Wheel Balancing Clamp Grip for One-Handed Bolt Pattern Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable wheel balancing clamping tools require two hands to operate, making it difficult to stabilize the tool and wheel during the mounting process, necessitating a two-step process for adjusting bolt patterns.

Innovation Solution

A gripping tool with an adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism, comprising an outer and inner annular body with a connector ring, providing additional gripping surface area to allow one-handed operation of the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool, enabling simultaneous holding and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool is designed to accommodate different bolt patterns, then the tool's adaptability is improved, but the tool requires two hands to operate (one to hold, one to adjust), worsening the ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt pattern adaptabilityVSAvoidhands required for operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a gripping handle extending perpendicular to the tool's main body, creating a new spatial dimension for hand placement. This allows the operator's hand to grasp the handle while the other hand adjusts the bolt pattern, effectively resolving the contradiction by providing simultaneous access to both holding and adjusting functions through dimensional separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool requires two hands to adjust the bolt pattern, then the adaptability to different bolt patterns is improved, but the time required for the balancing process increases, worsening the productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt pattern adjustment capabilityVSAvoidwheel balancing process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping handle is pre-configured in a position that allows the operator's hand to be ready for both holding and adjusting operations simultaneously. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for sequential two-step operations, allowing the operator to adjust the bolt pattern while maintaining tool stability, thereby reducing the overall process time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool is designed without additional gripping surfaces, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot simultaneously hold and adjust the tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip system structureVSAvoidsimultaneous holding and adjusting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grip system is segmented into distinct functional components: a gripping body for stability, a gripping handle for hand placement, and an adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism for bolt pattern adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, resolving the contradiction by providing dedicated gripping elements without overly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3693134B1Gripping tool for adjustable wheel balancing clamping tools
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 HJORTH HANSEN ALLAN
  • EP3693134B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3693134B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3693134B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A gripping tool for adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool includes a gripping body and an adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism. The gripping body that enables the user to grasp the clamping tool includes an outer annular body, an inner annular body, and a connector ring. The inner annular body is concentrically positioned within the outer annular body. The connector ring is perimetrically connected the outer annular body and the inner annular body. The connector ring is terminally positioned to a first outer edge of the outer annular body and a first inner edge of the inner annular body. The adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism is connected to the outer annular body and the inner annular body thus securing the gripping body to the clamping tool.