Torque Socket Friction Mechanism for Precision Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screwdrivers and wrenches lack a mechanism to control torque effectively, leading to potential damage from excessive force when adjusting optical devices or precision instruments, and their design restricts adaptability to different screw shapes and dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A torque socket with a core shaft and shaft slot that provides a preset torque value through a buckling and friction mechanism, preventing excessive rotation and allowing for different drive head shapes and dimensions, and compatibility with manual, pneumatic, or electric tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional rotation tool such as screwdriver or wrench is used to adjust optical devices, then the tool can be operated manually, but the torque value cannot be controlled and the lens is often damaged or broken due to excessive torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operationVSAvoidexcessive torque damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a friction-based torque limiting mechanism that changes the physical parameter of friction between the core shaft and shaft slot to control and limit the output torque to a preset value, preventing excessive torque from damaging the lens while maintaining manual operability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a screwdriver with springs and steel balls is used to limit torque output, then the output torque can be controlled at a fixed value, but the components are fragile and deformation and damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque controlVSAvoidcomponent fragility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fragile springs and steel balls from the torque limiting mechanism and replaces them with a friction-based system using a core shaft with cut grooves and a shaft slot, eliminating the fragile components while maintaining torque control functionality and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical spring-steel ball torque limiting system with a friction-based torque limiting system, replacing the fragile mechanical components with a more reliable friction interface between the core shaft and shaft slot

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a screwdriver with springs and steel balls is used to limit torque, then torque can be controlled, but the dimension cannot be designed to be smaller so the screwdriver is almost useless for precision instrument fastening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque limitingVSAvoidtool dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the bulky springs and steel balls from the torque limiting mechanism, replacing them with a compact friction-based system that fits within a smaller socket structure, enabling the tool to be sized appropriately for precision instrument fastening operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a socket is used merely as a tool for transmitting torque without a torque mechanism, then the socket can be sleeved with drive heads having different shapes and dimensions, but the torque value cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive head compatibilityVSAvoiduncontrolled torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the socket: it maintains the ability to accept various drive heads through the sleeve slot while simultaneously incorporating a friction-based torque limiting mechanism, making the socket both versatile and safe for use on precision instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 torque socket effectively prevents damage by maintaining a preset torque value, ensuring secure fastening operations on precision instruments and allowing for versatile drive head compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

the interior of the shaft slot is radially and protrudingly formed with a friction segment for tightening the core shaft, thereby forming a preset torque value between the core shaft and the shaft slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8549963B2Torque socket

Publication Date: 2013.10.08 CHUANG WEI CHIEH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a torque socket, which comprises a shaft rod and a shaft cylinder. Two ends of the shaft rod are respectively axially formed with an insertion tenon and a core shaft having at least a cut groove transversally on a surface. Two axial ends of the shaft cylinder are respectively formed with a shaft slot and a sleeve slot, wherein the shaft slot allows the core shaft to be inserted therein and is formed with a buckle part corresponding to the location of the flange part; the interior of the shaft slot is radially and protrudingly formed with a friction segment for tightening the core shaft, thereby forming a preset torque value between the core shaft and the shaft slot. When the socket is used to fasten a connection unit, if the preset torque of the socket is exceeded, an idle rotation state is formed.