Hand Tool Handle Functional Part Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand tool designs lack an efficient and economical way to integrate functional parts into the handle covers without compromising the tool's functionality or user experience, particularly in terms of material compatibility and attachment methods.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a functional part on the inner surface of the handle covers, which can be glued or welded outside the user's detection and influence area, allowing for separate manufacturing and material independence, with options for varying hardness and attachment methods like ultrasonic welding, and the ability to have multiple functional parts on one or both handle covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the functional part is integrated into the handle cover as a one-piece design, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the versatility and material selection flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The functional part is separated from the handle cover, allowing them to be manufactured independently using different materials and processes. This segmentation enables the handle cover to be made from one material (e.g., soft plastic for comfort) while the functional part can be made from a different material (e.g., hard plastic for durability), thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and material flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional part and handle cover are combined through attachment methods (gluing, welding, or mechanical fastening) to form an integrated assembly. This merging allows the benefits of separate manufacturing (material flexibility) to be combined with the benefits of integration (structural unity), resolving the contradiction between versatility and manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If the functional part is attached using gluing or welding, then the attachment is secure and non-removable, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical fastening methods (screws, clips) are replaced with chemical bonding (gluing) or thermal bonding (welding) methods. This substitution provides more secure and permanent attachment while simplifying the production process by eliminating the need for additional mechanical fastening components and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment method utilizes changes in material properties through temperature (welding) or chemical composition (gluing) to create secure bonds. By changing the physical or chemical parameters of the materials during the attachment process, strong and reliable connections are achieved without increasing mechanical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the functional part is positioned on the outer surface of the handle cover, then it is easily accessible, but it interferes with the user's detection and influence area
Solution Approach 1:
The functional part is positioned on the inner surface of the handle cover rather than the outer surface, effectively moving it to another dimension (inside vs. outside). This allows the functional part to remain accessible to the user through the handle cover material while not obstructing the user's visual or tactile detection area on the external surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional part is nested within the handle cover structure, positioned on the inner surface but still accessible through the handle cover material. This nesting arrangement allows the functional part to be integrated into the handle assembly without protruding into the user's external detection and influence area.
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
This approach enhances the production efficiency and versatility of hand tools by allowing for secure, non-destructive attachment of functional parts that do not interfere with tool operation, providing additional features such as fall protection, spring mechanisms, or electronic components without affecting the tool's usability.
Implementation Method 1
The functional part is attached to the handle cover by gluing or by welding
Implementation Method 2
The functional part is attached to the handle cover by gluing or by welding
Implementation Method 3
The functional part is attached to the handle cover by gluing or by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a hand tool (1) comprising two tool halves (2, 3) arranged crossing one another in a joint region, like tongs or scissors, wherein a tool half (2, 3) forms a working region (6, 7) on one side of the joint region and a handle region (4, 5) on the other side, wherein each handle region (4, 5) is arranged in a first or second handle sleeve (8, 9) and the handle sleeve (8, 9) is provided with a functional part (13) projecting in relation to a flat surface extending over a substantial portion of the surface of the handle sleeve (8, 9). According to the invention, in order to advantageously further improve a hand tool of this type, the functional part (13) is adhered or welded to the first and/or second handle sleeve (8, 9).