Wrench Locking Mechanism for Preventing Accidental Work Piece Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrenches face the risk of unintentional separation of work pieces, such as sockets, which can lead to loss or difficulty in retrieval, especially in challenging environments like heights or machine spaces.
Innovation Solution
A ratchet wrench with a work piece locking mechanism that requires a two-step operation involving a slide lock member and a release button to securely attach and detach the work piece, preventing accidental separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable work piece attachment mechanism is used, then application flexibility is improved, but the risk of unintentional separation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking detent automatically engages with the work piece upon attachment, performing the locking action before the user completes the attachment process. This preliminary locking action ensures the work piece is secured immediately upon engagement, preventing unintentional separation while maintaining easy attachment and removal through the release button mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The release button serves as an intermediary control element that mediates between the user and the locking detent. By requiring deliberate actuation of the release button to disengage the locking detent, the system prevents accidental separation while maintaining user control. The intermediary mechanism translates a simple button press into the complex action of releasing the locked work piece.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintentional separation, then work piece security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking detent is merged with the drive tang assembly, integrating the locking function into the existing drive mechanism rather than adding a completely separate locking system. The release button is integrated into the head housing, combining multiple functions (release control and structural support) into a single component. This merging reduces overall complexity while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking detent is designed to automatically engage and lock the work piece without requiring user intervention. The spring-loaded detent self-actuates upon work piece attachment, performing the locking action automatically. This self-service characteristic simplifies the user interface while ensuring reliable work piece retention.
3Reliability
If a two-step release mechanism is implemented, then accidental separation is reduced, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking detent remains continuously engaged during use, performing the locking function without requiring repeated user actions. The two-step release mechanism (pressing release button, then removing work piece) is only activated when the user intentionally wants to remove the work piece. This preliminary continuous locking with controlled release minimizes both accidental separation and operational time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The release button mechanism allows for rapid disengagement of the locking detent when activated. While the two-step process requires deliberate action, the actual release action itself is quick and can be performed rapidly. The design skips unnecessary intermediate steps, allowing the user to quickly transition from locked to unlocked state with a simple button press followed by immediate work piece removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A wrench may include a head, a drive tang that engages a work piece, a locking detent operably coupled to the drive tang, and a release button configured to control operation of the locking detent. The release button may be movable between a locked position where the locking detent locks the work piece to the drive tang and an unlocked position where the detent permits removal of the work piece from the drive tang. The wrench may also include a slide lock member configured to slide along a second direction between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the slide lock member may prevent movement of the release button, and, in the disengaged position, the slide lock member may be disengaged from the release button to permit movement of the release button from the locked position to the unlocked position.