Color-Coded Adjustable Wrench Jaw Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque-adjustable wrenches face issues with grease coverage obscuring size markings, requiring users to memorize color correlations for size identification, leading to potential incorrect tool selection and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A torque-adjustable wrench featuring multiple color marks on the body and a pointer on the movable jaw, allowing users to align the pointer with color marks to set the correct jaw distance without memorization, along with a torque-indicating unit using colored regions to determine appropriate torque values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional inscriptions or scales are used to indicate tool size, then the size information can be provided on the wrench, but the inscriptions are covered by grease or stains making them unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded markings on the wrench body corresponding to different size ranges. Instead of relying on text inscriptions that can be obscured by grease, the invention uses distinct color segments that remain visually distinguishable even when contaminated. Each color corresponds to a specific jaw opening range, allowing users to quickly identify the appropriate size without reading text that may be covered by grease or stains.
2Ease of operation
If color charts are used to indicate tool size, then size identification becomes visual, but users must memorize the correspondence between colors and numerals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly integrates color-coded markings on the wrench body itself, with each color corresponding to a specific size range. The color coding is combined with numerical indicators and pointer alignment features, eliminating the need for separate color chart memorization. Users can directly read the size information from the wrench by aligning the pointer with the colored segments, making the size identification intuitive and immediate without requiring memorization of color-numeral correspondences.
3Reliability
If users bring all bit sizes to working site to ensure correct selection, then correct bit can be found, but it becomes a burden to carry multiple bits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a color-coded sizing system on the wrench that allows for quick visual identification of the correct jaw opening range. By using distinct color segments that correspond to different size ranges, users can immediately determine the appropriate wrench size for a given fastener without trial and error. This reliable visual identification system eliminates the need to carry multiple wrenches of different sizes, as a single adjustable wrench with color coding provides confident size selection.
4Measurement precision
If scales are provided on the wrench to show jaw gap correspondence, then size measurement is possible, but the scales are covered with grease or stains making them unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional numerical scales with color-coded segments that indicate different jaw opening ranges. Each color corresponds to a specific size range, and the colors remain visually distinguishable even when covered with grease or stains. The pointer alignment system works with these color segments to provide accurate size indication without relying on text or fine numerical markings that would be obscured by contamination.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable wrench uses colors for identification. The adjustable wrench includes a bit including multiple identification zones and a pointer in addition to a body and a movable jaw. The body includes a stationary jaw extending from a front end. The movable jaw is movably connected to the front end of the body so that a distance between the jaws is adjustable. The identification zones are formed on a side of the body. Each of the identification zones is in a color corresponding to a size of a workpiece. The pointer is formed on a side of the movable jaw. The distance between the jaws is set to be a value corresponding to the size of the workpiece when the pointer is aligned with one of the identification zones.