Angled Tool Holder With Damped LED Lighting for Workpiece Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulty in accessing and seeing the workpiece region when using tool accessory holders with power tools, as existing solutions do not effectively address the challenge of illumination and vibration damping.

Innovation Solution

An angled tool accessory holder with a light assembly and vibration damping member, featuring a rechargeable battery, LED illumination, and a timer, integrated into the housing to provide illumination and reduce vibrations, enhancing visibility and protecting electronic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tool accessory holder is used to access various workpiece regions, then accessibility to workpiece regions is improved, but visibility of the workpiece region deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to workpiece regionVSAvoidvisibility of workpiece region
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

An LED light assembly is introduced as an intermediary element to provide illumination to the workpiece area. The light assembly includes an LED, circuit board, and lens that work together to illuminate the work region, solving the visibility problem created by using angled tool accessory holders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the light assembly is integrated into the housing, then visibility is improved, but vibration damping requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of workpieceVSAvoidvibrations affecting light assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration damping member made of elastomeric material is positioned between the light assembly and the housing to cushion and absorb vibrations before they reach the light assembly and its electronic components. This protective measure is built into the structure in advance to prevent vibration-related damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is constructed as a composite structure with a rigid outer housing and an inner elastomeric vibration damping member. This composite design combines the structural integrity of rigid materials with the vibration-absorbing properties of elastomeric materials to protect the light assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If electronic components are exposed, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to dust and debris

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly of light assemblyVSAvoidprotection from dust and debris
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board and other electronic components are nested within the housing structure, specifically positioned within the cavity formed by the vibration damping member. This nesting arrangement naturally protects the components from dust and debris while maintaining ease of assembly through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric vibration damping member acts as a flexible protective shell that seals the cavity containing the electronic components. This flexible barrier prevents dust and debris from reaching the electronics while allowing for vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows users to better see the workpiece, inhibits vibrations, and prevents battery drainage by automatically turning off the light, while keeping electronic components sealed and clean.

Implementation Method 1

The light may include a LED coupled to the circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The insert is configured to dampen vibrations between the input shaft and housing, and the light assembly. The insert may be composed of an elastomeric material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4406703A1Angled tool accessory holder
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 BLACK & DECKER CORP
  • EP4406703A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4406703A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4406703A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An angled tool accessory holder includes a housing; an input shaft extending along a first axis and at least partially received in the housing, the input shaft coupleable to an output tool holder of a rotary power tool to be rotatable relative to the housing; a tool accessory holder rotatable relative to the housing and extending along a second axis transverse to the first axis; a transmission configured to transmit torque from the input shaft to the tool accessory holder; and a light assembly received in the housing, the light assembly including a light configured to illuminate a workpiece adjacent the tool accessory holder, a battery configured to power the light, and a vibration damping member configured to dampen vibrations between the housing and the light assembly.