Torque Socket with Adjustable Friction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torque sockets lack a torque adjusting function, leading to torque deviations and potential damage to precision instruments due to excessive torque application, and existing solutions with torque control mechanisms are unstable and limited in precision.
Innovation Solution
A torque socket design featuring a shaft rod with a flange and core shaft, an adjustment member, and a non-return ratchet mechanism that allows torque adjustment to a preset value by altering the contact area between friction surfaces, and generates a sound when the preset torque is exceeded to prevent over-tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rotation tool with fixed torque is used, then the torque output is stable, but the torque cannot be adjusted to match preset values leading to insufficient or excessive torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the torque parameter by changing the contact area between friction surfaces through an adjustable friction surface structure. By modifying the effective contact area of the friction surfaces, the torque output can be precisely adjusted to match preset values while maintaining stable torque transmission during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a torque socket without adjustment function is used, then the structure is simple, but torque deviation occurs due to manufacturing tolerances causing potential damage to precision instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The torque socket is divided into separate functional components including the adjustable friction surface mechanism, core shaft, and ratchet structure. This segmentation allows the torque adjustment function to be added without significantly complicating the overall structure, as each component performs a specific function and can be manufactured with standard tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction surface structure provides self-adjustment capability where the contact area between friction surfaces automatically adjusts to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex adjustment procedures or high-precision manufacturing, thereby improving torque precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the contact area between friction surfaces is increased to improve torque stability, then the torque transmission becomes more stable, but the device dimension increases making it unsuitable for precision instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the friction surface geometry by transitioning from a simple planar contact to a conical or inclined surface contact. This dimensional change allows the friction surfaces to generate sufficient stabilizing normal forces with a smaller contact area, thereby maintaining torque transmission stability while keeping the device compact and suitable for precision instruments.
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
Enables precise torque adjustment to a preset value, preventing damage to instruments by forming an idle rotation state when torque exceeds the limit and providing a non-return function for easy loosening, thus ensuring accurate and safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
the first friction surface and the second friction surface contact each other... the contact area between the first friction surface and the second friction surface is altered... enabling the torque to be adjusted
Implementation Method 2
the inner circumference of the shaft hole is formed with an abutting surface in a conical shape... the top connection head in a conical shape... when the adjustment member is rotated, the connecting segment and the top connection head are axially moved respectively along the combining segment and the abutting surface so as to alter the outer dimension of the core shaft
Implementation Method 3
a non-return ratchet mechanism that allows torque adjustment... providing a non-return function for easy loosening
Data Source
AI summary
A torque socket having a torque adjusting function comprises: a shaft rod having two ends axially extended with an insertion tenon and a core shaft having a shaft hole and having the outer circumference thereof radially formed with a first friction surface; an adjustment member disposed in the shaft hole and having the outer circumference thereof formed with a top connection head and a connecting segment; and a shaft cylinder having two axial ends formed with a shaft slot and a sleeve slot, wherein the interior of the shaft slot is radially formed with a second friction surface being in contact with the first friction surface; when rotating the adjustment member, the outer dimension of the core shaft and the contact area of the first friction surface and the second friction surface can be altered for adjusting the torque.