Quick Chain Link Tool With Translational Force Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for opening quick-release chain fasteners are either cumbersome due to their large size or difficult to handle due to the need for rotary movements and long lever arms, making them inefficient for compact and intuitive operation.
Innovation Solution
A portable multifunction tool with a tool function element that uses translational movement of force-exerting means to actuate quick-release chain fasteners, eliminating the need for rotary movements and long lever arms, allowing for compact design and intuitive handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional chain tools with rotary movement and long lever arms are used, then sufficient force can be applied to open quick-release chain fasteners, but the tool size becomes large and handling becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using rotary movement with long lever arms to amplify force, the invention inverts the approach by using direct translational movement where the force application is more direct and compact. The tool pushes the link plate connecting means directly along the chain link without requiring rotational leverage, thereby reducing tool size while maintaining sufficient opening force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of force application from the complex rotary mechanism and isolates it into a simple translational pushing action. By removing the unnecessary rotary movement and lever arm components, the tool achieves compact dimensions while still delivering the required force to separate the quick-release chain fastener.
2Force
If traditional chain tools with rotary movement are used, then opening force can be generated, but the operation becomes difficult to handle and less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the operational mechanism from rotary to translational movement. This inversion makes the operation more intuitive because the user simply pushes the tool along the chain link in a straight line, which is a more natural and easier motion compared to manipulating rotary levers and handles.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool design allows the user's direct pushing motion to translate immediately into the opening force without requiring complex mechanical transformations. The translational movement mechanism directly converts user input into tool action, making the operation self-evident and easier to control.
3Volume of moving object
If compact tool design is implemented, then portability and ease of storage are improved, but the tool may lack sufficient force application capability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the force generation function from bulky mechanical components and concentrates it into a compact translational pushing mechanism. By eliminating rotary joints, long handles, and complex leverage systems, the tool achieves small volume while maintaining adequate force capability through direct linear actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using size and leverage to generate force, the compact tool inverts the approach by using direct translational contact to apply force efficiently. This eliminates the need for large mechanical advantage structures, allowing sufficient force application in a compact form factor.
Data Source
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Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable multifunctional tool (10) which has a gripping portion (11) and a tool receiving portion (12). Arranged on the tool receiving portion (12) is a tool functional element (100, 200) which is configured to activate a quick chain link (502, 1000) comprising two link plates (1001A, 1002A) and two link-plate connecting means (1001B, 1002B). The tool functional element (100, 200) has a first force exerting means (101, 201) which is configured to exert a force (F1, F2) on the first link-plate connecting means (1001B) of the quick chain link (502, 1000). The tool functional element (100, 200) moreover has a second force exerting means (102, 202) which is configured to exert a force (F1, F2) on the second link-plate connecting means (1002B) of the quick chain link (502, 1000). According to the invention, the first force exerting means (101, 201) and the second force exerting means (102, 202) are movable in translation relative to one another in order to activate the quick chain link (502, 1000) by means of this movement in translation. The tool functional element (100, 200) moreover has a linear guide device (801, 802) having a stationary first linear guide element (801) and a second linear guide element (802) that is arranged in a movable manner therein, wherein only one of the two force exerting means (101, 201; 102, 202) is arranged on the second linear guide element (802).