Pliable Universal Nut Geometry for Mixed Fastener Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of nuts and mating fasteners requires specific matching diameters and thread pitches, making it time-consuming and costly to find replacements when nuts become damaged or lost, leading to potential operational downtime.
Innovation Solution
A universal hardware nut made from a pliable material with slots or a sized hole that allows it to accommodate fasteners of different sizes and shapes, enabling deformation to match various fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nuts and mating fasteners are designed with specific matching diameters and thread pitches, then the fastening assembly functions properly, but replacement becomes time-consuming and costly when nuts become damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is designed with a universal internal geometry featuring a hexagonal outer shape and a central hole with rounded corners that can accommodate various fastener types (square, hexagonal, round) of different sizes. This multi-functional design allows a single nut to serve multiple fastening purposes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized nuts and reducing replacement time while maintaining proper fastening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut incorporates adjustable parameters through its versatile hole geometry and pliable material composition, allowing it to adapt to different fastener diameters and shapes. The material can be compressed and molded during installation to conform to the specific fastener being used, enabling the same nut to function with various fastener specifications without compromising fastening reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a specific nut corresponds to a particular mating fastener, then the fastening assembly works effectively, but the expense and complexity increase when dealing with multiple fastener types
Solution Approach 1:
The universal nut design consolidates multiple specialized nut functions into a single component type. The hexagonal outer shape provides standard wrench engagement, while the versatile internal hole geometry accommodates various fastener types, reducing the complexity of maintaining inventories of different nut types and simplifying operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple specialized nuts into a single universal nut design. By combining a standardized external hexagonal shape with a versatile internal hole configuration, it integrates the capabilities of square nuts, hexagonal nuts, and round nuts into one component, reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Strength
If nuts are made from traditional rigid materials, then they provide strength and durability, but they cannot adapt to fasteners of different sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The nut utilizes pliable materials that can change their physical parameters under compression, allowing temporary deformation to accommodate different fastener sizes and shapes during installation. After installation, the material retains enough structural integrity to provide the necessary fastening strength, thus achieving both adaptability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite or specially formulated pliable materials that combine the properties of flexibility for adaptation with sufficient structural strength for durable fastening. These materials enable the nut to deform around various fastener geometries while maintaining the mechanical strength required for reliable fastening applications.
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 quick and cost-effective replacement of nuts without the need for specific matching fasteners, ensuring permanent or semi-permanent joining of parts with increased security and strength.
Implementation Method 1
a nut body, wherein the nut body is manufactured from a pliable material; and one or more slots, wherein the one or more slots allow the nut body to accept fasteners of different sizes and shapes
Data Source
AI summary
A universal hardware nut that may be adaptable for use with various mating fasteners (e.g., bolts and screws). In one embodiment, the universal hardware nut comprises a nut body, wherein the nut body is manufactured from a pliable material; and one or more slots, wherein the one or more slots allow the nut body to accept fasteners of different sizes and shapes. In alternate embodiments, the universal hardware nut may comprise a sized hole instead of the one or more slots, or may comprise a combination of a sized hole and one or more slots.