Adjustable Fulcrum Hand Tool for Wire Pulling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for pulling flexible wires and tubes through conduits are often complex, heavy, and require excessive force or space, making them inefficient for moderate pulling tasks in the construction industry where speed is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A versatile hand tool designed with a leveraged mechanism allowing a simple back-and-forth motion, utilizing a handle and foot pedal to apply force through a connection structure with adjustable ratios, enabling efficient pulling of wires or tubes through conduits with reduced manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If heavy duty pullers are used to achieve high pulling forces, then the pulling force capability is improved, but the operating speed decreases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic lever system where the user can adjust the position of the fulcrum point along the rigid bar to change the mechanical advantage ratio in real-time. This allows the operator to optimize between speed and force depending on the specific pulling conditions, rather than being locked into a fixed mechanical advantage ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling device is segmented into distinct functional components: a rigid bar, a movable fulcrum mechanism, and connection points for the wire/tube and pulling rope. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the fulcrum to be repositioned along the bar to adjust the system's mechanical characteristics.
2Force
If heavy duty pullers are used to achieve high pulling forces, then the pulling force capability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic lever system where the user can adjust the position of the fulcrum point along the rigid bar to change the mechanical advantage ratio in real-time. This allows the operator to optimize between speed and force depending on the specific pulling conditions, rather than being locked into a fixed mechanical advantage ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple rigid bar design serves multiple functions: it acts as the lever arm, provides structural support, enables force transmission, and allows fulcrum repositioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components that would increase device complexity.
3Force
If complex tools like wenches are used for threading, then the pulling capability is improved, but the ease of operation and setup time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic lever system where the user can adjust the position of the fulcrum point along the rigid bar to change the mechanical advantage ratio in real-time. This allows the operator to optimize between speed and force depending on the specific pulling conditions, rather than being locked into a fixed mechanical advantage ratio.
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 hand tool facilitates quick and efficient pulling of wires or tubes through conduits with reduced resistance, addressing the limitations of existing tools by providing a lightweight, cost-effective solution for moderate pulling forces without the need for heavy machinery.
Implementation Method 1
A versatile hand tool designed with a leveraged mechanism allowing a simple back-and-forth motion
Data Source
AI summary
A hand tool (10), including: a handle (14) at a handle end (16) of an elongated main body (12); an arcuate shaped contact surface (20) on a base end (22) of the elongated main body opposite the handle end; a support strut (35) extending laterally from the elongated main body; and a connection structure (26) disposed at a distal end of the support strut, between the handle end and the arcuate shaped contact surface. The handle is positioned on a concave side (18) of the arcuate shaped contact surface along a line (50) perpendicular to a tangent (52) of the arcuate shaped contact surface, and the perpendicular line traverses a middle 80% of the arcuate shaped contact surface.