Asymmetric Screw Drive Interface for Faster Tool Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screwdriver alignment methods are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly under poor visibility conditions, due to the lack of alignment aids for rotational orientation with Torx-like tool attachment points, leading to potential damage and increased effort.
Innovation Solution
A screw element design with defined spatial coordinates and a tool attachment point featuring asymmetrical tooth profiles, where the screw-in wall has a larger surface area than the screw-out wall, providing an alignment aid through a guide wall that ensures proper rotational alignment with a screwdriver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional symmetrical tool attachment point is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the alignment with the screwdriver is time-consuming and non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating a tool attachment point with non-uniform tooth profiles where the contact surfaces differ between screwing and unscrewing directions. This asymmetric design provides visual and physical cues for proper alignment, eliminating the time-consuming trial-and-error process of matching symmetrical interfaces.
2Strength
If the contact surfaces are maximized for screwing direction, then the torque transmission is improved, but the space for alignment aid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different contact surface areas at different locations of the tooth profiles. The screwing direction contact surfaces are maximized for torque transmission, while the unscrewing direction contact surfaces are reduced to create space for alignment features, allowing each region to optimize its specific function.
3Device complexity
If work is carried out under poor visibility conditions with conventional attachment points, then no additional alignment features are needed, but the screwdriver may not dock correctly and may destroy the tool attachment point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating alignment features directly into the tool attachment point structure itself, rather than requiring separate alignment devices. The asymmetric tooth profiles and guide features are pre-configured to automatically guide the screwdriver into correct alignment before torque application, preventing misalignment damage in poor visibility conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Described is a screw element (10) consisting of a shaft (13) having an external screw thread (17) and a longitudinal axis (103) which extends along the shaft (13) and thus defines a distal (102) and a proximal (101) direction, and produces a tightening direction (110) and an opposite slackening direction (120), and has, proceding from radially inwards, a tool attachment point (20) and the tool attachment point (20) has a concentric central opening (27) and at least five tooth profiles (e.g. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) directed radially outwards (104) and predominantly parallel to the screw axis (103) are formed in the wall of said opening (27), and each tooth profile can be subdivided into a screw-tightening face (40) for the tightening direction (110) and a screw-slackening face (50) for the slackening direction (120), characterised in that the surface area of the tightening face (40) is larger than the surface area of the slackening face (50).