Spring-Loaded Multi-Sided Screw for Loss-Proof Tool Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screws, particularly those made of non-ferromagnetic materials, often fail to securely engage with standard tools due to lack of magnetic or spring-based retention mechanisms, leading to potential loss during installation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sided screw design featuring springingly connected drive elements that expand radially to securely fit within a tool's nut, ensuring a loss-proof engagement through a conically flaring insertion region and drive region, allowing for secure retention without the need for ferromagnetic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard screws without retention mechanisms are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and simplicity is improved, but secure engagement with tools deteriorates leading to potential loss during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The drive elements are designed to be springingly connected to the base portion, allowing them to dynamically adjust between a starting position with greater clearance and a mounting position with reduced clearance. This dynamic adjustment enables the drive elements to securely engage with the tool's nut during installation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clearance between drive elements is changed based on the mounting state. In the starting position, the clearance is greater for easy tool insertion. In the mounting position, the clearance is reduced to securely hold the screw in the tool, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable engagement.
2Reliability
If magnetic retention mechanisms are added to non-ferromagnetic screws, then secure engagement is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The springingly connected drive elements automatically adjust their position based on the mounting state. During insertion, they provide greater clearance for easy tool engagement. During tightening, they reduce clearance to securely hold the screw, eliminating the need for separate magnetic retention mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If drive elements with constant clearance are used, then manufacturing precision is simplified, but secure retention during mounting deteriorates due to insufficient force transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The drive elements transition from a starting position with greater clearance to a mounting position with reduced clearance under radial compressive force. This dynamic change ensures consistent manufacturing while achieving secure retention and effective force transfer during the tightening operation.
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 multi-sided screw provides reliable and cost-effective installation by securely holding within standard tools, simplifying the mounting process and ensuring uniform force transfer, applicable to various materials including plastics and non-magnetizable metals.
Implementation Method 1
drive elements (110) which are springingly connected to the base portion (104) in such a way that the drive portion (106), in an unstressed starting position, has in some regions a greater clearance than a tool (30)... in a stressed mounting position in which the drive elements (110) can spring inwardly in the radial direction (128) via impingement by means of a tool (30)
Data Source
AI summary
According to the disclosure, a screw is provided. It includes a head element having a base portion and a drive portion, and a threaded element connected thereto, wherein the drive portion includes at least two drive elements extending in the axial direction, which are springingly connected to the base portion in such a way that the drive portion, in an unstressed starting position, has in some regions a greater clearance than a tool, in particular a nut, a ratchet, or a socket, which corresponds to the drive portion, for actuating the drive, and such that, in a stressed mounting position in which the drive elements can spring inwardly in a radial direction via impingement by means of a tool, the drive portion has a clearance in some regions, which corresponds to approximately a clearance of a tool, such that the screw can be received and held in a tool in a loss-proof manner via a radially-outward acting force of the drive elements.