Hand-held Power Tool Housing Groove-Spring Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held power tool housings face issues with dimensional instability due to plastic injection molding, requiring internal reinforcing stays that increase material usage and create ventilation flow interference, and existing connections are not sufficiently strong or stable.
Innovation Solution
A groove-spring connection is introduced on the edges of the housing parts, allowing for a form-fitting assembly that omits the need for external reinforcing stays, providing a secure and stable fit while maintaining material efficiency and improving ventilation flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal reinforcing stays and reinforcing bars are used to stabilize the connection between housing parts, then the connection stability is improved, but material usage increases and collapse points are created
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the internal reinforcing stays and reinforcing bars from the housing connection structure. Instead of adding these internal elements, the patent uses the outer shell surfaces themselves to form the connection through complementary grooves and springs that engage directly with each other, removing the need for separate reinforcing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: a groove formed in the first shell and a spring formed in the second shell. These segmented elements work together to provide both connection and reinforcement functions that were previously required to be provided by separate internal stays and bars.
2Reliability
If internal reinforcing stays and reinforcing bars are used to stabilize the connection between housing parts, then the connection stability is improved, but unwanted air turbulence is created that interferes with ventilation flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the internal reinforcing elements that were causing air turbulence from the ventilation path. By moving the connection mechanism to the outer shell surfaces, the internal ventilation channels remain clear and unobstructed, eliminating the harmful air turbulence effect.
3Loss of substance
If reinforcing stays and reinforcing bars are made very thin to save materials, then material usage is reduced, but the strength of the connection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism combines two different structural features - a groove and a spring - that work together to provide both material efficiency and connection strength. The spring element provides flexibility and engagement force, while the groove provides structural support and positioning, creating a composite connection system.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic injection molding is used to manufacture housing parts, then manufacturing ease is improved, but dimensional instability occurs due to warpage and shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection design incorporates complementary grooves and springs with specific dimensional relationships that accommodate the dimensional variations inherent in injection molding. The form-fitting nature of these elements allows them to work together effectively even when individual components have slight dimensional deviations from the mold.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held power tool housing is disclosed. The housing includes a first housing part on the edge of which a first rebate is formed and a second housing part on the edge of which a second rebate is formed. The first rebate and the second rebate are formed in a complementary manner to one another such that the first housing part and the second housing part can be assembled in an assembly direction. A groove is formed on the edge of the first housing part and a spring is formed on the edge of the second housing part, forming an interlocking groove-spring connection in a transverse direction to the assembly direction.