Hand Tool Locking Device Actuated by Hand Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held power tools lack reliability and robustness in controlling the direction of rotation, as they often require multiple elements and complex configurations for blocking the rotation setting unit, which can lead to user errors and operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held power tool design featuring a manual switch that actuates a single blocking device to lock the direction of rotation setting unit, preventing changes during operation and simplifying the configuration by reducing the number of elements required, thus enhancing reliability and robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple elements and complex configurations are used to block the rotation setting unit, then the blocking function can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking function is segmented into a dedicated blocking device with blocking element and blocking position, separated from the rotation setting unit. This segmentation allows the blocking function to be implemented with a single, simple device rather than multiple complex elements, thereby improving reliability while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking function is extracted as a separate blocking device with its own blocking element and blocking position. By taking out the blocking function from the rotation setting unit, the patent achieves reliable blocking with a simple, dedicated component rather than complex integrated mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a single blocking device with one locking position is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the blocking effectiveness must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidblocking effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking device is designed with localized blocking elements and blocking positions that are precisely positioned to interact with the rotation setting unit. This local quality approach ensures that a single, simple blocking device can effectively block the rotation setting unit at specific positions without requiring complex mechanisms, thereby maintaining blocking effectiveness while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the blocking device is actuated by the hand switch, then the operation is simplified, but the hand switch design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidhand switch design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand switch is merged with the blocking device such that the hand switch directly actuates the blocking element. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms, allowing simplified operation where the hand switch simultaneously controls both the blocking function and the drive unit, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing hand switch design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3659754A1Hand machine tool
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3659754A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3659754A1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3659754A1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A hand-held power tool (100) is disclosed, comprising a drive unit (111), a hand switch (130) configured to control the drive unit (111), a direction-of-rotation setting unit (170) for setting at least one direction of rotation of the drive unit (111), and a locking device (140) for locking the direction-of-rotation setting unit (170). It is proposed that, when actuated, the hand switch (130) moves the locking device (140) into a locking position.