Keyless Chuck With Self-Locking Teeth Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chucks for power drivers lack a mechanism to securely grip tools of varying diameters and polygonal cross-sections without the need for keys, and they often require complex configurations to achieve the necessary torque for effective tool retention.
Innovation Solution
A chuck design featuring a body with a nose section, tail section, and center axis, where a nut and sleeve mechanism work together with non-rotatable teeth to apply rotational torque, allowing the jaws to move radially toward or away from the center axis, providing a secure grip through a defined rotational torque that corresponds to a predetermined output force, enabling easy tool engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a keyless chuck mechanism is used to enable manual tightening, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The chuck mechanism automatically locks when the sleeve is rotated to the engaged position. The teeth on the sleeve automatically engage with the teeth on the nut, creating a self-locking mechanism that requires no additional keys or tools, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional key-based locking mechanisms with a mechanical tooth engagement system. The interlocking teeth between the sleeve and nut provide automatic locking through pure mechanical means, eliminating the need for separate locking keys or complex multi-component locking systems
2Reliability
If a tooth engagement mechanism is added to provide locking, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the tightening function in a single integrated mechanism. The same sleeve that tightens the jaws by rotating the nut also provides locking through its teeth engaging with the nut teeth, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve performs multiple functions: it acts as the tightening actuator by rotating the nut, and simultaneously serves as the locking mechanism through its tooth engagement with the nut. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, balancing reliability with complexity
3Ease of operation
If the sleeve is made rotatable with respect to the nut for tightening, then ease of operation is improved, but control over rotational torque becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth engagement between the sleeve and nut creates a preliminary mechanical constraint that prevents uncontrolled rotation. The teeth meshing together provide inherent torque control by engaging at specific points, preventing the sleeve from rotating beyond the designed torque threshold without requiring additional complex control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A chuck (10) has a body (14), a plurality of jaws (22), and a rotatable nut (16). A sleeve (18) is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position with respect to the nut. An annular array of first teeth (84) are non-rotatable with respect to the body. One or more second teeth (63) are non-rotatable with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body. When the teeth engage, they resist the nut's rotation in the opening direction. An engagement between the sleeve and the one or more second teeth moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.