Adjustable Wrench Spring-Biased Jaw Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable wrenches lack efficient mechanisms for rapid adjustment and secure tightening of jaws, often relying on worm gears or locking plates that can be cumbersome and not always effective.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable wrench design featuring a spring-biased movable jaw, a jaw locking member that secures the jaw in multiple positions, and a jaw-opening actuator mechanism that allows for easy adjustment and tightening, utilizing a combination of levers and pivots to facilitate smooth jaw movement and secure clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a worm gear mechanism is used to adjust the jaws, then the jaw adjustment function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional worm gear mechanism from the adjustable wrench, extracting the complex transmission component that caused operational difficulty. Instead, it uses a direct spring-biased system where the jaw is simply pushed by spring force without needing gear engagement, dramatically simplifying the mechanism while maintaining adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased jaw system automatically returns the jaw to its closed position when the actuator is released, eliminating the need for complex return mechanisms. The system serves itself by using stored elastic energy in the spring to perform the return action, reducing overall mechanism complexity
2Ease of operation
If a locking plate with teeth is used to secure the jaw, then the jaw can be secured in position, but the ease of adjustment deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the locking plate with teeth entirely, removing the complex engagement mechanism that hindered ease of adjustment. The system relies on the spring force and friction between the jaw and handle surface to maintain positioning, simplifying the adjustment process while providing sufficient securing reliability for typical applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the securing mechanism from a discrete tooth engagement system to a continuous friction-based system. By adjusting the normal force through spring compression, the friction force can be varied to provide adequate securing at different jaw positions without requiring mechanical interlocking features
3Productivity
If manual jaw closing is used, then the jaw can be positioned, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-compressed and stored energy is prepared in advance during the jaw opening action. When the actuator is released, this pre-stored energy immediately drives the jaw to close, eliminating the need for slow manual closing operations and significantly increasing adjustment speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic actuation of the opening mechanism paired with automatic spring-driven closing. This creates a rapid open-close cycle where the majority of the movement is performed by the spring in a single directional stroke, reducing total adjustment time compared to bidirectional manual control
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
Enables rapid adjustment and secure tightening of jaws, improving user convenience and effectiveness in gripping various sizes of nuts and bolts without the need for complex mechanisms like worm gears, while maintaining a secure grip.
Implementation Method 1
a spring which biases the first jaw toward the second jaw
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable wrench is provided which provides several advantageous aspects. One aspect of the wrench is to facilitate rapid adjustment of the jaws, which are typically spring biased toward one another. Another aspect is the ability to adjust the jaws according to Metric system measurements or English system measurements or the like. A further aspect is the quick and effective tightening of the jaws.