Tool Holder Anti-Theft Mechanism Using Deformable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool holders are vulnerable to theft and inconvenient to use, as sockets can be easily removed by thieves and are difficult to detach after purchase, leading to inconvenience and potential damage to locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder design featuring a connector with deformable side plates and locking projections that retract into a fitting zone, secured by a fixer to prevent theft and facilitate easy removal and installation of tools without scratching the locking projections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring and steel ball mechanism is used to retain sockets, then the sockets can be easily removed by thieves during display, but after purchase the steel ball is continuously pushed by the spring making it inconvenient to remove sockets
Solution Approach 1:
The locking projection is designed to dynamically change its locking state. During display, the fixer keeps the fitting portions in original state so locking projections extend outward to lock sockets. After purchase, when fixer is cut, the fitting portions deform inward causing locking projections to retract, enabling easy socket removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixer is pre-installed to maintain the fitting portions in their original extended state during display and storage, providing anti-theft protection. After purchase, the fixer is cut to allow the fitting portions to naturally deform inward, enabling easy tool removal without continuous spring pressure.
2Reliability
If locking projections extend out of the fitting zone to lock tools, then tools can be securely retained, but the locking projections may be scratched during tool removal
Solution Approach 1:
The locking projection dynamically adjusts its position based on the state of the fixer. When fixer is intact, projections extend outward for secure locking. When fixer is cut, projections retract into the fitting zone, preventing contact and scratching during tool removal while maintaining service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting portions act as intermediaries between the locking projections and the tool. When fixer is cut, the fitting portions deform inward to retract the locking projections, preventing direct contact between projections and tool during removal, thus avoiding scratches.
3Strength
If the fitting portions are made rigid to maintain structure, then the connector is strong, but the locking projections cannot retract to allow easy tool removal
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting portions are designed with localized deformable characteristics while maintaining overall structural strength. The portions can locally deform inward when fixer is cut to enable locking projection retraction, but the overall connector structure remains strong through its framework design.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the fitting portions changes based on the fixer condition. When fixer is intact, fitting portions maintain rigid extended state for strength. When fixer is cut, fitting portions change to deformable inward state, allowing locking projections to retract for easy tool removal.
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 tool holder provides an anti-theft mechanism while allowing easy and secure removal and installation of tools, prolonging the service life of the locking projections and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion deform inwardly, and so that the first locking projection retracts in the fitting zone defined by the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A tool holder contains: a connector and a fixer. The connector includes at least one body, and each of the at least one body has a first side plate, a second side plate, and a connection plate. The first side plate has a first fitting portion, and the second side plate has a second fitting portion. The first fitting portion and the second fitting portion define a square fitting zone, and the first side plate further has a first locking projection. Between the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion is defined a cavity so that the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion deform inwardly, and so that the first locking projection retract into the fitting zone. The fixer is housed in the cavity of the connector to limit an inward deformation of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion.