Sleeve Structure for Damaged Screw Nut with Multi-Directional Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sleeves used to drive screws with damaged nuts can only operate in a single direction and fail to apply driving force effectively due to limited gripping positions, leading to corner deterioration and slipping issues.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve design featuring a hexagonal engaging hole with inward taper and dodge grooves, along with concave driving blocks and interior corners, allowing for multi-directional gripping and reduced corner contact with the screw nut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sleeve size is made larger than the screw nut to enable easy engagement, then the engagement ease is improved, but the space between sleeve and screw nut causes the sleeve to slip and driving force to be applied at corners, deteriorating the corners
Solution Approach 1:
The inner wall of the sleeve is segmented into multiple gripping positions (at least three positions) with gripping structures distributed around the circumference. This segmentation allows the driving force to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than concentrated at corners, eliminating corner deterioration while maintaining proper grip on the screw nut.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve incorporates localized gripping structures (such as ribs, protrusions, or textured surfaces) at specific positions on the inner wall. These local features create high-friction contact zones that concentrate the gripping function at predetermined locations, ensuring the sleeve grips the screw nut at optimal positions away from corners while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Device complexity
If conventional sleeves are designed to grip the screw at only two positions on each side, then the structure is simple, but the driving force cannot be applied properly and the sleeve cannot drive screws effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve's inner wall is divided into multiple gripping zones with at least three gripping positions circumferentially distributed. Each position features gripping structures that independently contribute to holding the screw, creating a more reliable multi-point grip system that distributes mechanical stress and prevents slipping during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping structures extend in multiple directions and dimensions within the sleeve's interior space. Rather than simple linear contact, the gripping features create three-dimensional contact surfaces that engage with the screw at various orientations, enhancing the mechanical interlocking and driving effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sleeve can only grip the screw at two positions on each side, then the manufacturing is simple, but the sleeve cannot grip the screw at different positions to prevent slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The inner circumference of the sleeve is segmented into multiple gripping positions (at least three) with distinct gripping structures at each position. This segmentation provides multiple stable contact points that distribute the gripping load, preventing the sleeve from slipping during rotation while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific local regions on the sleeve's inner wall are enhanced with gripping structures (ribs, protrusions, or textured surfaces) to create high-friction zones. These localized features provide stable gripping capability without requiring complex overall structural changes, balancing manufacturing ease with improved stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve may include a hexagonal engaging hole at one end that engages with the screw nut and a coupling hole at the other end that engages with a wrench; wherein the engaging hole is inwardly tapered and the taper angle is two to four degrees, thereby enabling easy engagement of the engaging hole with screw nut; and there is a dodge groove formed at each corner of the hexagonal engaging hole and each pair of adjacent dodge grooves are separated with a driving block; and the surface of each driving block that touches the screw nut is concave and thus a driving corner is formed on each side of the driving block; and each driving block has a groove and thus two adjacent interior corners are formed at the bottom of the groove.