Two-Piece Tightening Socket With Angular Play for Torque Pulses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing direct driven electric tools for pulsed tightening are limited by the amount of kinetic energy that can be transferred due to restricted play in the gearbox, leading to increased tool complexity and size, and require multiple tools for adaptation.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece socket design with a relative rotation feature between body portions, allowing a larger angular play without modifying the power tool, enhancing energy transfer and reducing operator reaction torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If existing direct driven tools use inherent play in gearbox for pulsed tightening, then torque pulses can be delivered, but the amount of kinetic energy is limited and tool complexity increases when play units are added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekinetic energy transferVSAvoidtool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is divided into two separate body portions that can rotate relative to each other. The first body portion engages the output shaft while the second body portion engages the screw joint. This segmentation allows the play to be localized within the socket structure rather than requiring modification of the entire tool assembly, thereby increasing energy transfer capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second body portion is arranged at least partly inside the first body portion, creating a nested structure. This nesting allows the relative rotation mechanism to be compactly integrated within the socket assembly without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall complexity of the tool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Power

If play units are added to increase rotational energy, then more energy can be transferred to the screw, but the tool size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational energy transferVSAvoidtool size

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The play mechanism is implemented through relative rotation between two body portions arranged in different spatial orientations. The first body portion extends in a first direction while the second body portion extends in a second direction, utilizing dimensional arrangement to create the play mechanism without increasing linear tool size.

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

The socket design increases energy transfer in torque pulses while improving ergonomics by reducing vibration and reaction torque, without adding to the tool's size or complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The amount of kinetic energy achievable using such strategies is however limited since only a very limited amount of play to be utilized may be present in the tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

allowing the motor to be accelerated over a larger play. Hereby the amount of rotational energy which may be built up in the tool and hence transferred to the screw as a torque pulse may be increased

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS12466038B2Socket for a tightening tool

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 ATLAS COPCO IND TECHNIQUE AB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

AI summary

Disclosed is a socket unit comprising a first body portion comprising a first rear end portion for connection to the output shaft of a power tool and a front end portion adapted for engagement with a screw joint and a second body portion comprising a second rear end portion for connection to the output shaft of the direct driven power tool or a second front end portion adapted for engagement with a screw joint. The second body portion is at least partly arranged in the first body portion, and a relative rotation between the first and second body portions is allowed, such that one of the first and second body portions 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.