Pipe Wrench Reinforcement Ridges for High Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe wrench designs suffer from stress concentrations and component damage due to through holes, which limits their ability to transmit high torque effectively.
Innovation Solution
A pipe wrench design featuring a first and second body with reinforcement ridges on the second body, allowing for high torque transmission without damaging components, where the second body is movably coupled to the first body and includes a through hole with clamping portions that face oppositely and are reinforced with multiple symmetrical ridges to distribute stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a through hole is provided in the shank for receiving another shank, then the pipe wrench allows for adjustable positioning and gripping of pipes, but stress concentrations occur and the shaft is damaged after undergoing high torque transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcement ridges specifically at the through-hole region where stress concentrations occur. These ridges are localized structural features that strengthen the vulnerable area without modifying the entire shank structure, thereby maintaining adjustability while addressing the strength weakness at the critical location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structural design by combining the base shank material with reinforcement ridges that form a reinforced structure. This composite approach integrates two functional elements (the through-hole for adjustability and the reinforcement ridges for strength) into a unified structure that achieves both adaptability and high torque transmission capacity.
2Ease of operation
If a through hole is provided in the shank, then the pipe wrench enables movable jaw positioning, but stress concentrations occur leading to component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement ridges are strategically positioned at the through-hole region to locally enhance structural integrity. This localized reinforcement maintains the movable jaw positioning functionality while preventing stress-induced damage, thereby improving reliability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement ridges act as preemptive structural reinforcements that are built into the design before use. They provide beforehand cushioning against the stress concentrations that would otherwise occur during high torque operations, preventing damage before it happens and ensuring component durability.
3Strength
If reinforcement ridges are added to the body portion, then stress concentrations are reduced and high torque can be transmitted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement ridges are simple localized geometric features added to the body portion. Rather than fundamentally redesigning the entire structure, this local modification approach achieves enhanced torque transmission capacity with minimal increase in overall device complexity. The ridges are straightforward structural elements that can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe wrench includes a first body and a second body. The first body includes a handle portion and a first clamping portion. The second body is movably coupled to the first body and has a body portion. The body portion defines a thorough hole with which the first body is insertably engaged. The body portion includes a second clamping portion. The first and second clamping portions face oppositely and cooperate with one another. The body portion is reinforced with at least one reinforcement ridge. The at least one reinforcement ridge extends from an outer periphery of the body portion. The second body is movable to various fixed positions on the first body.