Manual Impact Driver With Switchable Linear and Torque Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional impact drivers require a two-stage process for loosening fixings and often struggle with mis-alignment and insufficient force application, making it difficult to remove overtightened or specialized fastening members like wheel lock nuts.
Innovation Solution
A manual impact driver that can switch between configurations to apply either a linear force or a torque, allowing a single device to perform both functions, with a sliding member and helical cavity converting linear force to rotational force, and featuring a replaceable anvil and protection plate for safety and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional impact driver is used to loosen fixings, then a rotational force is produced, but a two-stage process is required and the device cannot apply linear force directly
Solution Approach 1:
The impact driver is designed to perform multiple functions: it can apply both linear impact force and rotational torque through the same device. The anvil can be struck to deliver linear force, and the helical cavity mechanism converts this linear force into rotational torque at the sliding member, eliminating the need for separate tools or processes for different fastening tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the functions of a linear impact tool and a rotational impact tool into a single integrated system. The body, anvil, and helical cavity mechanism work together to combine linear force application and rotational force generation in one device, simplifying the overall process.
2Force
If a traditional impact driver is used, then rotational force is generated, but mis-alignment and insufficient force application occur
Solution Approach 1:
The helical cavity mechanism automatically converts linear impact force into rotational torque without requiring the user to manually coordinate both actions. When the user strikes the anvil with linear force, the sliding member's interaction with the helical cavity self-generates the rotational component, reducing the skill and confidence requirements for effective operation.
3Reliability
If specialist tools are used for wheel lock nuts, then effective removal is achieved, but tool availability is limited and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impact driver is designed as a universal tool that can handle both standard fastenings and specialized fastenings like wheel lock nuts. By combining linear impact capability with automatic torque generation through the helical cavity mechanism, it replaces the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining effectiveness on difficult fastenings.
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
Enables efficient and confident removal of threaded fastening members with reduced risk of mis-strikes and damage, providing sufficient torque for loosening without needing additional tools.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding member may define a helical cavity and the axis of the helical cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the impact driver
Data Source
AI summary
A manual impact driver for aiding the removal of a threaded fastening member from a structure, is disclosed having a longitudinal axis (L), the manual impact driver including a body having a first end and a second end and a sliding member configured to be coupled to the body at the second end. The impact driver is movable between a first configuration, upon impact at the first end of the body, a linear impact force is translated along the longitudinal axis (L) from the first end of the body to the sliding member and a second configuration, upon impact at the first end, the linear impact force produces a torque, about the longitudinal axis (L), at the sliding member. The impact driver is operable to switch between the configurations upon rotation, by a user, of the body with respect to the sliding member.