Foldable Hand Tool Bracket Locking for Low-Force Blade Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable hand-held tools, such as handsaws, face issues with high force requirements for blade adjustment and premature wear of locking mechanisms due to direct force transfer during operation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held tool design featuring a spring-biased bracket member with a locking mechanism that detachably engages with blade apertures, allowing for easy angular adjustment and distributing operational forces to reduce wear on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-biased projection directly engages with orifices to secure the blade, then the blade can be retained at selected angular positions, but a high force is required to disengage the projection causing inconvenience to the user
Solution Approach 1:
A bracket member is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade and the locking mechanism. The bracket member includes a lateral portion that contacts the blade body and transmits forces away from the locking member, reducing the force required to disengage the projection from the orifices while maintaining reliable blade retention
2Reliability
If the projection directly engages with orifices to lock the blade, then the blade can be secured, but forces during operation are directly transferred to the projection causing premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket member serves as a force-distributing intermediary that contacts the blade body through its lateral portion. During operation, forces are transmitted from the blade through the bracket member to the handle, bypassing the locking member and preventing direct force transfer that would cause premature wear of the projection
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: the locking member (projection and orifices) for positional retention, and the bracket member for force transmission. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without subjecting the locking member to operational forces that would cause wear
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 design reduces the force needed for blade adjustment and minimizes wear on the locking member and other components by dissipating operational forces effectively, enhancing durability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The bracket member is spring biased such that the locking member engages with one of the plurality of apertures to retain the blade at an angular position relative to the handle
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held tool (100) includes a handle (104), and a blade (102) pivotably coupled to the handle at a proximal end (105). The blade includes a plurality of apertures (116, 118, 120, 122). The hand-held tool further includes a locking member (438) is configured to detachably engage with one of the plurality of the apertures to retain the blade at an angular position relative to the handle. The locking member is provided on a bracket member coupled to the handle, the bracket member being configured to at least partially enclose the proximal end of the blade. The bracket member is spring biased such that the locking member engages with one of the plurality of the apertures to retain the blade at an angular position relative to the handle. Further, the bracket member is movable such that the locking member disengages from one of the plurality of the apertures to allow the blade to pivot relative to the handle.