Color-Changing U-Bolt Shaft for Fastening Strain Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for measuring the fastening force of U-bolts do not allow workers to confirm the fastening state of the shaft part by a nut, leading to potential breakage due to excessive stress from improper attachment.

Innovation Solution

A U-bolt with photonic crystal thin films applied to its shaft parts that change color in response to strain, allowing for visual confirmation of the fastening state through a detection device that generates images, detects strain based on color changes, and outputs fastening information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fastening methods are used without visual indicators, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the worker cannot confirm the fastening state leading to potential breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening state confirmationVSAvoidU-bolt structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies photonic crystal thin films to the shaft parts of the U-bolt that change color in response to strain. This allows workers to visually confirm the fastening state through color changes, directly resolving the contradiction by providing reliability through visual feedback while maintaining relatively simple implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The photonic crystal thin film acts as an intermediary between the mechanical fastening process and human observation. It translates internal strain states into visible color changes, enabling workers to confirm fastening state without complex measurement equipment while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the U-bolt is attached in an inclined manner to accommodate structural requirements, then the installation is easier, but the U-bolt may be a cause of breakage due to excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidfastening reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The photonic crystal thin films provide real-time visual feedback on the fastening state through color changes that indicate strain levels. This allows workers to adjust the fastening process to achieve proper axial alignment and uniform stress distribution, preventing breakage while maintaining installation flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The color-changing thin films enable visual monitoring of stress distribution during installation, allowing workers to identify and correct inclined attachment that would cause excessive stress, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and fastening reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If existing piezoelectric measurement techniques are used, then fastening force can be measured, but the fastening state of the shaft part by a nut cannot be confirmed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening force measurementVSAvoidfastening state confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex piezoelectric measurement systems with photonic crystal thin films that provide direct visual indication of fastening state. This substitution maintains measurement capability while dramatically improving ease of operation, as workers can visually confirm fastening state without complex measurement equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The photonic crystal thin films create a visual copy or representation of the internal strain state through color changes. This allows workers to observe the fastening state directly without needing to interpret data from complex measurement instruments, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 workers to accurately confirm and adjust the fastening state of U-bolts, preventing breakage by ensuring proper attachment and uniform axial forces.

Implementation Method 1

a photonic crystal thin film which is stuck to at least a part of at least one shaft part of the pair of shaft parts and changes its color according to strain of the shaft part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotonic crystal: Photonic Crystal

Data Source

PatentUS20240093807A1U-bolt, construction method, and detection device

Publication Date: 2024.03.21 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A U-bolt (10) according to the present disclosure is a U-bolt (10) including a pair of shaft parts (11) arranged in a first direction and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a bridge part (12) connecting one end of each of the pair of shaft parts (11) and includes a photonic crystal thin film (14) which is stuck to at least a part of at least one shaft part (11) of the pair of shaft parts (11) and changes its color according to strain of the shaft part (11).