Screw Driving Head Reducing Radius for Off-Normal Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screw driving devices have a large radius that limits the angle at which screws can be driven into a workpiece while still being completely counter-sunk, typically allowing only up to 6.5 degrees off normal, preventing effective counter-sinking at greater angles.
Innovation Solution
A screw driving head with a smaller radius, featuring a shank with annular cross-section bores, a movable sleeve, and spring-loaded balls that disengage from the screw bit at a desired depth, allowing screws to be counter-sunk at angles up to 82.2 degrees off normal by reducing the radius of the driving mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional screw driving device with large radius is used, then the device structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the maximum angle at which screw can be driven off normal is limited to less than 6.5 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The screw driving device is segmented into distinct functional components: a shank with annular wall, a movable sleeve, spring-loaded balls, and a screw bit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the radius to be reduced while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed to be axially movable relative to the shank, and the balls are spring-loaded to dynamically engage and disengage from the screw bit head. This dynamic mechanism allows the device to adapt to different screwing angles while maintaining control over the driving process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radius of the screwing head is reduced to accommodate greater angles, then the maximum screwing angle increases, but the device becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the device into modular components (shank, sleeve, balls, spring), each piece can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled. This reduces the overall manufacturing complexity despite the reduced radius requiring precise geometric relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key geometric parameters including the annular cross-section of the shank, the positioning of radial bores, and the dimensions of the recessed portion in the sleeve. These parameter optimizations enable the reduced radius design to function effectively while remaining manufacturable.
3Reliability
If the radius is reduced to allow greater off-normal angles, then complete counter-sinking is achieved at higher angles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded balls automatically engage with the screw bit head and disengage when the desired counter-sinking depth is reached, without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-regulating mechanism ensures reliable complete counter-sinking at greater angles while minimizing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The balls act as intermediary elements between the shank and the screw bit head, transmitting rotational force while allowing for angular displacement. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable power transmission at off-normal angles without requiring a complex variable geometry design.
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
Enables complete counter-sinking of screws at angles greater than 6.5 degrees off normal, with the device capable of driving screws into a workpiece at angles between 90 degrees and 82.2 degrees without leaving the screw head above the surface, improving the range of screwing angles compared to conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is disposed between the end portion of the shank and the bottom of the sleeve to provide a biasing force between the shank and the sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The balls, in a driving configuration, are held in engagement with the screw bit head
Data Source
AI summary
A screw driving device is provided which can counter-sink a screw at angles off of normal from a workpiece. The device includes a shank held in contact with a screw bit to drive the tip when a plurality of balls are held in contact between a screw bit head and a sleeve surrounding the shank and to disengage the shank from the bit when the screw is at a desired counter-sunk depth. The disengagement of the shank from the screw bit is provided by permitting the plurality of balls to slide out of contact between the rotating shank and bit to thus disengage the shank from the screw bit.