Cordless Power Tool Grip Elastomer Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools that monitor screw tightening operations are limited by the need for a power cord, restricting the work area and increasing the risk of damage to the control circuit from impacts and vibrations when used cordlessly.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable power tool with a control circuit integrated into the main body, featuring a screw tightening number setting unit and completion notifying unit at the lower front portion of the grip, protected by a protruded elastomer to absorb impacts and vibrations, allowing cordless operation without enlarging the grip and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control circuit is integrated into the main body of a cordless power tool for monitoring screw tightening operations, then the work area is no longer restricted and the inherent advantages of cordlessness are fully utilized, but the control circuit becomes vulnerable to damage from impacts and vibrations when the tool falls
Solution Approach 1:
A protruded elastomer is provided at the lower front portion of the grip portion to absorb impacts when the power tool is dropped. This cushioning element is positioned in advance to protect the control circuit from damage during accidental falls, resolving the contradiction between enabling unrestricted work areas and protecting the control circuit from impact damage.
2Ease of operation
If the screw tightening number setting unit and completion notifying unit are provided at the lower front portion of the grip portion, then the power tool can be operated without enlarging the grip, but this location is more susceptible to impacts when the tool falls
Solution Approach 1:
The protruded elastomer is positioned at the lower front portion of the grip portion, exactly where the setting unit and notifying unit are located. This provides beforehand cushioning protection to these components without requiring any enlargement of the grip portion, maintaining ease of operation while protecting against impact damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer converts the harmful impact force into beneficial cushioning action. When the tool falls and the lower front portion contacts the ground, the elastomer deforms to absorb the impact energy, transforming the harmful shock into a protective cushioning effect that safeguards the electronic components.
3Reliability
If a power cord is used to connect the power tool and controller for monitoring screw tightening operations, then the control circuit is protected from impacts, but the work area is restricted and the operator bears excessive burden
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is extracted from a separate controller and integrated directly into the power tool main body. This eliminates the need for a power cord connection between the tool and controller, freeing the operator from cord restrictions and enabling unrestricted work areas while maintaining control circuit protection through the elastomer cushioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The power tool integrates the monitoring function into itself, making the system self-contained. The control circuit monitors screw tightening operations internally without requiring external controller connection, enabling the tool to serve itself and eliminating the need for cord-based external control.
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
Enables efficient management of screw tightening operations without a power cord, preventing component damage and allowing use in unrestricted areas with improved durability and reduced operator burden, ensuring accurate and efficient screw tightening.
Implementation Method 1
a protruded elastomer is provided at a lower front portion of the grip portion
Implementation Method 2
protected by a protruded elastomer to absorb impacts and vibrations
Data Source
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AI summary
A power tool (1) includes a driving unit for performing screw tightening operations; a motor (11) for rotatably driving the driving unit; a rechargeable battery pack (9); a trigger switch (SW) for turning on and off the motor; and a control circuit (8), accommodated in a main body of the power tool, for monitoring the screw tightening operations. The control circuit has a screw tightening completion detection unit for detecting completion of a screw tightening operation, a screw tightening count unit for counting the number of detected tightening operations, a screw tightening number setting unit (6) for presetting the number of screws to be tightened, a screw tightening completion notifying unit (7) for notifying completion of the screw tightening operations when the number of detected tightening operations reaches the preset number. Further, the screw tightening number setting unit (6) and the screw tightening completion notifying unit (7) are disposed at a lower front portion of a grip portion.