Electric Tool Motor Shaft Alignment for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric tools with perpendicular motor shafts cause vibration issues for users and are difficult to maneuver in narrow spaces due to their protruding design, limiting their usability in both indoor and outdoor applications.

Innovation Solution

An electric tool with a cylindrical housing that houses the motor and sanding mechanism, featuring a handle positioned between the sanding mechanism and battery pack, allowing the motor shaft to be parallel to the handle's length, thereby reducing vibration and enabling easier use in confined spaces and outdoor environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the motor shaft is arranged perpendicular to the handle lengthwise direction, then the electric motor can generate rotational force for the sanding belt, but the electric motor protrudes in the widthwise direction making it difficult to use in narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability in narrow spacesVSAvoidmotor protrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional motor shaft arrangement by positioning the motor shaft parallel to the handle's lengthwise direction instead of perpendicular to it. This inversion allows the motor to be integrated within the handle's longitudinal axis, eliminating widthwise protrusion and enabling use in narrow spaces such as inside pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the motor shaft is arranged perpendicular to the handle lengthwise direction, then the electric motor can drive the sanding belt, but the vibration causes the handle to vibrate along its lengthwise direction making it difficult to suppress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration suppressionVSAvoidhandle vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the motor shaft orientation to be parallel with the handle's lengthwise direction. This inversion changes the vibration transmission path so that motor vibrations occur perpendicular to the handle axis, allowing the user's hand to naturally dampen vibrations through the palm, thereby suppressing harmful handle vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the motor shaft is arranged parallel to the handle lengthwise direction, then the electric motor does not protrude in the widthwise direction enabling use in narrow spaces, but the motor configuration must be changed from conventional designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability in narrow spacesVSAvoidmotor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reorienting the motor shaft to align with the handle's lengthwise direction. This configuration change allows the motor to be positioned within the handle's longitudinal profile, eliminating widthwise protrusion and enabling adaptability for narrow space applications such as pipe interior work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the motor shaft is arranged parallel to the handle lengthwise direction, then the electric motor vibration can be suppressed by user's hand, but the motor must be positioned differently relative to the sanding mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration suppressionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial dimension of motor placement by positioning the motor along the longitudinal axis of the handle rather than perpendicular to it. This dimensional reorganization allows the motor to be integrated within the handle's length, enabling vibration suppression while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3533564B1Electric tool
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3533564B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3533564B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Electric tool that enables user to easily suppress vibration of motor with hand and that is usable even in narrow spaces and outdoors. Electric tool (1) of the present disclosure includes sanding mechanism (3), motor (10), battery pack (4) and housing (21). Motor (10) is configured to drive sanding mechanism (3). Battery pack (4) is configured to supply motor (10) with electric power. Sanding mechanism (3), motor (10) and battery pack (4) are fixed to housing (21). Motor (10) possesses rotary shaft (101) configured to transmit rotary drive power to sanding mechanism (3). Housing (21) possesses handle (22) that allows user to hold. Sanding mechanism (3), motor (10), battery pack (4) and handle (22) are arranged in one direction. Rotary shaft (101) of motor (10) is elongated in the one direction.