Indexable Pliers With Splined Pin for Angular Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pliers-type tools lack the ability to rotate their tool heads to various angular orientations relative to the handles, limiting their versatility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pliers-type tool design featuring a pivot pin with externally splined portions that allows the tool head to be locked or unlocked, enabling rotation of the tool head to any angular position relative to the handles, with the pin's movement between locked and unlocked positions facilitating both pivotal movement and angular adjustment of the tool head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tool head is fixedly connected to the handles, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the tool head and handles is made dynamic through the splined pin mechanism that can be shifted between locked and unlocked positions. This allows the structure to transition from a fixed stable state to a movable adaptable state, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular orientation parameter of the tool head relative to the handles can be changed by unlocking the pin, moving it axially, and rotating the tool head to a new angular position. This parameter change capability allows the same tool to adapt to different working conditions while maintaining structural integrity when locked.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool head can be rotated to multiple angular positions, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the splined pin for axial movement, the splined apertures for engagement, and the pivot joint for rotation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, avoiding the need for a complex integrated mechanism while achieving multiple angular positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The splined pin acts as an intermediary element between the tool head and handles, mediating the transition between fixed and rotatable states. This single intermediary component enables both locking and rotation functions without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pin is moved to the unlocked position, then the angular adjustment capability is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pin mechanism provides a dynamic connection that can switch between stable locked state and flexible unlocked state. When unlocked, the tool head can be rotated to any angular position; when locked, the connection becomes rigid and stable for force transmission during use.
Data Source
AI summary
An indexable pliers-type tool with selectable first and second jaw tool structures comprising opposing jaw elements having first and second portions with handles, the first portions defining a first tool structure, the second portions defining a second tool structure, the jaw elements are adapted to be pivotally moveable relative to each other about an axis, each handle has a handle aperture therein coaxial with jaw apertures, and a pivot pin is disposed axially through the jaw apertures and the handle apertures and is axially movable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein when the pin is in the locked position, the first or second tool structure can be used, and when the pin is disposed in the unlocked position, the jaw elements can be rotated for tool structure selection.