Folding Clip Extractor With Pivoting Blade Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip lifters are not foldable, compact, or easy to carry, posing challenges in storage and handling, especially for technicians in automotive, marine, and aviation industries.
Innovation Solution
A foldable and portable clip lifter design with a handle and extractor blade that can be compacted for storage, featuring a rotatable or retractable mechanism with angled prongs and channels for easy manipulation and multiple blade options for different workpiece sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If clip lifters are made non-foldable and rigid for structural strength, then they can effectively perform clip removal tasks, but they become difficult to carry and store without damaging pockets or injuring technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The clip lifter incorporates a foldable blade that can rotate between a deployed position for use and a retracted position for storage. The blade connects to the handle via a pivot point, allowing dynamic transformation from an extended working state to a compact carried state, resolving the contradiction between needing structural strength during use and ease of carrying during storage
2Ease of operation
If clip lifters are made foldable for compact storage, then they become easy to carry in pockets, but they may lack the structural stability needed for effective prying and clip removal
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable blade is designed with a pivot connection that provides structural stability when deployed for clip removal while allowing compact folding when not in use. The blade's connection mechanism maintains rigidity during operational moments, resolving the contradiction between portability and structural stability
3Device complexity
If a single blade design is used for all clip sizes, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot accommodate different workpiece sizes requiring various blade dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple interchangeable blades with different sizes and configurations, each designed for specific clip types. The blades can be swapped based on the workpiece requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple device structure and achieving adaptability to different workpiece sizes through modular segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The handle design incorporates a universal mounting mechanism that can accommodate various blade types and sizes. This multi-functional capability allows a single handle to support different blade configurations for different clip removal tasks, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A trim and clip extractor tool includes a handle with a storage compartment and an extractor blade with a channel formed between prongs. The extractor blade is stored in the compartment when not in use.