Pipe Wrench Housing with Arcuate Channel for Lateral Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe wrenches are prone to damage and failure due to excessive lateral loading, which causes significant pressure on the wrench housing, leading to potential fracture during gripping of workpieces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with a channel featuring diverging interior walls and arcuate regions, along with a shim positioned between the shank and multiple interior walls, to distribute lateral loads over a larger surface area, reducing pressure and enhancing the wrench's capacity to withstand lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wrench housing is designed with conventional structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the housing is prone to damage and fracture under lateral loading
Solution Approach 1:
The channel in the housing includes arcuate regions with curved surfaces instead of straight lines, which distribute lateral loads more effectively and prevent stress concentration that leads to fracture
Solution Approach 2:
The housing channel is divided into multiple sections with diverging interior walls and arcuate regions, creating distinct zones that handle different aspects of load distribution and shock absorption
2Strength
If the channel opening area is increased to distribute lateral loads, then the load capacity increases, but the housing material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel features localized arcuate regions and diverging walls only in critical areas where lateral loads are applied, rather than uniformly thickening the entire housing, thus distributing material where most needed
3Strength
If the channel has uniform cross-section, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the lateral load distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The channel includes arcuate regions with curved surfaces that are designed to distribute lateral loads effectively while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes
Data Source
AI summary
Wrenches commonly known as “pipe wrenches” which include sidewall surface configurations within a channel extending through a housing component of the wrench are described. Also described are wrenches that include one or more shim components that can be positioned in the housing channel. In addition, methods for reducing failure or fracturing of the wrench due to application of high side or lateral loads are described.