Pivotable Separator Tool Head With Indexing Stud
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separator tools for vehicle repairs, particularly in tight engine compartments, face challenges due to their length and design, which limits space for manual striking or pneumatic driver attachment, and often require multiple sizes for different jobs, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A separator tool with a pivotable tool head and indexing stud system, allowing the tool head to be securely fixed or pivoted relative to the handle, and featuring a striking surface for manual or pneumatic use, enabling adjustable positioning and reduced length requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle length is increased to provide adequate striking space, then the space for manual striking or pneumatic driver attachment is improved, but the overall tool length increases making it difficult to use in tight engine compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The tool head is made pivotable relative to the handle through a hub assembly with through-bores and indexing studs, allowing the tool head to be positioned at different angles. This dynamic positioning enables the user to strike the handle at optimal locations even when space is constrained, effectively providing adequate striking space without increasing overall tool length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If various sized separating tools are used for different jobs, then the adaptability to different component sizes is improved, but the device complexity and potential for damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool incorporates a universal handle design that can accommodate multiple tool heads with different prong configurations. The standardized hub assembly with through-bores allows different tool heads to be attached to the same handle, enabling one handle to serve multiple functions across different repair jobs, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating tool is divided into modular components: a standardized handle with hub assembly and removable tool heads with different prong configurations. This segmentation allows users to select only the specific tool head needed for each job, reducing complexity by avoiding the need to manage multiple complete tool sets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is made more slender for pneumatic driver compatibility, then the adaptability to pneumatic drivers is improved, but the strength and sturdiness of the handle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle exhibits varying cross-sectional properties along its length, with the distal end being more slender for pneumatic driver compatibility and the proximal end being stouter for strength during striking operations. The hub assembly incorporates reinforced features including through-bores and indexing stud mounting points to provide local strength enhancement where required.
Data Source
AI summary
A separator tool including a handle formed a hub at a first end, the hub defining a through bore that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the handle, a tool head formed with an integral yoke including opposed first and second legs, the tool head being pivotably coupled to the first end of the handle, an indexing stud slidably disposed within the through bores of the hub and first and second legs of the yoke, and the indexing stud being slidable within the through bores between a first position in which the tool head is secured in a fixed position relative to the handle, and a second position in which the tool head is pivotable relative to the handle.