Detented Adapter Interface for On-the-Fly Screwdriver Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic screwdriver tools require users to completely dismount and remount attachments to change the angular orientation, disrupting the user's operating position and workflow.
Innovation Solution
An adapter and attachment combination that allows angular adjustment without dismounting, featuring a detent spring with inward-protruding notches and a leaf spring with a spherical member for arcuate rotation, enabling the attachment to be rotated to different positions while remaining mounted, providing a positive 'feel' for correct orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the attachment is completely dismounted from the adapter to change angular orientation, then the attachment can be rotated to a different angle, but the user must move hands from operating positions to actuate latches, increasing the time required for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment is designed with a rotatable coupling mechanism that allows dynamic angular adjustment while remaining mounted on the adapter. The coupling includes a rotation member that can be rotated relative to the adapter body, enabling the attachment to change angular orientation without complete dismounting and remounting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment-coupling-adapter assembly is divided into separable functional segments: the attachment, the rotatable coupling mechanism, and the adapter. This segmentation allows the coupling to be rotated independently between the attachment and adapter, enabling angular adjustment without moving the entire attachment assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the attachment is completely dismounted from the adapter to change angular orientation, then the attachment can be rotated to a different angle, but the user's hands must be moved from normal operating positions, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable coupling mechanism provides dynamic angular adjustment capability while the attachment remains mounted on the adapter. This allows the user to maintain hand positions on the handle and trigger while rotating the coupling to change the attachment's angular orientation, eliminating the need to move hands to actuate latches for dismounting and remounting operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional fixed adapters are used, then the adapter provides a stable connection to the power screwdriver, but the angular orientation between the attachment and power screwdriver cannot be changed without dismounting
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a rotatable coupling mechanism that combines stable connection with angular adjustability. The coupling is designed to maintain a secure mechanical connection between the attachment and adapter while allowing controlled rotation to change angular orientation. This dynamic design enables the adapter to provide both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment is mated to a power screwdriver by use of an adapter that is first fixed onto the screwdriver. The attachment includes an automatic fastener driver that receives a collated strip of fasteners, and drives them into a working surface. The attachment is mated to the adapter; the attachment contains a radial type of mechanical coupling that can be rotated without dismounting the attachment from the power screwdriver. In this manner, the angular orientation between the attachment and the power screwdriver can be changed “on the fly” by the user. This combination allows the user to keep his or her hands at their operating positions throughout this procedure, thereby allowing the user to re-commence using the combination tool quickly after readjusting the operating angle.