Hand Tool Connecting Member With Sealing Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand tools with natural material handles face challenges in reliably fastening a tool member to the handle, leading to potential instability and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A hand tool design featuring a natural material elongated shaft with an insert portion and a connecting member made of plastic, which includes a sealing ring to secure the tool member and prevent leakage during manufacturing, allowing for reliable attachment and enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tool member is fastened to a natural material handle using conventional methods, then the handle provides user comfort, but the attachment reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of natural material (wooden handle) combined with plastic material (connecting member). The connecting member is made of plastic that can be injection-molded to create a mechanically strong attachment structure, while the handle retains its natural material properties for user comfort. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to fulfill its optimal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is divided into functionally distinct segments: the main handle body made of natural material for user comfort, and an insert portion made of plastic material for reliable tool member attachment. The connecting member is also segmented with a sealing ring portion and a connecting portion. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall attachment reliability.
2Ease of operation
If natural material is used for the handle, then user comfort is improved, but dimensional stability deteriorates due to environmental sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into a natural material portion (for user comfort) and a plastic insert portion (for dimensional stability). The plastic insert portion is dimensionally stable and resistant to environmental changes, while the natural material handle portion maintains user comfort. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the handle have different material qualities: the user-contact portion is made of natural material with comfortable surface properties, while the attachment portion contains a plastic insert with high dimensional stability. This local quality differentiation allows the handle to simultaneously provide user comfort and dimensional stability in different locations.
3Strength
If a connecting member is used to join the tool member and handle, then attachment strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member and sealing ring are merged into a single integrated component made of plastic material. This unified structure can be manufactured in one injection molding process, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps. The merging resolves the contradiction by achieving both strong attachment and manufacturing simplicity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic connecting member acts as an intermediary between the tool member and the natural material handle. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies manufacturing: the connecting member can be pre-manufactured using injection molding and then assembled to the handle, separating the complex attachment function from the natural material processing.
4Reliability
If material leakage is prevented during manufacturing, then product quality is improved, but additional sealing components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the connecting member structure. The sealing ring is integrated into the connecting member as a unified plastic component, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements. This merging achieves reliable leakage prevention while avoiding additional complexity from separate sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is made of plastic material that is compatible with the connecting member material, creating a composite sealing structure. This allows the sealing function to be achieved through material properties and integrated design rather than through complex mechanical sealing arrangements, improving product quality without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hand tool, comprising a tool member, of a first material, an elongated shaft, of a second material and a connecting member, of a third material comprising plastic. The elongated shaft further comprises a handle portion in a first end and an insert portion in a second end. The hand tool further comprises a sealing ring arranged to surround the insert portion to prevent leakage of the third material during manufacturing. A manufacturing method for such a hand tool is also presented, said method comprising arranging a sealing ring around an insert portion, arranging the insert portion and a tool member in a mold, injecting material comprising plastic in a cavity space so as to form a connecting member and removing the hand tool from the mold.