Hybrid Three-Point Fastener for Mistake-Proof Torque Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fasteners require oversized bearing portions to prevent incorrect usage, leading to increased weight, cost, and potential for incorrect installation due to material inefficiencies and the need for specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid three-point drive fastener design featuring three pairs of equally spaced bearing surfaces for torque transmission, complemented by six concave bearing surfaces for additional tool compatibility, reducing material usage and allowing standard tool compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bearing portion is oversized to prevent incorrect fastener usage, then mistake-proofing is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating a non-circular bearing portion with three lobes of unequal spacing. The bearing surfaces are positioned at specific angular intervals (approximately 120 degrees apart) to create an asymmetric geometry that only fits with a corresponding asymmetric socket, thereby preventing incorrect fastener usage while maintaining optimal weight through precise material placement rather than uniform oversizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the bearing surfaces at three specific locations around the bearing portion rather than distributing material uniformly. This allows the fastener to achieve mistake-proofing functionality only where needed (at the bearing surfaces) while minimizing material usage in non-critical areas, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the bearing portion is oversized to prevent incorrect fastener usage, then mistake-proofing is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by applying local quality - concentrating material and processing resources only at the three critical bearing surface locations rather than uniformly throughout an oversized bearing portion. This minimizes material costs, heat treating costs, plating costs, and packaging costs while maintaining the mistake-proofing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential bearing surfaces needed for torque transmission and mistake-proofing, removing unnecessary material from a conventional hexagonal bearing portion. By taking out only the three pairs of bearing surfaces at optimal positions, the design eliminates excess material costs and associated manufacturing expenses while preserving the critical mistake-proofing functionality.
3Reliability
If a non-standard bearing portion shape is used for mistake-proofing, then incorrect fastener usage is prevented, but special tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the three-lobe bearing portion to be compatible with multiple socket types. The bearing surfaces are positioned and dimensioned to work with both three-point drive sockets and conventional six-point hexagonal sockets, allowing the same fastener design to be serviced with various tool types. This multi-functionality maintains tool compatibility while preserving mistake-proofing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Fasteners are disclosed for use with multiple standard torque delivery tools. The fasteners include several different torque bearing portions for use with different torque delivery tools, as well as non-torque bearing portions disposed between torque bearing portions.