Hand Tool Movable Head Orientation Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand tools with bendable functional portions, such as medical edged tools, face issues where the inlet opening of the holder is too large due to the need for sufficient accommodation, leading to increased holder size.
Innovation Solution
A hand tool design featuring a movable head portion and a manipulation body with an elastic component that allows the functional portion to change orientation between accommodated and projected states, reducing the inlet opening size by facilitating the functional portion's accommodation and projection using a guiding/restricting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inlet opening of the holder is made large enough to accommodate the functional portion without bending, then the functional portion can be easily accommodated, but the size of the holder as a whole increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional portion is designed to be bendable and change its orientation dynamically between projected and accommodated states. The blade body can be bent at a predetermined position, allowing it to transition from a projected state (facilitating use) to an accommodated state (facilitating storage). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the functional portion to fit into a smaller inlet opening when accommodated, thus reducing the holder size without compromising ease of operation.
2Area of stationary object
If the functional portion is made bendable to reduce holder size, then the inlet opening can be smaller, but the mechanism to control bending and orientation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The functional portion is segmented into multiple sections that can bend relative to each other at predetermined positions. The blade body includes a first section and a second section that can change orientation relative to each other. This segmentation allows the functional portion to achieve the required compact configuration for small inlet opening accommodation while maintaining relative simplicity through defined hinge points and bending zones rather than requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the functional portion is changed between different states. The blade body can be oriented at different angles relative to the holder axis - in the projected state it extends outward for use, and in the accommodated state it bends to align more closely with the holder for compact storage. This parameter change (orientation angle) enables the functional portion to adapt to different spatial requirements without adding mechanical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the functional portion is projected from the holder for use, then the functional portion is accessible, but the holder size must be larger to accommodate the projected position
Solution Approach 1:
The functional portion transitions dynamically between projected and accommodated states. When needed for use, the blade body projects from the holder in a first orientation, providing accessibility. When not in use, it bends and reconfigures to a second orientation, reducing the overall length of the holder. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the holder to be compact during storage while maintaining full accessibility during 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
This design enables a compact holder size while allowing easy switching between accommodated and projected states, enhancing usability and reducing material usage.
Implementation Method 1
a manipulation body that supports the movable head portion, and the manipulation body allows the movable head portion to move between the accommodated state and the projected state. As a result, the movable head portion is easily moved between the accommodated state and the projected state. The manipulation body also includes an elastic body that applies an elastic force to the movable head portion between the accommodated state and the projected state
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A hand tool includes a holder 1 and a movable head portion 21 to which a blade body 24 is secured. The movable head portion 21 is supported by the holder 1 in a manner movable relative to the holder 1 between an accommodated state Q, in which the movable head portion 21 is accommodated in the holder 1 together with the blade body 24 ,and a projected state, in which the blade body 24 is projected from the holder 1. The orientation N of the blade body 24 in the accommodated state Q and the orientation N of the blade body 24 in the projected state are different from each other. This improves operation of the blade body 24 both in the accommodated state Q and the projected state and reduces the size of a front opening 4 of the holder 1 to provide a compact holder 1 of the hand tool such as a medical edged tool.