Handheld Power Tool Wireless Data Interface with Booster Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric hand-held power tools face challenges with inconvenient and unreliable data memory readout due to sensitive optical interfaces, requirement for power supply during data exchange, and cumbersome adapters, which affect robustness and usability.

Innovation Solution

A wireless data interface with a magnetically coupled booster antenna, allowing for robust and long-range data transmission, eliminating the need for physical connections and power supply from the tool battery, and enabling data exchange even when the tool is in a transport device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an optical or wired data interface is used, then data can be read out from the data memory, but the interface is sensitive to dirt and mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata interface reliabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to dirt and mechanical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical data interface (USB port or optical connector) with a wireless radio interface. This eliminates physical contact points that are susceptible to dirt and mechanical damage, thereby improving reliability while removing sensitivity to these harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the data interface is supplied via an auxiliary voltage from the battery, then data can be transmitted wirelessly, but the battery service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless data transmission capabilityVSAvoidbattery service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements energy harvesting through the radio interface itself. The radio waves received during data transmission are converted into electrical energy to power the data interface, making the system self-sufficient during operation and eliminating the need for additional battery power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the data transmission function with the power supply function by using the same radio interface for both purposes. The received radio signals serve dual purposes: carrying data and providing electrical energy through electromagnetic energy conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single system antenna is used, then the device structure is simple, but the data transmission range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rangeVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the antenna system into two separate components: a system antenna for basic communication and a booster antenna for extended range. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a booster antenna as an intermediary element that magnetically couples with the system antenna. This intermediary component extends the effective transmission range without requiring complete redesign of the original antenna system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the tool is placed in a transport device for storage, then the tool is protected, but data exchange becomes difficult with wired or optical interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange convenienceVSAvoidadapter requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical connection requirements (wired interfaces needing physical access) with wireless radio communication. This allows data exchange to occur through the transport device without requiring physical connection points or complex adapters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a robust, long-range data exchange connection that is not affected by environmental factors, simplifies handling, and conserves battery life by using electromagnetic energy for data interface power, enhancing the convenience and reliability of data readout.

Implementation Method 1

a booster antenna that is different from the system antenna and is magnetically coupled to the system antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3426441B1Handheld machine tool and amplifier antenna
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 HILTI AG
  • EP3426441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3426441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3426441B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held power tool having a data memory and a data interface that is signal-connected to the data memory, via which tool-related data can be read out from the data memory by means of a terminal , wherein the data interface comprises a system antenna for wireless radio data transmission, and the electric hand-held power tool comprises an amplifier antenna that is different from the system antenna, the amplifier antenna being magnetically coupled with the system antenna and being arranged preferably on or in the immediate vicinity of the system antenna.