having Axially Extended Spring Member

Publication Date: 2026.04.09 SPRIGGEL DANIEL JOHN

AI summary

A locknut includes a nut body having a threaded through opening therein extending between a first end and a second end. A pocket is defined within the second end of the nut body. An axially extended spring member having a length that is greater than about half the diameter of an externally threaded member that is to be received by the locknut includes a pair of leg members joined together by an apex member. The leg members define locking surfaces. The locking surfaces exert pressure on the externally threaded member at spaced-apart radial locations to develop a locking force between the nut body and the externally threaded member.