Adjustable Wrench With Spring-Loaded Catch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for loosening and tightening bolts require the use of both hands, fail to grip the bolt precisely and firmly, and are awkward to use, lacking the efficiency and convenience needed for various bolt sizes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable wrench design featuring a catch with teeth, a fixed part, a moving part, and a spring, allowing for one-handed operation and precise gripping of bolts in metric or inch sizes through a continuous adjustment mechanism, where the catch is located on the moving part and the spring pushes it to intermesh with the fixed part's teeth, enabling precise locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wrench designs are used, then the tool can grip bolts, but it requires both hands and is awkward to use
Solution Approach 1:
The wrench is divided into distinct functional segments: a fixed part with teethed surfaces, a moving part with a catch mechanism, and a spring component. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded catch mechanism automatically locks and unlocks the moving part relative to the fixed part without requiring manual intervention. The spring provides self-actuating locking through the interaction of teethed surfaces, allowing the wrench to maintain grip securely while simplifying operation to one hand
2Reliability
If traditional wrench designs are used, then the tool can grip bolts, but it does not grip the bolt precisely and firmly
Solution Approach 1:
The teethed surfaces on both the fixed and moving parts are designed with specific local geometric properties that enable precise engagement. The catch mechanism incorporates localized locking features that provide firm grip at specific adjustment positions, ensuring reliable bolt gripping while allowing smooth adjustment through the interaction of these localized teethed structures
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench transitions from a static grip to a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the moving part can be continuously positioned relative to the fixed part. The spring-loaded catch provides dynamic locking at various positions, allowing the wrench to adapt to different bolt sizes while maintaining precise and firm grip through the interactive teethed surfaces
3Productivity
If traditional wrench designs are used, then the tool can handle bolts, but it is awkward to use and lacks efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The wrench combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: the fixed part with teethed surfaces, the moving part with catch, and the spring work together as one cohesive adjustment system. This merging eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and multiple hands, improving efficiency by allowing all functions to be performed with one hand while the integrated design keeps complexity manageable
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 wrench allows for efficient, one-handed operation on a wide range of bolt sizes, providing precise and rigid gripping without damaging the bolt, with the ability to adjust sizes smoothly and continuously, enhancing user convenience and tool durability.
Implementation Method 1
the spring pushes the catch in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wrench against the two teethed parts
Implementation Method 2
the two teethed parts attached to the fixed part together serve as a guide for the moving part that is movable inside the fixed part, allowing the catch, the fixed part and the moving part to slide over one another
Data Source
AI summary
A wrench comprising (a) a catch, including teeth; (b) a fixed part defining a first jaw, the fixed part including two teethed parts permanently attached to the fixed part, the fixed part configured so that the two teethed parts intermesh with the teeth of the catch; (c) a moving part, defining a second jaw, such that the first jaw and the second jaw define the jaws of the wrench; and (d) a spring, whereby: (i) the two teethed parts attached to the fixed part which together serve as a guide for the moving part that is movable inside the fixed part, allowing the catch, the fixed part and the moving part to slide over one another; (ii) the catch is located in, and attached to, the moving part and selectively fixes the moving part to the fixed part; (iii) the spring pushes the catch in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wrench against the two teethed parts; and (iv) the fixed part serves as a gripping handle with a jaws of the wrench at its end.