Adjustable Wrench Assembly with Pivoting Head and Radial Slot Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wrench assemblies lack a mechanism for adjustable positioning of the head relative to the handle, limiting their versatility in gripping and rotating fasteners effectively.
Innovation Solution
A wrench assembly design featuring a head, a pivotal member with radial slots, and a handle, where a lock mechanism allows the head to pivotally adjust by sliding between engagement and disengagement positions within the radial slots, enabling flexible positioning and secure fastener engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the head is fixed rigidly to the handle, then the structure is simple and strong, but the wrench cannot be adjusted to different positions for effective fastener engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The head is made dynamically adjustable relative to the handle through a linkage mechanism. The head can pivot between multiple fixed positions along an arc, allowing adaptation to different fastener configurations while maintaining structural integrity through defined mechanical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench is segmented into distinct components: a handle, a head, and a linkage mechanism connecting them. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of the head relative to the handle, enabling position variability while keeping each component structurally simple and strong.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a linkage mechanism is added to allow head adjustment, then versatility improves, but the structural strength and simplicity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism provides controlled dynamic adjustment, allowing the head to move between specific predetermined positions. This maintains structural strength by constraining movement to defined paths rather than allowing continuous or uncontrolled movement that would weaken the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The head moves along a curved arc path during adjustment, with the pivot point positioned to create a spherical or arc-shaped trajectory. This curved movement path maintains optimal force vectors and structural loading throughout the adjustment range, preserving strength while enabling position variability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the head can pivot freely, then adaptability improves, but the stability and precision of fastener gripping are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The head is designed with controlled dynamic adjustment capability, allowing movement between discrete predetermined positions rather than continuous free movement. This provides adaptability for different fastener configurations while ensuring stability at each positioned state for reliable fastener engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism is designed with predetermined stop positions or guide features that pre-establish stable engagement points. The head is guided into these predetermined positions, ensuring proper alignment and stable fastener gripping before the user applies torque, thereby maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A wrench assembly, and methods of making and using such a wrench assembly, whereby the wrench assembly includes a head, an opening disposed within the head, a first pivotal member coupled to the head, a plurality of radial slots inwardly extending into the first pivotal member, and a handle, whereby the head pivotally couples to the handle.