Socket Assembly with Elastic Jacket for Aluminum Wheel Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aluminum alloy wheels are prone to scratching when using conventional sockets, especially with pneumatic wrenches, and require specific size sockets that compromise structural strength due to smaller bolt diameters.
Innovation Solution
A socket assembly with a body and sleeve design, where a jacket is mounted around the transmission portion and sleeve, providing a visible color difference for size indication and enhanced structural strength through a flange and elastic jacket, preventing scratches and maintaining durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a color plastic sleeve is mounted around a socket for aluminum alloy wheels, then scratches on aluminum alloy wheels are avoided and size indication is provided, but the structural strength of the socket reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is divided into two functional parts: a metal body (driving portion and transmission portion) that provides structural strength, and a separate color-coded sleeve that provides scratch prevention and size indication. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The color-coded sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the user and the metal socket body. It provides the protective function and visual identification, while the metal body underneath maintains the required structural strength for fastener removal and installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the socket size is reduced to accommodate smaller bolt diameters on aluminum alloy wheels, then adaptability to aluminum alloy wheels is improved, but structural strength reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The socket design separates the size-adaptive sleeve from the strength-critical metal body. The sleeve can be made in various sizes and colors to match different bolt diameters, while the metal body maintains sufficient thickness and structural integrity regardless of the sleeve size.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the socket have different functional requirements: the outer sleeve provides size adaptation and visual identification with thinner walls, while the inner metal body provides structural strength with optimized thickness. Each region is designed with the appropriate quality for its specific function.
3Loss of information
If a transparent jacket is added around the transmission portion and sleeve, then size identification visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent jacket serves as an intermediary layer that enhances the visibility of the color-coded sleeve underneath without adding functional complexity. It allows users to clearly see the size indication through the jacket, maintaining simplicity while improving information transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of the transparent jacket and color-coded sleeve creates a visual identification system where the color changes or variations in the sleeve are clearly visible through the transparent material, enabling easy size identification without complex markings or labels.
Data Source
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AI summary
A socket assembly includes a body (1) having a driving portion (11) to be driven by a driving tool and a transmission portion (12) for driving a fastener (5). The transmission portion (12) includes a first end (126) and a second end (127) spaced from the first end (126) along a longitudinal axis (X). The first end (126) of the transmission portion (12) is connected to the driving portion (11). A sleeve (2, 2a) is mounted around the second end (127) of the transmission portion (12). A jacket (3, 3a) is mounted around the transmission portion (12) and the outer periphery (21, 21a) of the sleeve (2, 2a). The transmission portion (12) of the body (1) and an outer periphery (21, 2 1 a) of the sleeve (2, 2a) are visible through outer and inner peripheries (313, 314, 314a) of the jacket (3, 3a).