Co-extruded Screwdriver Handle with Internal Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screwdrivers face difficulties in easy identification due to worn or discolored textual and color markings on handles, making it hard to distinguish between types without viewing the tips and shafts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shaped internal structure within the handle that can be co-extruded with the outer portion, allowing for identification of screwdriver characteristics such as tip size and type through a translucent or colored design visible from the handle ends, which can include various shapes, sizes, and colors to indicate specific features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If textual labeling or color coding is used on the handle for identification, then identification is provided, but the markings can wear or become discolored and be difficult to read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds an inner structure containing identification characteristics within the handle's outer portion. This nested configuration protects the identification information from external damage while allowing it to be viewed through the translucent outer portion, resolving the contradiction between providing identification and maintaining its reliability against wear and discoloration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color coding in the inner structure to indicate screwdriver characteristics. The inner structure can be extruded in different colors corresponding to different tip types or sizes, providing durable visual identification that does not wear or fade like surface markings.
2Loss of information
If the handle is made translucent to view the internal structure, then identification is improved, but the handle material options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies translucency locally to specific portions of the handle rather than requiring the entire handle to be translucent. This allows the outer portion to be translucent for viewing the inner structure while other portions can be made from different materials with different properties, resolving the contradiction between identification visibility and material versatility.
3Reliability
If co-extrusion process is used to form the handle with inner structure, then identification is integrated into the handle, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of the outer portion and inner structure into a single co-extrusion process. By merging these two forming operations into one simultaneous process, the identification structure is integrated into the handle during manufacturing, ensuring durability while managing manufacturing complexity through process integration.
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 easy and durable identification of screwdriver characteristics without needing to view the tips or shafts, improving usability and reducing misidentification by providing a clear visual indicator through the handle.
Implementation Method 1
providing a first material for the outer portion to an extruder; providing a second material for the inner structure to the extruder; flowing the first material through an outer portion die to form the outer portion; and flowing the second material through an inner structure die to form the inner structure within the outer portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system to identify screwdrivers by characteristics without necessitating viewing the tips and/or shaft of the screwdrivers. The screwdriver handles can include a shaped structure within the handle corresponding to the identification of the characteristic. In some embodiments, the handle can be co-extruded so that an internal structure indicating the screwdriver characteristics can be extruded concurrently with the outside portion of the screwdriver handle, where the outside portion can be further shaped to form various gripping surfaces. At least a portion of the handle can be at least partially translucent to allow viewing of the internal structure through the handle for identification. The internal structure may also be viewed from one or both ends of the handle. The size or color of the internal structure can also identify characteristics of the screwdriver, such as the tip size, length, and other characteristics.