Power Tool Storage Case Hinge Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power tool storage cases have low durability due to thin-wall hinge portions in the outer lid, leading to fatigue breakdown from repeated opening and closing operations.
Innovation Solution
The power tool storage case uses a common shaft for hinging the main body, lid member, and outer lid, enhancing the durability of the hinge portions and incorporating extension portions to prevent water and dust entry, while a latch system ensures secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the outer lid uses thin-wall hinge portions for connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the durability and service life of the outer lid deteriorates due to fatigue breakdown from repeated opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hinge connection structures by making the outer lid and lid member share a common hinge connection with the main body. The outer lid's hinge portion is integrated with the lid member's hinge portion, both connecting to the same hinge axis on the main body. This consolidation reduces the number of separate hinge components while distributing mechanical stress across a larger structural framework, thereby improving durability without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If the outer lid is made with thin-wall hinge portions, then the manufacturing cost and material usage are reduced, but the service life deteriorates due to fatigue breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge connection systems by integrating the outer lid hinge with the lid member hinge, both connecting to the same hinge axis. This shared connection structure reduces the total quantity of hinge material needed compared to having separate hinges for each component, while the distributed stress across the merged structure improves fatigue resistance and extends service life.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hinge portions are simplified with thin-wall construction, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to fatigue breakdown from repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hinge connection structures by making the outer lid and lid member share a common hinge axis and connection mechanism. This integrated approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by using a single hinge assembly rather than multiple separate hinges, while the distributed stress across the merged structure significantly improves fatigue resistance and reliability during repeated opening and closing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power tool storage case for storing an electric power tool includes an open-topped main body (2) having a storage portion (4) capable of storing an electric power tool, a lid member (3) having an end edge hingedly connected to an end edge of the main body (2), an outer surface facing upward when an opening of the main body (2) is closed by the lid member (3), and a sub-storage portion (21) formed in the outer surface of the lid member (3), and an outer lid (22) for opening or closing the sub-storage portion (21) and having an end edge hingedly connected to the end edge of the lid member (3), and another end edge engageable or disengageable with the lid member (3). The main body (2) and the lid member (3) are hingedly connected by at least one shaft (9), and the outer lid (22) and the lid member (3) are hingedly connected by the same shaft (9).