Ergonomic Hand Tool for Component Installation Force Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing components, such as plugs or clips, often require excessive force and strain on the thumb or other fingers, leading to discomfort and potential injury.

Innovation Solution

A tool designed to be worn on the hand, featuring a connecting portion between two fingers, an installing portion supported on one side of the fingers, and a supporting portion that can be embraced by the fingers, allowing for the distribution of installation force across the palm and fingers, thereby reducing strain on any single joint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional manual installation methods are used, then installation can be performed with simple tools, but excessive force and strain are applied to the thumb and fingers leading to discomfort and potential injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidstrain on hand joints
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary installation tool that mediates between the user's hand and the component being installed. The tool distributes installation force across multiple fingers and the palm through its T-shaped structure, preventing excessive strain on any single joint while maintaining effective component installation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If excessive force is applied to install components, then installation can be completed quickly, but strain and potential injury occur on the thumb and fingers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidstrain on hand joints
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The installation tool segments the force application across multiple contact points on the hand (palm and multiple fingers) rather than concentrating it on a single digit. This segmentation allows effective installation force to be applied without overloading any individual joint, maintaining productivity while preventing injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the tool is designed to distribute force across the palm and fingers, then ergonomic comfort is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce distributionVSAvoidtool structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool implements local quality by creating specific geometric features (the T-shaped structure with perpendicular extensions) that naturally direct and distribute forces to optimal locations on the hand. This localized structural design achieves effective force distribution without requiring complex mechanisms or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4353420B1Tool, device and method for installing components
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4353420B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4353420B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP4353420B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool (1) for installing components (2), the tool (1) comprising a connecting portion (7) configured to be arranged between two fingers (8, 9) of a hand (10) of a person (6). The connecting portion (7) comprises a first longitudinal extension (11). The tool (1) comprises an installing portion (12) configured to be supported on a first side (13) of the fingers (8, 9), the installing portion (12) comprising a second longitudinal extension (14) extending angularly to the first longitudinal extension (11). The tool (1) comprises a supporting portion (15) comprising a third longitudinal extension (14) extending angularly to the first longitudinal extension (11), wherein the installing portion (12) and the supporting portion (15) are connected with each other by the connecting portion (7).