Electromechanical Fastening and Unfastening Mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism operable through electromagnetic induction, direct electrical connection, or manual engagement. The mechanism comprises a cylindrical body having spiralling protrusions that enable axial displacement upon rotation, and a screw head including a central head fixed to the body and a rotatable outer ring supported by a bearing. The outer ring houses an electromagnetic receiving coil configured to receive energy from a transmitting coil of a specialized screwdriver. A motor located in the central head converts the received electrical energy into rotational motion to tighten or loosen the screw. The screw further includes tool-engagement grooves for optional manual operation. The system also supports direct wired activation and may operate multiple screws simultaneously when placed within an electromagnetic field. Certain embodiments include an internal battery and control circuitry for remote operation.

Description

Electromechanical Fastening and Unfastening MechanismField of InventionThe present invention relates to fastening and connecting tools, and more particularly to an electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism capable of fastening and unfastening through electromagnetic induction, direct electrical activation, or manual engagement. The invention falls within the fields of electromechanical fasteners, automated fastening systems, and remotely operated screw mechanisms.Background of the InventionThe present invention generally relates to fastening and connecting tools such as screws, and specifically to automated fastening and connecting tools.Since ancient times, humans have faced the problem of joining parts together, especially solid materials. This problem was overcome by inventing nails and screws, which have been used for thousands of years and continue to be used today. Carpenters typically join wood using nails and screws. As for metal parts or electronic boards, manufacturers prefer screws due to their ability to be tightened and loosened repeatedly without damaging the parts.One of the important aspects of fastening is tightening and loosening; however, in some places it becomes difficult for the user to loosen screws due to tight spaces or due to the presence of many screws and parts stacked on top of each other. Users may even be forced to remove parts unnecessarily. Therefore, there is a need to find a way to automatically remove and loosen screws, something not found in any prior art, invention, or existing product.Several companies and institutions have attempted different ideas. For example, Chinese document no. 221628614 disclosed a threaded nut assembly involving screws and nuts. It includes a screw inserted into a mounting hole of a double-fit alloy plate, with a threaded nut connected to the screw. A quick-fixing mechanism is arranged on the screw using pressure rings, fixing rings, tightening rings, and grooves. When the alloy plate is fixed, the screw penetrates the mounting hole from below, causing the pressure ring to move downward and the lower end of the fixing ring to expand outward to contact the inner wall of the mounting hole. This allows the screws to remain in place without being held by hand, improving work efficiency and fastening strength.American document US 2005 / 109139 disclosed a motor including a frame, a drive source, a drive-force transmission mechanism, and a reciprocating slider guided by resin sliding elements between the inner and outer walls of the frame.However, these inventions do not solve the problem of automatically tightening or loosening screws. Users still struggle to access and open screws in difficult locations.All previous products also failed to provide self-opening or self-closing screws. Solving this requires a self-operating screw that can be controlled remotely without manually reaching it.Summary of the InventionThe present invention relates to an electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism capable of operating through electromagnetic induction, direct electrical connection, or manual engagement. The invention provides a screw that incorporates an internal motor and receiving coil, enabling the screw to rotate automatically without requiring mechanical torque from a traditional screwdriver.The screw comprises a cylindrical screw body provided with spiraling protrusions that facilitate axial displacement during rotation. A screw head is positioned at the upper end of the screw body and includes two primary components: a central head integrally connected to the screw body, and a rotatable outer ring. A bearing assembly is positioned between the central head and the outer ring to allow smooth relative rotation. The outer ring houses an electromagnetic receiving coil configured to receive energy from a transmitting coil of a specialized screwdriver.Upon receiving electromagnetic energy, the receiving coil converts the energy into electrical power and delivers it to an internal motor located within the central head. The motor rotates the central head and, consequently, the screw body. Through this mechanism, the screw can be fastened or unfastened automatically. The screw head further includes tool-engagement grooves, enabling manual operation when required.A specialized screwdriver is used to wirelessly energize the screw. The screwdriver includes a transmitting coil, a power source, and user controls that determine the direction of rotation. When activated, it emits an electromagnetic field that energizes the screw's receiving coil.The screw may also be operated by direct wired electrical input, thereby providing precise control over individual screws without affecting others. In an additional disclosed embodiment, multiple screws may be positioned within a large electromagnetic field generated by an external coil, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple screws. For certain larger screws, the screw head may incorporate a small internal battery, a rotation regulator, and a data-receiving chip to support remote or autonomous operation.This invention provides a versatile fastening mechanism that can be operated manually, wirelessly, or via direct electrical connection, improving accessibility and efficiency in applications where screws are difficult to reach or require coordinated activation.Brief Description of the DrawingsFigure 1: A 3D view of the electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism with internal power sourceFigure 2: A top detailed view of the screw headFigure 3: A special screwdriver for tightening and loosening the screwsFigure 4: An internal view of the specialized screwdriver illustrating the internal battery and a plurality of coils Detailed Description of the InventionStructure of the Screw The electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism (1), hereinafter referred to as the “screw,” is illustrated generally in Figure 1. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “mechanism,” “electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism,” and “screw” refer to the same device unless indicated otherwise.The screw (1) includes a screw body (3) and a screw head (2). The screw body (3) is a substantially cylindrical elongated structure configured to be received within a corresponding opening, cavity, or recess of an object or assembly. The external surface of the screw body (3) is provided with outwardly extending protrusions (31), which form a spiraling pattern extending from the lower end region of the screw body (3) toward its upper end. The protrusions (31) define a geometry configured to convert rotational motion of the screw (1) into axial displacement, thereby enabling the screw to be inserted or removed by rotation.At the uppermost portion of the screw body (3), the screw head (2) is provided. The screw head (2) comprises two principal interconnected components: a central head portion (21) and an outer ring portion (22). The central head (21) is rigidly and integrally connected to the screw body (3), forming a single structural unit. Surrounding the central head (21) is the outer ring (22), which is mounted such that it can rotate relative to the central head (21). A bearing assembly (26), composed of a plurality of spherical metal balls or ball elements, is disposed between the opposing surfaces of the central head (21) and the outer ring (22). This bearing (26) facilitates and enhances smooth rotational motion of the central head (21) relative to the stationary or differently rotating outer ring (22).The outer ring (22) houses a metal receiving coil (23), preferably formed from copper or similar efficient conductive material. The receiving coil (23) comprises two electrical terminals, namely a negative terminal (23.1) and a positive terminal (23.2), disposed at appropriate positions on the coil to permit receipt of induced electrical charge. The receiving coil (23) is designed to accept electromagnetic energy emitted from a corresponding transmitting coil (41) in the specialized screwdriver device (4) illustrated in Figure 3.The central head (21) includes an internal motor (29) consisting of copper windings (25) arranged around magnetic components (24). When electromagnetic energy is received through the receiving coil (23), the coil converts the incoming electromagnetic field into electrical energy. This electrical energy is delivered to the motor (29), thereby causing the motor (29) to generate rotational motion. Since the motor (29) is positioned within and directly coupled to the central head (21), activation of the motor produces rotation of the central head (21), which in turn rotates and drives the screw body (3) as a unitary structure.The upper surface of the central head (21) includes a groove or recess configured to receive an engaging tip of a conventional screwdriver. The groove may be of various known forms including, but not limited to, a cross-shaped “+,” a straight slot, or a hexagonal drive. This allows for manual tightening or loosening of the screw (1) when electrical or remote operation is not employed.Structure of the Remote ScrewdriverThe specialized screwdriver device (4), illustrated in Figure 3, is designed to enable wireless powering and operation of the screw (1). The screwdriver (4) includes a handle or remote portion (46), which houses a power source, such as a battery (45) or equivalent stored-energy component illustrated in Figure 4. Also attached to the handle (46) is a metal shaft (42) configured to matingly engage the corresponding groove of the central head (21) of the screw (1). This shaft allows the screwdriver (4) to function in a conventional mechanical manner when desired.The screwdriver (4) includes a transmitting coil (41) located internally within the handle. Upon activation through a user-actuated power button (43), the power source energizes the transmitting coil (41), generating an electromagnetic field. When the screwdriver (4) is positioned proximate the screw head (2), the electromagnetic field induces an electrical charge within the receiving coil (23) housed in the outer ring (22). The charged receiving coil (23) then supplies electrical energy to the motor (29), allowing the screw (1) to rotate without physical contact or mechanical torque transfer.The screwdriver (4) additionally includes a direction-control button (44), which allows the user to determine the rotational direction of the motor (29). By reversing the electrical polarity transmitted to the receiving coil (23), the user may selectively cause the screw to rotate in a tightening direction or in an unfastening direction. As a result, the screw (1) can be inserted into or withdrawn from a corresponding opening solely through controlled electromagnetic induction.Direct Wired ActivationIn another operational configuration, the screw (1) may be directly activated by supplying electrical energy to the receiving coil (23) through conductive wiring. In this arrangement, external wires are connected to the positive terminal (23.2) and negative terminal (23.1). This wired connection allows electrical current to be supplied directly from an external power source to the receiving coil (23) without the need for electromagnetic induction.This direct-wired mode provides precise activation of selected screws in assemblies where multiple screws are present. Unlike the electromagnetic activation mode, where all screws within range of a common electromagnetic field may receive energy simultaneously, the direct-wired configuration allows targeted energization of only the screws that are wired. This is particularly beneficial in applications requiring selective fastening or unfastening of screws while leaving others undisturbed. An external control unit or processor may determine which specific screws require activation and deliver electrical power accordingly. Additional EmbodimentsIn another embodiment, multiple screws may be positioned within a region surrounded by a large external electromagnetic coil. When the coil is energized, a broad electromagnetic field is generated across the region. Each screw (1) located within this field receives electromagnetic energy through its receiving coil (23), enabling simultaneous activation of the motor (29) in each screw. This allows coordinated fastening or unfastening of multiple screws at once, improving efficiency in applications where multiple fasteners must be operated simultaneously.In another variation within the disclosed scope, the screw head (2) may incorporate a compact internal battery (10), enabling autonomous operation of the motor (29) without requiring proximity to the screwdriver (4). This configuration allows the screw (1) to be actuated even when exterior access is obstructed or when electromagnetic induction is impractical. The internal battery (10) may be used in combination with a rotation regulator (11) and a data-receiving chip (12), enabling wireless control of the screw’s tightening or loosening functions. This wireless operation permits remote actuation of the screw for use in applications where manual access or conventional screwdriver use may be restricted or undesirable.

Claims

 1. An electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism, comprisinga cylindrical body having spiralling protrusions configured to convert rotational motion into axial displacement;a screw head positioned at an upper end of the cylindrical body, the screw head comprising:    (a) a central head integrally connected to the cylindrical body;    (b) an outer ring positioned around the central head and rotatable relative thereto; and    (c) a bearing assembly disposed between the central head and the outer ring to facilitate relative rotation;a receiving coil disposed within the outer ring and having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; andan internal motor disposed within the central head and electrically coupled to the receiving coil, the motor being configured to rotate the central head and the cylindrical body upon receipt of electrical energy.  2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the receiving coil is configured to receive electromagnetic energy emitted from a transmitting coil of a specialized screwdriver, and to convert the received electromagnetic energy into electrical energy for powering the motor.  3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the central head and the cylindrical body rotate automatically when the specialized screwdriver is activated to transmit electromagnetic energy toward the screw head.  4. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the direction of rotation is controllable by reversing the electrical polarity supplied to the motor.  5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the screw head further comprises an internal battery configured to supply electrical energy to the motor.  6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein the internal battery enables actuation of the motor without proximity to any external screwdriver.  7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the screw head further comprises a data-receiving chip configured to receive wireless control signals for actuating the motor.  8. The mechanism of claim 7, wherein the screw head further comprises a rotation-direction regulator configured to control clockwise and counter clockwise rotation of the cylindrical body.  9. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the central head includes a tool-engagement groove configured to receive a traditional screwdriver, the tool-engagement groove being selected from a cross-shaped groove, a straight slot, or a hexagonal recess.   10. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein electrical wires are connectable directly to the positive and negative terminals of the receiving coil to activate the motor without electromagnetic induction.  11. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein direct-wired activation enables selective actuation of individual screws in assemblies comprising a plurality of screws.  12. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein a plurality of electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanisms are operable simultaneously when positioned within a region surrounded by a large external electromagnetic coil.  13. A screwdriver for operating the electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism of claim 1, comprising:a handle housing a power source;a transmitting coil configured to emit electromagnetic energy toward the receiving coil of the mechanism;a power button for activating the transmitting coil; anda direction-control button for reversing the polarity of the transmitted electromagnetic energy.  14. The screwdriver of claim 13, further comprising a metal shaft configured to engage a tool-engagement groove of the electromechanical fastening and unfastening mechanism for optional manual operation.  15- The mechanism of claim 12, wherein each mechanism is configured to independently receive electromagnetic energy from the large external electromagnetic coil and actuate a respective motor thereof.

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