Wire Coil Bolt Retainer for Pre-Installed Component Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assembly locking devices are complex and costly to manufacture and assemble, and they do not provide a simple and effective way to pre-install a connecting bolt in a component opening for subsequent connections.

Innovation Solution

A wire coil assembly locking device with a holding turn, clamping coil portion, and positioning turn is used to securely position and align a connecting bolt within a component opening, utilizing frictional forces for retention and allowing for elastic flexibility during the connection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multi-part assembly locking devices are used, then the connecting bolt can be secured in the component opening, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of connecting boltVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional parts (retaining elements, positioning elements, and locking elements) into a single integrated assembly locking device. This single device comprises a body with retaining arms that have retaining elements for securing the connecting bolt, positioning elements for aligning the bolt, and locking elements for fixation, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly complexity while maintaining securing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly locking device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs retaining, positioning, and locking functions. The retaining arms can be adjusted to different positions to accommodate various connecting bolt configurations, making the device universally applicable for different assembly scenarios without requiring multiple specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional assembly locking devices with multiple parts are used, then the connecting bolt can be retained, but the time required for assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of connecting boltVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly locking device is pre-configured with retaining arms at specific positions before the assembly process. The retaining elements are预先 positioned to engage with the connecting bolt, and the locking elements are prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex step-by-step assembly operations during the actual assembly process, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device incorporates segmented retaining arms that can be independently positioned and adjusted. These arms can be set at different angular positions around the body to accommodate various connecting bolt configurations. The segmentation allows for quick adjustment and installation without requiring complex alignment procedures, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining secure retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplifies the pre-installation of connecting bolts, reduces manufacturing complexity, and ensures secure, loss-proof positioning within component openings, facilitating efficient connections between components while accommodating 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 and comprises a smaller inner diameter than the holding turn, so that the connecting bolt can be retained in a clamping manner within a component opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

utilizing frictional forces for retention

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4311949B1An assembly locking device, a connecting bolt in combination with the assembly locking device, a component with a pre-installed connecting bolt by means of the assembly locking device as well as a manufacturing method for the assembly locking device and an assembly method of a connecting bolt with the assembly locking device within a component opening
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 BOLLHOFF OTALU SA
  • EP4311949B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4311949B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4311949B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A thread bolt with a shaft and a bolt head wherein the shaft comprises a thread, as well as an assembly locking device adapted to the shaft so that the assembly locking device is 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, wherein the assembly locking device includes the following features: a wire coil comprised of a plurality of helically wound turns, the coil having a first end and a second end, starting at the first end of the wire coil, a holding turn is provided which extends over an angular range of at least 360° about a central longitudinal axis (L) of the wire coil and comprises an inner diameter DH, following the holding turn, a clamping coil portion 18 is arranged that is formed like a truncated cone having a plurality of subsequent turns of an increasing inner diameter DK compared with the holding turn, with the clamping coil portion 18 extending over at least two turns about the central longitudinal axis (L) of the wire coil and comprises a pitch Pw that is larger compared with the holding turn, and following the clamping coil portion 18 and at the second end of the wire coil, a positioning turn is provided, extending over an angular range of at least 270° about the central longitudinal axis (L) of the wire coil, having an inner diameter Dp for which DK>DP≥DH applies, and having a smaller or no pitch Pp compared with the clamping coil portion 18, so that 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 holdable aligned in the component opening in a clamping manner with the help of the holding turn and the positioning turn.