Slide Hammer Impact Wrench Linear to Rotational Force Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrenches often struggle to apply sufficient force to loosen or tighten fittings that are overly tight or inaccessible, leading to potential damage from cutting or incomplete tightening.

Innovation Solution

An impact wrench design that converts linear force applied through a slide hammer and guide into rotational force, allowing for increased torque to engage and loosen or tighten fittings using a variety of tool attachments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If traditional wrenches are used to loosen or tighten fittings, then the tool structure remains simple and accessible, but insufficient force is applied to overly tight or inaccessible fittings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce applied to fittingVSAvoidwrench structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impact wrench employs periodic impact forces delivered through a slide hammer mechanism. The hammer is repeatedly driven forward to strike the fitting, creating periodic high-force impulses that gradually loosen tightly secured fasteners. This periodic action allows accumulation of sufficient force over multiple strikes without requiring continuously high force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The wrench incorporates a dynamic slide hammer mechanism that converts linear reciprocating motion into rotational impact forces. The hammer moves back and forth along a guided path, with each forward stroke delivering an impact impulse to the fitting. This dynamic mechanism enables force multiplication and directional conversion, achieving high force application through controlled mechanical motion rather than static force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If cutting is used to remove tightly secured fittings, then the fitting can be removed, but damage occurs and additional time is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting removal successVSAvoiddamage to fitting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impact wrench converts the harmful effect of excessive force that would normally damage the fitting into a beneficial loosening mechanism. By applying controlled impact forces through the slide hammer, the tool delivers sufficient force to break the tight seizure or corrosion bonding without the need for destructive cutting. The impact action gradually works apart the seized threads, transforming what would be damaging force into a controlled loosening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The impact wrench performs preliminary loosening action before final removal. Multiple impact strikes are delivered to gradually break the seizure and reduce friction bonding between the fitting and fastener. This preliminary impact action prepares the fitting for easy removal, preventing the need for destructive cutting by addressing the tight seizure condition before removal attempts are made.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If power tools are used to access tight fittings, then force can be applied, but the tool cannot reach or access the fitting properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce applied to fittingVSAvoidaccess to fitting

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The impact wrench changes the dimension of force application by delivering linear impact forces along the axis of the slide hammer, which are then converted to rotational forces at the fitting. This dimensional transformation allows force to be applied effectively even when access space is limited, as the linear impact path can be contained within a compact stroke distance while still generating sufficient rotational torque at the fitting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effective loosening or tightening of fittings with increased force, reducing the risk of damage and improving the performance and utility of wrenches in constrained access situations.

Implementation Method 1

the force translation portion is positioned to translate force applied to the force translation portion from the slide hammer to rotate a tool connected to the force translation portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce translation: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11247315B2Impact wrenches, wrench systems, and methods of use

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 MACDONALD JEFFREY DEAN

AI summary

Impact wrenches of the present invention generally include a handle including a slide hammer that is movable relative to a head end of the wrenches. The head includes a force translation portion positioned to translate force applied to the force translation portion from the slide hammer to rotate a tool connected to the force translation portion. When the tool is engaged with a rotatable fitting a substantially linear force applied with the slide hammer may be translated to the tool, which converts at least a portion of the force to a rotational force to loosen or tighten the fitting.