Modular Dust Extraction System With Auxiliary Air Inlets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular dust extraction systems for handheld power tools face challenges in maintaining suction power, especially when used with tools of different capacities and engine speeds, leading to inconsistent dust removal efficiency and increased wear and tear.

Innovation Solution

A modular dust extraction system with a rotationally driven suction wheel and additional openings on contact surfaces that allow part of the suction air flow to interact with the cooling air flow, optimizing suction power by adjusting the opening areas and flow paths to maintain consistent performance across various handheld power tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the suction wheel is driven by a hand-held power tool with higher engine speed, then the suction power should increase, but the suction behavior becomes inconsistent across different tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction powerVSAvoidsuction behavior consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces additional openings in the contact surface to modify the airflow parameters. These openings allow cooling air from the power tool to enter the dust extraction system, creating a dual-source suction mechanism that compensates for variations in engine speed across different power tools, thereby maintaining consistent suction behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The additional openings serve multiple functions: they allow cooling air to be utilized for dust suction, reduce thermal load on the power tool motor, and provide flow stabilization. This multi-functionality enables the dust extraction system to adapt to various power tool capacities while maintaining consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If additional openings are formed in the contact surface, then the suction power is increased, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction powerVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dust suction function with the cooling air flow path of the power tool. By forming additional openings in the contact surface that allow cooling air to enter the dust extraction system, the design combines two separate airflow systems into one integrated solution, increasing suction power without adding separate cooling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power tool's own cooling air flow is utilized to enhance the dust suction performance. The additional openings enable the cooling air, which is already being generated by the power tool's motor cooling system, to be redirected and used for dust extraction, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional energy consumption or complex external systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the exhaust air openings are reduced in area, then the suction behavior becomes more consistent across different power tools, but the suction power decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction behavior consistencyVSAvoidsuction power
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the airflow parameters by introducing additional openings that allow cooling air to enter the system. This creates a dual-source suction mechanism where part of the suction air flow comes from the additional openings and part from the exhaust air openings, maintaining consistent suction behavior while preserving adequate suction power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different opening areas to different locations: the additional openings have a total area of about two-thirds of the exhaust air openings. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between suction power and flow stability, with the additional openings providing consistent airflow contribution across different power tool capacities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 system enhances suction power and maintains consistent suction behavior across different handheld power tools with varying engine speeds, reducing wear and tear and improving dust removal efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Due to this increase in the pressure difference to be conveyed, caused by the reduced total opening area, since only the exhaust air openings are available

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Via the additional openings in the contact surfaces, part of the suction air flow reaches the cooling air flow of the hand-held power tool via associated inlet openings of the matching housing surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2062682B1Dust suction for a hand-held machine tool and use thereof
Publication Date: 2011.05.11 HILTI AG
  • EP2062682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2062682B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2062682B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The modular dust collection system (1) has an air cleaner (4), a rotational driven suction wheel (5) and outward opened discharge port (6), and is combined with hand-held machine tool arranged at contact surfaces (2,2',2''). The auxiliary openings (7) of the contact surfaces (2) are provided, which are formed in an outward opened manner.