Friction Ring Plier Protrusion Engagement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ring pliers often slip off or disengage from split rings during installation or removal, leading to time-consuming attempts and potential safety hazards due to stored elastic energy in expanded split rings.
Innovation Solution
A friction ring plier design featuring a pair of protrusions with projections that engage the inner surface of the split ring, preventing disengagement and allowing for controlled expansion and installation/removal without undue force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ring pliers are used to expand split rings, then the split ring can be expanded for installation or removal, but the pliers often slip off or disengage from the split ring during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The distal portion of each arm is segmented into multiple engagement features: a protrusion that engages the outer surface of the split ring and a projection that engages the inner surface. This segmentation of engagement points prevents slippage by distributing the contact forces across multiple surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between engagement reliability and operation stability.
2Ease of operation
If the split ring is expanded significantly to enable installation or removal, then the ring can be installed or removed from the anvil, but stored elastic energy causes the ring to fly off and pose safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The plier tool performs preliminary engagement actions by positioning both the protrusion and projection onto the split ring before full expansion occurs. The projection engages the inner surface early in the expansion process, creating a preliminary constraint that prevents the ring from flying off. This preliminary engagement maintains control throughout the expansion process, enabling safe installation or removal while mitigating the safety hazard from stored elastic energy.
3Productivity
If conventional pliers apply force to expand the split ring, then the ring can be expanded, but excessive force is required leading to time-consuming attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the function of controlling split ring expansion from a single contact point and distributes it across multiple engagement features. The protrusion engages the outer surface while the projection engages the inner surface, effectively separating the expansion control function into two coordinated actions. This extraction of functions reduces the peak force required at any single point, thereby reducing the total force needed and improving installation/removal efficiency by eliminating time-consuming attempts.
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 improved plier design securely engages and expands split rings, preventing slipping and ensuring safe and efficient installation or removal, thereby reducing user effort and minimizing safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
a first projection extending outwardly from the first protrusion away from the central axis, the first projection configured to engage the first opposing end of the friction ring... a second projection extending outwardly from the second protrusion away from the central axis, the second projection configured to engage the second opposing end of the friction ring
Data Source
AI summary
A plier tool for expanding a friction ring having a first opposing end and a second opposing end can include a first arm including a distal portion comprising a first protrusion extending distally from a central axis and a first projection extending outwardly from the first protrusion away from the central axis, the first projection configured to engage the first opposing end of the friction ring; and a second arm including a distal portion comprising a second protrusion extending distally from the central axis and a second projection extending outwardly from the second protrusion away from the central axis, the second projection configured to engage the second opposing end of the friction ring.