Fastening structure

Abstract

A fastening structure inserts a threaded rod 11a of a bolt 11 through a fixing hole 12a of a to-be-fixed member 12 in a manner such that an end portion of the threaded rod protrudes from the fixing hole, and screwing a machine screw 15 with a proper torque into a nut 14 which is provided on the end portion via a washer 13. The washer has an inclined surface 13c formed on a first side 13b which faces the nut, and has a flat surface formed on a second side 13d. The machine screw is screwed into the nut in a direction such that an axis is orthogonal to the inclined surface 13c. The first side (the inclined surface) and the second side of the washer have a different surface roughness, and the first side has a smaller coefficient of friction than the second side.

Claims

1. A fastening structure for fixing an object to a to-be-fixed member by inserting a threaded rod of a bolt for fixing the object through a fixing hole of the to-be-fixed member in a manner such that an end portion of the threaded rod protrudes from the fixing hole, and screwing a machine screw with a proper torque into a nut which is provided on the end portion via a washer, wherein the washer has an inclined surface formed on a first side thereof which faces the nut, and has a flat surface formed on a second side thereof which is opposite to the first side; the inclined surface is formed so as to have a gradually decreasing height in a tightening direction of the nut, wherein the tightening direction of the nut is a rotational direction of the nut about an axis of the bolt; the machine screw is screwed into the nut in a direction such that an axis thereof is orthogonal to the inclined surface, and the machine screw has an end which protrudes to contact the inclined surface; and the inclined surface has a smaller coefficient of friction than the second side of the washer.

2. The fastening structure according to claim 1 wherein the machine screw has a flat surface at the end thereof and makes face-contact with the inclined surface.

3. The fastening structure according to claim 2 wherein the machine screw is screwed so as to be tilted against the axis of the nut by an angle corresponding to an inclination angle of the inclined surface.

4. The fastening structure according to claim 1 wherein the inclined surface is formed at two or more places in a circumferential direction around a center hole of the washer.

5. The fastening structure according to claim 1 wherein the second side of the washer is formed uneven so as to have a first resistance in the tightening direction and a second resistance in a loosening direction, the first resistance being smaller than the second resistance.

6. A fastening structure for fixing an object to a to-be-fixed member by inserting a threaded rod of a bolt for fixing the object into a fixing hole of the to-be-fixed member via a washer, wherein the washer has an inclined surface formed on a first side thereof which faces a head of the bolt, and has a flat surface formed on a second side thereof which is opposite to the first side; the inclined surface is formed so as to have a gradually decreasing height in a tightening direction of the bolt; a machine screw is screwed into the head of the bolt in a direction such that an axis thereof is orthogonal to the inclined surface, and the machine screw has an end which comes in contact with the inclined surface; and the inclined surface has a smaller coefficient of friction than the second side of the washer, wherein the tightening direction of the bolt is a rotational direction of the bolt about an axis of the bolt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a fastening structure according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a view on the arrow of the line A-A in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a plan view of a nut used for the fastening structure according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a modified example of a washer.

(8) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment illustrated like FIG. 1, which is applied to a head of a headed bolt instead of the nut.

(9) FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment illustrated like FIG. 1.

(10) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 9.

(11) FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) respectively show an intermediate cradle.

(12) FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment illustrated like FIG. 1.

(13) FIG. 13 shows an intermediate cradle.

(14) FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment illustrated like FIG. 1.

(15) FIG. 15 is a plan view of the fastening structure shown in FIG. 14.

(16) FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(17) Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

(18) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a fastening structure according to the invention, and FIG. 2 is a view on the arrow of the line A-A in FIG. 1.

(19) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fastening structure of the invention is a fastening structure for fixing an object (not shown) to a to-be-fixed member 12 by inserting a threaded rod 11a of a bolt 11 for fixing the object to the to-be-fixed member 12 through a fixing hole 12a of the to-be-fixed member 12 in a manner such that an end portion of the threaded rod 11a protrudes from the fixing hole 12a, and applying a nut 14 to the end portion via a washer 13. Here, the bolt 11 has a screw diameter of 20 mm to 1000 mm, for example.

(20) In this fastening structure, with the relation between the nut 14 and the washer 13, the nut 14 will not naturally loosen even if subjected to vibration or the like, but can be easily loosened by a hand wrench alone if necessary for maintenance.

(21) The washer 13 has a center hole 13a through which the threaded rod 11a is inserted. The washer 13 has multiple inclined surfaces 13c formed on a first side 13b which faces the nut 14. In other word, multiple angled protrusions are formed on the first side of the washer 13, which are disposed along a circumferential direction around the center hole 13a. On the other hand, a second side 13d is formed flat.

(22) The inclined surface 13c is continuous with a wall 13e rising at a nut 14 tightening direction end. The inclined surface 13c and the wall 13e are orthogonal to each other (□1=90°). The inclined surface 13c is inclined at an angle about □2=3° to 20° with respect to the second side 13d.

(23) The first side 13b (the inclined surface 13c) and the second side 13d of the washer 13 have different surface roughness so that they have a different coefficient of friction. The inclined surface 13c is finished smoother than the second surface 13d so as to have a smaller coefficient of friction. For example, the inclined surface 13c is of normal finishing and the second side 13d is of rough finishing.

(24) The nut 14 has multiple inclined threaded holes 14c formed around a center hole 14d (See FIG. 4) in a circumferential direction corresponding to the inclined surface 13c, which are inclined along the circumference from an upper surface 14a to a lower surface 14b with respect to a center axis of the bolt 11. A machine screw 15 is applied to the inclined treaded hole 14c of the nut 14 to be screwed, when an axis of the machine screw 15 is positioned orthogonal to the inclined surface 13c. The machine screw 15 has an end which is flat and in face-contact with the inclined surface 13c.

(25) In this structure, when the nut 14 tries to rotate in a loosening direction (i.e. in the anti-clockwise direction) due to vibration or the like, the machine screw 15 moves on the inclined surface 13c of the washer 13 in a climbing direction. As a result, a length L between the upper surface 14a of the nut 14 and the second surface 13d of the washer 13 tries to increase.

(26) At this time, since the first side 13b and second side 13d of the washer 13 have a different coefficient of friction, slip between the inclined surface 13c of the washer 13 having a smaller coefficient of friction and the end of the machine screw 15 precedes that between the second side 13d and the to-be-fixed member 12. When the slip starts even a little, the length L become longer, so that the second side 13d of the washer 13 is more strongly pressed against a seat (the to-be-fixed member 12) and becomes less slippery.

(27) As the inclination angle of the inclined surface 13c increases, the second side 13d of the washer 13 is still more strongly pressed against the seat. This further increases the friction and makes it harder to rotate. That is, the nut 14 will not come loose.

(28) As an example, under the condition that the bolt 11 has a diameter of 36 mm (M 36), a length of five times the diameter (180 mm) and a bolt axial force (a bolt tension) of 350 kN, and the inclined surface 13c of the washer 13 has an slant depth of 0.6 mm, a force (i.e. an axial force or a rotation torque) to (forcefully) loosen the nut 14 will be 196% (about doubled) for fastening force of 100.

(29) Where the bolt 11 has a diameter of 64 mm and a bolt axial force of 1150 kN, and other conditions are the same, a force to loosen the nut 14 will be 153% (about 1.5 times).

(30) The force to loosen the nut 14 varies with a slant depth of the inclined surface 13c on the washer 13 (a height of the wall 13e), and the deeper the depth, the greater the force (the axial force or rotation torque for loosening) required.

(31) The fact that 153% to 196% force is required to forcefully loosen the nut 14 is the same as the nut 14 will not loosen. This is because bolts are generally tightened with 60% to 90% of yield point, and may be broken before loosening when a loosening torque (or an axial force) about twice is applied.

(32) Nevertheless, generally the nut 14 is required to be (easily) loosened for maintenance or the like. In other words, a conflicting performance is required such that every nut should never loosen but can be easily loosened if necessary.

(33) This fastening structure perfectly meets the above requirements, in which the nut 14 will not naturally loosen even if subjected to vibration or the like because of the relation between the nut 14 and the washer 13. On the other hand, if it is necessary to loosen the nut 14 for maintenance, the nut 14 can be easily loosened by a hand wrench, for example. In other words, when the machine screw 15 is loosened by a hand wrench, the nut 14 can be easily loosened even though having been tightened slightly harder from the beginning.

(34) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment but has the other embodiments as follows.

(35) (i) In the above-mentioned embodiment the inclined surfaces 13c having a certain width are disposed in the circumferential direction, whereas it is also possible to dispose fan-shaped inclined surfaces 13c′ in the circumferential direction.

(36) (ii) The above-mentioned embodiment is the fastening structure using the relation between the nut and washer, whereas it is also possible to apply the fastening structure to a relation between a head 21a of a headed bolt 21 and the washer 13 as shown in FIG. 8, for example. In this case, the cross section of the head 21a of the headed bolt 21 is not limited to a hexagon, but may be a circle.

(37) (iii) In the above-mentioned embodiment the inclined surface 13c is directly formed on the first side 13b of the washer 13, whereas it is also possible to fasten via an intermediate cradle 31 as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11(a), one side 31a of the intermediate cradle 31, which comes in contact with the end of the machine screw 15, has a flat surface (a horizontal surface), and the other side 31b has an inclined surface corresponding to the inclination of the inclined surface 13c of the washer 13, so that the machine screw 15 can be screwed without inclined. In this case, it is also possible to employ an intermediate cradle 31A provided with a rotation blocking groove 31c as shown in FIG. 11(b). The groove 31c may be also used for positioning.

(38) (iv) As shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible to make the end of the machine screw 15 come in contact with an inclined surface 13Ba as one side of an intermediate cradle 31B mounted on a first side 13Aa of a washer 13A. In this case, the first side 13Aa and a second side 13Ab of the washer 13A have a flat surface, and as shown in FIG. 13, one side 13Ba of the cylindrical intermediate cradle 31B, with which the end of the machine screw 15 comes in contact, has an inclined surface. The contact area of the end of the machine screw is the hatched area. The inclined surface has a smaller coefficient of friction than the second side 13Ab of the washer 13A, and the intermediate cradle 31B is arranged on the first side 13Aa of the washer 13A in a manner such that the inclined surface can have a decreasing height in the tightening direction of the nut 14.

(39) (v) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the basic principle of the fastening structure of the invention is to screw the machine screw 15 into the nut 14 with a uniform force (torque or axial force) rather than rotating the nut 14 in order to tighten the bolt 11 and the nut 14. However, it is also possible to use the principle in reverse.

(40) As shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, for example, to screw every machine screw 15 into a nut 14A so as to protrude by the same length from a lower surface 14b of the nut 14A in advance before rotating the nut 14A for tightening leads to the same result as to screw every machine screw 15 with the uniform force. In this example, in order to make it easy to rotate (tighten) the nut 14A with a tool, the nut 14A has a hexagonal cross section, for example. It should be noted that the machine screw 15 has a head 15a and a threaded portion 15b of length H. The protruding length of the end of the machine screw 15 (the end of the threaded portion 15b) from the lower surface 14b is regulated by the engagement between the head 15a and a step 14ca of the inclined screw hole 14c. Thus every machine screw 15 can be attached so as to protrude by the same length from the lower surface 14b of the nut 14A in advance.

(41) In this structure, when the nut 14A is tightened, the nut A and the washer 13B rotate together, and the end of the machine screw 15 is tightened to the threaded rod 11a of the bolt 11 while being caught in a step provided by the wall 13e of the washer 13. Here, an uneven shape 13f (a jagged shape, for example) is formed on the second side 13d as a lower surface of the washer 13B, so as to provide a small resistance in the tightening direction and a large resistance in the loosening direction.

(42) The nut 14A in this fastening structure will not loosen on the same principle as mentioned above. Additionally this structure enables to eliminate a troublesome work of screwing every machine screw one by one for tightening the bolt 11 and the nut 14A, and greatly simplify a fastening work. Therefore, even in the case there are many fastening points, the fastening work can be carried out in a short time by just tightening the nut 14A with a power tool or the like, that increases practical value as a fastening structure which is easy to tighten and prevents a nut from loosening.

(43) (vi) The machine screw 15 has a flat end, but the same effect can be obtained when the machine screw is formed to have a hemispherical end, the inclined surface is formed to have a groove of semicircular cross section provided along the inclined surface, and the machine screw is screwed vertically without inclined at an angle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(44) 11 Bolt 11a Threaded rod 12 To-be-fixed member 12a Fixing hole 13, 13A, 13B Washer 13a Center hole 13b, 13Aa First side 13c, 13c′, 13Ba Inclined surface 13d, 13Ab Second side 13e Wall 13f Uneven shape 14, 14A Nut 14a Upper surface 14b Lower surface 14c Inclined treaded hole 14ca Step 14d Center hole 15 Machine screw 15a Head 15b Threaded portion 21 Headed bolt 21a Head 31, 31A, 31B Intermediate cradle 31a, 31Ba One side 31b, 31Bb Other side 31c Rotation blocking groove