Protective Hood Stop Design for Angle Grinder Burst Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held power tools, such as angle grinders, face challenges in reliably absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy of broken cutting disc parts during a burst test, where the protective guard must limit its movement while effectively managing the energy absorption.

Innovation Solution

The hand-held tool incorporates a protective hood with an operating stop designed as an energy absorption element that yields under overload, featuring a counterbody and end stop to limit pivoting movement, and is made of metal alloys for enhanced strength and durability, with specific geometric configurations to manage kinetic energy effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operating stop is made rigid to reliably limit pivoting movement of the protective hood, then the limitation function is improved, but the operating stop cannot absorb kinetic energy during burst tests, causing damage to the counterbody

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelimitation functionVSAvoidenergy absorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The operating stop is designed to change its mechanical properties dynamically: under normal operating conditions it maintains high rigidity to reliably limit pivoting movement, but under overload conditions (burst test) it yields through predetermined breaking or deformation to absorb kinetic energy. This dynamic transition from rigid to yielding state resolves the contradiction between reliable limitation and energy absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The operating stop's structural parameters (strength, rigidity) are designed to change under different load conditions. The element is configured with specific geometric features and material properties that allow it to maintain integrity during normal use but undergo controlled breaking or deformation when exposed to excessive kinetic energy from burst tests, thus adapting its parameters to match operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the operating stop yields under overload to absorb kinetic energy, then the energy absorption function is improved, but the limitation function may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy absorption capacityVSAvoidlimitation function
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The operating stop transitions from a rigid state during normal operation to a yielding state under overload, dynamically adapting its mechanical behavior to the operational conditions. This ensures reliable limitation during normal use while enabling energy absorption during abnormal conditions like burst tests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The operating stop is pre-designed with predetermined breaking points or deformation zones that are prepared in advance to absorb kinetic energy during burst tests. This beforehand preparation ensures that when overload occurs, the element can immediately yield and absorb energy without compromising the limitation function during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the protective hood is designed with integrated counterbodies for both operating stop and end stop, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple counterbodies (for operating stop and end stop) are merged into a single integrated protective hood structure. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate components and simplifies assembly, while the manufacturing process is designed to achieve the required positioning precision for each counterbody location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the protective hood is integrated, the counterbodies are positioned at distinct locations and serve separate functions. This functional segmentation within the integrated structure allows each counterbody to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 ensures reliable limitation of pivoting movement and prevents damage to the counterbody by absorbing kinetic energy, even in high-energy scenarios, maintaining tool integrity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The operating stop can be deformed upon impact by material deformation. This deformation can be elastic and/or plastic.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The operating stop can be deformed upon impact by material deformation. This deformation can be elastic and/or plastic.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 3

The operating stop is designed as an energy absorption element which, in the event of an overload acting upon it by the counterbody, yields to the counterbody in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the protective hood

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation through deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4640369A1Hand-held work device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO KG
  • EP4640369A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4640369A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4640369A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held work device comprising a housing (2), a drive motor (3) arranged in the housing (2) for driving a tool (5) rotating about a rotary axis (8), a protective hood (51) wherein the protective hood (51) at least partially covers the tool (5), an operating stop (120) fixed relative to the housing (2) and a counter body (110) corresponding to the operating stop (120) and arranged on the protective hood (51), wherein the operating stop (120) is designed as an energy absorption element which, in the event of an overload acting on the operating stop (120) by the counter body (110), yields to the counter body (110) in order to absorb kinetic energy of the protective hood (51) and to protect the component of the counter body (110), and wherein the work device (1) comprises an end stop (101) for limiting the rotational movement of the protective hood (51) to an end position (25).