Anti-Vibration Handle With Flexible Corrugated Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools, such as reciprocating saws, generate vibrations that are transmitted to the handle and user's hands, causing fatigue and reducing grip efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An anti-vibration handle design featuring a flexible insert with corrugations that fills the gap between the handle and housing, allowing for axial expansion and twisting motions to dissipate vibrations, and is made from a more flexible material than the handle and housing to absorb vibrations effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid handle structure is used to maintain structural strength, then the handle can withstand operational forces, but vibrations are transmitted directly to the user's hands causing fatigue and reduced grip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible insert component within the handle structure that acts as a vibration-dampening element. This insert is made of a flexible material that allows the handle to absorb and dissipate vibrations while maintaining overall structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between rigidity and vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle incorporates a composite structure combining rigid housing materials with a flexible insert material. This composite approach allows different regions of the handle to have different mechanical properties - the rigid outer structure provides strength while the flexible inner insert absorbs vibrations, simultaneously achieving both structural strength and vibration reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the handle is made completely flexible to absorb vibrations, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the handle loses structural strength and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only a specific portion of the handle (the insert) flexible while keeping the rest of the handle structure rigid. This localized flexibility is sufficient to absorb vibrations without compromising the overall structural strength and stability of the entire handle assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If a solid rigid structure is used to fill the gap between handle and housing, then manufacturing is simple, but vibrations are not effectively dissipated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a solid rigid filler with a flexible insert that can be molded or formed to fit the gap between the handle and housing. This flexible insert is manufactured using molding processes that are relatively simple and cost-effective, while simultaneously providing superior vibration dissipation compared to a rigid material.
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 anti-vibration handle significantly reduces vibration amplitude, enhancing user comfort and grip stability during tool use by effectively dissipating vibrations through its flexible design and material.
Implementation Method 1
The insert is more flexible than the handle and the housing... significantly reduces vibration amplitude... by effectively dissipating vibrations through its flexible design and material
Implementation Method 2
An insert is fixedly attached to the first housing and the second end. The insert includes a first plurality of corrugations... allowing for axial expansion and twisting motions to dissipate vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool includes a tool operable to work on a workpiece, a drive mechanism coupled to the tool and operable to move the tool, and a housing defining an interior. The drive mechanism is disposed within the interior. A handle has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to the housing and the second end is spaced apart from the housing to define a gap therebetween. An insert is fixedly attached to the housing and the second end to fill the gap. The insert is more flexible then the handle and the housing.