Segmented Hammer Head Damping for Nail Tapping Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hammers or mallets with single-piece designs suffer from reduced tapping efficiency due to reaction forces causing nail bending or deflection, increased noise, and user discomfort, as well as premature wear of connecting surfaces from uneven stress distribution during tapping.

Innovation Solution

A force-limiting and damping device comprising a body, tapping element, elastic element, and reinforcing element, where the elastic element provides a guiding and supporting effect, and the reinforcing element absorbs torque, preventing deflection and extending service life by managing reaction forces through a combination of instant and delayed rebound mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-piece design of hammer head is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the hammer bounces during tapping causing nail deflection and reduced tapping efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidtapping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hammer head is divided into multiple segments: a body, a tapping element that can move relative to the body, an elastic element, and a reinforcing element. The tapping element is movably connected to the body, allowing it to move independently during tapping to maintain contact with the nail while the body absorbs rebound forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tapping element is designed to move dynamically relative to the body during the tapping process. This dynamic movement allows the tapping element to maintain continuous contact with the nail while the body absorbs the rebound force, preventing nail deflection and improving tapping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If an elastic element is mounted around the rod to provide shock absorption, then user comfort is improved, but the head deflects under reaction force causing connecting surface damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A reinforcing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the elastic element and the tapping segment. This reinforcing element acts as a mediator that distributes the reaction force from the elastic element across a larger area of the connecting surface, preventing localized stress concentration and head deflection while maintaining the shock absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing element is strategically positioned at the connecting surface where stress concentration occurs. It provides localized reinforcement to the connecting surface, enhancing its load-bearing capacity and resistance to deflection in the critical area without adding unnecessary weight or complexity to the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the elastic element inner diameter is larger than the rod outer diameter, then assembly is easier, but the elastic element moves relative to the rod causing uneven compression and deflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing element serves as an intermediary that connects the elastic element to the tapping segment. It ensures that the elastic element remains properly positioned and centered on the rod, preventing relative movement and uneven compression while maintaining ease of assembly through the larger inner diameter design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element is designed with a larger inner diameter than the rod outer diameter, allowing it to be easily assembled onto the rod. The elastic element's own elasticity and the reinforcing element's structure work together to automatically center and secure the elastic element in position, eliminating the need for precise dimensional matching while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the hammer provides only impact force, then the tapping action is simple, but the contact time with nails is short causing repeated tapping and increased noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtapping time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tapping element is designed to move dynamically relative to the body during tapping, maintaining continuous contact with the nail. This dynamic movement extends the contact time between the tapping element and the nail, reducing the need for repeated tapping and lowering noise levels while keeping the device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable tapping element ensures continuous contact with the nail during the tapping process by moving with the nail's resistance. This continuity of useful action maintains effective force transmission throughout the tapping stroke, reducing the number of repeated taps needed and decreasing overall tapping time and noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 device enhances tapping efficiency by maintaining contact time with nails, reducing noise and user discomfort, and prolonging the tool's service life by distributing stress effectively and preventing deflection, while providing a force-applying reminder effect.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic force of the elastic member 93 will make a bottom of the head 91 deflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The elastic element 93 may provide a shock-absorbing effect to the conventional industrial hammer 90

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the reinforcing element absorbs torque, preventing deflection and extending service life by managing reaction forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque absorption: Torque

Implementation Method 4

the elastic element provides a guiding and supporting effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4342636A1Force-limiting and damping device
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 SHIH JUI YUAN
  • EP4342636A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4342636A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4342636A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A force-limiting and damping device has a body (10), a tapping element (20, 20C, 20D, 20E, 201), an elastic element (30, 30F, 301, 30J), and a reinforcing element (40, 40A, 40B, 40F, 40I). The body (10) has a connecting segment (11, 11E, 11F). The tapping element (20, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20I) is movably connected to the body (10) and has a mounting segment (21, 21F, 21I), a tapping segment (22, 22I), a fixing segment (23), and a protrusion segment (24, 24I). The protrusion segment (24, 24I) is formed between the mounting segment (21, 21F, 21I) and the tapping segment (22, 22I). The reinforcing element (40, 40A, 40B, 40F, 40I) is mounted on the tapping element (20, 20C, 20D, 20E, 201) between the elastic element (30, 30F, 30I, 30J) and the tapping segment (22, 22I) and abuts against the protrusion segment (24, 24I).