Multi-Axis Handle Damping with Elastic Ball Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held power tool handles often fail to effectively absorb vibrations, leading to discomfort and fatigue for operators due to inadequate vibration damping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A handle with a multi-axis joint unit featuring an elastic ball joint and additional damping elements, including a securing element to prevent separation, allows for enhanced vibration absorption and adjustable damping levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional isolating device with a bearing unit is used to connect the handle element to the power tool housing, then the handle can be connected to the housing, but vibration damping is insufficient and operator discomfort persists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite damping elements combining viscoelastic materials with metallic or rigid components. The viscoelastic material provides vibration damping through its characteristic damping capacity, while the rigid components maintain structural integrity and connection stability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by simultaneously achieving vibration isolation and reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent and frequency-dependent properties of viscoelastic materials to optimize damping performance. By selecting materials with appropriate glass transition temperatures and damping characteristics, the system achieves effective vibration damping across different operating conditions while maintaining connection reliability through controlled material property selection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a ball element with intermediate space filled with damping agent is used, then vibration damping is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the damping function directly into the connection structure by incorporating viscoelastic damping elements as integral parts of the mounting system. Rather than adding separate damping components, the damping material is embedded within the connection elements themselves, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective vibration damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin viscoelastic damping layers or films that are applied to or integrated with the connection surfaces. These thin-film damping elements provide effective vibration damping without adding significant bulk or complexity to the overall structure, resolving the contradiction between damping performance and device simplicity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an annular elastic damping element is arranged between the base body and handle, then vibration damping is provided, but the damping effectiveness is limited in multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the damping function into multiple discrete damping elements arranged in different orientations and positions. Rather than relying on a single annular element, multiple damping components are distributed throughout the connection structure, each handling vibrations in specific directions. This segmented approach provides comprehensive multi-directional damping coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional annular damping elements to three-dimensional damping structures that operate in multiple spatial dimensions. By incorporating damping elements with varying geometries and orientations, the system achieves effective vibration absorption across all three spatial dimensions, enhancing adaptability to vibrations from any direction.
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 handle effectively reduces operator discomfort by providing comprehensive vibration damping across multiple axes and ensuring secure attachment, even when the damping material fails, allowing for customizable damping levels based on application needs.
Implementation Method 1
The joint unit has a ball joint which has an elastic ball element (33), the ball element (33) consisting of an elastomer
Implementation Method 2
The joint unit thus has three degrees of freedom and allows the grip element to move relative to the fastening element in all directions and also has a vibration-damping effect
Implementation Method 3
The damping element has a securing element which, for example, prevents the gripping element from separating from the fastening element in the event of a failure of the damping element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a handle, particularly an additional handle, for a hand tool machine with a grip element (20) and a fastening element (10) for fastening the handle to a hand tool machine, and a damping element (30) having a joint unit (32, 52), wherein the joint unit (32, 52, 62) comprises multiple axes.