Laser-Textured Socket Surface for Easy Fastener Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved method and device to mitigate slippage between the pulley and the belt in a supercharger, as well as to enhance the coefficient of friction for easy gripping and separation of sockets from fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A pulley assembly with a shaft mount and a body featuring laser-induced friction lines or patches on the outer surface, formed by fusing particulate matter using a laser beam, and a socket with laser-induced friction surfaces or lines to increase the coefficient of friction for easy gripping and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small diameter pulley is used, then the supercharger size is reduced, but slippage between the pulley and belt increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies friction lines only to the specific region of the pulley that contacts the belt, creating localized high-friction zones. This allows the pulley to maintain small overall dimensions while achieving sufficient grip through concentrated friction enhancement at the contact interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface friction parameter by introducing friction lines with different coefficients of friction than the base pulley surface. This parameter modification enables the small pulley to achieve the necessary traction without increasing its diameter.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional sockets are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but removal from fasteners requires blunt objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies friction lines only to the external gripping surface of the socket, leaving the internal fastener-engaging surfaces unchanged. This localized modification maintains compatibility with standard fasteners while enabling easy manual removal through increased surface friction for gripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction lines act as an intermediary feature that facilitates user interaction with the socket. By creating high-friction zones on the gripping surface, the patent enables direct manual manipulation without requiring intermediate tools like hammers or punches.
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 solution effectively reduces slippage between the belt and pulley, mitigates noise, and allows for easy manual removal of sockets from fasteners without the need for blunt objects.
Implementation Method 1
The heat may be generated by a laser beam that traces a desired pattern of friction lines
Implementation Method 2
fusing the applied particulate matter to the outer surface by heating the outer surface and the particulate matter
Implementation Method 3
The increased friction mitigates noise by reducing slippage between a belt and the pulley
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening tool having a socket and a socket wrench with laser induced friction surfaces or lines on the outer surface of the socket is described herein. The laser induced friction surfaces may have a plurality of kerfs with recast material to increase the coefficient of friction on the outer surface of the socket. As a result, the user of the fastening tool may pull the socket off a head of a fastener with his or her hands instead of having to dislodge the socket first with a blunt object, such as a hammer. It is contemplated that the socket wrench may have laser induced friction surfaces or lines also.