Power Tool Housing Grip Groove Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable power tools fatigue users when gripped directly from the back-end face, especially during prolonged use, due to the concentration of weight on the user when raised or drawn upward.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with side-face grooves and a back-end groove, featuring protrusions and a deformable elastomer sheet, allowing for a secure grip that distributes the weight and reduces fatigue by maintaining the web between the thumb and forefinger within the back-end groove, which is designed to provide a U-shaped concave surface for enhanced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the housing is gripped directly from the back-end face, then the user can powerfully press the power tool against the workpiece, but the weight of the power tool is strongly imposed on the user causing fatigue during prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable sheet made of elastomer is provided in the back-end groove. When the user grips the housing, the deformable sheet deforms to conform to the user's hand shape, distributing the weight and reducing pressure points. This flexible element allows the user to maintain a secure grip while reducing fatigue during prolonged use.
Solution Approach 2:
The back-end groove is designed with a specific U-shaped concave cross-section that changes the geometric parameters of the gripping surface. This shape, combined with the elastomer material properties, transforms the rigid housing surface into a compliant interface that adapts to the user's hand, reducing stress concentration while maintaining gripping force.
2Reliability
If the housing is gripped directly from the back-end face, then secure control is achieved, but the concentration of weight on the user's hand causes discomfort during extended operation
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable elastomer sheet in the back-end groove provides a compliant surface that deforms under the user's grip, filling gaps and conforming to the hand's contours. This ensures secure control of the tool while distributing the weight to reduce discomfort during extended operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing combines a rigid outer structure for structural integrity with a deformable elastomer layer in the back-end groove for ergonomic interaction. This composite approach maintains grip security through the rigid housing while the elastomer layer provides operational comfort by reducing weight concentration on the user's hand.
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
This configuration enables users to grip and handle portable power tools with reduced fatigue, allowing for prolonged use without feeling the full weight of the tool, especially when applying force or lifting, thereby enhancing task efficiency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable sheet formed of an elastomer is provided in the back-end groove
Data Source
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AI summary
A power tool (10) is provided with a prime mover (22) which causes the tool (20) to rotate and a housing (12) which houses the prime mover (22). In a back-end face that is positioned on an opposite side on the housing from a tool side, a back-end groove (50), into which a user can position his/her web between his/her thumb and forefinger, is formed. A pair of side-face grooves (30), into which the user can place the thumb and forefinger, are formed in both side faces of the housing (12). A depth changing portion (34) is formed in at least one of the side-face grooves (30), such that the depth is reduced toward the back-end face of the housing (12). According to this structure, even when the housing (12) is gripped directly from the back-end face, the user can easily draw up or raise the power tool (10).