Power tool

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gardeners using blower vacuums face prolonged fatigue and work-related injuries due to the weight and size of these tools, which require constant manipulation and carrying, leading to inefficient cleaning operations.

Innovation Solution

A cordless blower vacuum design with a battery assembly positioned adjacent to the main body and handle, optimizing the center of gravity to minimize the force required for maintaining and adjusting the tool's position, allowing for ergonomic use with reduced wrist strain and improved directional control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the blower vacuum tool is designed with sufficient power and size to clean large areas efficiently, then cleaning productivity is improved, but the tool weight increases causing user fatigue and work-related injuries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtool weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The blower vacuum tool is divided into separate modular components including a main body, a removable battery assembly, and an operation conduit. This segmentation allows the heavy power-generating components to be distributed and removed when not in use, reducing the effective weight users carry during operation while maintaining full power capability when needed for cleaning productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery assembly is positioned in a specific location on the main body to optimize the center of gravity distribution. By strategically placing the heavy battery component, the tool achieves a balanced weight distribution that reduces the effective burden on the user's arm and wrist, allowing high-power operation without proportional increase in user fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If the blower vacuum tool is designed with sufficient power to reduce cleaning time, then cleaning duration is reduced, but the tool size and weight increase requiring constant manipulation effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning durationVSAvoidmanipulation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operation conduit is designed as a separate removable component from the main body. This allows users to easily attach and detach the lightweight conduit when starting and stopping cleaning tasks, eliminating the effort of manipulating the entire heavy tool for simple directional changes or task transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The center of gravity is optimized by positioning the battery assembly to create a balanced equilibrium point. This allows the tool to rest naturally in an ergonomic position during operation, reducing the constant manipulation effort required to maintain control while preserving high power output for efficient cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the battery assembly is positioned to optimize center of gravity for ergonomic use, then user fatigue is reduced, but the tool may become top-heavy or difficult to balance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidtool balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The battery assembly is positioned at a specific location on the main body that optimizes the center of gravity to create a natural equilibrium position. This strategic placement balances the heavy power components with the handle and operation conduit, allowing the tool to rest comfortably in the user's hand without being top-heavy or unstable, thus achieving both ergonomic comfort and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3220791B1Power tool
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 TECHTRONIC IND CO LTD
  • EP3220791B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3220791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3220791B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power tool comprises a main body (102) having an operation unit arranged to deliver a blowing or suction force to an operation opening (116), wherein the operation unit is powered by a battery assembly (112) arranged to be combined with the main body (102) such that a center of gravity of the combined main body (102) and the battery assembly (112), when in use, is arranged to urge the operation opening (116) towards an operating surface.