Fencing Epee Point d'Arret Screw and Tool for Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screws used in electric fencing swords face issues such as over-tightening, loosening due to mechanical vibrations, handling difficulties, and wear, leading to loss of the screw slot and blocking, especially for users with intermediate experience.
Innovation Solution
A screw with a M2×2 configuration featuring a 0.9 mm hexagonal through-hole and transverse slots at both ends, along with a collar as a stop, allowing for hexagonal key and flat-head screwdriver usage, and a tool that efficiently transmits torque to the screw, preventing over-tightening and enhancing ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional M2×0.25×2 screw with straight slot head is used, then the screw can be secured with a flat-head screwdriver, but the risk of over-tightening increases and the insulating layer is frequently bored through
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized tool acts as an intermediary between the operator and the screw. The tool incorporates a collar that contacts the metallic body of the stopping point, serving as a mechanical mediator that limits the maximum tightening torque applied to the screw, thereby preventing over-tightening and damage to the insulating layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar on the tool is pre-configured with a specific height that corresponds to the maximum safe tightening depth. This preliminary design ensures that before the screw can be over-tightened, the collar will contact the stopping point and prevent further rotation, proactively preventing the harmful effect of over-tightening.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional straight slot screw is used, then the screw can be inserted, but handling difficulty increases due to small dimensions and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The screw head is designed with multiple drive interfaces: both a straight slot and a hexagonal through-hole are incorporated into the same screw head. This allows the screw to be operated with different tools (flat-head screwdriver or hexagonal key), providing versatility and ease of handling while maintaining the ability to be inserted and secured properly.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional straight slot screw is used, then the screw can be secured, but the screw slot is lost due to wear and the screw becomes blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The screw head geometry is changed from a conventional straight slot to include a hexagonal through-hole configuration. This parameter change in the drive interface geometry transforms the wear characteristics, allowing operation with hexagonal keys that distribute wear differently and prevent the slot wear and blocking issues experienced with conventional straight slot screws.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional screws are used, then the stopping point can be secured, but loosening occurs due to mechanical vibrations from fencing practice
Solution Approach 1:
The screw securing system is segmented into multiple functional elements: the screw itself, the threaded cavity, and the collar mechanism. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function - the screw provides threading engagement, while the collar provides vibration resistance by limiting rotation and maintaining proper positioning under mechanical vibrations from fencing practice.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an accessory for securing points d′arrêt on fencing épées, comprising a screw for securing the point d′arrêt which is located on the tip of a fencing épée, in order to close the circuit of the electric touch-detection device with which said swords are equipped. The invention includes a screw-coupling tool, characterised in that the screw includes a central axially-extending through-hole having a hexagonal or any other prism-shaped configuration, while the actuation end of the tool includes a first cylindrical or frustoconical segment so that it can be easily fitted to the hole in the screw. In addition, a collar is provided half-way along the length or height of the screw, which serves as an end-stop element.