Tool Adapter With Recessed Holes For Locked Fastener Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools struggle to provide sufficient torque to remove locked threaded fasteners due to environmental degradation or operator misuse, often requiring additional time and resources, including specialty fabrication shops.
Innovation Solution
A tool adapter with a housing and recessed holes designed to receive tools, allowing a drive insert to connect to the fastener, enabling the application of sufficient torque for removal, even in cases of corrosion, rust, or cross-threading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional tools (breaker bar, impact wrench) are used to remove locked fasteners, then the fastener may be removed, but the tools cannot provide sufficient torque and often fail to remove severely locked fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter merges multiple tool interfaces into a single integrated device. It combines a drive insert receptacle, multiple tool holes (including threaded holes for pipe wrenches and smooth holes for breaker bars), and a fastener engagement mechanism into one adapter body, allowing simultaneous or sequential attachment of different tools to accumulate sufficient torque
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter employs a nested structure where a drive insert is received within the adapter body, which itself is attached to the fastener head. Additional tools can be nested into the adapter's holes, creating layers of mechanical advantage. The drive insert contains a square drive portion that receives torque from external tools applied to the adapter
2Force
If excessive force is applied to remove locked fasteners, then removal may be achieved, but the fastener breaks into multiple pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary device between the removal tools and the fastener. It distributes and transmits applied torque uniformly through its engineered geometry and material properties, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause the fastener to snap. The adapter's thick-walled construction and internal reinforcement ribs ensure smooth torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter changes the torque application parameters by providing multiple engagement points and tool interfaces. This allows progressive torque application where users can start with lighter tools and gradually increase force, or combine multiple tools to distribute the torque load, rather than applying sudden excessive force that would break the fastener
3Reliability
If specialty fabrication shops are called to remove locked fasteners, then removal can be achieved, but additional time and money are required
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed as a universal removal device that can handle various fastener types and locking conditions. It provides multiple tool interfaces (square drive, threaded holes for pipe wrenches, smooth holes for breaker bars) that work with commonly available tools, eliminating the need for specialized fabrication shop equipment and services
Data Source
AI summary
A tool adapter to aid in the removal of a threaded fastener from an article using a drive insert, the tool adapter comprising: (i) a housing comprising a plurality of faces interconnected along one or more respective edges of the plurality of faces to form the housing; and (ii) one or more holes recessed into one or more of the plurality of faces, the one or more holes adapted to receive one or more tools, wherein a first mating end of the drive insert is received into one of the one or more holes of the tool adapter and a second mating end of the drive insert is connected to the threaded fastener; and wherein one or more tools are inserted into at least one of the remaining holes to provide sufficient torque to remove the fastener from the article.