Pivoting Ratchet Wrench Head With User-Controlled Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ratchet wrenches with pivoting heads often have locking mechanisms that are biased towards the locked position, leading to unintended locking during adjustments of the angular position, and may have insecure engagement or unwanted disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism for a ratchet wrench with a pivoting head that can be selectively maintained in either a locked or unlocked state, featuring a switch or lever that engages with the head's splines to fix its angular position, and includes a shuttle or offset design for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is biased towards the locked position, then the head is securely locked at the desired angular position, but unintended locking occurs during adjustments of the angular position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static biased state to a dynamic state where the user can actively control locking and unlocking. The actuator allows the user to dynamically switch between locked and unlocked states, eliminating unintended locking during adjustment while maintaining secure locking when desired.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. By introducing this intermediate control element, the user can deliberately engage or disengage the locking function, preventing automatic or unintended locking during angular position adjustments while maintaining reliable locking when activated.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking mechanism is always engaged, then the head maintains its angular position, but the head cannot be repositioned to different angular positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic switching between stable (locked) and flexible (unlocked) states. The actuator enables the user to transition the locking mechanism between engaged and disengaged states, providing both angular position stability when needed and repositioning flexibility when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking state parameter can be changed by the user through the actuator. The mechanism transitions between two discrete states (locked/unlocked), allowing the user to adjust the degree of freedom of the head based on operational requirements, thus balancing stability and adaptability.
3Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to prevent unintended locking, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the biasing element from the locking mechanism, removing the source of unintended locking. By taking out the automatic bias towards locked position and replacing it with a neutral actuator-controlled system, reliability is maintained through user control while complexity is reduced by eliminating spring mechanisms or other biasing components.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a tool with a pivoting head and locking mechanism are provided. The tool includes a handle and a head that is pivotable relative to the handle. The tool includes a locking mechanism adjustable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is biased toward remaining in the locked position when in the locked position and biased toward remaining in the unlocked position when in the unlocked position. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a rotating switch coupled to a lock shuttle that is offset from a central axis of the handle. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a rotating switch coupled to the lock shuttle, the rotating switch includes a projection configured to engage a retention step of the shuttle.