Reverse Engineering: Mechanicnal Product - Functional Analysis

1) Primary Function

• The primary function of the ratchet wrench is to loosen or tighten bolts.

2) How I Think It Works

• The textured inner ring on the wrench twists and locks to allow the user to grip a bolt to loosen or tighten it.
• The gear-like object on the back (concealed by metal frame) allows the wrench to turn in only one direction.
• There is a metal arm that resists turning in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion, which bumps over the ridges on the gear like object and locks the textured ring into place.
• There is a switch that move to select direction the wrench can turn.

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3) My Black Box Schema

4) Visible Mechanical Components

• The only mechanical components visible are the directional lever and the textured inner ring.

5) A Function That Cannot Be Identified

• I cannot identify exactly how moving the lever changes the locking direction, because this mechanism is hidden by the metal wrench frame.