Problem Statement - helix

For anyone who consistently works with tools, having set of various sized
ratcheting box end wrenches can be a bit of a pain. Also, adjustable box end wrenches do
exist, but they cannot ratchet.
Our goal is to create an adjustable box end ratcheting wrench. A clear advantage
to our design is the added convenience of adjustable sizes. Also, the box end wrench is a
valuable tool that has been used for applications where socket wrenches cannot be used.
However, the box end wrenches that are currently available in the market are not as
efficient as some socket wrenches. The ratcheting mechanism available for socket
wrenches cut down on time necessary to either loosen or tighten a nut. The ratcheting
mechanism is also applied to box end wrenches but wrenches of various sizes are needed
to fit different size nuts. However, a size-adjustable ratcheting box end wrench would
make only one wrench necessary. If possible, one box end wrench would be able to fit
both metric and SAE sizes.
Ideally, the design of the wrench will need to be easy to manufacture, allowing
the price of the wrench to a maximum of $75. A set of box end ratcheting wrenches is
approximately $40-$50, therefore making it affordable. The market would be mostly to
people who work with tools quite a bit, such as handymen, but also to women who often
buy tools for their husbands, fathers, sons, etc. during father’s day, holidays, birthdays.
etc.
A size-adjustable ratcheting box end wrench, however, has some constraints. The
size-adjusting mechanism would increase the size of the wrench head in thickness and
diameter. This increase in size would limit the places where the wrench would fit. The
robustness of the size-adjusting mechanism is another problem. The mechanical parts

needed to create the size-adjusting mechanism would have to be strong enough to support
torques of various loads.
The market for the size-adjustable ratcheting box end wrench exists since this
device would minimize the number of wrenches the customer would have to purchase.
This device would take the place of a set of box end wrenches. By the end of the
semester, a prototype will be made to demonstrate the size-adjusting mechanism. The
mechanism would be simple in design and easy to use.