Threaded Strut Nut With Remote Drive and Manual Self-Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety and rescue workers face risks when manually operating nuts along external screw threads due to unstable load conditions, as they require physical proximity, which can be dangerous, and there is a need for remote control options without sacrificing manual operation speed and security.
Innovation Solution
A kit-of-parts comprising an outer and inner post with a nut that can be driven or manually moved along an external screw thread, featuring a drive system with a motor and transmission for remote operation and a self-locking gear mechanism for manual mode, allowing secure nut positioning from a safe distance with optional auto-follow modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nut is manually operated along an external screw thread, then the operation can be performed without additional drive systems, but the operator must be physically present near the strut which exposes them to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
A drive system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the nut, allowing remote operation. The drive system includes a motor that rotates the nut along the external screw thread through a transmission mechanism, enabling the operator to control the nut from a safe distance while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of the nut is replaced with an automated drive system. The motor-driven transmission mechanism substitutes for direct manual manipulation, allowing the nut to be rotated and positioned along the screw thread without physical contact from the operator
2Reliability
If a drive system is added to enable remote operation of the nut, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nut assembly serves multiple functions: it can be operated manually when needed, driven remotely through the transmission system, and self-lock to maintain position. The transmission mechanism handles both driven rotation from the motor and manual rotation, providing universal operation capability across different scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operation capability and driven operation capability are merged into a single nut assembly. The transmission system is designed to accommodate both motor-driven input and manual input, combining multiple operation modes into one integrated mechanism rather than separate systems
3Ease of operation
If a transmission system is used to drive the nut, then remote control is enabled, but the speed of manual operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to respond quickly to input signals. The gear mechanism provides rapid transmission of rotational motion, enabling the nut to be driven along the screw thread at speeds comparable to manual operation when urgency is required
4Stability of the object's composition
If the nut is designed to be self-locking, then position stability is improved, but the ease of manual rotation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nut assembly provides self-locking functionality automatically without requiring additional locking mechanisms or operations. The transmission system's gear mechanism inherently maintains the nut's position once rotated, whether by manual or driven operation, eliminating the need for separate locking steps
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 safety and rescue workers to remotely control the nut from a safe distance while maintaining fast manual operation, improving safety and user comfort by reducing physical risk and allowing automatic adjustments to maintain load stability.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission comprises a worm that is rotatably arranged in the housing and a worm wheel that is arranged at an outer circumference of the rotatable member
Implementation Method 2
A spring is arranged in the housing and is configured to bias the abutment towards the protrusion
Data Source
AI summary
Kit-of-parts comprising: —an outer post and an inner post with an external screw thread, that are rotationally locked and extendable relative to each other; —a nut configured to be driven along the external screw thread to selectively secure the inner post relative to the outer post in a drive mode; and—a drive, comprising a drive housing accommodating a drive motor, and a connector configured to connect the drive housing with the nut and thereby connect the drive motor with a transmission; —wherein the nut comprises: —a housing; —a rotatable member that is rotatably arranged in the housing, wherein said rotatable member comprises an internal screw thread that is configured to form a mating engagement with the external screw thread; —the transmission arranged in the housing and comprising an input shaft that is connectable to the drive, wherein said transmission is configured to selectively: —rotate the rotatable member relative to the housing in the drive mode; and—form a coupling between the housing and the rotatable member in a manual mode wherein the nut is further configured to be moved manually along the external screw thread, the coupling causing the rotatable member and the housing to jointly rotate relative to the external screw thread, thereby moving the nut in the longitudinal direction along the external screw thread.