We present a novel concept of a threaded fastener that is resistant to loosening under vibration. The anti-loosening feature does not use any additional element and is based on modifying the geometry of the thread in the bolt. In a normal nut and bolt combination, the axial motion of the nut or bolt is linearly related to the rotation by a constant pitch. In the proposed concept, the axial motion in the bolt is chosen to be a cubic function of the rotation, while for the nut, the axial motion remains linearly related to the rotation. This mismatch results in interference during the tightening process and additional torque required to overcome this interference gives rise to the enhanced anti-loosening property. In addition, the cubic curve is designed to ensure that the mismatch results in stresses and deformation in the elastic region of the chosen material. This ensures that the nut can be removed and reused while maintaining a repeatable anti-loosening property in the threaded fastener. A finite element analysis demonstrates the feasibility of this concept.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
threaded fasteners, loosening, cubic curve, interference, prevailing torque
Topics:
Fasteners, Finite element analysis, Stress, Thread, Torque, Deformation

References

1.
Bhattacharya.
A.
,
Sen.
A.
, and
Das.
S.
,
2010
, “
An Investigation on the Anti-Loosening Characteristics of Threaded Fasteners Under Vibratory Conditions
,”
Mech. Mach. Theory
,
45
, pp.
1215
–
1225
.10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2008.08.004
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
Hess
,
D. P.
,
1998
, “
Vibration- and shock- induced loosening
,”
Handbook of Bolts and Bolted Joints
,
J. H.
Bickford
, and
S.
Nasser
, eds.,
Marcel Dekker
,
New York
, pp.
757
–
824
.
3.
Bickford
,
J. H.
,
1995
,
An Introduction to the Design and Behavior of Bolted Joints
, 3rd ed.,
Marcel Dekker
,
New York
.
4.
Goodier
,
J. N.
, and
Sweeney
,
R. J.
,
1945
, “
Loosening by Vibration of Threaded Fastening
,”
Mech. Eng. (Am. Soc. Mech. Eng.)
,
67
, pp.
798
–
802
.
5.
Sauer
,
J. A.
,
Lemmon
,
D. C.
, and
Lynn
,
E. K.
,
1950
, “
Bolts: How to Prevent Their Loosening
,”
Mechanical Design
,
22
, pp.
133
–
139
.
6.
Gambrell
,
S. C.
,
1968
, “
Why Bolts Loosen
,”
Machine Design
,
40
(25), pp.
163
–
167
.
7.
Junker
,
G. H.
,
1969
, “
New Criteria for Self-Loosening of Fasteners Under Vibration
,”
SAE
Technical Paper 690055,
78
, pp.
314
–
335
.10.4271/690055
8.
Sakai
,
T.
,
1978
, “
Investigations of Bolt Loosening Mechanisms
,”
Bull. JSME
,
21
(
159
), pp.
1385
–
1390
.10.1299/jsme1958.21.1385
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
9.
Yamamoto
,
A.
, and
Kasei
,
S.
,
1984
, “
A Solution for Self-Loosening Mechanism of Threaded Fasteners Under Transverse Vibration
,”
Bull. Jpn. Soc. Precis. Eng
,
18
(3), pp.
261
–
266
. Available at http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0021482587&partnerID=40&md5=cd266f246c91ae258a999dff2cf00151
10.
Vinogradov
,
O.
, and
Huang.
X.
,
1989
, “
On a High Frequency Mechanism of Self-Loosening of Fasteners
,”
Proceedings of 12th ASME Conference on Mechanical Vibration and Noise
,
Montreal
,
Quebec
, pp.
131
–
137
.
11.
Daabin
,
A.
, and
Chow
,
Y. M.
,
1992
, “
A Theoretical Model to Study Thread Loosening
,”
Mech. Mach. Theory
,
27
, pp.
69
–
74
.10.1016/0094-114X(92)90059-Q
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
12.
Zadoks
,
R. I.
, and
Yu
,
X.
,
1993
, “
A Preliminary Study of Self-Loosening in Bolted Connections
,”
Proceedings of the 14th Biennial Conference on Mechanical Vibration and Noise
, pp.
79
–
88
.
13.
Zadoks
,
R. I.
, and
Yu
,
X.
,
1997
, “
An Investigation of the Self-Loosening Behavior of Bolts Under Transverse Vibration
,”
J. Sound Vib.
,
208
, pp.
189
–
209
.10.1006/jsvi.1997.1173
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
14.
Kasei
,
S.
, and
Matsuoka
,
H.
,
1998
, “
Considerations of Thread Loosening by Transverse Impacts
,”
ASME, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP
,
367
, pp.
117
–
123
. Available at http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0031643176&partnerID=40&md5=0fec954a9ed90d2f6a5525ce0f0d3253
15.
Eccles
,
W.
,
Sherrington
,
I.
, and
Arnell
,
R. D.
,
2010
, “
Towards an Understanding of the Loosening Characteristics of Prevailing Torque Nuts
,”
Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., Part C
,
224
, pp.
483
–
495
.10.1243/09544062JMES1493
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
16.
Pai
,
N. G.
, and
Hess
,
D. P.
,
2002
, “
Experimental Study of Loosening of Threaded Fasteners due to Dynamic Shear Loads
,”
J. Sound Vib.
,
253
, pp.
585
–
602
.10.1006/jsvi.2001.4006
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
17.
Pai
,
N. G.
, and
Hess
,
D. P.
,
2002
, “
Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Threaded Fastener Loosening due to Dynamic Shear Load
,”
Eng. Failure Anal.
,
9
, pp.
383
–
402
.10.1016/S1350-6307(01)00024-3
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
18.
Hess
,
D. P.
,
1998
, “
Vibration and Shock–Induced Loosening
,”
Handbook of Bolts and Bolted Joints
,
Marcel Dekker
,
New York
, pp.
757
–
824
.
19.
Hess
,
D. P.
,
2002
, “
Counter-Threaded Spring-Actuated Lock-Fasteners
,”
ASME J. Mech. Des.
,
124
, pp.
582
–
585
.10.1115/1.1485742
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
20.
Sase
,
N.
,
Koga
,
S.
,
Nishioka
,
K.
, and
Fuji
,
H.
,
1998
, “
An Anti-Loosening Screw Fastener Innovation and Its Evaluation
,”
J. Mater. Process. Technol.
,
77
, pp.
209
–
215
.10.1016/S0924-0136(97)00419-6
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
21.
Sase
,
N.
,
Koga
,
S.
,
Nishioka
,
K.
, and
Fuji
,
H.
,
1996
, “
Evaluation of Anti-Loosening Nuts for Screw Fasteners
,”
J. Mater. Process. Technol.
,
56
, pp.
321
–
332
.10.1016/0924-0136(95)01846-8
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
22.
Frailly
,
R. A.
,
1973
, “
Prevailing Torque Locknut
,” U.S. Patent No. 3,741,266.
23.
Villo
,
J. P.
,
1977
, “
Rotation Resistant Nut
,” U.S. Patent No. 4,005,740.
24.
Holmes
,
H. D.
,
1981
, “
Reusable Prevailing Torque Nut
,” U.S. Patent No. 4,293,262.
25.
Bedi
,
R. D.
,
1992
, “
Self Locking Fastener
,” U.S. Patent No. 5,122,020.
26.
Dziaba
,
R. J.
,
1997
, “
Prevailing Torque Nut
,” U.S. Patent No. 5,662,443.
27.
Dietlein
,
R. W.
,
1990
, “
Fastener With Relieved Thread Section Ends
,” U.S. Patent No. 4,890,965.
28.
Ball
,
L.
,
2008
, “
Locking Nut and Bolt System With Enhanced Locking
,” U.S. Patent No. 7,374,495 B2.
29.
Nebl
,
D. R.
, and
Dohm
,
S. R.
,
2007
, “
Fastener and Assembly Therewith
,” U.S. Patent No. 2007/0,274,805 A1.
30.
Holmes
,
H. D.
,
1983
, “
Locking Fastener
,” U.S. Patent No. Re 31,284.
31.
Duffy
,
R. J.
,
1971
, “
Self-Locking Threaded Element
,” U.S. Patent No. 3,554,258.
32.
Jukes
,
J. A.
,
1971
, “
Self-Locking Threaded Insert
,” U.S. Patent No. 3,566,947.
33.
Faroni
,
C. C.
, and
Humphrey
,
J. S.
, Jr.,
1971
, “
Self-Locking Threaded Fastener
,” U.S. Patent No. 3,568,746.
34.
Hess
,
D. P.
,
Cheatham
,
C. A.
, and
Acosta
,
C. F.
,
2009
, “
Tests and Analysis of Secondary Locking Features in Threaded Inserts
,”
Eng. Failure Anal.
,
16
, pp.
39
–
57
.10.1016/j.engfailanal.2008.01.001
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
35.
Hongo
,
K.
,
1964
, “
Loosening of Bolt and Nut Fastening
,”
Trans. Japan Soc. Mech. Eng
,
30
(215), pp.
934
–
939
.10.1299/kikai1938.30.934
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
36.
Vibration Loosening of Bolts and Thread Fasteners
,”
2006
, www.boltscience.com/pages/vibloose.htm
37.
Oberg
,
E.
,
Jones
,
F. D.
,
Ryffel
,
H. H.
,
McCauley
,
C. J.
,
Heald
,
R. M.
, and
Hussain
,
M. I.
,
2008
,
Machinery's Handbook
, 28th ed.,
Industrial Press
,
New York
.
38.
SolidWorks Corporation, 2009, Students’s Guide to Learning SolidWorks® Software, Concord, MA
.
39.
Swanson Analysis Systems Inc., 1987, Ansys User's Manual, Houston, PA
.
40.
Srinath
,
L.
,
2008
,
Advanced Mechanics of Solids
,
McGraw-Hill
,
New York
.
41.
Norton
,
R. L.
,
2011
,
Machine Design: An Integrated Approach
,
Prentice-Hall
,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
.
42.
International Standard
,
2008
, “
Prevailing Torque Type Steel Nuts—Mechanical and Performance Properties
,” ISO 2320:2008.
Copyright © 2013 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.