Helical Hex Wrench Resists Torsional Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hex wrenches made of medium steel are prone to distortion or breakage due to excessive force, as they either lack sufficient stiffness or malleability, leading to reduced torque and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A hex wrench design featuring an elongated body with a handle and head connected by a curved transition portion, incorporating helical twist profiles in both the handle and head mounting portions, which are regular hexagonal prisms, to enhance strength and stiffness while maintaining malleability, allowing it to withstand torsional shear stress without cracking or breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heat treatment is applied to increase stiffness or hardness, then the torsional radius is improved, but the malleability is decreased causing the hex wrench to be easily cracked or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The hex wrench is divided into distinct functional segments: the handle portion with first twist portions, the head portion with second twist portions, and the mounting portions. Each segment has specific structural characteristics optimized for its function, allowing the handle and head to have higher stiffness while the mounting portions maintain malleability for engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the hex wrench have different structural properties. The handle and head include twist portions with specific helical profiles that provide stiffness, while the mounting portions are designed as regular hexagonal prisms with non-twisted faces that provide malleability for fitting into hexagonal holes. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall stiffness and local malleability.
2Device complexity
If the hex wrench is made of medium steel to reduce torsional radius, then the structure is simplified, but the hex wrench is easily distorted or deformed due to excessive applying force
Solution Approach 1:
The handle and head portions incorporate helical twist portions with curved profiles that wind around the longitudinal axis. These curved structural elements increase the torsional radius and resistance to distortion without significantly increasing the overall size or complexity of the wrench. The curved geometry provides structural reinforcement against excessive applying forces.
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 hex wrench achieves greater strength and stiffness, preventing breakage under excessive force and enhancing its lifespan by distributing torsional stress effectively through helical profiles, while maintaining malleability and ensuring secure engagement with hexagonal fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
The handle includes a first twist portion having a substantially helical profile through an entire length thereof. The head includes a second twist portion having a substantially helical profile through an entire length thereof.
Implementation Method 2
the handle 11 or the head 12 is subjected to a torsional shear stress that is applied by the hex hole screw during operation of the hex wrench 1
Data Source
AI summary
A hex wrench includes a handle with a first twist portion having a substantially helical profile through an entire length thereof, a head with a second twist portion having a substantially helical profile through an entire length thereof, and a curved transition portion connected between the handle and the head. A first mounting portion which is a regular hexagonal prism and non-twisted extends integrally from the handle, and a second mounting portion which is a regular hexagonal prism and non-twisted extends integrally from the head. As such, the hex wrench has greater strength and stiffness without reducing its malleability so as to prevent the hex wrench from being cracked or broken due to an excessive applying force.