Modular clutch assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US10219854B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Modular clutch assembly",
  "abstract": "A clutch within a torque-limiting device which may include a shaft extending axially through a clutch assembly and a spring to connect to a nut. The clutch having swappable gear rings. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A clutch having swappable gear rings comprising: a lower shank (200) having lower dog catches (LDC) (202); the lower shank having an internal axial bore (205); a first gear ring (300) with gear teeth (310) extending from the backside (312) and a plurality of dog latches (305) extending from the front side (307); a upper shank (400) having upper dog catches (UDC) (405); the upper shank having an internal axial bore (409); a second gear ring (350) with gear teeth (360) extending from the backside (362) and a plurality of dog latches (355) extending from the front side (357); wherein the dog latches mates with the dog catches; and, the gear teeth on each of the first and second gear ring mate with each other.",
    "2. The clutch of claim 1, wherein the gear rings are hardened.",
    "3. The clutch of claim 2, wherein the hardened gear rings are 440 c stainless steel.",
    "4. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are one or more.",
    "5. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are two or more.",
    "6. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are three or more.",
    "7. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are four or more.",
    "8. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are five or more.",
    "9. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are six or more.",
    "10. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are seven or more.",
    "11. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are eight or more.",
    "12. The clutch of claim 3, wherein the gear teeth are nine or more.",
    "13. The clutch of claim 3, further comprising a first washer between the spring, a second Delrin washer, and the nut.",
    "14. A clutch having swappable gear rings comprising: a lower shank (200) having lower dog catches (LDC) (202); the lower shank having an internal axial bore (205); a first gear ring (300) with gear teeth (310) extending from the backside (312) and a plurality of dog latches (305) extending from the front side (307); a upper shank (400) having upper dog catches (UDC) (405); the upper shank having an internal axial bore (409); a second gear ring (350) with gear teeth (360) extending from the backside (362) and a plurality of dog latches (355) extending from the front side (357); wherein the dog latches are longer than the gear teeth; wherein the dog latches mates with the dog catches; and, the gear teeth on each of the first and second gear ring mate with each other.",
    "15. A torque-limiting driver with swappable clutch gear rings comprising: a body (2) which may act as a handle; a lower cylindrical shank with a first hardened gear ring affixed via dog latches and catches to the face thereof having a drive socket (15) through the nose (8) at the opposite side; an upper cylindrical shank with a second hardened gear ring affixed via dog latches and catches to the bottom face (402) and having a front facing side (403); a nut (25); a spring (22) between the front facing end the upper cylindrical shank and the nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the gear rings; a shaft (14) having a workpiece-engaging tip (12) and a drive connection (16) engaged within the drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank, the shaft extending axially through the lower cylindrical shank, the hardened first gear ring, the second hardened gear ring, the upper cylindrical shank and the spring and connected to the nut; wherein the hardened gear ring of the upper cylindrical shank and the hardened gear ring of the lower cylindrical shank engage for relative rotation; and, wherein the gear rings disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded.",
    "16. The driver of claim 15, wherein the shaft includes a threading (17) that is threaded onto the nut.",
    "17. The torque-limiting driver of claim 16, wherein a force provided by the spring securely maintains the drive connection of the shaft engaged within the drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank.",
    "18. The torque-limiting driver of claim 17, further comprising at least two washers (21 / 20) between the spring and the upper cylindrical shank.",
    "19. The torque-limiting driver of claim 17, further comprising a washer (32) between the lower cylindrical shank and the body.",
    "20. The driver of claim 17 wherein the engaged gear rings and affixed shanks will provide a predetermined torque of at least 12 Newton-meters (Nm) of force over at least 100 actuations.",
    "21. The driver of claim 17 wherein the predetermined torque limit is between about 110 inch-pounds and about 130 inch-pounds.",
    "22. The driver of claim 15 wherein the engaged gear rings and affixed shanks will provide a predetermined torque of at least 12 Newton-meters (Nm) of force over at least 20 actuations.",
    "23. The driver of claim 15 wherein the engaged gear rings and affixed shanks will provide a predetermined torque of at least 12 Newton-meters (Nm) of force over at least 50 actuations."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates to a modular clutch assembly and, in particular, to a medical use disposable torque-limiting in-line driver with a hybrid plastic-metal gear that disengages at a predetermined torque limit.\n\nTorque is a measure of force acting on an object that causes that object to rotate. In the case of a driver and a fastener, this measurement can be calculated mathematically in terms of the cross product of specific vectors: τ=r×F Where r is the vector representing the distance and direction from an axis of a fastener to a point where the force is applied and F is the force vector acting on the driver. Torque has dimensions of force times distance and the SI unit of torque is the Newton meter (N-m). The joule, which is the SI unit for energy or work, is also defined as an N-m, but this unit is not used for torque. Since energy can be thought of as the result of force times distance, energy is always a scalar whereas torque is force cross-distance and so is a vector-valued quantity. Other non-SI units of torque include pound-force-feet, foot-pounds-force, ounce-force-inches, meter-kilograms-force, inch-ounces or inch-pounds. Torque-limiting drivers are widely used throughout the medical industry. These torque-limiting drivers have a factory pre-set torque to ensure the accuracy and toughness required to meet a demanding surgical environment.\n\nThe medical industry has made use of both reusable and disposable torque-limiting drivers. In a surgical context, there is little room for error and these drivers must impart a precise amount of torque.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 17/8875",
    "A61B 2090/031",
    "A61B 90/03",
    "B25B 23/141",
    "B25B 23/1427"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 17/88",
    "A61B 90/00",
    "B25B 23/14",
    "B25B 23/142"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ECA MEDICAL INSTR"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "NINO JOHN",
    "IVINSON DAVID"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-08-22",
  "publication_date": "2019-03-05",
  "grant_date": "2019-03-05",
  "priority_date": "2014-04-01",
  "application_number": "US-201615243454-A",
  "family_id": "54241109",
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}