Power Tool Collet Concentricity via Conical Socket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art power tools fail to guarantee accurate concentricity of working implements relative to the output shaft, leading to less accurate working results due to weak thread connections between the collet and the output shaft.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring a conical socket portion integral with the output shaft and a radially elastic collet, supported directly by this socket, ensures accurate concentricity by using a snap coupling and axial thrust to lock the working implement, eliminating the need for a thread connection for radial support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a thread connection is used to support the collet relative to the output shaft, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision and concentricity of the working implement deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidconcentricity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the thread connection from the radial support function. The thread connection is removed as a support element, and the collet is instead supported directly by a conical surface of the output shaft, eliminating the intermediate threaded portion that compromised precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection device is segmented into distinct functional elements: the collet for radial retention, the conical socket for precise positioning and support, and the thread connection solely for axial locking. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate collet with thread connection is used to retain the working implement, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the reliability of concentricity guarantee deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the radial support function and the concentricity guarantee into the conical socket portion of the output shaft. The conical surface provides both the positioning geometry and the support structure, eliminating the weak link of the thread connection from the radial support path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the thread connection to provide radial support (as in prior art), the invention inverts the approach by using the conical surface to provide radial support and positioning, while the thread connection is relegated solely to axial locking, thereby inverting the functional assignment to achieve better precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the collet is supported via a thread connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and working accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidworking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conical socket portion acts as an intermediary element between the collet and the output shaft. It provides a precise conical surface that mediates the connection, ensuring accurate positioning and radial support without relying on the less precise thread connection for these functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration guarantees high-quality work performance by ensuring precise radial support and concentricity of the working implement, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of operations like drilling, milling, or reaming.

Implementation Method 1

The collet 28 is of a conventional design having a conical outer surface 21 adapted to fit the conical the socket portion 25 in the output shaft 17

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The collet 28 is also provided with a number of overlapping longitudinal slots 23 by which is provided a radial elasticity of collet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

This axial thrust force urges the collet 28 further into the conical socket portion 25 resulting in a radial compression of the collet 28 and a locking of an attached working implement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3562610A1Power tool with working implement attachment
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 ATLAS COPCO IND TECHNIQUE AB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A portable power tool comprising a housing (10) provided with a handle (11) for manual support of the tool, and a rotation motor drivingly connected to an output shaft (17). A connection device (19) is intended for connecting a working implement to the output shaft (17) and comprises a conical socket portion (25) formed integral and coaxially with the output shaft (17) and a working implement locking collet (28), wherein a collet retaining sleeve (29) is carried on the output shaft (17) via a thread connection 30 and has an inner radial flange (24) defining a front opening (27) for introduction of a working implement. The thread connection (30) is intended to enable an axial displacement of the retaining sleeve (29) and to make the latter produce an axial thrust force on the collet (28) via the flange (24). The front opening (27) of the flange (24) has a diameter (d1) that is bigger than the inner diameter (d2) of the collet (28).