Adjustable Torque Screwdriver With Integrated Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screwdrivers for adjustable torque are costly due to unnecessary components, inconvenient to adjust torque values, and lack a mechanism to compensate for spring elasticity degradation, affecting precision.
Innovation Solution
A screwdriver design featuring a handle, shaft, torque-transmitting unit, and torque-adjusting unit with a nut, screw, and lock system that allows for adjustable torque without a sleeve, enabling easy adjustment and compensation for spring elasticity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sleeve and adjusting element are used to prevent unintentional spinning of the handle, then the torque adjustment reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sleeve and adjusting element into a single integrated adjusting element that performs both functions: preventing unintentional spinning and enabling torque adjustment. This merging eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining the reliability of torque adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a preventive mechanism against unintentional spinning and as an adjustable torque control mechanism. This universal component reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant parts.
2Reliability
If a sleeve is used to prevent unintentional spinning of the handle, then the torque adjustment reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sleeve function into the adjusting element, allowing users to adjust torque without detaching any components. The integrated design enables direct adjustment while maintaining prevention of unintentional spinning, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting element incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that allows free rotation during adjustment mode and locks in position when adjustment is complete. This dynamic behavior enables easy torque adjustment while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If no compensation mechanism is provided for spring elasticity decrease, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a correction screw that allows users to compensate for spring elasticity decrease by adjusting the position of the follower relative to the driver. This feedback mechanism enables precision maintenance by counteracting the effects of spring degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction screw mechanism allows for parameter adjustment of the spring pre-compression force. By changing the initial compression state of the spring, users can compensate for elasticity loss and maintain accurate torque measurement precision.
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 design provides an inexpensive, convenient, and precise method to adjust torque, maintaining maximum torque value and accommodating spring elasticity changes, thus improving usability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (50) compressed between the follower (30) and the ring (60)
Data Source
AI summary
A screwdriver includes a handle, a shaft, a torque-transmitting unit and a torque-adjusting unit. The shaft is partially inserted in the handle. The torque-transmitting unit is located in the handle and operable to transmit an adjustable maximum value of torque to the shaft from the handle. The torque-adjusting unit is partially located in the handle, connected to the torque-transmitting unit, and operable to adjust the adjustable maximum value of torque.