Power Tool Clamp Lever Pivoting Direction for Hand Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools with lever-operated clamping mechanisms pose a risk of hand injury due to accidental contact with sharp tool edges during the release process, as the lever must be pivoted towards the tool, increasing the likelihood of hand slips and contact.
Innovation Solution
A power tool design featuring a pivotable grasping part that moves away from the tool during the release process, utilizing a spring-based clamp mechanism to ensure the hand remains safe from the tool's edge, with a distinct pivoting direction for clamping and releasing modes to differentiate between operation and storage positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever is pivoted toward the tool to operate the clamping mechanism, then the clamping function is achieved, but the operator's hand may accidentally contact the sharp tool edge causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional lever pivoting direction. Instead of pivoting the lever toward the tool (as in prior art), the lever is designed to pivot away from the tool. This inversion maintains the clamping functionality while ensuring the operator's hand moves in the opposite direction, away from the sharp tool edge, thereby eliminating the injury risk associated with hand slips during lever operation
2Device complexity
If the grasping part is positioned close to the tool for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the operator's hand is at risk of contact with the sharp tool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing a different dimensional approach. The lever is configured to extend and pivot in a direction perpendicular to the tool axis, creating spatial separation between the operator's hand and the sharp tool edge during operation. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the grasping part to be positioned compactly while maintaining safety distance during lever pivoting
3Reliability
If a spring-based clamp mechanism is used to secure the tool, then the clamping force is automatically maintained, but a larger force is required to pivot the lever against the spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring element that acts as a counterbalancing force to maintain reliable tool securing. The spring is positioned and configured to exert a continuous clamping force on the tool, ensuring secure retention during operation. The lever mechanism is designed to overcome this spring force during tool attachment and detachment, providing automatic tool securing while requiring controlled manual force for operation
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 design enhances safety by keeping the operator's hand away from the tool during release, requiring a larger force to pivot the grasping part against the spring force, reducing the risk of injury and allowing secure storage of the grasping part to prevent vibration-induced movement.
Implementation Method 1
The tool is held (sandwiched) between the working spindle and the fastening element by a clamping force generated by a spring element provided inside the working spindle
Implementation Method 2
the clamp mechanism optionally comprises an urging member (e.g., a spring and/or an elastic material) and is adapted such that the tool is interposingly held (clamped) by an urging (biasing or spring) force of the urging member
Data Source
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AI summary
A power tool (100) comprises a clamp shaft holding mechanism (130) for detachably holding a tool (200) and an operating mechanism (104) for operating the clamp shaft holding mechanism (130). The operating mechanism (104) comprises a grasping part (151; 251; 351) adapted to be manipulated by a user to switch between a clamped state and an unclamped state with respect to the tool (200) by moving the grasping part (151; 251; 351) in a direction away from the tool (200), thereby ensuring safer tool removal and attachment operations.