Rotatable Collar Connector for Tool-Free Attachment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power screw guns require manual tools for mounting and dismounting attachments, which is inefficient and time-consuming, and often necessitates hand movement away from the operating position, disrupting normal operation.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable collar with a locking mechanism and a stop member biased by a spring, allowing for bayonet-style coupling and decoupling of attachments to the screw gun body without the need for additional tools, enabling efficient and convenient attachment changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional connector with manual tools is used for mounting and dismounting attachments, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the operation becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a rotatable collar that transitions between locked and unlocked positions through rotational motion. The collar's rotation drives the locking member to engage or disengage from the locking groove, enabling quick attachment mounting and dismounting without manual tools. This dynamic mechanism directly addresses the time-consuming issue while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector uses a spring-loaded stop member that automatically moves between extended and retracted positions based on the collar's rotation. When the collar rotates to the locked position, the spring pushes the stop member into the groove to secure the connection. When rotated to unlocked position, the spring automatically retracts the stop member, enabling easy release. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external tools and reduces operational time.
2Device complexity
If manual tools are required for connector operation, then the locking mechanism can be simple, but the user must move hands from normal operating positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the locking mechanism with the collar structure itself. The locking member is integrated into the rotatable collar, and the stop member with spring is combined with the collar's rotational movement. This integration allows the operator to perform locking/unlocking operations using the same hand that would normally operate the tool, eliminating the need to move hands from normal operating positions while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
3Productivity
If a rotatable collar with spring-loaded stop member is used, then quick tool-free mounting and dismounting is achieved, but the connector structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: the rotatable collar, the locking member, the stop member, and the spring. Each component has a specific function and can be manufactured independently. This segmentation allows for modular assembly and simplifies manufacturing while enabling the quick-release functionality. The collar rotates independently, the locking member engages with the groove, and the spring automatically positions the stop member, creating a coordinated system that achieves high productivity without excessive complexity.
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
Facilitates quick and tool-free mounting and dismounting of attachments, maintaining operator position and reducing operational interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member biasing the stop member to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
the rotatable collar is rotatable about an axis for actuating the locking member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A power tool (100), comprising: a first power tool portion (104) having a rotatable collar (106) and a first locking member (108) arranged to be actuated by the rotatable collar (106); a second power tool portion (102) having a second locking member (110); wherein the rotatable collar (106) is rotatable about an axis (A) for actuating the first locking member (108) to removably engage the first locking member (108) with the second locking member (110), thereby releasably locking the first power tool portion (104) with the second power tool portion (102) along the axis (A); wherein the first power tool portion (104) further comprises a groove (126) on an inner surface of the rotatable collar (106); a stop member (114) movable parallel to the axis (A) between an extended position and a retracted position; and a biasing member (116) biasing a stop member extended (114) to the extended position; wherein at the position, the stop member (114) is engaged with the groove (126) of the rotatable collar (106) such that rotation of the first locking member (108) is obstructed, and wherein at the retracted position, the stop member (114) is not engaged with the groove (126) of the rotatable collar (106) such that rotation of the first locking member (108) is unobstructed. By utilising such attachment connector in a power tool (100) that requires an attachment to be coupled to the tool body. The power tool (100) provides a more efficient and convenient way to mount and dismount attachments to and from the screw gun body.