Machine Tool Electronics Carrier With Integrated Heat Sink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine tool devices lack a compact and easily expandable electronics pre-assembly assembly for efficient control and regulation of machine tools, particularly in electric screwdrivers, with inadequate cooling and integration of components.

Innovation Solution

A machine tool device featuring a carrier unit that accommodates a switch unit and electronic unit, with a heat sink element for cooling, and a pre-assembled electronics assembly that can be easily integrated into the machine tool housing, allowing for efficient control and regulation of the drive train unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a compact electronics pre-assembly is implemented, then integration efficiency and control capability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration efficiencyVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: a carrier unit that holds multiple electronic components, a separate heat sink module, and a switch unit. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing and assembly of each module, improving integration efficiency while managing complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple electronic components (control electronics, power management, sensors) are merged onto a single carrier unit, creating a pre-assembled electronics module. This combining reduces the number of separate assembly operations needed and improves integration efficiency, while the modular carrier design keeps the overall complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple electronic components are integrated on a single carrier unit, then space utilization is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink is extracted as a separate functional module that attaches to the carrier unit housing the electronic components. This extraction allows the heat dissipation function to be optimized independently from the compact electronic assembly, enabling efficient thermal management while maintaining high space utilization in the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic components are nested within the carrier unit structure, with the heat sink integrated into the same housing space. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization by vertically stacking functions, while the heat sink's thermal pathways are designed to extend outward from the compact nested configuration to ensure adequate heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of repair

If a pre-assembled electronics module is used, then ease of maintenance and replacement is improved, but initial device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidmodule integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronics system is segmented into a self-contained carrier unit module that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation dramatically improves maintenance ease, as the entire electronics assembly can be swapped as a single unit. The modular design with standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces manages the initial integration complexity through repeatability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic components are pre-assembled and pre-tested on the carrier unit before integration into the final device. This preliminary action ensures the module is ready for immediate installation and operation, simplifying the main assembly process and improving maintenance efficiency, while the pre-defined interface standards keep the integration complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides a compact, easy-to-maintain, and expandable machine tool device with efficient cooling and component integration, enhancing the control and regulation of machine tools like electric screwdrivers.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink element for cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heat sink element for cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3787842B1Machine tool device
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3787842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787842B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3787842B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine tool device comprising at least one switch unit (12a), at least one electronic unit (14a) and at least one support unit (20a) that can be disposed on a housing unit (16a; 16b) of a machine tool. According to the invention, the support unit (20a) is intended to accommodate the switch unit (12a) and the electronic unit (14a).