Portable Tool Housing Part With Controlled Impact Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable power tools face a challenge in balancing low weight for ease of handling with sufficient rigidity to protect internal components from mechanical stresses during collisions, particularly in tools like chainsaws, angle grinders, and hedge trimmers.

Innovation Solution

A housing component with a functional structure that includes a contact section for direct impact energy absorption through deformation, a deformation zone to dissipate energy, and a stop section to limit deformation, designed to absorb and distribute impact energy effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the housing is made lighter for better handling, then the weight is reduced, but the rigidity and protection capability against mechanical stresses deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing weightVSAvoidprotection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into three functional sections: contact section (for impact absorption), deformation zone (for energy dissipation), and stop section (for structural support). This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the contact section can be lighter and more compliant while the stop section maintains rigidity for overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the housing have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The contact section has lower stiffness for impact absorption, the deformation zone has progressive stiffness for energy dissipation, and the stop section has high stiffness for structural support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by having lightness where needed and strength where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the housing is made more rigid to protect internal components, then the protection capability is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidhousing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffness parameter varies progressively through the deformation zone, transitioning from lower stiffness at the contact section to higher stiffness at the stop section. This gradient in mechanical properties allows the housing to be lightweight at the impact interface while maintaining overall structural rigidity for component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the housing deforms to absorb impact energy, then the energy absorption is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into three functional sections: contact section (for impact absorption), deformation zone (for energy dissipation), and stop section (for structural support). The stop section remains dimensionally stable to maintain structural integrity while the contact section and deformation zone deform to absorb impact energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformation zone acts as an intermediary between the contact section and stop section. It progressively deforms to absorb impact energy while the stop section maintains structural stability. The deformation zone mediates between energy absorption requirements and structural stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 housing component provides improved energy absorption properties, protecting internal tool units by dissipating impact energy and limiting deformation, thus preventing damage to the tool and its components.

Implementation Method 1

a contact section (101, 201) which is arranged and configured to directly absorb the impact energy and to deform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

dissipate impact energy in the form of shock energy in a collision direction by deformation in at least one defined direction relative to the collision direction and/or for a defined period of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4663351A1Tool and housing part for a portable tool

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO KG

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing part (10, 20) for a portable tool (1), in particular for a portable motor-driven power tool (1), and/or for a power supply unit (2) of a portable power tool (1), with a functional structure (100, 200) for absorbing impact energy during a collision, wherein the functional structure (100, 200) comprises a contact section (101, 201) which is arranged and configured to directly absorb the impact energy and to deform, wherein the functional structure (100, 200) comprises a deformation zone (103, 203) which is arranged on the contact section (101, 201) and configured to absorb a deformation of the contact section (101, 201), and wherein the functional structure (100, 200) comprises a stop section (102, 202) which is arranged and configured to prevent the deformation of the contact section. (100,200) to limit and transfer at least part of the impact energy. The invention further relates to a tool (1), in particular a portable motor-driven power tool (1), with at least one housing part (10, 20).