Socket Wrench Radial Positioning Ring for Stable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional socket wrenches face issues with the C-ring being resiliently expanded during operation, leading to unstable socket retention and potential elastic fatigue over time, and existing solutions like latch rings and retaining rings are not easily removable or radially movable.
Innovation Solution
A socket wrench design featuring a movably positioned O-shaped ring surrounding the ratchet wheel, with a protrusion that can be retracted into an aperture to securely hold and release a socket, utilizing an elastic member for resilient recovery and a C-ring to prevent the ring from dropping, allowing radial movement for easy socket removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a C-ring is used to retain the socket in the driving hole, then the socket can be secured in position, but the C-ring may be resiliently expanded during operation causing unstable retention and elastic fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is divided between the positioning ring with protrusions and the C-ring acting as a stopper. The positioning ring segments the retention mechanism by using multiple protrusions that engage with corresponding features on the socket, distributing the retention load and providing stable positioning without relying on resilient expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a resilient C-ring that expands to retain the socket, the invention inverts the approach by using a rigid positioning ring with protrusions that actively engage with the socket features. The C-ring is repositioned to act as a radial stopper rather than the primary retention element, eliminating the need for resilient expansion.
2Reliability
If a latch ring or retaining ring is used to secure the socket, then the socket can be held in place, but the ring cannot be easily removed or moved radially
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning ring is designed to be movable in the radial direction relative to the ratchet wheel. By pushing the positioning ring radially inward, the protrusions disengage from the socket features, allowing easy removal. This dynamic positioning mechanism maintains secure retention during operation while enabling simple removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function is extracted from the C-ring and assigned to the positioning ring with protrusions. The C-ring is taken out from its traditional retention role and repositioned as a radial stopper, allowing the positioning ring to be independently moved for socket removal without compromising retention during use.
3Reliability
If the positioning ring is fixed radially to the ratchet wheel, then the socket can be securely retained, but the workpiece cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning ring is designed with radial movability relative to the ratchet wheel. During normal operation, the ring maintains its position for secure socket retention. When workpiece removal is needed, the ring can be pushed radially inward to disengage the protrusions, facilitating easy workpiece removal while maintaining reliability during use.
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 provides stable and secure socket retention with improved ease of removal and reduced elastic fatigue, enhancing the usability and durability of the socket wrench.
Implementation Method 1
the positioning ring has an elastic member disposed on the inner wall of the central bore of the positioning ring opposite to the protrusion... the elastic member is sandwiched in between the outer periphery of the cylindrical flange of the ratchet wheel and the inner wall of the central bore of the positioning ring
Data Source
AI summary
A socket wrench includes a wrench body, a ratchet wheel and a positioning ring. The ratchet wheel has a driving hole and a cylindrical flange extending on one side of the wrench body. The cylindrical flange has at least one aperture defined through the outer periphery thereof and communicating with the driving hole. The positioning ring is an O-shaped ring and surrounded the outer periphery of the cylindrical flange, and has a central bore. At least one protrusion radially protruded from the inner wall of the central bore of the positioning ring. The protrusion is projected from the wall of the driving hole through the aperture to position a socket. The positioning ring is moved a distance along the radial direction relative to the ratchet wheel by being pushed toward the at least one protrusion to completely retract the at least one protrusion into the aperture to release the socket.