Electric Power Tool Battery Retaining Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric power tools lack a reliable mechanism to prevent the battery pack from being inadvertently detached from the main body, especially when the release operation portions are pressed erroneously, leading to a high risk of the battery pack being dropped.
Innovation Solution
The electric power tool incorporates an attaching and detaching mechanism with a releasing unit that requires operation of plural types of release operation portions, arranged in distinct positions between the battery pack and the main body, along with retainer units and a retaining guide unit, and an elastic body to ensure secure attachment and easy detachment, while a detection part and control unit monitor the battery pack's retention state and adjust output power accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pair of locking pieces with hook portions are used to retain the battery pack, then the battery pack can be securely attached to the main body, but the battery pack may be inadvertently detached when release operation portions are erroneously pressed during hasty grasping
Solution Approach 1:
The release operation portions are designed with asymmetric characteristics: one is a first release operation portion that is difficult to operate accidentally (requiring deliberate action), while the other is a second release operation portion that is easy to operate (readily accessible). This asymmetric design allows the system to prevent inadvertent detachment while maintaining ease of intentional detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasing unit is segmented into two distinct release operation portions with different operational characteristics. The first release operation portion is positioned and designed to prevent erroneous operation, while the second is designed for easy intentional operation. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
2Reliability
If release operation portions are arranged in distant positions, then the possibility of erroneous operation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The releasing unit combines two release operation portions with different operational characteristics into a single integrated mechanism. This merging allows the system to achieve both reliability (through the difficult-to-operate first portion) and ease of operation (through the easy-to-operate second portion) without requiring completely separate mechanisms, thereby controlling device complexity.
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 reliably prevents inadvertent separation of the battery pack, enhances ease of attachment and detachment, and ensures the battery pack is not dropped, while allowing the user to be notified of improper retention through reduced output power.
Implementation Method 1
a locking piece 22 which is pivotally supported by the connection portion 13 and has an upwardly extending hook portion 24, and a spring 23 for biasing the locking piece 22 in an upward direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An electric power tool (A) includes a main body (1) having a drive portion (3) with a motor, an output portion (4) for holding a tool, and a battery pack (2) attachment portion, and a battery pack attached to the battery pack attachment portion by means of an attaching and detaching mechanism (8a,8b). The battery pack (2) supplies electric power to the drive portion (3) to operate the output portion (4). The attaching and detaching mechanism (8a,8b) has a releasing unit for releasing the battery pack from the main body (1) by operating plural types of release operation portions (6a,6b).