Hand-Held Power Tool Holder With Integrated Light Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held power tool holding devices lack effective workplace lighting and secure, user-friendly mechanisms for holding and changing screwdriver bits during screwing processes, leading to potential safety hazards and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A compact holding device with a light guide for workplace illumination, a detachable and securely fixed design using a snap connection, and a magnetically held fastening element that allows for easy screwing and tool change, featuring a spring-loaded mechanism for axial adjustment between working and parking positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a holding device is added to a hand-held power tool, then workplace lighting and secure bit retention are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit retentionVSAvoidholding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated holding device: the light guide element is integrated into the holding device housing, the magnetic holding mechanism is built into the device structure, and the snap connection system combines both mounting and anti-rotation functions. This merging approach improves reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides workplace illumination through the light guide, secures the fastening element via magnetic force, attaches to the power tool using snap connection, and prevents rotation through shaped elements. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address multiple needs without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Illumination intensity

If a light guide element is integrated into the holding device, then workplace lighting is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkplace lightingVSAvoidholding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide element acts as an intermediary that channels light from the power tool's light source to the work area. Rather than incorporating a complex light source and optical system, the patent uses a passive light guide that simply redirects existing light, providing illumination while adding minimal complexity to the holding device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a snap connection system is used for detachable mounting, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential accidental detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool change speedVSAvoidmounting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The snap connection system is designed with preliminary anti-action features: the shaped elements on the holding device correspond to counter-contours on the power tool, creating mechanical interlocking that prevents accidental detachment. The snap connection requires deliberate force to disengage, providing both easy attachment and secure retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Reliability

If shaped elements are added to prevent rotation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation securityVSAvoidholding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaped elements are designed with asymmetric geometries that correspond to counter-contours on the power tool. This asymmetric design creates a mechanical interlocking system that prevents rotation in one direction while allowing easy attachment. The complexity is minimized by using simple geometric shapes rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Enhances safety and usability by providing reliable lighting, secure bit retention, and simplified screwing and tool change processes, preventing accidental adjustments during use.

Implementation Method 1

The light element is preferably embodied as at least one light guide, which is embodied to direct a light beam, which is generated by a light source provided on a hand-held power tool, to an associated work site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

The second holding unit preferably has at least one holding element, in particular a magnet, for holding a fastening element in the axial direction of the holding device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3517249B1Holder device for a hand-held machine tool
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3517249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3517249B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3517249B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a holding device (140) for a hand-held power tool (100) with a tool holder (210) which is designed to receive at least one insert tool, in particular a screwdriver bit, wherein the holding device (140) is provided for holding a fastening element (190), in particular a screw element, at least one light element (440) is provided which is designed at least for illuminating the work area, and a housing (142) is provided which has a first holding unit (150) for fixing the holding device (140) to a hand-held power tool (100) and a second holding unit (170) for holding a fastening element (190).