Oscillating Multi-Tool Lever Clamp for Fast Accessory Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oscillating power tools require tools to change and secure accessories, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, lacking a convenient and tool-less mechanism for exchanging and clamping accessories like blades and sanding pads.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating power tool with a clamping mechanism that includes a lever, plunger, and spring, allowing for tool-less attachment and detachment of accessories by pivoting the lever to engage and disengage the clamping force, featuring a cam surface and detent for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fasteners (screws, hex keys) are used to secure accessories, then reliable clamping force is achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and requires additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The lever-operated clamping mechanism allows the user to directly actuate the clamping action through lever movement, eliminating the need for separate tightening tools. The spring-loaded plunger automatically engages with the accessory, and the lever mechanism translates user input into clamping force without requiring intermediate tools like hex keys or screwdrivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a static fastened state to a dynamic lever-operated system. The lever can be pivoted between clamping and release positions, allowing quick adjustment and exchange of accessories. The spring-loaded plunger provides dynamic response to lever movement, enabling rapid clamping and release cycles.
2Productivity
If a tool-less clamping mechanism is implemented, then accessory exchange speed is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like lever, cam surface, and detent
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single lever component: actuating the plunger, engaging the detent for positioning, and controlling the spring-loaded clamping action. The cam surface on the lever integrates the actuation geometry, allowing one component to perform what would otherwise require multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plunger acts as an intermediary between the lever and the accessory. Instead of the lever directly clamping the accessory, the plunger translates lever movement into axial clamping force, providing mechanical advantage and smooth force application while simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Reliability
If the lever is designed with a gap to allow rotation past release position, then complete clamping force relief is achieved, but the mechanism requires larger housing space
Solution Approach 1:
The lever's rotational movement utilizes angular displacement in addition to the axial dimension. By allowing the lever to rotate past the release position, the mechanism creates a detent engagement that provides a second dimension of positioning, ensuring complete force relief while maintaining compact housing dimensions through efficient spatial utilization.
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
Enables quick and secure exchange of accessories without the need for tools, improving user convenience and efficiency by providing a reliable clamping mechanism that maintains accessory alignment and secure attachment during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to provide a clamping force for clamping the output element
Implementation Method 2
The plunger and the flange are threadedly coupled to each other
Implementation Method 3
The lever includes a cam surface including a substantially flat surface, the substantially flat surface configured to engage the plunger in the release position
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillating power tool includes a housing, a motor, a tool holder driven oscillatingly, a flange threadedly coupled to a plunger, and a lever pivotable between a clamping position and a release position. The flange is configured to be movable in an axial direction. The flange is configured to clamp the output element onto the tool holder in the clamping position and configured to be displaced a first distance from the tool holder in the release position. The lever includes a cam surface including a substantially flat surface configured to engage the plunger in the release position. In the release position, a gap is disposed between the lever and the housing to allow the lever to be rotated past the release position. The lever is configured to displace the flange a second distance from the tool holder, larger than the first distance, when rotated past the release position.