Hand-Held Appliance Coupling Structure for Compact Axial Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held appliances have a relatively spacious coupling structure, particularly in the axial direction, which affects the compactness and reliability of the coupling between the drive shaft and the driven part.

Innovation Solution

The coupling structure is redesigned with a coupling bush that is axially displaceable within the main body and a coupling head that is axially fixed within the functional attachment, utilizing a telescoping engagement between the coupling bush and the drive shaft, and a coupling spring housed in the main body to achieve a more compact and reliable co-rotation coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the coupling structure uses a traditional configuration with the coupling spring in the functional attachment, then the coupling can be achieved, but the axial dimension of the coupling structure becomes large, affecting compactness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial dimension of coupling structureVSAvoidreliability of coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional arrangement by moving the coupling spring from the functional attachment to the main body, and making the coupling bush axially displaceable while the coupling head becomes axially fixed. This inversion resolves the contradiction by achieving compact axial dimensions while maintaining coupling reliability through the telescoping engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling head is nested within the coupling bush, with the coupling head being at least partly inserted into the interior space of the coupling bush. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall axial dimension of the coupling structure while maintaining the functional integrity of the coupling between the drive shaft and driven part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of moving object

If the coupling head is axially displaceable and coupling bush is axially fixed, then the coupling structure can function, but the functional attachment becomes larger in axial direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial length of functional attachmentVSAvoidease of manufacture of coupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the axial displacement characteristics: the coupling bush (in the main body) becomes axially displaceable while the coupling head (in the functional attachment) becomes axially fixed. This inversion reduces the axial length of the functional attachment and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for axial displacement mechanisms in the functional attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Length of moving object

If the coupling spring is placed in the functional attachment, then the coupling can be actuated, but the overall device length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall device lengthVSAvoidease of operation of coupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling spring is extracted from the functional attachment and relocated to the main body. This extraction reduces the overall device length by eliminating the spring housing space in the functional attachment, while the ease of operation is maintained through the telescoping engagement that automatically actuates the coupling when the functional attachment is mounted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration results in a more compact axial dimension of the coupling structure, enhancing user control and reliability by allowing for a closer placement of the functional structure to the hand-gripping area while maintaining effective co-rotation between the drive shaft and driven part.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling spring urges relative displacement of one of the coupling head and the coupling bush towards the other of the coupling head and the coupling bush, so as to effectuate said coupled condition from said uncoupled condition when the motor drives the drive shaft, and so as to maintain said coupled condition when the motor drives the drive shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11833699B2Hand-held appliance with improved coupling structure for a functional attachment of the appliance

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

The invention relates to a coupling structure (8, 9, 10) for coupling a drive shaft (6) of a main body (2) of a hand-held appliance (1) to a driven part (7) of a releasable functional attachment (3) of the hand-held appliance (1). The coupling structure comprises a coupling bush (8), a coupling head (9) and a coupling spring (10). The coupling head (9) is axially fixed within the functional attachment (3), the coupling bush (8) is axially displaceable within the main body (2). The coupling spring (10) is housed in the main body (2) and urges displacement of the coupling bush (8) towards the coupling head (9), when the functional attachment (3) is attached to the main body (2). The coupling structure is compact, especially in the axial direction of the coupling structure, and especially within the functional attachment.