Multi-Opening Dust Hood for Adaptive Tool Dust Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dust hoods for power tools are inflexible and cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions or operating parameters, such as working depth and tool orientation, leading to inefficient dust collection, especially during synchronous operation, and often obstruct the user's view and require specialized tools for assembly.

Innovation Solution

A dust hood device with multiple openings on its underside, including a main channel and side channels, and a front slot opening, separated by a guide element, allowing independent control of suction flows to adapt to different operating modes and conditions, enhancing dust collection efficiency without the need for special tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional dust hoods use identical extraction openings, then the structure is simple, but the dust collection efficiency cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions and operating parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different environmental conditions and operating parametersVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust hood is divided into multiple extraction openings (first extraction opening, second extraction opening, third extraction opening) that can be independently controlled. Each opening serves specific functions: the first opening captures dust at the front, the second opening captures dust at the sides, and the third opening captures dust at the rear. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different dust generation patterns and operating conditions by selectively activating appropriate openings, thereby improving adaptability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dust hood incorporates movable flaps or adjustable components that allow the extraction openings to be dynamically opened or closed based on operating conditions. The flaps can be positioned to optimize dust capture for different working depths, tool orientations, and dust emission patterns. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and operating parameters while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a dust hood is designed for synchronous operation, then it can handle specific operating modes, but dust discharge occurs contrary to the purpose of dust collection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection efficiencyVSAvoiddust discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different extraction openings are positioned to address specific local dust generation zones. The first extraction opening is located at the front to capture dust generated during the initial cutting phase, the second opening is positioned at the sides to capture dust during synchronous operation, and the third opening is at the rear to capture residual dust. This local quality approach ensures that each opening is optimized for its specific function, improving overall dust collection efficiency and preventing dust discharge in synchronous operation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dust hood is designed to capture dust at the source before it can disperse or enter the operator's respiratory zone. The first extraction opening is positioned to capture dust as it is generated at the cutting point, preventing it from traveling further. The second and third openings provide additional capture zones to ensure complete dust containment. This preliminary action approach prevents dust discharge by intercepting dust particles at multiple stages of their trajectory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional dust hoods are made of plastic, then they are easy to manufacture, but they wear out quickly due to friction with the work surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dust hood combines plastic and metal materials in a hybrid construction. The main body of the dust hood is made of plastic for ease of manufacture and lightweight properties, while the underside surface that contacts the work surface is made of metal (such as steel or aluminum) for wear resistance. This composite material approach allows the dust hood to be easily manufactured while maintaining high reliability and durability during operation, as the metal underside prevents rapid wear from friction with the work surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a dust hood obstructs the user's view, then it may provide better dust containment, but it hinders the ability to follow the cutting path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust containmentVSAvoidvisibility of work area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dust hood incorporates transparent or translucent panels made of flexible or semi-rigid material that allow light to pass through while maintaining dust containment. These transparent sections are strategically positioned to provide the operator with a clear view of the cutting path and work area. The flexible shell design allows the hood to maintain its structural integrity for effective dust containment while the transparent portions ensure visibility, resolving the contradiction between dust containment and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device provides improved dust extraction efficiency, especially during synchronous operation, by allowing independent control of suction flows, reducing dust exposure to the user, and facilitating easy attachment and use without obstructing the work area.

Implementation Method 1

A dust hood device for a power tool has at least a first opening and a second opening on an underside through which a mixture of air and dust generated during operation of the power tool can be extracted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3965995B1Dust hood device for a tool, its use and a method for dust collection
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 HILTI AG
  • EP3965995B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3965995B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3965995B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dust cover device for a tool device, to the use thereof, and to a method for detecting dust. The dust cover device comprises different openings on the dust cover lower face, wherein a mixture of air and dust produced while working with the tool assembly can be suctioned through said openings. The invention additionally relates to the use of a dust cover, in particular at different working depths of the tool device, and to a method for detecting dust. The opening and closing of the openings of the dust cover device can be controlled on the basis of the working depth of the tool device.