Threaded Joint With Built-In Tightening Force Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Threaded fasteners often require precise tightening force to avoid damage, especially when working with fragile materials, but existing methods like torque wrenches can be cumbersome and unreliable, especially in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A threaded joint arrangement with a biasing member and alignment surface that provides visual and tactile indication of correct tightening force, allowing for immediate feedback on the applied force through the alignment surface's position relative to the reference surface, preventing over-tightening or under-tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a torque wrench is used to ensure correct tightening force, then the tightening precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome usage in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded joint arrangement performs self-indication of tightening force through the alignment surface moving into the cavity, eliminating the need for external measurement tools like torque wrenches. The system serves itself by providing built-in feedback mechanism that automatically indicates when correct tightening force is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment surface acts as a feedback mechanism that provides visual and tactile indication to the operator when the correct tightening force is achieved. As the threaded fastener is tightened, the alignment surface moves and enters the cavity at the predetermined tightening force level, giving immediate feedback without requiring separate measurement equipment.
2Reliability
If a torque wrench is used to control tightening force, then the reliability of tightening force application is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indication function is merged with the fastening components themselves. The alignment surface is integrated into the threaded fastener assembly, and the cavity is formed as part of the joint structure, combining multiple functions into a unified system rather than adding separate indication devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint arrangement provides its own tightening force indication capability through the interaction between the alignment surface and cavity, eliminating the need for external torque wrenches and measurement equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If visual indication is provided through alignment surface position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is designed with specific local geometric properties that provide clear visual and tactile indication. The cavity's position, size, and shape are optimized to give unambiguous feedback when the alignment surface enters it, ensuring that the indication function works effectively without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision across the entire assembly.
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
Enables accurate determination of the applied tightening force, preventing damage to fragile materials by providing a visual and tactile indication of the correct force level, ensuring secure joining without excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is configured to be compressed between the fastener head and the bottom surface of the cavity in response to rotation of the threaded fastener in a tightening direction
Data Source
AI summary
A threaded joint arrangement with visual and tactile indication of correct tightening force, includes a threaded fastener having a fastener shaft and a fastener head, a biasing member, a first object provided with a cavity in a reference surface with a bottom surface provided with a through hole, and a second object with a threaded hole. The through hole is aligned with the threaded hole and the fastener shaft extends through the through hole and is in threaded engagement with the threaded hole. The biasing member is arranged in the cavity between the fastener head and the bottom surface and is compressed between the fastener head and the bottom surface in response to rotation of the threaded fastener. An alignment surface is movable by rotation of the threaded fastener between a first position outside the cavity, a second position flush with the reference surface and a third position inside cavity.