Power Tool Handle Vibration Damping via Segmented Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handles for electric hand tools, such as drills and hammer drills, generate large vibrations, making it difficult to work accurately and without tiring, and are often expensive and complex to manufacture with limited material selection.

Innovation Solution

A handle design featuring a hollow grip element with a clamp holder and damping device, including a sleeve-like damping element and a spring damping element, provides effective vibration reduction while maintaining rigidity and robustness, allowing for secure handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a vibration-damping material is applied to both inner and outer surfaces of the handle in a single operation, then vibration damping is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and production process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidproduction process
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple components: a rigid handle body, a separate vibration-damping element, and a fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows the damping element to be independently manufactured and replaced, simplifying the overall production process while maintaining effective vibration damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration-damping function is extracted as a separate removable element rather than being integrated into the handle body itself. This allows the damping element to be produced independently using optimal materials and processes, then attached to the handle, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a vibration-damping material is applied to both inner and outer surfaces of the handle, then vibration damping is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration-damping element is designed as an inexpensive, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured from common elastomeric materials. If it becomes worn or degraded, it can be replaced without replacing the entire handle assembly, reducing long-term manufacturing and maintenance costs.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Vibration damping is applied locally at the specific location where vibrations are generated (at the interface with the power tool), rather than covering the entire handle. This targeted approach uses minimal material to achieve effective damping, reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the handle is designed with multiple damping elements and fastening mechanisms, then vibration reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidhandle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements are merged into a compact integrated assembly: the damping element, fastening mechanism, and connection interface are combined in a way that achieves effective vibration reduction without requiring separate complex components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle design incorporates dynamic elements such as elastomeric damping materials that can deform and adapt to vibration frequencies, and a fastening mechanism that allows for adjustment and tensioning to maintain optimal damping performance under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 achieves excellent vibration reduction with a simple and cost-effective construction, ensuring user comfort and secure operation by utilizing a dual damping mechanism that effectively transmits less vibration to the user.

Implementation Method 1

The damping device comprises a sleeve (7) and a sleeve-like damping element (8), which is fitted over the sleeve (7)... This ensures that sufficient damping is provided even if, during use of the power tool, a slight angular position occurs between the handle element and the clamping holder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The spring bellows is made of a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The spring bellows is attached to the clamping holder by means of a snap connection... The spring bellows provides additional damping when vibrations are transmitted from the clamping holder to the handle element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 4

The spring bellows is made of a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 5

a tapered section is formed in the hollow handle element, and the sleeve-like damping element contacts or rests against this tapered section... The tapered section within the hollow handle element is particularly preferably an arc-shaped section, so that the damping element rests against a bell-shaped inner area of the handle element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2244861B1Handle for a hand-held power tool
Publication Date: 2012.03.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2244861B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2244861B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2244861B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a handle for a hand-held power tool, comprising a hollow grip element (2), a clamping holder (3), and a damping device (6). The clamping holder (3) further comprises a housing (4) and a tensioning belt (5), wherein the tensioning belt (5) is disposed about a partial region of the hand-held power tool, the damping device (6) comprises a sleeve (7) and a sleeve-like damping element (8) and is disposed in the interior of the hollow grip element (2), wherein the sleeve-like damping element (8) is disposed on the exterior of the sleeve (7) and an interior surface of the hollow grip element (2) comes in contact with the sleeve-like damping element (8). The invention further provides an attachment element (9, 11), which is connected to the tensioning belt (5) and fixed to the sleeve (7).