Pliers With Linear Jaw Adjustment and Torque-Supporting Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pliers designs lack ergonomic handling and functional reliability, particularly in adjusting jaw width, with limitations in adjustability and torque transmission.
Innovation Solution
The design features an elongated overlapping area between pliers legs, allowing for ergonomic adjustment of jaw width without pivoting, enhanced torque transmission through aligned tooth groups, and a slimmed-down structure for improved handling in difficult-to-access areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pliers legs are designed with a conventional overlapping area, then the structure remains compact, but the adjustment of jaw width requires pivoting the pliers legs to the largest possible open position, which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin is made movable within the longitudinal slot, allowing dynamic repositioning of the pivot point along the slot. This enables the pliers to adjust jaw width by translating the hinge pin linearly rather than requiring full pivoting motion, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining a compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism utilizes a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction perpendicular to the conventional pivoting arc. By moving the hinge pin along this new dimensional path (linear translation along the slot), the patent eliminates the need to pivot to the largest open position, transforming a rotational adjustment into a linear sliding adjustment
2Strength
If the longitudinal slot has a small overlapping area, then the pliers structure remains slim and compact, but the torque transmission capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal slot is designed with an elongated overlapping area that is concentrated in the region where the pliers legs overlap. This localized enhancement of the overlapping area provides sufficient torque transmission capability exactly where needed (in the overlap region), while keeping the rest of the pliers structure slim and compact
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping area incorporates both the movable pliers leg with the longitudinal slot and the fixed pliers leg with corresponding structural features. This composite design creates an extended overlapping region that enhances torque transmission through increased surface area and structural interlocking, while the overall pliers length remains constrained by the compact arrangement of these composite components
3Productivity
If the hinge pin is moved out of toothed engagement by pivoting to the largest open position, then jaw width adjustment is achieved, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin is pre-positioned within the longitudinal slot at a location that allows direct linear translation to the desired adjustment position. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need to first pivot to the largest open position, enabling direct and quick adjustment of jaw width by simply sliding the hinge pin along the slot, thereby reducing adjustment time and increasing productivity
4Ease of operation
If the pliers are designed with a conventional structure, then manufacturing is straightforward, but handling in difficult-to-access areas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pliers structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the overlapping area with the longitudinal slot for adjustment, the handle sections for grip, and the jaws for workpiece engagement. This segmentation allows the overlapping area to be optimized for slimness and maneuverability in tight spaces, while the handle and jaw sections maintain conventional robust designs that are easy to manufacture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to pliers (1) having two plier arms (3 and 4) which cross one another by means of a joint bolt (2) having a joint bolt axis (x) and of which one plier arm (4) may be regarded as movable and the other (3) as stationary; gripping portions (8 and 9) are formed on one side of the joint bolt (2) and jaws (5 and 6) which co-operate as the mouth (7) of the pliers are provided on the other side of the joint bolt (2); furthermore, the movable plier arm (4) has a longitudinal slot (13) with a toothing (16) and the joint bolt (2) located in a receptacle (12) is movable out of a toothing engagement and the movable arm (4) penetrates the stationary plier arm (3); the longitudinal slot (13) has an extent (S) which, with the pliers (1) closed, runs transversely to an orientation of the plier arms (3 and 4) at the gripping end. In order to design pliers of the type in question for safe handling and operation, according to the invention the toothing (16) can be overrun by depression of the joint bolt (2) for adjustment of a mouth opening width (w); the penetrating plier arm (4) has an elongate overlap region (U) in which the penetrating plier arm (4) is overlapped on both sides by the penetrated plier arm (3); furthermore, the overlap region extends (U) substantially at right angles to an adjustment direction (r) of the joint bolt (2) in the longitudinal slot (16), having a width (g), which corresponds to 0.5 times or more of the maximum degree of adjustment (f), and having a length (d), which corresponds to 2 times or more of the maximum degree of adjustment (f).