Screw Tool Attachment Geometry for Faster Rotational Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw assembly techniques lack an effective alignment aid for rotational alignment of screwdrivers with Torx-like tool attachment points, leading to inefficiencies and errors, especially in low-visibility conditions or minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
The screw element features a tool attachment point with distinct insertion and removal surfaces, where the insertion surface is larger to facilitate alignment and the removal surface is smaller, allowing for an integrated alignment aid that includes a concentric cone-like recess and guiding walls to assist in rotational alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact surfaces in the insertion direction are maximized to ensure proper engagement, then the reliability of screwdriver-screw connection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for asymmetric tooth profile design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the tooth profile with different contact surfaces for insertion and removal directions. The insertion wall has a larger contact surface area compared to the removal wall, creating an asymmetric geometry that ensures reliable engagement during screwdriver insertion while facilitating easier removal. This asymmetric design directly resolves the contradiction by making the connection more reliable without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the contact surface characteristics at different locations of the tooth profile. The insertion wall is designed with a larger surface area and different geometric properties compared to the removal wall, allowing each local region to serve its specific function optimally. This local differentiation enables the single tooth profile to simultaneously provide reliable insertion engagement and facilitate removal, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the alignment aid is added to support rotational alignment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the alignment aid functionality directly into the existing tooth profile structure. The asymmetric contact surfaces of the insertion and removal walls serve dual purposes: they provide the mechanical engagement function of the tooth profile while simultaneously acting as the alignment aid for rotational alignment. This combination eliminates the need for separate alignment features, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the tooth profile to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The asymmetric geometry of the tooth profile not only provides the primary function of mechanical engagement and torque transmission but also serves as the alignment aid for rotational alignment during insertion. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the existing structure serve dual purposes, improving ease of operation without adding separate structural elements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the contact surface area is increased in the insertion direction, then the manufacturing precision required is improved, but the loss of time increases due to more complex manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tooth profile into distinct insertion and removal sections with different contact surface characteristics. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific function while using standard manufacturing techniques. The insertion wall is designed with precise contact surfaces for reliable engagement, while the removal wall has different characteristics for facilitated removal, both achievable through conventional manufacturing processes without excessive time investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the geometric parameters of the tooth profile, specifically the contact surface area and angle of the insertion and removal walls. By optimizing these parameters within standard manufacturing capabilities, the design achieves the required manufacturing precision for reliable engagement while avoiding overly complex manufacturing processes that would increase production time. The asymmetric geometry is achieved through parameter optimization rather than complex manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A screw element is disclosed having a shaft with an outside screw thread and a longitudinal axis extending along the shaft and thereby defining a distal direction and a proximal direction, and an insertion direction and an opposite removal direction, and has a tool attachment point starting radially inwards and the tool attachment point has a central opening and in the wall of this opening at least five tooth profiles directed radially outwards and mainly parallel to the screw axis directed radially outwards and mainly parallel to the screw axis are formed in the wall of this opening, and for each tooth profile an insertion wall in insertion direction and a removal wall in removal direction can be separated, characterized in that the surface of the insertion wall is greater than the surface of the removal wall.