Extendable Wrench Segmentation for High Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wrenches lack the ability to provide high torque due to their fixed length and structural limitations, making them unsuitable for high-torque applications without compromising structural strength.
Innovation Solution
An extendable wrench design featuring a shaft with an insertion hole, a cover, and an extension rod with an elastic positioning member, allowing for the combination of the extension rod with the wrench to form a longer operating arm, and incorporating grooves on the shaft for enhanced structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the shaft is made with a retractable structure using inner and outer tubes, then the arm of force can be extended to increase torque, but the structural strength is reduced due to the positioning structure between tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The wrench is divided into a main body and a separate extension rod that can be detached or removed. This segmentation allows the extension rod to provide additional arm of force when needed, while the main body maintains its full structural strength without compromising positioning structures. The extension rod acts as an independent segment that attaches to the main body through a plug connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension rod is extracted as a separate component from the main wrench body. Instead of having the extension integrated into the shaft structure, it is taken out as a removable piece that can be attached when high torque is needed. This extraction allows the main body to remain structurally strong while providing the option to extend the arm of force externally.
2Length of moving object
If the shaft is made longer to provide high torque, then the arm of force increases, but the structural strength decreases making it unsuitable for high-torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The wrench system is segmented into a main body with a standard-length shaft and a separate extension rod. The main body shaft maintains its optimal structural strength for high-torque applications, while the extension rod provides the additional length needed to increase the arm of force when high torque is required. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the strength-critical portion from the length-extension portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench configuration is made dynamic and adaptable through the removable extension rod. The system can transition between a short configuration (main body only) for routine tasks and a long configuration (main body plus extension rod) for high-torque applications. This dynamic reconfiguration allows optimal performance in both scenarios without compromising structural strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a positioning structure is added between inner and outer tubes to enable retraction, then the shaft can extend to provide larger torque, but the structural strength of the tubes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The extension functionality is extracted from the tube structure and implemented as a separate removable extension rod. This eliminates the need for positioning structures between inner and outer tubes, thereby preserving the full structural strength of the tubes. The extension rod attaches to the main body through a plug connection system that does not compromise tube integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench is segmented into distinct components: the main body with intact tube structure and a separate extension rod. This segmentation allows the tube structure to maintain its full strength without incorporating positioning mechanisms, while the extension rod provides the adaptability for extended arm of force when needed.
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
The wrench can provide several times higher torque than conventional wrenches, with the extended operating arm capable of withstanding high-torque operations without deformation, achieving torque values of over 700 feet-pounds while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic positioning member provided between the plug of the extension rod and the insertion hole of the wrench, when the plug of the extension rod is plug-connected with the insertion hole, the elastic positioning member keeps the plug in position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an extendable wrench comprising: a wrench having a head portion and a shaft connected to a rear end of the head portion; an insertion hole recessed at a rear end of the shaft; a cover to dismountably close the insertion hole; an extension rod with a front end formed with a plug to be plug-connected with or separated from the insertion hole of the wrench; and an elastic positioning member provided between the plug of the extension rod and the insertion hole of the wrench, when the plug of the extension rod is plug-connected with the insertion hole, the elastic positioning member keeps the plug in position. Thereby, the wrench can be operated independently; when application of larger operating torque is required, the extension rod can be combined with a rear end of the wrench to form a longer operating arm of force to meet the requirements of large torque.