Machine Tool Energy Supply Device Nesting and Weight Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing large machine tools, such as chisel hammers, face difficulties in handling due to uneven weight distribution, leading to instability and potential damage, especially to the energy supply components which are often exposed.

Innovation Solution

The machine tool design incorporates an energy supply device that can be positioned between two housing areas, with interfaces for both mechanical and electrical connections, ensuring stable integration and balanced weight distribution, and optionally includes a ventilation channel with a fan for cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the energy supply device is positioned in exposed parts of the machine tool for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of damage from drops or impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of energy supply deviceVSAvoidprotection of energy supply components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The energy supply device is nested within the machine tool housing, specifically positioned in the counterweight element that is integrated into the housing structure. This nesting approach protects the energy supply device from external damage while maintaining accessibility through the housing design, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine tool housing is segmented into functional regions, with the energy supply device housed in a dedicated compartment within the counterweight element. This segmentation allows the energy supply device to be protected within its own enclosed space while the housing structure provides overall protection, balancing reliability with operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the machine tool has a balanced mass distribution for stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased weight and difficulty in handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of machine toolVSAvoidhandling of machine tool
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight element serves a dual function: it provides the necessary mass for stable operation of the percussion mechanism while simultaneously housing the energy supply device. By integrating the battery into the counterweight, the design achieves balanced mass distribution for stability without adding separate heavy components, thus maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The counterweight element and energy supply device housing are merged into a single integrated structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate counterweight and battery compartments, achieving stable mass distribution while reducing overall complexity and maintaining manageable weight for hand-held operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the energy supply device is integrated into the machine tool housing for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing and replacing the energy supply device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of energy supply deviceVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The energy supply device is designed with dynamic accessibility - while integrated into the housing for compactness, it can be quickly accessed by opening the housing or removing the counterweight element. This dynamic design allows the system to transition between integrated (for compactness) and accessible (for repair) states, resolving the contradiction between integration and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances the handling and stability of the machine tool by achieving better weight distribution and protecting the energy supply components from damage, while also ensuring efficient cooling and energy management.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one ventilation duct to contain at least one fan for generating an air flow through the at least one ventilation duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4114617B1Machine tool with energy supply device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HILTI AG
  • EP4114617B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4114617B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4114617B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machine tool, in particular a chipping hammer, having a drive, a hammer-action device, a control device, an energy supply device for supplying the machine tool with electrical energy, and a machine tool housing with a first and a second machine-tool housing region. The energy supply device can be positioned, from one direction, between the first and the second machine-tool housing region, a first interface being provided for the connection of the energy supply device to the first machine-tool housing region, and a second interface being provided for the connection of the energy supply device to the second machine-tool housing region.