Manual Tool Single-Accessory Unfolding Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manual tools with multiple work accessories pose a safety risk due to the potential for multiple accessories to be unfolded simultaneously, leading to accidental exposure and injury.
Innovation Solution
A manual tool design that allows only one work accessory to be unfolded at a time, utilizing a pivot and pull rod mechanism to prevent the other accessory from unfolding, ensuring safe handling by locking the second accessory in a folded state when one is unfolded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple work accessories are equipped on both sides of the handle, then the tool becomes multi-functional and versatile, but multiple accessories can be unfolded simultaneously creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing a locking mechanism that prevents the second accessory from unfolding before the first accessory is fully unfolded. The locking component is positioned to block the unfolding path of the second accessory, creating a preventive barrier against the harmful effect of simultaneous unfolding before the tool is actually used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a locking component as an intermediary element between the two work accessories. This mediator mechanism interacts with both accessories through the handle body, controlling the unfolding sequence and preventing simultaneous deployment. The locking component acts as a gatekeeper that must be disengaged for the second accessory to unfold.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent simultaneous unfolding, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking mechanism with the existing handle structure and accessory mounting system. The locking component is integrated into the handle body rather than being a separate external mechanism, and it utilizes the same pivot points and mounting structures already present for the accessories, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically engaged and disengaged through the natural unfolding motion of the accessories themselves. When the first accessory unfolds, it automatically triggers the locking component to prevent the second accessory from unfolding. The system uses the motion of the accessories to control the locking action without requiring separate actuation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a manual tool capable of unfolding only one work accessory. The conventional manual tools may bring hidden risk to safety with more than two work accessories that may be unfolded simultaneously. According to the present invention, an associated accessory is arranged for a working state of a first work accessory and a second work accessory to transform from a folding state to an unfolding state; in the folding state where the first work accessory and the second work accessory are both folded, the associated accessory does not prevent any work accessory from unfolding; while in the unfolding state where one of the two work accessories is unfolded and the other one is folded, the associated accessory prevents the other one from unfolding, so as to ensure that only one work accessory can be unfolded during use, and if the unfolded work accessory is left unfolded, the other work accessory cannot be unfolded, thereby eliminating the safety risk caused by unfolding multiple work accessories at the same time.