Sliding Elastic Flat Bar for Articulated Tool Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two articulated arms tools, such as pliers and clamps, face challenges with slow and difficult elastic recovery activation/deactivation, risk of jamming, and breakage due to the fixed nature of traditional spring systems, limiting versatility and durability.
Innovation Solution
A sliding elastic flat bar with a pressing protuberance and fixing protuberance is integrated into one handle arm, allowing easy and fast switching between elastic recovery modes by longitudinal thumb movement, housed within the arm cavity and plastic sleeve for protection and comfort, with optional intermediate window for precise operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed spring system is used for elastic recovery, then the recovery function is reliable, but the activation and deactivation process is slow and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed spring system into a dynamic configuration by introducing a sliding flat bar that can move between multiple positions. The flat bar engages with different windows (first window for activation, second window for deactivation) on the handle arm, allowing the recovery function to be dynamically enabled or disabled through simple sliding motion rather than complex manual operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a revolving flat bar is used to activate/deactivate recovery, then the function can be cancelled or activated, but the operation is slow and difficult and it is an easy breakage point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the revolving mechanism with a sliding mechanism. The flat bar slides horizontally to engage or disengage from windows on the handle arm, providing a more robust and faster operation. This sliding action eliminates the weak projecting support point that characterized the revolving mechanism, reducing breakage risks while maintaining the ability to activate and cancel the recovery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the handle arm into functional zones with distinct windows (first window for activation, second window for deactivation) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the flat bar to engage different portions of the handle arm structure depending on the desired state, enabling versatile control while distributing mechanical stresses across multiple engagement points rather than a single weak point.
3Device complexity
If the flat bar is projecting from a weak support, then the activation mechanism is simple, but it is an easy breakage point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flat bar support structure with the main handle arm body by integrating the windows directly into the handle arm's structure. The flat bar slides within recesses or channels formed in the handle arm, combining the support function with the activation mechanism itself. This eliminates the need for separate weak projecting supports while maintaining operational simplicity, as the windows provide both structural support and activation control in a unified design.
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
Enables efficient and durable use of tools in both recovery and non-recovery modes, enhancing user convenience and tool longevity by simplifying activation/deactivation and accommodating various tasks with reduced manual force.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding elastic flat bar (3) having a pressing protuberance (4) and at least a fixing protuberance (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an elastic recovery device for two articulated arms tools (1), particularly pliers or clamps, wherein one of the handle arms (2) houses an sliding elastic flat bar (3) having a pressing protuberance (4) and at least a fixing protuberance (5) which might be against a backward window (10) and at least a forward window (8), corresponding to the backward and forward positions matching the deactivated and activated states of the sliding elastic flat bar (3).