Color Ring Torque Tool Grease-Resistant Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque tools lack effective methods for size and torque identification, often resulting in user errors due to grease-covered inscriptions and the need to memorize color correlations for size determination, leading to incorrect tool selection and potential damage to workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A torque tool featuring a handle with a rotatable color ring and pointer, allowing users to align colored areas with the pointer to set torque limits, eliminating the need for memorization and providing clear, grease-resistant torque and size indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If inscriptions are used to show tool size, then tool identification is provided, but the inscriptions are covered by grease making them unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to the torque tool where different colored zones on the torque indicator correspond to different torque ranges. This allows users to quickly identify the appropriate torque setting through color recognition rather than reading inscriptions that may be covered by grease. The colored zones provide persistent visual information that is not obscured by contamination.
2Ease of operation
If inscriptions are printed on the tool, then tool information is provided, but the user has to flip the tool to read the inscription
Solution Approach 1:
The torque indicator is segmented into multiple colored zones, each representing a different torque range. This segmentation allows the information to be distributed across the indicator surface, making it accessible from various angles and orientations without requiring the user to flip or reposition the tool.
Solution Approach 2:
Different colored zones provide visual cues that can be quickly recognized from any orientation. The color-coded system allows users to identify the appropriate torque range immediately regardless of how the tool is positioned, eliminating the need to flip the tool to read inscriptions.
3Loss of information
If a color chart with numerals is used, then tool size indication is provided, but the user has to memorize color-numeral correspondence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a limited palette of distinct colors applied directly to the torque indicator zones. Each color corresponds to a specific torque range that is intuitively associated with its visual characteristic. This reduces the cognitive load compared to memorizing arbitrary color-numeral correspondences, as the colors provide immediate visual differentiation without requiring memorization of numerical values.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a two-dimensional color chart that requires memorization, the patent translates the information into a radial dimension on the torque indicator. The colored zones are arranged around the indicator in a way that naturally associates each color with its torque range, eliminating the need for a separate reference chart and reducing memory requirements.
4Measurement precision
If scales are provided on the wrench, then size correspondence is shown, but the scales could be covered with grease or stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional numerical scales with color-coded zones on the torque indicator. These colored zones provide torque range information that is visually distinct and not dependent on fine numerical markings. The broad color zones remain legible even when the tool surface is contaminated with grease or stains, maintaining measurement precision without the vulnerability of traditional scales.
Data Source
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AI summary
A torque tool includes a handle, a pointer and a color ring. The handle is operable to set limits of torque. The pointer is formed on the handle. The color ring includes colored areas corresponding to the limits of torque. The color ring is rotatable around the handle to align one of the colored areas with the pointer to indicate that the handle is ready to transfer torque no larger than a corresponding one of the limits of torque.