Interchangeable Functional Units for Handheld Power Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power tools require multiple machines for different types of actuating movements and working elements, making them expensive and space-consuming for operators, especially in smaller shops or for private users.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held power tool with detachable functional units that can perform various actuating movements and use different types of working elements, allowing for a multi-action tool that can replace multiple machines with fewer, more affordable units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate power tools are used for different actuating movements, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the cost and storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power tool is designed with a universal tool body that can accommodate multiple interchangeable functional units, each configured for different actuating movements (rotational, orbital, linear). This allows a single tool to replace multiple specialized tools, reducing cost and storage requirements while maintaining optimized performance for each function through dedicated functional units

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate power tools are used for different working elements, then each tool can be optimized for its specific working element, but the investment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking element compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tool body is designed with a standardized interface that accepts various working elements including abrasive sheets, polishing pads, and cutting tools. By maintaining a single optimized tool body with interchangeable working elements, the system reduces the number of tools needed while ensuring each working element can be optimally configured for its specific application

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

3Device complexity

If a single power tool with interchangeable functional units is used, then cost and storage space are reduced, but the mechanism for detaching and attaching units must be reliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a permanent tool body and interchangeable functional units with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation allows for easy attachment and detachment while maintaining reliable connections through precisely engineered interface features that ensure proper alignment and secure mounting of each functional unit to the tool body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3012068B1Hand held and/or hand guided power tool
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 VALENTINI GUIDO (I) (IT)
  • EP3012068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3012068B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3012068B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention refers to a hand held and/or hand guided power tool (1) comprising a housing (2) with a motor (17) located inside the housing (2) and a working element (11) performing an actuating movement if the tool (1) is actuated. The motor (17) is adapted to actuate a tool shaft (23) in order to make it perform a rotational movement. The tool (1) further comprises a carrier element (28; 28') functionally located between the tool shaft (23) actuated by the motor (17) and the working element (11) for translating the rotational movement of the tool shaft (23) into the actuating movement of the working element (11). In order to provide for a power tool (1), which allows perfect working of a workpiece with different types of actuating movements and/or working elements (11), it is suggested that the working element (11) and the carrier element (28; 28') make part of a functional unit (27; 27') constituting a unit separate of the rest of the tool (1), wherein the functional unit (27; 27') comprises means (29a; 30; 30') for detachably fixing the functional unit (27; 27') to the rest of the tool (1), in particular to the tool shaft (23).