Reversible Roller Clutch Wrench Eliminates Back Throw

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional combination wrenches with ratchet mechanisms suffer from friction issues between the pawl and driving gear, leading to efficiency loss and part deterioration, and require significant handle back throw, limiting their usability in tight spaces.

Innovation Solution

A force transfer wrench apparatus featuring a housing assembly with a spindle and wedging element, utilizing a reversible roller clutch mechanism that eliminates the need for handle lifting and rotating between strokes, reduces friction, and allows torque resumption at any angle, with a design that minimizes back throw and part wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a ratchet mechanism with pawl and driving gear is used, then continuous contact with fastener is achieved, but friction between pawl and driving gear causes efficiency loss and part deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous contact with fastenerVSAvoidfriction efficiency loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional pawl-and-gear mechanical ratchet system with a roller clutch mechanism. The roller clutch uses rolling elements between inclined surfaces to achieve one-way force transmission, substituting sliding friction with rolling friction, thereby reducing energy loss and part wear while maintaining continuous contact capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from sliding contact (pawl teeth rubbing against gear teeth) to rolling contact (roller elements between inclined surfaces). This parameter change dramatically reduces friction coefficients and energy loss while eliminating the indexing problem of traditional ratchets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a ratchet mechanism is used, then torque application in one direction is enabled, but indexed operation requires large back throw between handle swings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque application in one directionVSAvoidback throw distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The roller clutch mechanism replaces the indexed pawl-gear system with a continuous rolling element design. The inclined surfaces and rollers allow smooth, continuous operation without discrete indexing steps, enabling the handle to swing continuously in one direction without requiring large back throw distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic, continuous motion capability by using rolling elements that can accommodate any angle of operation. Unlike fixed-indexed ratchets, the roller clutch allows the handle to operate at any angle within its range, providing dynamic adaptability and eliminating the need for large back throw between swings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enhances operational efficiency by reducing friction and part deterioration, enabling continuous contact with fasteners, reducing labor, and allowing operation in tight spaces with zero back throw, resulting in a stronger, safer, and easier-to-use wrench.

Implementation Method 1

The roller clutch mechanism eliminates the need for handle lifting and rotating between strokes, reduces friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The housing includes an outer race. The outer race is annular. The spindle includes an opening at a center of the spindle and at least one protrusion around an outer circumference of the spindle. The protrusion forms a ramp including a ramp surface. The ramp surface slopes from the outer circumference of the spindle to a larger outer circumference of the spindle. The wedging element is disposed between the spindle and the outer race.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge mechanism: Wedge

Data Source

PatentUS9902049B2Combination wrench with a reversible roller clutch

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 ROLLER CLUTCH TOOLS LLC

AI summary

A force transfer wrench apparatus includes a housing assembly and a handle attached to the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a housing, a spindle, and wedging element. The spindle is disposed within the housing. The housing includes an annular outer race. The spindle includes an opening at a center of the spindle and at least one protrusion around an outer circumference of the spindle. The protrusion forms a ramp including a ramp surface. The ramp surface slopes from the outer circumference of the spindle to a larger outer circumference of the spindle. The wedging element is disposed between the spindle and the outer race. The wedging element is a cylinder comprising an outer surface. The wedging element is disposed between the spindle and the outer race such that the outer surface of the wedging element contacts the ramp surface.