Offset Pivot Pin Pliers for Manufacturing Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pliers designs face challenges in achieving high performance while maintaining economical manufacturability, particularly in the design of the pivot pin area where special processing is required and accessibility for manufacturing is limited.

Innovation Solution

The pivot pin is offset from the center, allowing for a more favorable formation of the through-slot, enabling easier processing and increased accessibility, with a design that includes a curved edge and a stop for the penetrating pliers leg in the open position, enhancing stability and adjustability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the pivot pin is centrally located in the through-slot, then the pliers design is conventional and simple, but special machining of the jaw-side end region is required and manufacturing accessibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing accessibilityVSAvoidpivot pin position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot pin is deliberately positioned offset from the central plane of the pliers, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric placement allows the through-slot to be extensively cut parallel to the central plane without requiring special machining of the jaw-side end region, thereby improving manufacturing accessibility while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If the through-slot is extensively cut in the area of the pivot pin, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the stability of the plier arm may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidplier arm stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The through-slot is designed with varying depth across different regions: it is extensively cut in the pivot pin area to improve manufacturing efficiency, while the jaw-side unpierced portion maintains sufficient material thickness to ensure stability. This localized variation in slot depth optimizes both manufacturability and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the through-slot edge is curved and concave, then the pliers achieve high performance and stability, but the design and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepliers performanceVSAvoidthrough-slot geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through-slot features curved and concave edges instead of straight lines, with the jaw-side edge curving concavely and the free-end edge rising toward the central plane in a mirrored fashion. This curvature optimizes the distribution of stresses and enhances the overall performance and stability of the pliers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the slot depth varies along the through-slot, then adjustability of the jaw opening is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejaw opening adjustabilityVSAvoidslot depth control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The through-slot is designed with variable depth along its length, being shallower along the geometric axis of the pivot pin and deeper in adjoining areas offset toward the free end of the pliers handle. This dynamic variation in slot depth enables adjustment of the jaw opening characteristics while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2739436B1Pliers
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 KNIPEX WERK C GUSTAV PUTSCH KG
  • EP2739436B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2739436B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2739436B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to pliers (1) having two arms (2, 3) which are connected pivotably with respect to one another at a joint through which a joint pin (4) passes, wherein on an arm of the pliers (2, 3) a working area (7, 8) is formed on one side of the joint and a handle region (9, 10) is formed on the other side of the joint. A receiving arm (3) of the pliers is formed with an insertion slot (11) which has a slot width (s) in the region of the joint and through which the other inserted arm (2) of the pliers is inserted, wherein furthermore the working regions (4) of the arms of the pliers (2, 3) have a greater width (b) at least in part than the slot width (s), and the working regions (7, 8) which are in the form of jaws or cutters pivot towards a common central plane (E). In order to further develop the pliers with regard to a high performance which can be produced in the most favourable way possible, according to the invention the joint pin (4) is laterally offset with respect to the central plane (E).