Wire-Coil Bolt Locking for Pull-Out-Proof Pre-Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembly locking devices are complex and costly to manufacture and assemble, requiring multiple parts and complicating the pre-installation of connecting bolts in component openings.
Innovation Solution
A simple and cost-effective assembly locking device comprising a helically wound wire coil with specific turns and diameters, providing a frictional connection to securely position and align a connecting bolt within a component opening, utilizing a holding turn, clamping coil, and positioning turn for secure fastening and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional assembly locking devices with multiple parts are used, then reliable bolt pre-installation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional parts (holding element, clamping element, positioning element) into a single integrated wire coil structure. The wire coil is formed by continuously winding wire to create all necessary functional sections in one piece, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly steps while maintaining reliable bolt pre-installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire coil structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the holding turn secures the bolt shaft, the clamping coil portion retains the device in the component opening, and the positioning turn aligns the bolt. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized parts with one versatile component, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple-part assembly locking devices are used, then secure bolt positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all functional elements into one wire coil, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. The continuous wire winding process is more cost-effective than manufacturing multiple separate components, while the integrated structure maintains secure bolt positioning through its combined holding, clamping, and positioning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the wire coil parameters (turn spacing, diameter, pitch) along its length to create different functional sections. The holding turn has closely spaced turns for secure grip, the clamping coil portion has progressively increasing diameter for retention, and the positioning turn has specific geometry for alignment. These parameter variations within a single continuous structure achieve secure positioning at lower manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If complex assembly locking devices are used, then reliable component connection is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated wire coil structure requires only one assembly operation - inserting the pre-assembled bolt and wire coil unit into the component opening. The single-piece design eliminates the need to assemble multiple parts on the bolt, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable component connection through the wire coil's combined holding, clamping, and positioning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire coil is pre-formed with all necessary functional sections (holding turn, clamping coil, positioning turn) before assembly. This preliminary preparation allows the entire locking mechanism to be installed in one step, reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable component connection through the pre-configured multi-functional structure.
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
The assembly locking device effectively pre-installs connecting bolts in a loss-proof and pull-out-proof manner, facilitating easy connection of components while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, with elastic flexibility for orientation and tolerance compensation.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping coil portion (18) arranged between the holding turn (16) and the positioning turn (20), which is formed like a truncated cone having a plurality of subsequent turns of an increasing inner diameter
Implementation Method 2
providing a frictional connection to securely position and align a connecting bolt within a component opening
Data Source
AI summary
A thread bolt with a threaded shaft and a bolt head, and an assembly locking device positionable on the shaft in a loss-proof manner and the thread bolt is arrangeable in a pull-out-proof manner inserted into a component opening with the help of the assembly locking device. The assembly locking device includes a wire coil having a first end and a second end, a holding turn, a clamping coil portion, and a positioning turn, having a smaller or no pitch compared with the clamping coil portion. An end of the shaft, facing away from the head, of the thread bolt is receivable in the positioning turn and the thread bolt is aligned in the component opening in a clamping manner with the help of the holding turn and the positioning turn.