Power Tool Bit Holder Locking Mechanism Prevents Accidental Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tool bit holders can detach unexpectedly when external forces are applied, especially during lock release operations, due to the design's reliance on a ball-and-recess locking mechanism that may not securely maintain the bit holder under varying operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A power tool design featuring a holder mounting portion with a recess, a cylindrical portion, an engaging member, and a biasing member, where the engaging member can move between locked and unlocked positions, and an operating member with a movement control region to prevent unintended detachment, ensuring the bit holder remains securely attached even under external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ball-and-recess locking mechanism is used to allow easy attachment and detachment of bit holders, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the bit holder may detach unexpectedly under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static ball-and-recess design to a dynamic system where the engaging member can be selectively positioned between locked and unlocked states by the operating member, allowing the system to adapt its locking state based on operational needs while maintaining security during use
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member serves as an intermediary control element that mediates between the user's detachment intent and the actual engagement state of the engaging member, providing controlled transition between locked and unlocked positions while preventing unintended detachment under external forces
2Ease of operation
If the operating sleeve is made movable to enable lock release, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because external forces may accidentally trigger detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The movement control region is designed to preemptively prevent unintended movement of the operating member by maintaining engagement under normal external forces, while allowing deliberate user actuation to override this prevention when detachment is intended
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member is positioned and biased by the biasing member to maintain the engaging member in the locked position before any detachment action is needed, ensuring security is established in advance and only released when deliberately commanded by the user
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 solution ensures the bit holder remains non-detachably secured to the tool body during operations, preventing accidental detachment due to external forces and allowing easy attachment and detachment with minimal user effort, enhancing operational safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that applies a biasing force to the operating member so as normally to hold the operating member in the movement prevented position
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique in a power tool having a detachable bit holder for preventing a bit holder from being detached from the tool body even if unexpected external force is exerted on an operating member for lock release. A representative power tool includes a tool body, a single holder mounting portion. The holder mounting portion removably holds a bit holder selected from multiple kinds of bit holders for holding multiple kinds of tool bits in different manners. Each bit holder includes a cylindrical portion, a through hole formed through the cylindrical portion, an engaging member disposed within the through hole, a cylindrical operating member axially movably fitted on the cylindrical portion between a movement prevented position and a movement allowed position. The operating member is moved to the tool body side in order to be switched from the movement prevented position to the movement allowed position so that the holder mounting portion is allowed to be pulled out of the fitting hole.