Magnetic Locknut Socket for Single-Side Connector Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing connectors in the construction industry require two workers to synchronize their actions, making the process complex and increasing labor costs, as a single worker cannot reach both sides of a large cabinet to secure a connector and its locknut simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A socket with a housing featuring magnets and depending feet that allows a single worker to engage and rotate a locknut on an externally threaded connector, enabling solo installation by maintaining the locknut in place with neodymium magnets, allowing axial movement and rotation without needing a second worker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two workers are used to install a connector, then the installation can be completed, but the labor cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of two workers manually coordinating their actions with a magnetic field-based system. The magnets in the socket automatically hold the locknut in position, eliminating the need for human coordination and reducing the task to a simple rotational operation by a single worker.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket with magnets performs the function of holding and positioning the locknut automatically without human intervention. The magnetic field self-adjusts to maintain the locknut in the correct position during the installation process, allowing one worker to complete the task independently.
2Device complexity
If one worker attempts to install a connector alone, then labor cost is reduced, but the worker cannot reach both sides of a large cabinet to secure the connector and locknut simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic holding system replaces the mechanical limitation of human reach. Instead of requiring a worker to physically access both sides of the cabinet, the magnets maintain the locknut position automatically, allowing the worker to operate from one side only.
3Ease of operation
If magnets are used to hold the locknut, then single worker operation is enabled, but the socket structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic socket serves multiple functions: it holds the locknut in position, maintains proper alignment during installation, and enables single-worker operation. These multiple functions are integrated into a single device, making the increased structural complexity worthwhile given the operational benefits.
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 a single worker to install connectors efficiently, reducing complexity and labor costs by allowing solo operation and simplifying the synchronization of actions, facilitating installations in large cabinets where access is limited.
Implementation Method 1
the second end including a first plurality of magnets disposed to maintain a single locknut against the second end
Implementation Method 2
a second plurality of magnets disposed to retain the second end against an associated housing
Data Source
AI summary
A socket includes a housing having a first end dimensioned and configured for cooperation with an associated wrench and a second end dimensioned and configured for engagement with a locknut. The second end includes a first plurality of magnets disposed to maintain a single locknut against the second end, the second end and a second plurality of magnets disposed to maintain the second end against an associated housing with the associated locknut disposed intermediate the second end of the socket and the associated housing. The second end of the socket including a plurality of depending feet dimensioned and configured for meshing engagement with the locknut whereby rotation of the socket causes rotation of the locknut when the locknut is engaged with an associated externally threaded connector to move the locknut axially along the external threads of the externally threaded connector.