Non-ferrous Fastener Retention Socket Mechanical Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-ferrous metallic fasteners, such as aluminum and stainless steel, cannot be retained by magnetic sockets for vertical or horizontal applications, requiring manual manipulation and often face restricted clearance issues, making it difficult to use them with nutrunners.

Innovation Solution

A retention socket with a mechanical retaining feature, such as a snap ring, sleeve, collet, or ball plunger mechanism, is designed to removably couple non-ferrous metallic fasteners to the socket body without magnetic forces, ensuring secure engagement and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic socket is used to retain fasteners, then ferrous fasteners can be retained easily, but non-ferrous metallic fasteners cannot be retained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener retention capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with non-ferrous fasteners

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetic field-based retention system with a mechanical retention system. The socket includes a mechanical retaining feature (such as a protrusion or ledge) that physically engages with the fastener head, eliminating dependence on magnetic properties and enabling retention of non-ferrous materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical retaining feature acts as an intermediary between the socket and the fastener head. This intermediate mechanical structure enables the transfer of retention force without requiring direct magnetic interaction, thus accommodating non-ferrous fasteners that lack magnetic susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual manipulation is used to place non-ferrous fasteners, then retention without magnetic forces is achieved, but tight clearances restrict the ability to manipulate fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of non-ferrous fastenersVSAvoidmanual manipulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical retaining feature is pre-configured within the socket to automatically engage with the fastener head upon insertion. This preliminary mechanical arrangement eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation operations, allowing operators to simply insert the fastener without requiring dexterity or excessive clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical retaining feature is added to the socket, then non-ferrous fasteners can be retained, but the socket structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to retain non-ferrous fastenersVSAvoidsocket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is divided into functional segments: the main socket body and the separate mechanical retaining feature. This segmentation allows the retaining feature to be designed as a simple, dedicated component that can be integrated into the socket without requiring complex overall restructuring, thus adding functionality while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11045930B2Non-ferrous fastener retention socket

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A retention socket is configured to hold a non-ferrous metallic fastener and includes a socket body defining a cavity shaped to receive a head of the non-ferrous metallic fastener. The retention socket further includes a mechanical retaining feature coupled to the socket body to removably couple the non-ferrous metallic fastener to the socket body without the aid of magnetic forces.