Two-Piece Socket With Angular Play for Pulsed Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulsed tightening tools using direct driven electric tools are limited by the amount of kinetic energy that can be achieved due to restricted play in the gearbox, leading to increased tool complexity and size, and require modifications to accommodate additional play units.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece socket design with a first and second body portion allowing a relative rotation over a predetermined angular range, providing a larger and well-defined angular play without modifying the power tool, utilizing a tubular body with inward and outward radial protrusions to engage and limit rotation, enhancing energy transfer and reducing operator reaction torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tightening tool is designed to accept only one type of fastener, then the manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is divided into a body portion and a separate insert portion. The insert can be removed and replaced with different inserts designed for different fastener types (e.g., Torx, Phillips, flathead). This segmentation allows the socket to maintain high reliability for each specific fastener type while achieving versatility through interchangeable inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is nested within the socket body, fitting into a recessed cavity. This nested structure allows the smaller insert component to be housed within the larger socket, enabling easy replacement while maintaining a compact overall design. The insert contains the fastener-specific engagement features, while the socket body provides the drive interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a socket is designed with multiple fastener types integrated, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of integrating multiple fastener types into a single complex socket body, the design segments the fastener-specific features into separate removable inserts. Each insert is optimized for a specific fastener type, keeping individual insert designs simple while achieving overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket body is designed with universal features that can accommodate different inserts. The recessed cavity and retention mechanism are standardized, allowing the same socket body to work with multiple insert types. This multi-functionality is achieved through standardization rather than complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a socket allows easy replacement of inserts, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may deteriorate due to potential misalignment or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The socket body includes pre-formed retention features such as recesses, clips, or interference-fit geometries that are designed to automatically secure the insert during installation. This preliminary preparation of retention mechanisms ensures that once the insert is placed, it is reliably retained without requiring additional actions by the user.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The present specification relates to a socket unit comprising a first body portion (10) a second body portion (20), the first body portion comprising one of a rear end portion (10a) for connection to the output shaft of a power tool and a front end portion (20b) adapted for engagement with a screw joint and the second body portion comprising the other. The second body portion is at least partly arranged in the first body portion, and a relative rotation between the first and second body portion is allowed, such that one of the first and second body portion may rotate over a predetermined allowable angular range when the other is in engagement with the screw joint. The present specification also relates to a corresponding method, power tool and computer readable storage medium.