Glad Hand Connector Tool for Secure Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Truck drivers face difficulties with stubborn glad hand connections, which can lead to broken hoses or fittings if not handled carefully, resulting in an inability to move the tractor/trailer until the broken pieces are replaced.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a rigid body, including a handle-end and a socket-end, where the socket-end has an arcuate wall configured to encompass the rear-side of the glad-hand body, allowing for secure attachment and rotation of glad-hand connectors, facilitating easier coupling and decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If truck drivers manually attach glad hand connectors without a tool, then the operation is simple, but the connectors become stubborn and may break the hose or fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a glad hand tool as an intermediary device between the driver's hand and the glad hand connector. The tool includes a handle and a socket that engages with the rear-side of the glad hand body, providing mechanical leverage to rotate and secure the connector without directly manipulating it with fingers, thus preventing breakage while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tool extends the operational dimension by adding a lever arm (handle) that converts small rotational movements at the handle into larger rotational forces at the socket-end, amplifying the driver's capability to secure stubborn connectors without applying excessive force that could cause breakage
2Reliability
If truck drivers apply excessive force to secure glad hand connectors, then the connectors are securely attached, but the hose or fitting may break
Solution Approach 1:
The tool design allows for dynamic force application where the driver can gradually tighten the connector by rotating the handle, converting manual torque into controlled rotational force at the glad hand body. The socket-end engages with the rear-side of the glad hand body to distribute force evenly, preventing localized stress that could cause breakage while achieving secure attachment
3Reliability
If a glad hand tool is designed with a complex structure to securely hold the connector, then the connector is securely attached, but the tool becomes more complex and harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into distinct functional components: a handle for user grip and rotational input, and a socket-end with an arcuate wall for engaging the glad hand connector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall structure simple and intuitive to use
Solution Approach 2:
The socket-end is designed with an arcuate wall that can universally engage with the rear-side of various glad hand connector types, making the tool adaptable to different connector configurations without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for use with a glad-hand connector; the tool includes a tool-body having a handle-end and a socket-end. The glad-hand connector includes a glad-hand body having a seal-side and a rear-side, and the socket-end includes an arcuate wall configured to encompass and conform to the rear-side of the glad-hand body. The tool is useful for facilitating coupling of glad hand connectors.