Vacuum Screwdriver Nozzle Coupling for Tight Screw Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art power screw drivers face challenges in accessing narrow or cramped screw locations due to the wide housing and vacuum chamber obstructing the bit, and experience screw wobbling and loss during tightening due to relative rotation between the bit and suction nozzle, leading to poor accessibility and quality of the tightening process.
Innovation Solution
A power screw driver with a slimmed-down forward end section and a half-moon coupling mechanism that locks the suction nozzle against rotation relative to the bit, allowing for axial and co-rotational alignment, and a tubular bit supporting sleeve with internal passages connecting the suction nozzle to a vacuum chamber for sub-atmospheric pressure, enabling effective screw pick-up and tightening in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing extends forward to contain the vacuum chamber directly connected to the suction nozzle, then the vacuum pick-up function is achieved, but the housing width obstructs access to narrow screw locations
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent segments: the bit supporting sleeve (surrounding the bit), the suction nozzle (surrounding the sleeve), and the vacuum chamber (connected to the nozzle). This segmentation allows the bit assembly to be narrower than the housing, enabling access to confined spaces while the vacuum chamber maintains its full width for effective screw pickup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a direct lateral connection (housing → vacuum chamber → suction nozzle) to an axial connection through the bit supporting sleeve. The vacuum chamber connects to the suction nozzle through the axial space occupied by the bit supporting sleeve, allowing the bit to extend forward beyond the housing boundary while the vacuum system remains integrated.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the suction nozzle is rigidly attached to the housing, then structural stability is achieved, but relative rotation between bit and nozzle causes screw wobble and loss of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the suction nozzle and bit supporting sleeve is made rotatable rather than rigidly fixed. This dynamic connection allows the bit and suction nozzle to rotate together as a unified assembly, eliminating relative rotation that would cause screw wobble while maintaining the structural stability provided by the vacuum chamber's rigid mounting to the housing.
3Ease of operation
If the bit supporting sleeve is made narrow to improve accessibility, then access to cramped locations is enabled, but the vacuum chamber connection becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bit supporting sleeve is nested within the suction nozzle, which is in turn connected to the vacuum chamber. This nested arrangement allows the narrow bit assembly to pass through the broader vacuum system components, achieving both compact accessibility and integrated vacuum functionality without requiring complex external connections.
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 solution enhances accessibility to narrow screw locations by minimizing housing interference and maintains screw contact during tightening, preventing wobbling and ensuring a stable, efficient screw mounting and tightening process.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber (31) which communicates on one side with a source of sub-atmospheric pressure and on the other side with the suction nozzle (28)
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 3
AI summary
A power screw driver comprising a housing (10) including a vacuum chamber (31) communicating with a source of sub-atmospheric pressure, a motor, a drive spindle (22), a screw engaging bit (24) connected to the drive spindle (22), a suction nozzle (28) surrounding and being rigidly secured to the bit (24), and a bit supporting sleeve (26) having a forward end part (26a), and a rear end part (26b), wherein the rear end part (26b) is connected to the drive spindle (22) and extends into the vacuum chamber (31). The forward end part (26a) of the bit supporting sleeve (26) is in contact with the suction nozzle (28), and at least one longitudinal internal passage (44 a-d) extending through the bit supporting sleeve (26) is arranged to communicate sub-atmospheric pressure from the vacuum chamber (31) to the suction nozzle (28).