Impact Tool Hammer-Case Lighting to Reduce Operator Glare
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Solution Overview
Problem
COB lights in impact tools can cause glare and decrease visibility due to light emission directly reaching the operator's eyes, and may deteriorate in performance upon impact, affecting the visibility of the workpiece.
Innovation Solution
The impact tool design includes a motor, a striker, an anvil, a hammer case with a groove, and a light positioned to illuminate adjacent to the anvil, with features such as a projection radially outward from the light and a bumper made of elastomer to protect the light and enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If COB light is used to illuminate workpiece area, then illumination intensity is improved, but glare to operator and decreased visibility occur
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary between the COB light and the workpiece area. The light guide member receives light from the COB light and guides it to illuminate the workpiece area, preventing direct light from reaching the operator's eyes while maintaining high illumination intensity at the workpiece
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member extends in the axial direction (another dimension) to transport light from the COB light located at the front of the hammer case to the workpiece area, separating the light source position from the illumination position to eliminate direct line of sight to the operator
2Illumination intensity
If COB light is positioned at front of hammer case, then visibility of workpiece area is improved, but light is vulnerable to shock and performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is nested within the hammer case structure, with the COB light received in a groove of the hammer case and the light guide member extending from the groove. This nested arrangement protects the light components while maintaining illumination function
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member acts as a protective structure that cushions the COB light from direct shock impacts. By positioning the COB light in a groove and using the light guide member as an intermediary, the system prepares for potential shocks before they occur, reducing the impact on light performance
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 design reduces glare and protects the light from damage, maintaining visibility and emission performance by positioning the light to minimize direct exposure to the operator and incorporating protective elements.
Implementation Method 1
one or more chip-on-board light-emitting diodes (COB LEDs) as light units
Implementation Method 2
a bumper being annular and comprising an elastomer, the bumper being located outward in a radial direction from the light unit
Data Source
AI summary
Decreased visibility of a workpiece for an operator is reduced. An impact tool includes a motor, a striker rotatable by the motor, an anvil strikable by the striker in a rotation direction, a hammer case accommodating the striker and having a groove, and a light received in the groove. The light illuminates an area adjacent to a front end of the anvil.