Laser-Peened Tool Bit Tip for Crack-Resistant Torque Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool bits face issues with durability and wear resistance, particularly at regions that experience high stress and are prone to cracking or breaking during torque application.
Innovation Solution
The tool bit design incorporates a tip with specific regions treated by laser peening to create compressive residual stress, which counteracts tensile stress in surrounding areas, enhancing wear resistance and durability by modifying the grain structure and reducing net internal stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tip is made from standard metal with uniform grain structure, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the wear resistance and durability under high stress are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies laser peening treatment to create a modified grain structure in specific target regions of the tip where high stress occurs during fastener engagement. This localized modification provides enhanced wear resistance and durability precisely where needed, while the rest of the tip maintains its original simple structure for manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser peening process is applied during manufacturing to pre-establish compressive residual stress and modified grain structure in the tip's target regions before the tool bit enters service. This preliminary action prepares the critical areas to withstand high stress and wear conditions that will occur during actual use, preventing cracking and extending lifespan.
2Reliability
If the entire tip is treated with laser peening, then wear resistance is maximized throughout, but manufacturing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and treats only the specific target regions on the tip surface where cracks commonly initiate during fastener engagement. By limiting laser peening to these localized areas rather than the entire tip surface, the manufacturing time is reduced while still achieving the durability improvement where it is most needed.
3Strength
If compressive residual stress is applied to the tip, then cracking resistance improves, but the internal stress distribution becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The laser peening process applies compressive residual stress to the tip's target regions in advance, creating a pre-compression that counteracts the tensile stresses generated during fastener engagement. This preliminary anti-action prevents crack initiation and propagation by opposing the harmful tensile forces that occur during torque application.
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 laser peening process improves the tool bit's lifespan and wear resistance, allowing it to apply torque to more workpieces before failure, especially under high stress conditions, by targeting areas where cracks commonly occur.
Implementation Method 1
The tip includes a target region treated by laser peening. The target region is spaced from an end of the tip.
Implementation Method 2
The laser peening process improves the tool bit's lifespan and wear resistance, allowing it to apply torque to more workpieces before failure, especially under high stress conditions, by targeting areas where cracks commonly occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool bit including a drive portion, a tip, and a body. The drive portion is disposed at a first end of the tool bit and is configured to be coupled to a tool. The tip is disposed at a second end of the tool bit opposite from the drive portion. The tip includes a target region treated by laser peening. The target region is spaced from an end of the tip. The body extends between the drive portion and the tip.