Tightening Tool Coupling Part for Confined Screw Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In confined spaces, especially in analytical and medical equipment, screw elements are difficult to access and tighten due to limited space, leading to challenges in ensuring proper tightening without damaging threads or seals, and the space constraints hinder the attachment of tightening tools.

Innovation Solution

A tightening tool with a coupling part that has a free end for positive engagement with a tool holder and a handle, featuring an interior space and lateral openings to accommodate the line, allowing for axial and rotational movement, and projections that engage with longitudinal grooves on the screw element, facilitating torque transmission and easy tool attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the screw element size is reduced to fit confined spaces, then the accessibility is improved, but the space for attaching tightening tools becomes even more limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew element sizeVSAvoidtool attachment space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling part is designed to nest over the line and accommodate the tightening tool holder, creating a nested structure where the tool holder fits within the coupling part's interior space. This allows the tightening tool to be attached to the reduced-size screw element without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling part features a lateral opening that allows the line to pass through from the side rather than requiring axial space. This dimensional change enables the tightening tool to be attached laterally, bypassing the limited axial space available on miniaturized screw elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the tightening torque is increased to ensure sufficient tightening, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the risk of damaging threads or seals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidthread damage or seal breakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling part acts as an intermediary between the tightening tool holder and the screw element. It provides a controlled interface that transmits torque from the tightening tool to the screw element while protecting the vulnerable threads and seals from excessive force through its designed engagement geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling part changes the torque transmission parameters by providing a larger lever arm and controlled engagement surfaces. This allows for more precise torque application, enabling sufficient tightening force to be applied without the risk of damaging the screw element threads or compromising the seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the line cross section is increased to accommodate anti-kink protection, then the line protection is improved, but the space available for tightening tool attachment is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline protectionVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling part is designed with an interior space that nests over the line including its anti-kink protection elements. The lateral opening allows the enlarged line to pass through while the coupling part's external dimensions remain suitable for tightening tool attachment, effectively nesting the protected line within the coupling structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2699388B1Tightening tool for a screw element having a line, and coupling part and screw element
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 LABOMATIC INSTRUMENTS AG
  • EP2699388B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1A
  • EP2699388B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP2699388B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

A tightening tool (10) for a screw element (12), having a tool receptacle (13) and an associated line (14), is characterized in that a coupling part (24) is provided, which is formed at a free end (26) for engaging with the tool receptacle (13) in a form-closed manner and transitions into a handle (32) or can be coupled to a handle (32) at the other end (30), and that the coupling part (24) has an interior (36) and at least one lateral opening (38) for inserting or leading out the line (14) at least at the free end (26) of the coupling part, wherein the interior (36) and the opening (38) extend to the free end (26) and are open there. The invention further relates to a coupling part (24) and to a screw element (12).