Socket Ball Taper Insert Gripping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sockets struggle to maintain secure engagement with fasteners, especially when tools are heavy or subjected to external forces, leading to difficulties in tightening or loosening operations.
Innovation Solution
A socket with a gripping mechanism featuring ball openings and a spring-loaded ball taper insert system, combined with a release mechanism using a rotatable activation collar and plunger, ensures the socket remains engaged with the fastener by using balls to pinch the fastener's surfaces, and allows for easy disengagement by moving the ball taper insert out of the way.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional socket is used to engage a fastener, then the socket can be easily attached and removed, but the socket may become disengaged from the fastener when heavy tools or external forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The socket employs a dynamic gripping mechanism where balls are biased by springs to engage with the fastener surfaces. The ball taper inserts can be cammed against the balls to adjust the gripping force, allowing the socket to adapt to different fastener sizes and maintain reliable engagement under varying loads while enabling easy attachment and removal through the release mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The balls act as intermediary elements between the socket body and the fastener, transferring and distributing the gripping forces. The ball taper inserts serve as mediators that can be selectively positioned to either engage the balls for secure attachment or be cammed out of the way for easy release, resolving the contradiction between reliable engagement and ease of operation
2Reliability
If a gripping mechanism with balls and springs is added to the socket, then the socket maintains secure engagement under heavy tools and external forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism is segmented into multiple independent ball-spring units, each capable of engaging the fastener surfaces independently. This segmentation allows the complex gripping function to be distributed across multiple simple, identical components, making the overall system more manageable and easier to manufacture despite the increased functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded balls automatically engage with the fastener surfaces when the socket is attached, providing self-adjusting gripping force without requiring external actuation. The balls self-regulate their engagement based on the fastener geometry and applied loads, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms while maintaining reliable engagement
3Ease of operation
If a release mechanism is added to easily disengage the socket from the fastener, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring active force to maintain engagement and passive force to release, the mechanism is inverted so that passive spring force maintains engagement and active camming action releases it. The ball taper inserts are normally positioned to allow ball engagement, and reversing their position through camming action releases the grip, simplifying the release mechanism while improving ease of operation
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
The socket effectively maintains engagement with fasteners under various conditions, including heavy tools and external forces, ensuring secure and efficient rotational driving while allowing for easy release, thereby enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring biases the ball taper insert so as to urge the ball into the ball opening to engage the fastener
Implementation Method 2
A ball taper insert cams against the ball to push the ball into the ball opening
Implementation Method 3
the friction of the ball against the fastener prevents the socket from being removed from the fastener
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A socket assembly for turning a fastener with a wrench has ball mechanisms that normally engage with sides of the fastener and that can be deactivated out of engagement with the fastener by turning a collar of the socket assembly. The socket includes a socket body having a fastener receiving opening sized and shaped to engage the fastener so as to drive the fastener rotationally. At least one ball opening is provided in the fastener receiving opening adjacent the fastener when the fastener is received in the opening. A ball is provided capable of partially protruding from the ball opening with the socket in an engaged state. A ball taper insert cams against the ball to push the ball into the ball opening. A spring biases the ball taper insert so as to urge the ball into the ball opening to engage the fastener.