Handheld Tool Modular Interface for Auxiliary Measurement Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand tools lack the ability to easily retrofit additional measuring devices and efficiently utilize measurement information for enhanced functionality and safety, limiting their versatility and operational flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A hand tool system with a battery interface and a separate measuring device interface that allows for the retrofitting of additional measuring devices, which can transmit and receive data wirelessly, and a control unit that processes this information to influence the work process, enabling enhanced functionality and safety features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hand tools are designed with fixed functionality, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but adaptability and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand tool system is segmented into a base hand tool unit and separate, detachable accessory devices (measuring devices, lighting devices, etc.). Each accessory can be independently attached or detached, allowing the hand tool to adapt to different tasks without permanently increasing its complexity. The measuring device interface and battery interface are separate from the main hand tool, enabling modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hand tool is designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of accessories. The measuring device interface and battery interface are designed to work with various measuring devices and power sources, allowing a single hand tool to perform multiple functions by simply changing the attached accessories rather than integrating all functions into the base unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If measuring devices are permanently integrated into hand tools, then measurement capability is ensured, but ease of operation and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device interface is designed to dynamically adapt to different measuring devices through detachable connections. The interface can be easily connected or disconnected without tools, allowing the operator to flexibly configure the hand tool for different measurement tasks while maintaining reliable electrical and mechanical connections during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring device interface acts as an intermediary between the hand tool and various measuring devices. It provides standardized connection points that ensure reliable data transmission while allowing easy attachment and detachment of different measuring devices, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If hand tools lack wireless data transmission capability, then device complexity is reduced, but information utilization and automation potential are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautomationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical data transmission methods with wireless electronic communication. The measuring device can transmit measurement data wirelessly to external devices or systems, eliminating the need for physical data cables and enabling automated data processing and analysis without significantly increasing the complexity of the core hand tool functionality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed to receive and process measurement data from the measuring device, enabling feedback-based automation. The control unit can use the received measurement information to automatically adjust hand tool operation parameters, stop work processes when conditions are met, or provide real-time monitoring, thus increasing automation while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If battery interface and measuring device interface are integrated, then device complexity is reduced, but functional separation and reliability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery interface and measuring device interface are segmented as separate functional modules. The battery interface handles power supply connections, while the measuring device interface handles data transmission connections. This separation ensures that power and data functions are independently optimized and can operate reliably without interfering with each other, while the overall system complexity remains manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2491604B1Hand-held tool, auxiliary measuring device for a hand-held tool and battery for hand-held tool
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2491604B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2491604B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held tool comprising a battery interface (12a, 12b). The hand-held tool has at least one measuring device interface (14a, 14b) which is designed to receive at least data including measurement data of an auxiliary measuring device for a hand-held tool (16a, 16b).