Ergonomic Power Tool Handle With Contoured Finger Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Many power tool handles are configured in a way that causes significant user fatigue and stress during extended use due to inadequate ergonomic design.

Innovation Solution

An ergonomic handle for power tools is designed with a contoured shape that matches the anatomy of a user's hand, featuring distinct regions for thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger, along with a thumb-forefinger recess, thumb-knuckle recess, and palm grip relief, to distribute the weight and stress more comfortably.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional power tool handles are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but user fatigue and stress increase during extended use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed with varying cross-sectional shapes at different locations to match the anatomy of the human hand. The proximal portion has a first cross-sectional shape that accommodates the thumb and forefinger, while the distal portion has a second cross-sectional shape that accommodates the remaining fingers. This localized variation in geometry provides ergonomic support without requiring complete redesign of the entire handle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a conventional uniform cylindrical handle to a multi-dimensional contoured shape with varying cross-sections along its length. By introducing dimensional variation in the handle's geometry (changing cross-sectional shapes and sizes along the longitudinal axis), the design accommodates the three-dimensional complexity of hand anatomy while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If extended period use of power tools occurs, then productivity increases, but user fatigue and stress worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended use capabilityVSAvoiduser fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle incorporates contoured surfaces and recesses that preemptively cushion and distribute the contact pressure before the user experiences fatigue. The specific geometry of the proximal and distal portions creates natural pressure distribution zones that reduce stress on the hand during extended use, preventing fatigue before it occurs rather than attempting to relieve it after.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If uniform handle cross-section is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but hand anatomy accommodation is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand fitVSAvoidhandle production

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11260518B2Ergonomic handle for power tool

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 BLACK & DECKER CORP

AI summary

An ergonomic handle is disclosed for use with a power tool, the power tool having a power source, a housing containing a source of motion, and a tool holder coupled the housing and defining a tool holder axis and a forward direction toward a working end of the tool and rearward direction away from the working end of the tool. The handle includes a handle portion having a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end coupleable to the power source, and defining, from the proximal end to the distal end, a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region, and defining a handle axis that is generally transverse to the tool holder axis. The first region includes a switch for actuating the source of motion and adapted to receive a user's thumb and forefinger when the forefinger is actuating the switch. The second region is adapted to receive the user's middle finger, the third region is adapted to receive the user's ring finger; and the fourth region adapted to receive the user's pinky finger. Each of the second region, the third region, and the fourth region includes a generally oval cross section having a major axis and a minor axis. The cross section having the longest major axis is positioned in the third region, the cross section having the shortest major axis is positioned in the fourth region, the cross section having the shortest minor axis is positioned in the second region, and the cross section having the longest minor axis is positioned in the fourth region.