Ratchet Toothed Structure With Recessed Spaces for Overload Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ratchet wrench toothed structures are prone to damage due to excessive force, leading to engagement failure and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A toothed structure design featuring a body with two tooth parts and recessed spaces or grooves, where the recessed space thickness is greater than the tooth wall thickness, allowing for compression and deformation without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the toothed structure is designed with sufficient strength to withstand force, then the durability is improved, but the structure becomes more rigid and prone to damage from excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces recessed spaces within the tooth structure that act as cushioning chambers. When excessive force is applied, these recessed spaces allow the tooth structure to compress and deform elastically, absorbing the excess energy before it can cause permanent damage to the engagement interface. This beforehand cushioning mechanism protects the critical engagement surfaces while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the tooth structure by creating internal recessed spaces, which changes the compressibility and deformation characteristics of the tooth. This parameter change allows the structure to transition from a rigid, brittle failure mode to a more ductile, energy-absorbing behavior, improving reliability under excessive force conditions.
2Strength
If the tooth wall thickness is increased to prevent damage, then the strength is improved, but the compressing effect under excessive force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tooth structure into multiple regions: outer tooth walls that maintain structural strength and engagement functionality, and internal recessed spaces that provide compression volume. This segmentation allows different parts of the tooth structure to serve different functions - the walls provide strength while the recessed spaces enable controlled deformation, resolving the contradiction between strength and compressibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed spaces are nested within the tooth structure, creating a hierarchical design where the outer tooth walls contain internal cavities. This nested configuration allows the tooth to maintain its external dimensional stability and strength while incorporating internal volume for compression, effectively combining structural integrity with deformability.
3Reliability
If recessed spaces are added to the toothed structure, then the durability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the concept of porous structure design by incorporating recessed spaces within the solid tooth material. This creates a controlled porosity that provides compression volume while maintaining overall structural integrity. The porous-like structure allows energy absorption through compression without requiring complex external mechanisms, balancing reliability improvement with manageable structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances durability and lifespan by preventing damage from excessive force and improving the compressing effect, while also allowing for lubricant storage to prevent rust and jamming.
Implementation Method 1
The recessed space thickness is greater than the tooth wall thickness, allowing for compression and deformation without damage
Implementation Method 2
allowing for lubricant storage to prevent rust and jamming
Data Source
AI summary
A toothed structure includes a body, two tooth parts and two recessed spaces. The body includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is disposed relatively to the outer surface. The two tooth parts are disposed on two ends of the inner surface. The two recessed spaces are disposed on the body, and corresponding to the two tooth parts, respectively.