Rotary Handle Locking Mechanism for Hand Tool Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand tools with rotary handles often lead to accidental activation of the handle rotation, causing instability and safety issues during use, especially in constrained spaces.

Innovation Solution

A hand tool design featuring a first and second handle with slanted planes, a rotating locking set, a fastening set, and a spring, which allows for controlled rotation without the need for a push button, thereby preventing accidental handle activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a push button is added to enable handle rotation, then the adaptability of the hand tool is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle angle adjustmentVSAvoidaccidental rotation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the push button component entirely from the design. Instead of having a button that can be accidentally pressed, the mechanism uses a rotating block with slanted planes that engage with corresponding slots in the handle, allowing angle adjustment through rotation rather than linear pressing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a linear push button mechanism, the patent inverts the interaction mode to rotational movement. The rotating block rotates within accommodating slots, and the slanted planes convert rotational motion into angular positioning, fundamentally changing the interaction paradigm from pushing to rotating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a push button mechanism is used for handle rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability worsens due to unexpected angle changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle angle changeVSAvoidhandle angle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating block is pre-positioned within the accommodating slots with slanted planes that guide the rotation path. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide continuous engagement force, ensuring the block stays in the correct angular position without requiring active holding or locking during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating block acts as an intermediary component between the user's rotational input and the handle's angular positioning. The spring serves as another intermediary that mediates the engagement between the rotating block and the accommodating slots, providing smooth transition and stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the handle rotation mechanism is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability worsens due to lack of protection against accidental activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism structureVSAvoidaccidental rotation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the rotating block: it serves as both the angle adjustment mechanism and the locking mechanism. The slanted planes on the rotating block combine the rotation guidance with the engagement/locking function, eliminating the need for separate buttons, locks, or safety mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded rotating block system is self-regulating. When the handle is rotated, the spring automatically engages or disengages the rotating block with the accommodating slots based on the angular position, without requiring external control or user intervention. The mechanism self-locks at specific angles and self-unlocks when rotated, preventing accidental activation while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 the stability and safety of the hand tool by preventing unintended rotation of the handles, thus improving user control and reducing the risk of accidents.

Implementation Method 1

a spring, the spring is mounted around the stud and elastically abuts against the rotating block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12208504B2Hand tool with rotary handle

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 YIH CHENG FACTORY

AI summary

A hand tool includes a first and a second handles, a rotating locking set, a fastening set, and a spring. The first and second handles include chamfered planes respectively. The rotating locking set includes a rotating block and a locking block. The fastening set includes a stud and a nut. The spring is mounted around the stud and elastically abuts against the rotating block. The first handle or the second handle drives the rotating block to disengage from the locking block when being pulled by an external force. The first handle and the rotating block rotate with respect to the second handle by the stud as the center point. The rotating block and the locking block are locked with each other after rotating a specific angle, so as to position the first handle and the second handle.