Swivel Nut Assembly Angular Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing components with different shapes and sizes are labor-intensive and prone to losing loose parts during manufacturing, especially in large structures like aircraft, where separate washers can become misplaced or lost.
Innovation Solution
A swivel nut assembly comprising a socket nut with internal threading and a swivel chamber, along with a swivel connector featuring a ball with external threading, which is rotationally captured within the chamber, allowing for secure connection and alignment of components with angular differences, preventing accidental disconnection and loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a two piece washer assembly is used to secure components with different shapes, then adaptability to accommodate angular differences is improved, but the device complexity increases and parts may separate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two separate washers into a single integrated washer assembly that includes both the curved washer and flat washer as one unified component. This merging eliminates the complexity of handling and assembling two separate parts while maintaining the adaptability to accommodate angular differences between curved and flat surfaces. The integrated design ensures the washers remain connected and cannot separate during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the washer assembly where one washer is nested within or attached to the other, creating a compact integrated structure. The curved washer and flat washer are positioned such that they work together as a single unit, with the smaller or thinner washer nested against the larger or thicker washer, eliminating the need for separate handling while preserving the angular accommodation capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate loose washers are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability decreases due to parts being lost or misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the two loose washers into a single integrated assembly, the patent eliminates the risk of parts being lost or misplaced during manufacturing. The unified component can be handled as one piece, ensuring both washers arrive at the assembly location together. This maintains ease of manufacture through simplified handling while dramatically improving reliability by preventing part loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated washer assembly acts as an intermediary that ensures both washing elements are delivered together to the assembly point. Rather than allowing separate loose washers to potentially get lost, the intermediary integrated design guarantees both functional elements are present and connected, thereby ensuring reliability without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If two individuals work together to secure components, then the ease of operation is improved for large structures, but the loss of time increases due to coordination and potential part loss
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated washer assembly reduces the number of discrete parts that need to be tracked and coordinated during assembly. By combining the washers into one unit, the patent simplifies the operation for workers assembling large structures, reducing coordination overhead and eliminating time lost to part loss or retrieval. This maintains the ability of two individuals to work together effectively while significantly reducing time waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer assembly is pre-integrated before reaching the assembly location, with both curved and flat washer portions already connected in the correct configuration. This preliminary action eliminates the need for workers to coordinate the delivery and positioning of separate washers, reducing both the complexity of coordination and the time lost to part handling errors during the actual assembly operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A swivel nut assembly (100) is configured to adaptively secure a first component (200) to a second component (202). The swivel nut assembly (100) includes a socket nut (102) including a first portion having a first internal threading (126), and a second portion defining a swivel chamber (132). A swivel connector (104) includes a ball (116) having a first external threading (120). The swivel connector (104) is moved into the swivel chamber (132) via the first external threading (120) threadably engaging the first internal threading (126) to move the ball (116) into the swivel chamber (132). The ball (116) is rotationally captured within the swivel chamber (132) after the ball (116) is moved into the swivel chamber (132).