Hand Tool Latch Structure for Secure Head Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detachable screwdrivers face issues with complex assembly processes and instability due to the use of elastic plates and steel balls or wire springs in their latch structures, leading to issues like steel balls falling out and insufficient clamping force from wire springs.
Innovation Solution
A hand tool with a latch structure utilizing a circular plate and a tongue formed from the plate, where the plate is clamped outside the rod body and the tongue passes through a center hole, providing a secure and easy installation mechanism, allowing for a smaller rod diameter and reduced material costs while enabling the use of two screwdriver heads of different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic plates and steel balls are used for the latch structure, then the screwdriver head can be securely latched, but the assembly process becomes complicated and the rod body volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the elastic plate and steel ball into a single integrated elastic element with an integrated latch structure. The elastic element includes a body portion that engages with the rod body and a latch portion that secures the screwdriver head, eliminating the need for separate steel balls and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable latching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the clamping force to secure the screwdriver head, acts as the latch mechanism through its integrated latch portion, and eliminates the need for separate positioning components. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable operation.
2Device complexity
If wire spring is used for the latch structure, then the assembly process is simplified, but the clamping force is insufficient and the screwdriver head falls out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elastic plate and steel ball into a single integrated elastic element where the body portion provides structural support and the latch portion provides securing function. This integration allows the elastic element to generate sufficient clamping force while maintaining a simple assembly process, overcoming the limitations of wire springs that require complex winding but provide insufficient force.
3Reliability
If steel balls are installed in the rod body, then the latch structure can function, but the rod body wall thickness and diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steel ball from the rod body and integrates it into the elastic element as the latch portion. This eliminates the need to install steel balls within the rod body, allowing for thinner walls and smaller diameter while maintaining the latch function through the integrated elastic element's latch portion that engages with the rod body's positioning features.
4Reliability
If conventional latch structures are used, then the screwdriver can operate, but the handling and switching between heads becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the elastic element with flexible portions that allow dynamic movement during assembly and disassembly. The elastic body can deform to allow insertion of the rod body, then returns to its original shape to engage the latch portion with the positioning groove, providing automatic latching. This dynamic behavior simplifies the switching between screwdriver heads while ensuring secure operation.
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 solution simplifies assembly, enhances stability by providing the necessary clamping force, reduces the tool's volume and material costs, and allows for quick positioning and easy switching between screwdriver heads, improving overall functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, and the rod body has a center hole formed in an axial direction parallel to the rod body... the elastic element has a circular plate and a tongue formed by bending from an end of the circular plate
Data Source
AI summary
A hand tool with a latch structure includes a main body (10) and a latch unit (20) coupled to the main body (10), and the latch unit (20) includes a rod body (21) and an elastic element (22). The rod body (21) has a center hole (211) formed in an axial direction parallel to the rod body (21) and a through hole (213) formed in an axial direction perpendicular to the rod body (21) and communicated with the center hole (211). The elastic element (22) has a circular plate (221) and a tongue (222) formed by bending from an end of circular plate (221), and the circular plate (221) is clamped outside the rod body (21), and the tongue (222) passes through the through hole (213) into the center hole (211) to achieve the effects of an easy installation and a secured latch.