Portable Torque Wrench Gear Shifting for Fast Tightening and High Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing torque power tools for industrial applications face challenges with slow driving speed, large size, and limited portability, requiring high torque values, and lack intuitive usability and durability, while also being costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A portable torque power tool with a yoke-style shifter assembly, Hall effect sensor, and modular architecture, featuring a dual-speed mode, wireless connectivity, and improved gearboxes for efficient torque control and enhanced usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If high torque values are generated from small portable tools using large gear reduction ratios, then torque output is improved, but driving speed becomes quite slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque outputVSAvoiddriving speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic speed/torque mode selector that allows the operator to switch between high-speed/low-torque mode and low-speed/high-torque mode. This is achieved through a reconfigurable planetary gear system with two selectable reduction ratios (first and second reduction ratios), enabling the tool to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements rather than being fixed in one state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the gear reduction ratio parameter dynamically by selecting between two different planetary gear configurations. The mode selector switch changes the effective reduction ratio from a first ratio (for high speed) to a second ratio (for high torque), allowing optimization of parameters based on the specific task at hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If handheld torque power tools are designed for torque accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but driving speed becomes relatively slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque accuracyVSAvoiddriving speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic speed/torque mode selector that allows the operator to switch between high-speed/low-torque mode and low-speed/high-torque mode. This is achieved through a reconfigurable planetary gear system with two selectable reduction ratios (first and second reduction ratios), enabling the tool to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements rather than being fixed in one state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If external power sources are used to power torque tools, then power output is improved, but tool size increases and portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidtool size and portability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a hydraulically driven torque tool that utilizes hydraulic pressure from an external hydraulic system rather than requiring a large internal combustion engine or electric motor. The hydraulic motor converts hydraulic energy to mechanical rotation, providing high torque output in a compact form factor suitable for portable applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 tool achieves high-speed operation, reduced size, increased portability, and improved durability, with intuitive user interface and expanded functionality, enhancing efficiency and reliability in industrial bolting tasks.

Implementation Method 1

a Hall effect sensor and a shifter ring gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3890924B1Apparatus for tightening threaded fasteners
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 HYTORC DIV UNEX CORP
  • EP3890924B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3890924B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3890924B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A portable torque power tool is disclosed herein and includes: a motor to generate a turning force; a drive to transfer the turning force; a turning force multiplication mechanism assembly to multiply the turning force; a shifter assembly to shift the tool between a lower speed / higher torque (LSHT) mode and a higher speed / lower torque (HSLT) mode; a torque transducer to measure torque output from a portion of the turning force multiplication mechanism assembly; wherein torque output is controlled by the torque transducer in LSHT mode; and wherein torque output is controlled by motor current in HSLT mode.