Torque-Limiting Sleeve With Exposed Inner Member for Manual Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional torque assisting sleeves for connectors lack indication of secure fastening and can become inoperable if the torque limiting mechanism fails, making it difficult to remove the connector from an interface port.

Innovation Solution

A torque-limiting sleeve design with an inner and outer sleeve configuration, where the outer sleeve is fixed relative to the inner sleeve, providing haptic feedback up to a predetermined torque limit and allowing manual adjustment if the torque limiting feature fails, ensuring the connector can still be securely attached or detached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a torque limiting mechanism is incorporated into the torque sleeve, then over-tightening is prevented and secure fastening is achieved, but the connector coupler becomes inoperable if the torque limiting mechanism fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of over-tighteningVSAvoidremoval of connector

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The torque sleeve is divided into an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve that can rotate independently. The inner sleeve is coupled to the coupler and the outer sleeve provides the torque limiting interface. This segmentation allows the torque limiting function to be isolated to the outer sleeve, while the inner sleeve retains the ability to be manually operated for removal even if the torque limiting mechanism fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer sleeve acts as an intermediary between the user's manual torque application and the inner sleeve that directly drives the coupler. The torque limiting mechanism in the outer sleeve mediates the torque transmission, allowing controlled tightening while preventing over-tightening, yet preserving manual access to the inner sleeve for emergency removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the outer sleeve is fixed relative to the inner sleeve in the longitudinal direction, then haptic feedback is provided up to a predetermined torque limit, but manual adjustment becomes difficult if the torque limiting feature fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback precisionVSAvoidmanual adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed longitudinal connection between outer and inner sleeves provides precise haptic feedback during normal operation, while the exposed portion of the inner sleeve beyond the outer sleeve provides a backup manual access point. This segmentation ensures both precise torque indication and emergency manual adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire inner sleeve inaccessible when fixed to the outer sleeve, the design intentionally leaves a portion of the inner sleeve exposed beyond the outer sleeve. This inversion of the typical nested sleeve design provides manual access to the inner sleeve even when the outer sleeve's torque limiting mechanism fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the inner sleeve extends beyond the outer sleeve to provide an exposed length, then manual access is maintained for removal, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual removal accessVSAvoidsleeve configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque sleeve is segmented into inner and outer components with specific functional assignments. The inner sleeve's exposed portion provides manual access while the outer sleeve contains the torque limiting mechanism. This segmentation achieves the dual goal of maintaining removal access while managing complexity through clear functional division.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner sleeve serves multiple functions: it transmits torque from the coupler, provides structural support, and its exposed portion serves as a manual access point for removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby managing device complexity while ensuring manual removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11283217B2Torque-limiting torque sleeve with fail-safe failure mode

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 PPC BROADBAND INC

AI summary

A torque-limiting torque sleeve may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled to one another in a coaxial arrangement such that the outer sleeve is fixed relative to the inner sleeve in the longitudinal direction. A first end of the outer sleeve overlies a first end of the inner sleeve, and a second end of the inner sleeve extends from the outer sleeve. A torque limiting feature is configured such that rotation of the outer member in a first direction enables tightening of a coupler on an interface port up to a predetermined torque limit, and rotation of the outer member in a second direction opposite to the first direction loosens the coupler on the interface port.