Push Button Locking Pliers with Macro Jaw Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking pliers lack a versatile mechanism to accommodate objects of various sizes efficiently, as they often require multiple adjustments and lack a straightforward method to switch between different jaw spacings, limiting their usability with diverse work pieces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a push button mechanism that allows the pivot to move between multiple jaw positioning stations along a slot, enabling macro jaw width adjustments and an over-center mechanism for precise locking, using a combination of rounded holes, reduced portions, and pivot springs for easy station switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a screw mechanism is used for jaw adjustment, then jaw spacing can be precisely controlled, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent systems: a macro adjustment system using a pivot that moves along a slot with teeth to select discrete jaw opening positions, and a micro adjustment system using a screw mechanism for fine spacing control. This segmentation allows each system to handle a specific range of adjustment, making the overall operation simpler and faster while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism provides dynamic macro adjustment by allowing the pivot to move along the slot and engage with different teeth, enabling quick switching between multiple jaw opening positions. This dynamic positioning capability complements the static precision of the screw mechanism, creating a multi-level adjustment system that is both easy to operate and precisely controllable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple jaw positioning stations are provided, then versatility for different object sizes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a positioning element that selects discrete jaw opening positions, a movement control element that allows macro adjustment along the slot, and a locking element that engages with teeth to maintain selected positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot acts as an intermediary element between the user's manual input and the jaw positioning system. By moving the pivot along the slot and engaging with teeth, it translates simple user motion into discrete, stable jaw opening positions, simplifying the interaction while providing multiple positioning options.
3Ease of operation
If a push button mechanism is added for pivot release, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The push button mechanism provides self-service functionality by allowing the user to easily release and reposition the pivot without requiring tools or complex manipulation. The button directly actuates the pivot release, making the macro adjustment operation simple and intuitive, which outweighs the added complexity of the button component itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A push button locking pliers has a plurality of macro jaw width stations for grasping a wide variety of objects. A positioning mechanism is connected to a movable jaw member having a pivot that cooperates with a jaw adjustment slot in the main handle. The positioning mechanism is released by pushing on a push button on the pivot against a spring allowing the movable jaw member to move along the slot. The user places the positioning mechanism at the jaw positioning station that creates a macro spacing between the fixed and movable jaws that best fits the object to be grasped. The push button is then released allowing the pivot to engage the rounded hole of the new positioning station. The pivot is made self centering on the rounded hole of the new positioning station by having a frustoconical section that engages the side of the hole even if the pivot is not centered on the hole. The bias of the spring forces the frustoconical section along the side of the hole which pushes the pivot to a central position in the rounded hole making the pliers ready for use.