Power Tool Accessory Locking Sleeve for Secure Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary power tools lack a reliable and efficient mechanism for securely attaching and detaching accessories, which can lead to misalignment, reduced torque transfer, and increased user effort.
Innovation Solution
A rotary power tool assembly that includes a rotatable spindle and a first mating member on the power tool, coupled with an accessory featuring a hub, ball detent, and a sleeve that axially slides to engage or disengage the ball detent with the spindle, ensuring secure attachment and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple attachment mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of accessory attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a ball detent for axial locking, a sleeve for radial positioning, and mating members for rotational engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall structure manageable and not excessively complex.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then reliability of torque transfer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The ball detent simultaneously provides axial positioning and torque transfer, while the sleeve integrates radial positioning and engagement control. This merging achieves reliable torque transfer without requiring separate complex locking systems for each function.
3Strength
If a robust attachment mechanism is used, then strength of connection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states through dynamic movement of the sleeve. When the sleeve is in the first position, the ball detent is biased against the spindle for strong connection. When the sleeve moves to the second position, the biasing force is released, allowing easy detachment. This dynamic design maintains strong connection during operation while enabling easy attachment and detachment.
4Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment is achieved, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball detent and sleeve mechanism provides self-alignment during attachment. As the accessory is inserted, the ball detent naturally guides the hub onto the spindle, and the sleeve's biasing force automatically positions the components in the correct alignment. This self-aligning feature achieves precise alignment without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary power tool assembly including a rotary power tool and an accessory. The rotary power tool includes a rotatable spindle and a first mating member. The accessory includes a housing, a hub configured to be coupled to the spindle, a ball detent disposed selectively engageable with the spindle to axially lock the accessory to the power tool, and a sleeve axially slidable between a first position in which the sleeve biases the ball detent radially inward and into engagement with the spindle, and a second position in which the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release the accessory from the rotary power tool. The accessory further includes a second mating member received within the sleeve and axially fixed to the arms of the housing. The first and second mating members rotationally fix the accessory to the rotary power tool.