Grip Sleeve Passage Opening for Interchangeable Functional Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held tools with grip sleeves lack a versatile and secure method for accommodating functional parts, such as spring elements or LED lights, which limits their functionality and interchangeability.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held tool design featuring a grip sleeve with an elongate rectangular passage opening that allows for the secure plug-type mounting of functional parts, utilizing a flat region with parallel legs and an obtuse angle, enabling anti-rotation locking and easy exchange of functional parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a passage opening is provided in the grip sleeve for mounting functional parts, then the versatility and functionality of the hand-held tool is improved, but the structural complexity and difficulty of manufacture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passage opening is segmented into two distinct openings (first opening at the free end and second opening at the other end) along the longitudinal direction, allowing functional parts to be mounted at different positions and orientations. This segmentation enables versatile functionality while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by dividing the mounting function into separate access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passage opening structure serves multiple functions: it provides mounting for various functional parts (LED lights, spring elements, identification surfaces), allows anti-rotation locking through the flat region geometry, and enables easy exchange of functional parts. This multi-functionality approach improves versatility without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If functional parts are mounted on the grip sleeve, then the interchangeability and adaptability of the tool is improved, but the reliability of the mounting connection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidmounting connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flat region of the functional part has an asymmetric geometry with a specific width that is smaller than the passage opening width, allowing insertion from one direction while preventing removal or rotation in the opposite direction. This asymmetric design provides anti-rotation locking and secure mounting while maintaining easy interchangeability through the same passage opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The passage opening acts as an intermediary element between the grip sleeve and the functional part, providing a controlled interface for mounting. The opening's dimensions and geometry mediate the connection, allowing functional parts to be securely attached while maintaining reliability through the constrained interface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the passage opening has a rectangular cross section with a flat region, then anti-rotation locking is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-rotation lockingVSAvoidopening cross section precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flat region's width is specifically designed to be locally smaller than the passage opening width, creating a localized interference fit zone. This local quality difference provides anti-rotation locking through the geometric constraint while allowing the overall passage opening to be manufactured with standard precision tolerances, rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the functional part is inserted through the passage opening, then easy exchange and installation is enabled, but the functional part may become loose or disengage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidretention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric geometry of the flat region relative to the passage opening creates a one-way mounting mechanism. The functional part can be easily inserted through the opening, but the anti-rotation locking geometry prevents disengagement or loosening during use, providing both ease of installation and retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20250018550A1Hand-held tool and functional part for a detent connection with a grip region of a hand-held tool

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 KNIPEX WERK C GUSTAV PUTSCH KG

AI summary

A hand-held tool has two tool parts which are arranged so as to cross one another in a joint region, each tool part forming a working region on one side of the joint region and a grip region on the other side. Each grip region is arranged in a first or second grip sleeve and the first and/or second grip sleeve is provided with a functional part. The first and/or second grip sleeve includes a passage opening extending in a longitudinal direction of the first and/or second grip sleeve and forming a first and/or second opening having a free opening cross-section. The functional part can be inserted into the passage opening in order to mount it on the first and/or second grip sleeve. The first and/or second opening is of substantially elongate rectangular design with respect to a cross-section transverse to a passage direction of the passage opening.