Thermoplastic Nut Welding for Bolt Loosening Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nut loosening prevention methods, such as cotter pins, adhesive materials, double nuts, and Belleville spring washers, are either costly, increase installation complexity, or fail to reliably prevent loosening due to adhesion issues or torque management challenges.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic plastic nut with a thin wall section made of thermoplastic resin that can be welded to a bolt using a dedicated nut welding device, which applies energy to the thin wall section to secure it to the bolt, preventing loosening without requiring additional torque or parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cotter pin or wire is used to prevent loosening, then the loosening prevention function is achieved, but the working steps and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loosening prevention function is merged into the nut structure itself through the deformed thread section. The nut body integrates both the fastening function (standard thread portion) and the loosening prevention function (deformed thread section with reduced pitch), eliminating the need for separate cotter pins or wires.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut structure itself provides the loosening prevention mechanism through its deformed thread section. The reduced pitch in the thread portion creates a self-locking effect that prevents loosening without requiring external components or additional working steps.
2Reliability
If a double nut is used, then the loosening prevention function is achieved, but the number of parts and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of two separate nuts (fastening and loosening prevention) are merged into a single nut structure. The nut contains both a standard thread portion for fastening and a deformed thread section with reduced pitch for loosening prevention, reducing the part count to one.
3Reliability
If a Belleville spring washer is used, then the loosening prevention function is achieved, but additional axis force management is required
Solution Approach 1:
The Belleville spring washer mechanism (requiring axis force) is replaced with a threaded deformation mechanism. The deformed thread section with reduced pitch provides loosening prevention through axial deformation of the thread structure, eliminating the need for additional axis force management.
4Reliability
If a nut with lock ring is used, then the loosening prevention function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock ring component and nut body are merged into a single integrated structure. The deformed thread section with reduced pitch is formed as an integral part of the nut during molding, eliminating the need for separate lock ring components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 nut loosening while minimizing installation complexity and cost, ensuring reliable adhesion and maintaining a good outer appearance of the nut after welding.
Implementation Method 1
a welding device main section bringing into contact with an upper section of the thermoplastic plastic nut; and an energy generating section configured to generate energy to be transmitted to an external side surface of the upper section of the nut
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoplastic plastic nut includes a nut main section having a second thread to screw a first thread of a bolt; and a thin wall section weldable to the first thread and disposed to protrude upwardly from the nut main section. A material of the nut main section contains a thermoplastic resin and a material of the thin wall section contains the thermoplastic resin. Thus, a thermoplastic plastic nut, a nut welding device and a nut welding method are provided to make it possible to easily prevent the loosening of the nut.