Two-Color Elastic Polymer Tool Identification Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool identification structures with plastic engaging rings suffer from unexpected rotation, deformation, and poor visibility due to single color markings, making them difficult to use effectively.
Innovation Solution
An identification structure featuring a tool body with an engaging surface and an elastic polymer identification ring composed of two distinct color layers, providing high friction and clear recognition, where the inner and outer layers are made of different rigidities and colors derived from the material, ensuring durability and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic engaging ring is used for mounting, then the ring can be easily formed and mounted, but the ring rotates unexpectedly and deforms over time due to low friction and weak grip
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging ring is constructed as a composite structure with an inner layer made of elastic polymer material and an outer layer made of friction material. This composite design combines the ease of forming and mounting of plastic with the high friction and stability of friction material, preventing unexpected rotation and deformation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a single color is used for the sleeve and number mark portion, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the identification is not apparent and may come off during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed with a two-color structure: the main body is colored first, then the number mark portion is colored with a different color. This color differentiation makes the identification information apparent and distinct, preventing loss of information during operation while maintaining structural simplicity. The numbers are filled with a color different from the sleeve body to ensure clear visibility.
3Device complexity
If projected characters are carved for number marks, then the marking structure is simple, but the characters cannot be clearly and quickly identified by users
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on carved projected characters, the patent uses color differentiation to enhance the visibility of number marks. The number mark portion is colored with a color different from the sleeve body, making the characters clearly identifiable and easily detectable by users, while maintaining the simplicity of the carving structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If the engaging ring is made of plastics with a glassy surface, then the material is easy to process, but the friction is low causing the ring to rotate unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging ring uses a composite material structure where the outer layer is made of friction material with high friction coefficients. This friction material is combined with the inner plastic layer, providing the necessary friction to prevent unexpected rotation while maintaining the ease of processing advantages of plastic materials.
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 solution provides a stable, easily recognizable, and durable identification system that prevents the ring from coming off and ensures clear marking visibility, enhancing user experience and tool operation.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer has a high friction able to keep the inner layer and the outer layer from rotating unexpectedly and coming off the tool body
Data Source
AI summary
An identification structure of a tool with two colors includes a tool body having an engaging surface, and an identification ring. The identification ring is made of elastic polymer, composed of an inner layer and an outer layer having diverse colors. The identification ring is mounted around the engaging surface of the tool body, having the outer layer fitted in an intermediate portion of the inner layer to make an upper and a lower edge of the inner layer extending outside the outer layer. So, the two edges of the inner layer have the same color and the intermediate portion of the identification ring has two different colors, keeping them apt to be recognized.