Hand Tool Polyolefin Protection Layer for Vibration and Shock Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand tools suffer from issues such as soreness and injury due to shake transmission, slipping, corrosion, looseness of locking parts, and the risk of electric shock, along with environmental pollution from electroplating processes.

Innovation Solution

A hand tool design featuring a shaft with adaptable affecting portions and a Polyolefin protection layer that provides elastic coverage, interlaced embossments for friction, and insulation, reducing shake transmission, slipping, and corrosion, while eliminating the need for electroplating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If direct touch of hard parts is used for force application, then ease of operation is maintained, but hand injury and soreness occur due to shake transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce applicationVSAvoidhand injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protection layer made of elastic material as an intermediary between the user's hand and the hard tool surface. This layer absorbs shake and reaction forces, preventing direct transmission to the hand while maintaining grip effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and hand injury prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection layer is designed as a flexible thin film that conforms to the tool's surface geometry. This flexible covering provides cushioning against shake and impact while allowing the user to maintain firm grip, addressing both operational ease and injury prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If irregular shapes with endpoints and protrusions are used for diverse part gripping, then adaptability is improved, but locking parts loosen and parts wear easily due to repeated force application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepart grippingVSAvoidlocking part integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection layer acts as a flexible shell that covers and protects the locking parts and irregular surface features. It distributes applied forces more evenly, preventing concentrated stress that would cause loosening of locking parts and wear of protrusions, while maintaining the adaptability of the irregular shape for gripping diverse parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protection layer provides beforehand cushioning to the locking parts and surface features before force is applied during operation. This pre-protection prevents damage from repeated use, maintaining locking part integrity and preventing wear of critical features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If electroplating is used for corrosion prevention, then reliability is improved, but environmental pollution and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the corrosion protection function from the electroplating process and implements it through a separate protection layer. This eliminates the need for harmful electroplating chemicals and sewage treatment while maintaining corrosion resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and environmental pollution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection layer can be made from cost-effective materials and applied as a disposable or easily replaceable covering. This alternative to permanent electroplating achieves corrosion protection without the environmental burden of heavy metal sewage, addressing both reliability and environmental concerns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If metal materials are used for hand tool construction, then strength is improved, but electric shock risk increases due to electrical conduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidelectric shock
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection layer serves as an electrical intermediary between the conductive metal tool and the user's hand. This non-conductive layer blocks electrical current transmission while allowing mechanical force transmission, thus maintaining structural strength benefits of metal while eliminating electric shock risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively absorbs shake, prevents slipping and corrosion, maintains locking part integrity, and reduces the risk of electric shock, all while minimizing environmental impact and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The material of the protection layer is soft and insulated. When it is settled and/or covered on the surface of the shaft, shake and reaction can be absorbed by the protection layer during the employment of the hand tool.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The exterior of the protection layer has a design. The design is formed by a plurality of interlaced embossment and depression. The surface of the plurality of embossment and depression are different extents of roughness.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The material of the protection layer is soft and insulated. When it is settled and/or covered on the surface of the shaft, shake and reaction can be absorbed by the protection layer during the employment of the hand tool.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS8850935B2Hand tool
Publication Date: 2014.10.07 KUO YU CHING
  • US8850935B2 patent drawing
  • US8850935B2 patent drawing
  • US8850935B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A hand tool includes a shaft, at least one affecting portion, and a protection layer. The shaft is like a bar, and can be hold by a hand. The affecting portion connects with the shaft. The affecting portion can grip a specific part which a user wants to control. The protection layer is settled and/or covered on at least one portion of the hand tool surface. The protection layer is lumpy and rough. Because of the protection layer, the hand tool is shake-proof, wear-proof, slip-resistance, and electric insulation.