Power Tool Accessory Locking With Ball Detent and Mating Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary power tools lack a reliable and user-friendly attachment mechanism that securely locks and unlocks accessories, leading to potential misalignment and reduced efficiency during operation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-sleeve attachment mechanism with a ball detent system that axially and rotationally locks accessories to the power tool, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement through a combination of spring-loaded sleeves and mating members, ensuring secure attachment and easy release.
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 locking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into two independent but coordinated locking systems: an axial locking system (ball detent with first sleeve) and a rotational locking system (mating members with engagement elements). This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines axial and rotational locking functions into a single integrated attachment mechanism that operates through one attachment action. The ball detent and mating members work together simultaneously to provide both axial and rotational security, eliminating the need for separate locking operations.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then reliability of accessory attachment is improved, but ease of operation for attachment and detachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ball detent is pre-positioned within the spindle and the mating members are pre-configured with engagement elements. When the accessory is inserted, these components automatically engage without requiring additional locking actions, making the attachment process as easy as inserting the accessory.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism performs self-locking through the automatic engagement of the ball detent with the accessory bore and the mating members with their engagement elements. Once the accessory is inserted, the system automatically secures itself without user intervention, maintaining both security and ease of operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If axial and rotational locking is provided, then manufacturing precision requirements increase, but stability of accessory composition improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spring-loaded sleeves that convert small axial movements into significant radial forces. When the accessory is inserted, the compression of the spring-loaded ball detent and the engagement of mating members create substantial locking forces, providing high stability without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
4Reliability
If a dual-sleeve ball detent system is used, then reliability of axial locking is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first sleeve and second sleeve are nested concentrically around the spindle, with the ball detent positioned between them. This nested arrangement allows both axial and rotational locking components to occupy the same space efficiently, minimizing overall complexity while providing dual locking functions.
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 mechanism provides secure axial and rotational locking of accessories, reducing slippage and misalignment, while allowing for easy detachment and reattachment, enhancing user convenience and tool efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an inner sleeve biased towards a first direction to axially lock the accessory to the power tool
Implementation Method 2
an outer sleeve biased towards a second direction opposite the first direction to rotationally lock the accessory to the power tool
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for use with a rotary power tool having a rotatable spindle and a first mating member. The accessory includes a housing having a body and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, a hub rotatably supported within the housing between the arms and configured to be coupled to the spindle to receive torque therefrom, a ball detent disposed within the hub and selectively engagable with the spindle to axially lock the accessory to the power tool, a sleeve axially slidable along the arms and relative to the hub between a first position in which the sleeve biases the ball detent radially inward and into engagement with the spindle when coupled to the hub to axially secure the accessory to the tool, and a second position in which the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release the accessory from the tool, and a second mating member axially fixed to the arms of the housing, wherein the sleeve is slidable between the second mating member and the body of the housing, and wherein the first and second mating members are engaged when the accessory is axially secured to the tool to rotationally fix the accessory to the tool.