Lock Sleeve Chuck with Wedge Pin Anti-Loosening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chucks used with power drivers experience unintended loosening of the nut due to inertial forces generated by the rotation and sudden stopping of the chuck, leading to loss of clamping force on working bits.
Innovation Solution
A chuck design that incorporates a lock sleeve and a wedge pin mechanism, allowing the user to transition between locked and unlocked modes. In the locked mode, the wedge pin is positioned to prevent rotation of the nut in one direction, while in the unlocked mode, it allows rotation in both directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintended nut movement, then the nut position stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing nut and threaded bore structure. The wedge pin integrates with the nut's threaded bore, and the lock sleeve combines the functions of a control element and a structural component. This merging approach adds locking capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring provides automatic, continuous urging of the wedge pin into engagement without requiring external power sources, control systems, or additional actuation mechanisms. The mechanism serves itself by using the spring's inherent elastic energy to maintain locking pressure, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex control logic.
2Reliability
If the wedge pin is positioned to prevent rotation of the nut in one direction, then unintended loosening is prevented, but the ease of operation for adjusting jaw position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lock sleeve is designed to rotate freely between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the operator to dynamically switch the locking function on or off as needed. When adjusting jaw position, the operator simply rotates the lock sleeve to disengage the wedge pin, enabling smooth two-way rotation of the nut without resistance from the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge pin's engagement geometry creates asymmetric locking: it prevents rotation in the loosening direction while allowing free rotation in the tightening direction when engaged. This asymmetric design provides protection against unintended loosening during normal operation while maintaining ease of operation for intentional tightening actions.
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 design effectively prevents unintended loosening of the nut during operation, maintaining the clamping force on working bits even under conditions of inertial force.
Implementation Method 1
a pin drive spring coupled to the lock sleeve such that the pin drive spring rotates with the lock sleeve. The pin drive spring may be in contact with the wedge pin to move the wedge pin along the pin engaging surface in response to rotation of the lock sleeve
Implementation Method 2
the wedge pin may be positioned by the pin drive spring in a wedged engagement between the pin engaging surface of the ball retainer and the lock disk wall of the lock disk to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body
Implementation Method 3
A frictional engagement of the threading on the nut may be the means by which the threading causes the jaws to remain securely engaged with the working bit
Data Source
AI summary
A chuck (300) may include a lock disk (380), a ball retainer (350), a lock sleeve (360), a wedge pin (371), and a pin drive spring (320). When the lock sleeve (360) is disposed in the locked position, the wedge pin (371) may be positioned by the pin drive spring (320) in a wedged engagement between a pin engaging surface of the ball retainer (350) and a lock disk wall (381) of the lock disk (380) to prevent rotation of a first sleeve (30) and a nut (40) relative to a body (41) in a first rotational direction but permit rotation in a second rotational direction. When the lock sleeve (360) is disposed in the unlocked position, the wedge pin (371) may be positioned by the pin drive spring (320) such that the wedge pin (371) is not in the wedged engagement to permit rotation of the first sleeve (30) and the nut (40) in the first rotational direction and second rotational direction.