Multi-Fitting Socket Structure for Versatile Hand Tool Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing socket structures are limited to being driven by a single type of hand tool, necessitating multiple sets for different usage scenarios, causing operational inconvenience and carrying burdens.
Innovation Solution
A socket structure with a socket body featuring multiple fitting holes and a polygonal driving structure around the outer peripheral wall, allowing engagement with various hand tools, including wrenches and ratchets, and incorporating elastic members and positioning balls for stable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a socket is designed to engage with only one type of hand tool, then the engagement structure is simple, but the user must prepare multiple sets of sockets for different usage scenarios, resulting in operational inconvenience and carrying burden
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is designed with multiple fitting holes of different shapes (e.g., hexagonal, square, Torx) integrated into a single socket body, allowing it to engage with various types of hand tools. The polygonal driving structure on the outer peripheral wall provides additional engagement interfaces. This multi-functional design enables one socket to replace multiple specialized sockets, improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fitting holes are added to the socket body, then compatibility with different hand tools is improved, but the socket structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The socket body is segmented into multiple functional zones with different fitting holes positioned at specific locations. Each fitting hole is optimized for a specific tool type, and the segmentation allows for efficient space utilization within the socket body, minimizing structural complexity while maximizing compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning fitting holes at different depths and orientations within the socket body. The first fitting hole is positioned at a first depth while the second fitting hole is positioned at a second depth, creating a multi-layered engagement structure that accommodates various tool types without increasing lateral dimensions excessively.
3Ease of operation
If the polygonal driving structure is positioned around the outer peripheral wall, then engagement with hand tools is improved, but the axial height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polygonal driving structure is positioned on the outer peripheral wall of the socket body at a specific location optimized for tool engagement. The structure features polygonal-shaped engagement surfaces that provide stable mechanical engagement with hand tools. By concentrating the engagement features at specific locations rather than distributing them uniformly, the design achieves stable engagement while minimizing the increase in axial height.
Data Source
AI summary
A socket structure includes a socket body and a polygonal driving structure. The socket body includes a first fitting hole and a second fitting hole. The first fitting hole and the second fitting hole are respectively located at two ends of the socket body along a central axis of the socket structure, and the first fitting hole is communicated with the second fitting hole. The polygonal driving structure is disposed around an outer peripheral wall of the socket body and surrounds the first fitting hole. The socket structure has a maximum height along the central axis, the polygonal driving structure has an axial height along the central axis, and the axial height is smaller than or equal to half of the maximum height.