Flexible Hinge Tool Collar for Bearing Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool mounting systems, such as socket wrenches, face challenges in securely attaching and detaching tools due to the risk of bearings falling and the need for precise alignment, especially in applications where tools may be wet or slippery, requiring higher forces for insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
A flexible connector or living hinge system is integrated into the tool collar, featuring a sleeve with a flexible hinge that is either the same or varying thickness, which is affixed over the outer annular wall to prevent bearing loss and allow dynamic movement, along with alignment guides to ensure proper orientation, facilitating reversible attachment and reduced force requirements for tool insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing guide with a smaller diameter end is used to prevent bearing loss, then bearing security is improved, but the bearing cannot dynamically move within the guide
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing guide transitions from a static fixed-diameter structure to a dynamic variable-diameter structure. The flexible hinge allows the guide's effective diameter to change during operation: larger during insertion to permit bearing movement, and smaller during retention to prevent bearing loss. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between bearing security and dynamic movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective diameter parameter of the bearing guide is changed from a constant value to a variable value through the flexible hinge mechanism. The hinge's flexibility allows the guide to expand and contract, changing its internal diameter based on operational requirements. This parameter change enables the guide to provide both bearing retention and dynamic movement functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible hinge of reduced thickness is used, then the force required for tool insertion and removal is reduced, but the structural strength of the sleeve is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve structure transitions from uniform thickness to non-uniform thickness with a localized reduced-thickness flexible hinge. This local quality change allows the hinge region to be softer and more compliant for easier tool insertion, while the rest of the sleeve maintains full thickness and structural strength. The localized modification resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and overall structural integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment guides are added to ensure proper orientation, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guides are merged with the existing sleeve and bearing guide structures rather than being separate components. The flexible hinge itself serves dual functions: providing the thickness reduction for easier insertion and simultaneously acting as an alignment mechanism. This merging approach achieves precise alignment without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hinge is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural connection, enables dynamic movement, allows thickness reduction for ease of operation, and provides alignment guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment components, thereby achieving precise alignment without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 flexible connector system securely attaches and detaches tools with reduced force, preventing bearing loss and improving usability in applications like medical procedures where tools may be difficult to handle, while allowing compatibility with various tool platforms.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible connector or living hinge for use in mounting tools to a larger element such as a handpiece, shaft, or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A latch and catch arrangement is disclosed, whereby a sleeve supporting a flexible hinge with an extended finger is oriented over a fluid connection to a socket guide. An alignment via a latch and catch between the sleeve and tool collar orients a flexible hinge, which may be of reduced thickness, over a bearing in a guide. The finger moves upward when a tool is inserted into a tool socket, and the flexible hinge, properly oriented by the alignment catch/latch, keeps the finger in the tool socket while allowing necessary movement to insert and remove a tool.