Screwdriver Bit Spherical Tip Self-Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screwdriver bits, particularly plus type screwdriver bits, face difficulties in preventing damage to the top surface of screw head portions during fitting and fail to achieve smooth and efficient screw fastening operations due to positional shifts and deviations between the bit and the groove.

Innovation Solution

The screwdriver bit features a cross-shaped tip end portion with a spherical face finish and a stepped or curved boundary, which prevents damage to the screw head surface and ensures proper fitting by reducing contact stress during alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional plus type screwdriver bit with a tapered cross-shaped bit portion is used, then the bit can be manufactured using standard machining processes, but the edge portion of the bit damages the top surface of the screw head during fitting due to positional shifts or center axis deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoiddamage to screw head surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tip end face of the cross-shaped bit portion is formed with a spherical shape having a mirror finish. This spherical configuration allows the bit to make initial contact with the screw head at a point rather than along an edge, enabling self-alignment and preventing damage to the screw head surface even when positional shifts or center axis deviations occur during fitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If manual fitting operation is used to fit the bit to the screw groove, then some control over positioning is possible, but positional shifts between bit and groove still occur causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual fitting controlVSAvoidpositional shift damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical tip end face enables the bit to automatically self-align with the screw groove during the fitting operation. The curved surface allows for gradual engagement and correction of positional deviations, eliminating the damage caused by misalignment while maintaining ease of manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If automatic screw fastening device is used to increase efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the damage to screw head surface is intensified due to constant power operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew fastening efficiencyVSAvoiddamage intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical tip end face with mirror finish enables smooth, damage-free engagement with the screw groove under the constant power conditions of automatic screw fastening devices. The curved surface distributes contact stress and prevents edge impacts, allowing high-speed automatic operation without intensifying damage to the screw head surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a tapered cross-shaped bit portion is used for adaptation to the screw groove, then the bit shape matches the groove geometry, but the opening edge portion contacts and damages the surrounding area during fitting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit-groove adaptationVSAvoidsurrounding damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical tip end face maintains the cross-shaped profile for groove adaptation while replacing the sharp tapered edges with a curved surface. This allows the bit to match the screw groove geometry for proper engagement while preventing the opening edge portion from contacting and damaging the surrounding screw head surface during the fitting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2529889B1Screwdriver bit
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 TOTSU
  • EP2529889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2529889B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2529889B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A screwdriver bit configured in such a way that when the tip of the screwdriver bit is to be fitted into a bit fitting groove of a screw, said bit fitting groove being formed on the top surface of the head of the screw, then damage is prevented from occurring on the top surface of the head of the screw, and proper fitting of the tip of said bit into the bit fitting groove is promptly and smoothly accomplished, with the result that the efficiency and safety of screw tightening work are significantly enhanced. This driver bit (30) is provided with a cross-shaped tip edge which is to be fitted into the bit fitting groove provided on the top surface of the head of the screw, said bit fitting groove consisting of a cross-shaped groove. In this driver bit (30), the tip surface of said tip edge (31) is formed as a whole into a spherical surface shape (34) by means of planishing.