Tiltable Floating Nut Plate for Non-Parallel Panel Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nut plate assemblies fail to accommodate misalignment of fasteners and secure non-parallel surfaces effectively, leading to improper panel assembly in aerospace and other applications.
Innovation Solution
A nut plate assembly featuring a shell with a bias member and a retention washer that forms a curved interface with the nut, allowing the nut to be tiltable and moveable between positions, enabling secure attachment of fasteners at various angles and accommodating non-parallel surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional floating nut plate is used to enable lateral movement and accommodate movement between components, then some movement tolerance is provided, but sufficient tolerances or misalignment accommodation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is made tiltable and moveable within the shell along the curved interface, transforming from a static floating nut plate to a dynamic system that can adapt to misalignment and varying fastener angles through active movement and tilting
Solution Approach 2:
The curved interface between the nut and retention washer replaces flat engagement surfaces, enabling the nut to tilt and rotate smoothly to accommodate misalignment and non-parallel surfaces while maintaining secure engagement
2Ease of operation
If floating nut plates are used to connect panels, then panel assembly is enabled, but non-parallel surfaces cannot be properly secured
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable and moveable nut within the shell provides dynamic adaptation capability, allowing the fastener to engage panels with non-parallel surfaces by adjusting the nut's orientation and position along the curved interface
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the engagement interface by using a curved surface instead of flat surfaces, enabling the nut to accommodate varying angles and non-parallel panel surfaces through tilting and movement
3Ease of manufacture
If all panel fasteners are placed together after panel assembly removal, then fastener organization is achieved, but misplacement and incorrect fastener selection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shell and retention washer assembly serves multiple functions: it retains the nut, provides a curved interface for tilting, and creates a captive fastener system that eliminates the need for separate fastener storage and selection processes
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener remains captive within the shell assembly during installation and removal, automatically returning to its proper location with the panel, thereby eliminating the need for separate fastener organization and preventing misplacement
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
Facilitates secure attachment of panels with non-parallel surfaces and accommodates fasteners of varying lengths, ensuring proper assembly and easy installation/removal with single-end access, reducing the risk of misalignment and improper attachment.
Implementation Method 1
a bias member positioned to bias the nut toward one of the first position and the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A nut plate assembly includes a plate comprising an aperture defined therethrough, and a shell attached to the plate and extending along a center axis. The shell includes a first end and a second end. The nut plate also includes a nut disposed within the shell. The nut is moveable between a first position proximate the first end of the shell and a second position proximate the second end of the shell. The nut includes a first curved engagement surface and is tiltable relative to the center axis when the nut is retained within the shell.