T-Bolt Locking Assembly to Prevent Vibration-Induced Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing T-bolts can rotate out of their engaged position due to vibrations and unintended displacement, leading to unintended release, even when tightened securely, due to the lack of effective locking mechanisms that prevent rotation around their longitudinal axis.
Innovation Solution
A safety device with a locking body is arranged between the nut and the bolt head, projecting through a slot and out the other side to prevent rotation, and a deformation portion on the thread ensures the nut is non-complementary, allowing the bolt to be securely engaged and released by loosening the nut and rotating it along the thread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a T-bolt is tightened securely without a locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the bolt can rotate out of its engaged position due to vibrations and displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking body with locking elements that can independently engage with the slot, and a release mechanism separated from the bolt head. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking body is designed to automatically engage with the slot when the bolt is inserted, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional manual intervention. The locking elements automatically position themselves to prevent rotation, making the system self-servicing in terms of maintaining engagement stability.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps required for engagement and release
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is merged with the bolt assembly, allowing the bolt itself to serve as the release tool. By inserting the bolt into the release slot and rotating it, the user can simultaneously disengage the locking elements and remove the bolt, combining multiple functions into a single operational sequence that maintains ease of use while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt serves multiple functions: it acts as both the fastening element and the release tool. The same bolt that secures the engagement can also trigger the release mechanism when inserted into the release slot and rotated, eliminating the need for separate tools or complex release procedures.
3Reliability
If a safety device with locking body is used, then the reliability is improved by preventing rotation, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking body is nested within the bolt assembly, with the locking elements positioned inside the bolt body and only extending outward when needed for engagement with the slot. This nesting approach minimizes the number of external components while maintaining the reliability benefits of the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to move between engaged and disengaged positions based on the operational state. This dynamic design reduces the need for additional components to control the locking mechanism, as the elements automatically respond to the bolt's position and rotation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compound bolt (1) including a bolt (2) with a first end portion (21) and a second end portion (29) and a longitudinal axis (16), in which : - the bolt (2) is provided with a transverse bolt head (90) at its second end portion (29); - the bolt (2) includes a cylindrical portion (10) at its first end portion (21), with an external thread (12) for a nut (4) with a complementary internal thread (42); - the compound bolt (1) includes a safety device (6) arranged between the transverse bolt head (90) and the nut (4); and - the safety device (6) is provided, on the side facing the bolt head (90), with at least one locking body (32) projecting axially, the transverse bolt head (90) being arranged to be moved through a slot (34) in an object (8) from the front (80) of the object (8) and then be rotated around the longitudinal axis (16) until the bolt head (90) engages with the object (8) at the back (89) of the object (8), and the locking body (32) projecting, in an active position, through the slot (34) and out at the back (89) of the object (8) so that the transverse bolt head (90) is prevented from rotating out of its engagement; and the thread (12) of the first end portion (21) of the bolt (2) being provided with a deformation portion (5) so that the internal thread (42) of the nut (4) is non-complementary to the thread (12) in the deformation portion (5). A method for using the compound bolt (1) is described as well.