Quick-Release Adjustable Pliers With Self-Locking Pawl Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable pliers lack ambidextrous tool handling, increased jaw span adjustment capability, a wider range of jaw positions, and a smaller footprint for accessing tight spaces, while providing improved stabilization and alignment features.
Innovation Solution
The pliers incorporate a pawl pivot mechanism with a slot and series of ridges, allowing for jaw adjustment via a rotatable engagement element that pivots about a first axis and moves along a third axis, featuring a self-energizing mechanism for easy jaw spacing adjustment with haptic and audial feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional arcuate grooves or flat-side pivot pins are used for jaw adjustment, then the pliers can achieve multiple jaw positions, but the adjustment process is slow and requires precise manual positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot pin includes a self-energizing mechanism with an engagement element that automatically engages with ridges on the slot when the jaw is positioned, eliminating the need for manual positioning and locking. The user simply moves the jaw to the desired position and the mechanism self-locks, providing quick adjustment without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element is designed to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the pin, allowing it to dynamically engage or disengage from the ridges based on the jaw position. This dynamic mechanism enables rapid transition between locked and unlocked states for quick adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pliers are designed with a standard jaw span, then the structure is simple, but the jaw span adjustment capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is designed with ridges at multiple positions along its length, allowing the engagement element to lock at various jaw spans. This single mechanism provides multiple functions by enabling the same pliers to work with objects of different sizes and in various configurations, increasing adaptability without adding complex separate mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pliers have a larger jaw footprint for stability, then stabilization is improved, but access to tight spaces is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The self-energizing engagement mechanism provides automatic stabilization when the jaw is positioned, eliminating the need for a large footprint to achieve stability. The self-locking feature maintains jaw position stability through the engagement element pressing against the ridge, allowing compact design for tight space access.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the engagement element is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but jaw position range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element is designed to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the pin, allowing it to dynamically engage or disengage from ridges at different positions. This dynamic capability enables the jaw to achieve a wide range of positions while the engagement mechanism remains relatively simple in structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for clamping an object with adjusting plier mechanism is disclosed. In particular, a device is provided with a top jaw having a bottom handle, a slot, and a series of ridges located around the slot and top handle with a distal end. A pawl pivot, which includes an engagement element, is provided for extending through the bottom jaw and into a slot of the top jaw. The bottom jaw can include a slot for receiving at least part of the top jaw and bottom handle. The top jaw can include a slot for receiving at least part of the pawl pivot. The top jaw and bottom jaw pivot about a first axis of the coupling element, and the engagement element is moveable along a different axis from a first position to a second position.