Pivoting Bit Holder With Multi-Depth Socket
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bit holders with pivotable components often locate the pivot point too far behind the working end of the bit, leading to misalignment and excessive wear on both the bit and the fastener during torque application.
Innovation Solution
A bit holder with a multi-depth socket that allows the interchangeable bit to pivot or articulate relative to the longitudinal axis, featuring a locking mechanism and contoured portions for controlled articulation, enabling the bit to operate as either a straight-on or off-angle bit by adjusting the depth of the socket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot point is located far behind the working end of the bit, then the bit can pivot or articulate relative to the bit holder, but this results in misalignment and excessive wear on both the bit and the fastener during torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The bit holder employs a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the bit to transition between a locked state (for precise alignment and torque application) and an unlocked state (for articulation and positioning). The resilient member enables the socket to adapt its constraint level on the bit, providing both flexibility and precision as needed during different phases of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The bit holder socket is divided into distinct functional zones: a first portion that engages with the bit shank for positioning, and a second portion that provides articulation freedom when unlocked. The resilient member acts as a separate locking component that can engage or disengage from the bit, segmenting the constraint function from the structural socket body
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot point is located far behind the working end of the bit, then the bit can be positioned at off-angles, but this causes eccentric rotation and excessive wear on the fastener
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides dynamic control over bit articulation, allowing the bit to pivot to off-angles when needed for positioning, then lock into place before torque application. This ensures that eccentric rotation occurs only during positioning, not during fastening, thereby minimizing fastener wear while maintaining off-angle capability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism performs preliminary alignment and securing of the bit before torque application begins. The resilient member engages the bit in advance, establishing proper alignment and preventing eccentric rotation during the critical fastening operation, thereby protecting the fastener from excessive wear
3Manufacturing precision
If a locking mechanism is added to retain the bit in axial alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member functions as a flexible locking element that can elastically deform to engage and disengage from the bit. This flexible component provides the locking function without requiring complex mechanical assemblies, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is biased to automatically engage with the bit, providing self-locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The bit itself, through insertion and removal actions, serves to lock and unlock the mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking operations or components
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
This design minimizes wear on the bit and fastener by allowing precise alignment and controlled articulation, reducing eccentric rotation and maintaining axial alignment even in unlocked configurations, with a maximum articulation angle of 5 to 25 degrees.
Implementation Method 1
a distal end magnetically coupled to an interchangeable bit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A bit holder (20) and an interchangeable (34) bit that can pivot or articulate relative to the bit holder. The bit holder includes a multi-depth socket (36) for receiving the interchangeable bit. The different depths of the socket (36) determine whether the interchangeable bit operates as a straight-on bit or an off-angle bit. An outer sleeve (42) can slide along a longitudinal axis (63) of a shaft (24) to change the depth of the socket. Alternatively, opposite ends of the bit holder have different depth sockets (108,110) or receiving the interchangeable bit (112) and/or a shank portion (102). By flipping over the bit holder, the interchangeable bit can operate as either a straight-on bit or an off -angle bit.