Articulating Power Tool Head with Locking Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscillating power tools lack versatility and adjustability in their operational angles, limiting their effectiveness in various cutting and sanding tasks.
Innovation Solution
An articulating power tool design featuring a pivotable head assembly with a locking mechanism, allowing the head to be locked at multiple predetermined angles relative to the base, and a drive mechanism that converts rotary motion into oscillation, enabling efficient operation in different orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the head assembly is made fixed and non-adjustable, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot and lock at multiple predetermined angles. This dynamic capability enables the tool to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through the use of a pivotable connection mechanism with locking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating head assembly provides multi-functionality by enabling the tool to operate at various angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°), making it versatile for different cutting and sanding tasks. This universal applicability is achieved through the pivotable connection that allows angular adjustment without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the head assembly is made pivotable and adjustable, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into a main body and a separately adjustable head assembly connected by a pivotable connection. This segmentation allows the head to be independently adjusted and locked at different angles, providing adaptability while keeping the complexity localized to the connection mechanism rather than the entire device.
3Productivity
If power transmission is maintained through the articulating member, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to additional mechanical coupling points
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission system is designed to dynamically adapt to the angular position of the articulating member through a mechanically coupled transmission path. This ensures efficient power delivery at various angles while the locking mechanism maintains reliability by securing the mechanical coupling at predetermined positions, preventing unwanted movement or loosening.
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
Enhances versatility and effectiveness by allowing the tool to be used at various angles, improving performance in cutting and sanding tasks with maintained power transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism for converting rotation of the drive shaft into oscillation of the tool shaft
Implementation Method 2
an oscillating power tool with two-axis tool mounting
Implementation Method 3
The articulating member is configured to pivot with respect to the base member in the free position
Implementation Method 4
a locking device coupled to the articulating member for locking an orientation of the articulating member with respect to the base member
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an articulating head (14, 124) of a power tool (10, 120), which includes a base member (17, 143) adapted to couple to a main body (12, 126) of the power tool, an articulating member (15, 141) pivotably connected to the base member, and a locking device (158) coupled to the articulating member for locking an orientation of the articulating member with respect to the base member. The base member contains a first power transmission part (38) which is capable of receiving mechanical driving power from the main body of the power tool. The articulating member contains a second power transmission part (40, 130) mechanically coupled to the first power transmission part. The locking device has an actuation lever rotatable about a pivot axis (C) between a free position and a lock position.