Universal Socket Joint Structure Without Separate Pin Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional universal socket structures face increased manufacturing and assembly costs due to separate components requiring precise mating, and are prone to wear and breakage during use, leading to loose connections and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

A universal socket structure featuring a female seat with grooves and a joint member with integrally formed protrusions, utilizing engaging members and an elastic member for secure engagement without the need for a separate pin, simplifying assembly and enhancing rotational angle and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the joint member consists of a pin passing through a perforation of a spherical head as two independent components, then the assembly allows for modular construction and easier replacement, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase due to separate production and mating precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodular constructionVSAvoidassembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pin and spherical head into a single integrally formed joint member. The joint member comprises a spherical head with a pin that is formed as one piece through forging or casting, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components. This integration reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining the modular replaceability of the entire joint member assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the pin and spherical head are manufactured separately and assembled, then the manufacturing process allows for specialized production, but the labor costs and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecialized productionVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin and spherical head are combined into a single integrally formed component manufactured through forging or casting processes. This eliminates the separate assembly step of inserting the pin into the spherical head, reducing labor costs and manufacturing time while maintaining the ability to specialize in producing the complete joint member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the pin passes through the perforation of the spherical head, then the connection is established, but the pin and perforation are prone to wear and breakage during high-speed rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pin and spherical head are integrally formed as a single joint member, eliminating the interface between these two components. This removes the wear and breakage issues associated with the pin passing through the spherical head's perforation, as there is no separate mating surface to wear. The entire joint member can be replaced as one unit if worn.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint member is pre-assembled as an integral unit during manufacturing, ensuring proper alignment and fit before installation. This preliminary integration prevents misalignment and excessive wear during operation, extending the service life of the connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the conventional universal socket structure is used, then the basic function is achieved, but the manufacturing costs and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection functionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pin and spherical head are merged into a single integrally formed joint member, eliminating the assembly step of inserting the pin into the spherical head. This reduces assembly time and labor costs while maintaining the reliability of the connection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces manufacturing time and costs, prevents wear and breakage, and allows for a larger rotating angle, ensuring reliable and smooth operation.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic member is disposed in the accommodating trough of the female seat for pushing and supporting the spherical head to engage with the engaging member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11346402B2Universal socket structure

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 TSAI JHIH SHENG

AI summary

A universal socket structure includes a female seat, a joint member, at least one engaging member, and an elastic member. A coupling end the female seat is recessed to form an accommodating trough. Two opposite sides of the accommodating trough are formed with grooves extending along an axial direction of the female seat. The female seat has at least one coupling portion. The joint member has one end formed with a spherical head. Two opposite sides of the spherical head has protrusions protruding from an outer periphery of the spherical head. The spherical head is accommodated in the accommodating trough. The protrusions are accommodated in the grooves. The engaging member is disposed in the coupling portion and movable from the coupling portion toward the accommodating trough. The elastic member is disposed in the accommodating trough for pushing and supporting the spherical head to engage with the engaging member.