Adjustable Wrench with Spring-Loaded Stopper Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustable wrenches require repetitive fitting and removal to tighten or loosen polygonal bolt heads, leading to cumbersome operations and complex, difficult-to-assemble designs with many components.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable wrench design featuring a pivotally connected handle, a stopper pin, and a spring-loaded shaft member allows for continuous operation by adjusting the clamping area between a fixed and movable jaw, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conventional adjustable wrench design is used to enable both traditional function and ratchet wrench-type function, then the wrench can perform multiple functions, but the device complexity increases with numerous complicated components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traditional adjustable wrench function and ratchet wrench function into a single integrated device. The handle is pivotally connected to the fixed jaw, and the stopper pin can selectively engage with stopper sections to provide both continuous wrenching and traditional adjustable wrench operations, eliminating the need for separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple operations. The stopper pin mechanism allows the fixed jaw to be either movable (for continuous wrenching) or fixed (for traditional adjustable wrench operation), enabling the single device to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conventional adjustable wrench with numerous components is used, then both functions are achieved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates as it is hard to manufacture these components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into fewer components. The handle, fixed jaw, movable jaw, and stopper pin work together as an integrated system, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled compared to conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into key functional components: handle, fixed jaw, movable jaw, and stopper pin mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with simpler geometries and then assembled, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conventional adjustable wrench with numerous components is used, then both functions are achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as it is troublesome to assemble all these components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a streamlined component structure. The stopper pin integrates the switching mechanism between continuous wrenching mode and traditional adjustable wrench mode, eliminating the need for complex separate mechanisms and simplifying assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper pin automatically engages with the stopper sections to lock the fixed jaw in position, and can be manually disengaged to allow movement. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for complex fastening procedures, making assembly and operation simpler.
4Ease of operation
If the conventional adjustable wrench is used, then the wrench can be operated in original mode, but the productivity deteriorates as a user needs to repeatedly fit the wrench onto the bolt
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed jaw is made dynamically adjustable between fixed and movable states. When the stopper pin disengages from the stopper section, the fixed jaw becomes movable, allowing the wrench to function as a ratchet wrench for continuous tightening or loosening operations without repeated fitting and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench enables continuous useful action by allowing the handle to be reciprocally swung in one direction to continuously tighten or loosen the bolt. The movable fixed jaw maintains continuous contact with the bolt head, eliminating the need to repeatedly fit and unfit the wrench during operation.
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 continuous wrenching of polygonal bolt heads without troublesome operations and simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of components, making the tool easier to assemble and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member pushing a bottom end of the fixed block
Implementation Method 2
by means of the spring fitted on the shaft member disposed in the main passage of the fixed jaw, after the movable jaw is slightly opened, the movable jaw will be immediately restored to hold the bolt or nut
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable wrench including a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a handle, a shaft member and a stopper pin. The front end of the handle is pivotally connected with the fixed jaw. When the handle is reciprocally pivotally swung, the stopper pin is driven by the handle to reciprocally move toward the stopper section or away from a stopper section of the shaft member. Also, by means of the spring fitted on the shaft member disposed in the main passage of the fixed jaw, after the movable jaw is slightly opened, the movable jaw will be immediately restored to hold the bolt or nut. Therefore, the bolt or nut can be continuously wrenched at one time without troublesome operation. The adjustable wrench has fewer components which are easier to process and assemble.