Removable Power Tool Handle With Battery Status Light Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery-powered power tools with interchangeable tool accessories face issues such as increased weight and difficulty in gripping due to motor-equipped accessories, and battery accessibility challenges due to integrated battery packs.

Innovation Solution

A power tool design featuring a removable battery housing with optical indicators and a handle that includes a light guide to indicate battery status, along with interchangeable tool accessories and multiple handle configurations for ergonomic grip and easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If motor-equipped tool accessories are used to increase power and functionality, then the power and versatility of the power tool is improved, but the weight of the power tool increases and gripping becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepowerVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power tool system is segmented into modular components: a battery housing containing the battery pack, a separate handle assembly, and interchangeable tool accessories. This segmentation allows users to attach only the necessary components for each task, reducing overall weight while maintaining power availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle assembly is designed to be removably attachable to the battery housing, creating a dynamic configuration system. Users can adjust the setup by attaching or detaching handles and tool accessories based on specific task requirements, optimizing the weight-power balance for each operating condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the battery pack is integrated within the power tool housing for compactness, then the device complexity is reduced, but the battery becomes difficult to access for replacement or maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidbattery accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery housing is designed as a separate, removable module that can be easily detached from the handle assembly. This segmentation maintains a compact integrated appearance during operation while enabling simple access to the battery pack by removing the entire battery housing unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack is extracted as a serviceable component within the removable battery housing. This allows the battery to be easily removed and replaced by simply detaching the battery housing from the handle, without requiring disassembly of the entire tool or access to internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If the handle is fixed to the power tool housing for structural stability, then the structural integrity is improved, but the adaptability and ease of assembly are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the handle assembly and battery housing is designed to be removably attachable, creating a dynamic system that transitions between connected and disconnected states. This provides structural integrity during operation while enabling easy assembly, disassembly, and configuration changes for different tool accessories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle assembly is designed as a universal base unit that can be configured with different battery housings and tool accessories. The removably attachable connection allows a single handle to serve multiple functions with different attachments, improving adaptability while maintaining structural stability when connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances user comfort and ease of use by balancing weight distribution, improving grip versatility, and facilitating easy battery access and tool interchangeability while reducing manufacturing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the battery housing comprises one or more optical indicators configured to indicate a status of the one or more battery cells or the power tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from optical indicators: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a light guide protrudes into the one or more housing apertures and the light guide is configured to guide light from the one or more optical indicators to an external surface of the handle housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP4431242B1Power tool
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 MTD PRODUCTS INC
  • EP4431242B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4431242B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4431242B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A power tool comprises a battery housing comprising one or more battery cells inside of the battery housing and the battery housing comprises one or more optical indicators configured to indicate a status of the one or more battery cells or the power tool. A handle is removably attachable to the battery housing and has a handle housing arranged to overlap a portion of the battery housing when attached to the battery housing. The handle housing comprises one or more housing apertures configured to receive light therethrough from the one or more optical indicators when the handle is attached to the battery housing.