Analysis of special maintenance requirements for extended flexible head ratchet wrenches- Hangzhou Hao Gong Tools Co., Ltd.

In the modern industrial field, the efficiency and reliability of tools directly affect the quality and efficiency of operations. With its unique structural design, the extended flexible head ratchet wrench has shown irreplaceable advantages in the disassembly and assembly of bolts and nuts in narrow spaces and complex angles, and is widely used in many industries such as machinery manufacturing, automobile maintenance, and aerospace. However, this special structure also determines that it has special requirements for maintenance that are different from ordinary ratchet wrenches.

1. The impact of structural characteristics on maintenance
The extended flexible head ratchet wrench is mainly composed of a handle, a ratchet mechanism, a flexible connector, and an extension rod. The core flexible connector is made of special alloy materials and precision processing technology, which can be flexibly rotated within a certain angle range. This feature enables the wrench to still apply force normally in an inaccessible working environment. But at the same time, the movable joints of the flexible connector, the teeth of the ratchet mechanism, and other parts are more prone to wear and fatigue due to frequent force and rotation. In addition, although the design of the extension rod increases the torque range of operation, it also changes the center of gravity of the wrench as a whole, and the requirements for balance and stability during use are higher, which further increases the complexity of maintenance.

2. Daily cleaning requirements
(I) Surface cleaning
During the use of the extended flexible head ratchet wrench, impurities such as oil, iron filings, and dust are easily attached to the surface. These impurities not only affect the appearance of the tool, but are more likely to enter the internal structure of the wrench during subsequent use, aggravating the wear of parts. Therefore, after each use, the surface of the wrench should be cleaned with a clean soft cloth or brush in time. For stubborn stains, an appropriate amount of neutral detergent can be used for cleaning, but care should be taken to prevent the detergent from entering the inside of the wrench. After cleaning, wipe the wrench dry with a dry cloth to prevent residual moisture from causing rust on metal parts.
(II) Internal cleaning
Compared with ordinary ratchet wrenches, the internal structure of the extended flexible head ratchet wrench is more complex, especially the active part of the flexible connector and the ratchet mechanism, which are more likely to accumulate impurities. It is necessary to clean the interior regularly. You can use a special cleaning tool, such as a small air gun, to blow air inside to clean and blow out dust and debris. When cleaning the inside, pay special attention not to damage the teeth of the ratchet mechanism and the joints of the flexible connector to avoid affecting the normal performance of the wrench.

3. Key points for lubrication and maintenance
(I) Determination of lubrication parts
The key parts of the extended flexible head ratchet wrench that need to be lubricated include the rotating shaft of the ratchet mechanism, the contact point between the pawl and the teeth, the movable joint of the flexible connector, and the connection between the extension rod and the handle and the flexible connector. These parts will generate greater friction during use. Good lubrication can effectively reduce friction, reduce wear, and extend the service life of the tool.
(II) Selection of lubricating grease
For different parts, appropriate lubricating grease should be selected. For the movable joints of the ratchet mechanism and the flexible connector, a grease with good anti-wear performance and adhesion should be selected to ensure that the lubricating grease will not easily lose under complex force and rotation conditions. For the connection between the extension rod and other components, a lubricating oil with moderate viscosity can be used, which is easy to apply and can play a good anti-rust and lubricating role. At the same time, it should be noted that the selected lubricant should have good chemical stability to avoid chemical reactions with the metal material of the wrench, which will affect the performance of the tool.
(III) Lubrication cycle and method
Develop a reasonable lubrication cycle based on the frequency of use of the wrench and the working environment. Generally speaking, under normal use, comprehensive lubrication maintenance should be performed every 50-100 times or once a month. When lubricating, the wrench should be cleaned first, and then a special oiling tool should be used to accurately apply or inject the lubricant into the part that needs lubrication. For the ratchet mechanism, the wrench can be turned over and an appropriate amount of grease can be injected from the oiling hole on the side; for the movable joint of the flexible connector, a brush can be used to evenly apply the grease to the joint surface; for the connection part, the lubricant can be directly dripped and the parts can be rotated to ensure that the lubricant is fully penetrated.

4. Storage environment requirements
(I) Temperature and humidity control
The extended flexible head ratchet wrench should be stored in a dry, ventilated environment to avoid moisture and high temperature. A humid environment can easily cause metal parts to rust, affecting the strength and precision of the wrench; high temperature may cause the lubricant to deteriorate and reduce its lubrication performance. Generally speaking, the relative humidity of the storage environment should be controlled between 40% and 60%, and the temperature should be kept between 10℃ and 30℃.
(II) Storage method specifications
When storing wrenches, they should be protected from external forces and collisions. Special tool racks or tool boxes can be used for storage, and the wrenches can be hung or placed flat in a fixed position to ensure that they will not roll or fall at will. At the same time, avoid mixing with other sharp or heavy tools to prevent scratches or damage to the surface and internal structure of the wrench. For wrenches that are not used for a long time, they should be cleaned and lubricated, and then wrapped with plastic film or oil paper to further isolate the influence of the external environment.

5. Regular inspection and maintenance
(I) Inspection items
Regular comprehensive inspection of the extended flexible head ratchet wrench is an important part of ensuring its normal use. The inspection items mainly include the functional test of the ratchet mechanism, to observe whether the pawl can bite and release normally, and whether the ratchet rotates smoothly; the activity performance inspection of the flexible connector, to check whether the rotation angle of the joint meets the requirements and whether there is any jamming; the integrity inspection of the extension rod and the handle, to check whether there are cracks, deformation, etc.; and the connection tightness inspection between the components to ensure that the connection parts will not loosen.
(II) Repair and treatment
If problems are found during the inspection, they should be repaired in time. For minor wear and failure, such as less wear on the teeth of the ratchet mechanism and inflexible rotation of the joint of the flexible connector, they can be repaired by replacing worn parts, readjusting and lubricating. However, for more serious damage, such as the breakage of the extension rod and the serious deformation of the flexible connector, professional maintenance personnel should be contacted in time for processing. Do not disassemble and repair at will to avoid causing more serious damage or safety hazards. At the same time, a detailed maintenance record file should be established to record the time, problem and treatment method of each maintenance, so as to provide reference for the subsequent use and maintenance of the wrench.