Wing Nut and Bolt Head Design for Faster Bone Fixator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuts and bolts used in external bone fixation devices are cumbersome and require multiple tools for assembly, slowing down the process, especially in emergency trauma situations where speed is critical.
Innovation Solution
Design of novel nuts and bolts with a head featuring two wings, a tightening hole, a slot, and a polygonal shaft that allows for easier assembly with fewer tools, including the ability to be tightened with fingers, a wrench, or a screwdriver, reducing weight and assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional nuts and bolts are used in external bone fixation devices, then the assembly requires specific wrenches and tools, but the assembly process becomes slow and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The head of the fastener is designed with multiple features that enable it to be operated by different tools: wings for manual operation, a tightening hole for rod-based tools, and a tightening slot for screwdriver-based tools. This multi-functionality allows the same fastener head to be used with various tools, eliminating the need for specific wrenches and speeding up the assembly process
2Weight of moving object
If conventional nuts and bolts are used, then the design is simple, but the weight is excessive and assembly is slower
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into distinct functional segments: a head portion with multiple access features (wings, hole, slot) and a shaft portion with threading. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the head for multi-tool accessibility and the shaft for structural function - resulting in a lighter overall design that maintains assembly speed
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional nuts and bolts require specific wrenches, then the tool requirement is precise, but the variety of tools needed increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The head design incorporates three different access features (wings, tightening hole, tightening slot) that can accommodate multiple tool types. This universal design allows the same fastener to be operated by fingers, wrenches, screwdrivers, or other rod-based tools, reducing the need for multiple specialized fastener types and simplifying the overall toolset required
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a super wing nut and a super wing bolt that may be used both separately and in conjunction with each other. The super wing nut comprises a head, two wings that extend transversely from opposite sides of the head, a tightening hole that passes perpendicular through the head between the two wings, a tightening slot in a top surface of the head, a polygonal sided shaft that extends downward from the head, and a threaded shaft that extends downward from the polygonal sided shaft. The super wing bolt comprises a head, two wings that extend transversely from opposite sides of the head, a tightening hole that passes perpendicular through the head between the two wings, a tightening slot in a first top surface of the head, a polygonal-sided shaft that extends downward from the head and a threaded hole that passes axially through the shaft.