Locking Flex Hand Tool Positioning Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand tools with flexible heads lack a reliable mechanism to quickly and securely position the head at desired angles, limiting their effectiveness in tight or odd spaces.
Innovation Solution
A hand tool with a positioning assembly that includes a selector and a gear slider, allowing the flexible head to be locked in place at any desired position between 180 degrees or more, enabling precise operation in challenging environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible head mechanism is added to allow working in tight spaces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head is made dynamically adjustable through a ratchet mechanism that allows the head to be positioned at various angles relative to the handle. The ratchet teeth engage with corresponding slots to maintain selected positions while allowing easy repositioning when needed, providing adaptability without requiring a permanently complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into separable components: a handle, a flexible head, and a positioning assembly with ratchet mechanism. This segmentation allows the head to be independently positioned and locked at different angles, enabling the tool to adapt to various working conditions while keeping each component relatively simple in design.
2Reliability
If a positioning assembly is added to lock the head in place, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is designed to be self-locking through the engagement of ratchet teeth with the head positioning slots. Once the head is positioned at a desired angle, the ratchet teeth automatically engage to hold the position without requiring additional locking components or complex control systems, achieving reliability through a simple self-servicing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet teeth act as an intermediary element between the head and handle, providing a reliable mechanical connection that allows force transmission while maintaining the selected head position. This intermediary mechanism ensures secure positioning without requiring direct complex coupling between the head and handle components.
3Productivity
If the head can be quickly repositioned, then productivity is improved, but reliability may worsen due to frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism enables periodic adjustment of the head position during tool operation. The operator can quickly release and reposition the head at discrete intervals as needed for different working angles, while the ratchet ensures stable force transmission during each positioning phase. This periodic adjustability improves productivity without compromising reliability during actual use.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a hand tool having a locking flex head. The hand tool includes a handle, a connecting ratchet having a series of teeth, and a head rotatably secured to the handle and configured to be ratcheted between a first position and a second position. The hand tool is characterized in that it also includes a positioning assembly disposed between the head and the handle. The positioning assembly is configured to permit movement of the head between the first and second position, or selectively lock the head in the first position, the second position or any ratcheted position therebetween. The positioning assembly includes a selector rotatable between a lock and unlock position. The selector defines a selector cavity having an internal rim with at least one protrusion that extends out of the selector cavity. The positioning assembly also includes a gear slider disposed within the selector cavity. The gear slider includes a first end positioned toward the interior of the selector cavity and a second end that extends away from the selector cavity. The first end includes at least one protrusion that is configured to selectively engage with at least one protrusion of the internal rim, such that when the selector is in its lock position, the gear slider protrusion is engaged to the internal rim protrusion and axial movement of the gear slider is limited. When the selector is in its unlock position the gear slider protrusion is not engaged to the internal rim protrusion and axial movement of the gear slider is not limited. The second end of the gear slider includes one or more teeth configured to selectively have either locking or ratchet type engagement with the connecting ratchet teeth. When the selector is in its lock position, the limited axial movement of the gear slider causes the gear slider teeth to have locking engagement with the connecting ratchet teeth thereby locking the head in a desired position. When the selector is in its unlock position, the axial movement of the gear slider permits ratchet type engagement of the gear slider teeth with the connecting ratchet teeth thereby permitting the head to be ratcheted between the first and second position. The positioning assembly also includes a biasing element disposed within the selector cavity that biases the gear slider out of the selector cavity.