Gearless in-line torque limited device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11203102-B2
Application number	US-201815946246-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 5, 2018
Priority date	Oct 7, 2015
Publication date	Dec 21, 2021
Grant date	Dec 21, 2021

Abstract

A power driven in-line disposable torque-limiting device having a gearless clutch assembly with a first clutch element affixed to the cylindrical body, a second clutch element engaged with a shaft for rotation together with the shaft, one or more bearing elements disposed between the first clutch element and the second clutch element, and a compressive element configured to apply force across the clutch elements. The first clutch element and second clutch element exert compressive force, shearing force, or both on the one or more bearing elements to provide clutch functionality at predetermined torque limits.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A disposable motor powered torque-limiting driver comprising:
a plastic cylindrical body having a fortified connector mount affixed at a proximal end and a plastic nose cone partially inserted into a distal end of the cylindrical body, the nose cone having a keyed external profile at the end inserted into the cylindrical body and a drive socket within an axial bore of the nose cone;
a drive shaft mounted in said connector mount;
wherein the cylindrical body contains:
an upper thrust washer having a keyed profile that is mated to matching catches of the nose cone;
a lower thrust washer affixed to the cylindrical body;
a bearing element disposed between the upper thrust washer and lower thrust washer;
a connector having a tip, a drive connection, and a threading, the connector being engaged within the drive socket of the nose cone;
a nut having an extended shoulder portion, a lower neck portion and with internal features to engage with the threading of the connector;
a compression element between the upper thrust washer and nut within a plastic containment configured to prevent impingement of the compression element against other system components, wherein the compression element is configured to apply a force across the upper thrust washer and the lower thrust washer to compress the bearing element;
wherein the bearing element is compressed such that the upper thrust washer and lower thrust washer engage for relative rotation when a motor applies rotational force to the drive shaft; and,
wherein the upper thrust washer and lower thrust washer disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded.

2. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shoulder integral to the nut of a diameter larger than the compression element's inner diameter; and,
the neck extending below said shoulder of a diameter smaller than the compression element's inner diameter.

3. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , wherein a force provided by the compression element securely maintains the drive connection of the connector engaged within the drive socket of the nose cone.

4. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , further comprising:
barbed dog latches extending from one side of the lower thrust washer and which mate to the distal end; and, wherein the lower thrust washer is affixed to the distal end.

5. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , further comprising one or more washers between the nose cone and the cylindrical body.

6. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , comprising at least one washer between the compression element and the nut.

7. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , wherein the driver applies a torque of between about 1 N-m and about 2 N-m, at a rotational speed exceeding 250 RPM.

8. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , wherein the driver applies a torque of between about 1 N-m and about 2 N-m, at a rotational speed exceeding 500 RPM.

9. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , wherein the driver applies a torque of between about 1 N-m and about 2 N-m, at a rotational speed exceeding 750 RPM.

10. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1 , wherein the driver applies a torque of between about 1 N-m and about 2 N-m, at a rotational speed between 150 RPM and 850 RPM.

11. The torque-limiting driver of claim 2 , wherein the compression element is a spring between the upper thrust washer and nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper thrust washer and the lower thrust washer, and wherein the spring is connected via the threading to the nut.

Assignees

• Eca Medical Instr

Inventors

• Nino John
• Ivinson David
• Tory David

Classifications

• B25B23/141 Primary

  Mechanical overload release couplings · CPC title

• A61B17/8875

  Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches · CPC title

• B25B21/007

  Attachments for drilling apparatus for screw or nut setting or loosening · CPC title

• A61B2090/031

  torque limiting · CPC title

• B25B23/1427

  by mechanical means · CPC title