Motor Switch Adapter for Handheld Power Tool Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor-switch arrangements for hand-held power tools require precise matching of components and direct alignment for plug-in connections, leading to increased manufacturing costs and logistical efforts when producing devices with different equipment configurations, such as those with additional features like dust extraction.

Innovation Solution

An adapter is introduced between the switch and drive motor, enabling plug-in connections with differently aligned components by providing two transverse plug connections, which can be connected via stranded wires, allowing the same motor-switch arrangement to be used across various device types with minimal additional equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a direct plug-in connection is made between the contact plug and drive motor, then the assembly is simplified and connection stability is improved, but the components must be precisely matched and directly aligned which increases manufacturing costs when producing different device types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcompatibility across different device types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the contact plug and the drive motor. The adapter contains both a first plug-in connection for the contact plug and a second plug-in connection for the drive motor, allowing indirect electrical connection. This mediator enables compatibility between components that would otherwise require precise direct alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between connection stability and adaptability across different device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple device types. It provides a standardized interface that can accommodate different configurations of contact plugs and drive motors through its two plug-in connections. This multi-functional design allows the same adapter to be used across various device types, eliminating the need for precise component matching and direct alignment while maintaining connection reliability.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If components are precisely matched for direct plug-in connection, then assembly simplicity is improved, but manufacturing costs increase when producing series of devices with different equipment configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidflexibility for different device types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as a standardized intermediary that simplifies assembly by providing pre-configured plug-in connections. Instead of requiring precise matching of contact plugs and drive motors for each device type, the adapter acts as a universal interface that can be used across different configurations, thus maintaining assembly simplicity while increasing flexibility for producing various device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection system is segmented into three separate components: the contact plug, the adapter, and the drive motor. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standardized interfaces, enabling simple assembly while providing flexibility to combine them in different configurations for various device types, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the plug-in contact means are arranged in an easily accessible position, then direct connection is enabled, but the components must be precisely matched which increases production costs for different device types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for connectionVSAvoidcomponent matching requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter acts as a mediator that decouples the accessibility requirement from the component matching requirement. It provides easily accessible plug-in connections for both the contact plug and the drive motor through its two separate connections, while the internal wiring within the adapter handles the precise matching. This eliminates the need for precise component matching at the connection point, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1717931B1Motor switching device for hand held power tool
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 HILTI AG
  • EP1717931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1717931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1717931B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor-switch arrangement (50) of a hand tool device (2) comprises a drive motor (12) and a switch (20) by means of which the drive motor (12) can be actuated and which is electrically connected to a contact plug (24) which has plug contact means (26) that are shaped complementarily to mating plug contact means (28) of the drive motor (12) in order to enable an electrically effective plug connection (30a, 30b) between the contact plug (24) and the drive motor (12).It is provided that an adapter (44) is arranged between the contact plug (24) of the switch (20) and the drive motor (12), on which both a plug connection (46), through which an electrically effective first plug connection (30a) can be made with the mating plug contact means (28), and a mating plug connection (48), through which an electrically effective second plug connection (30b) can be made with the plug contact means (26) and which is electrically connected to the plug connection (46), are provided.