Electric Power Tool Suspension Link for Wrist Strain Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric power tools held by belts require significant wrist twisting for attachment and detachment, are cumbersome for users with corpulent bodies, and can obstruct movement due to their fixed posture and potential contact with legs, leading to difficulties in use and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

An electric power tool design featuring a suspension link that allows the tool to be held in a horizontal or inclined horizontal posture, reducing wrist strain during attachment and detachment, and incorporating a rigid, position-changeable suspension link with an elastic member for secure hanging and easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking member is directly fastened to the belt for secure holding, then the tool can be held firmly, but the abdomen becomes an obstacle for users with corpulent bodies, making attachment and detachment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holdingVSAvoidattachment and detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a belt clip as an intermediary component between the tool and the belt. The belt clip is fastened to the belt, and the tool is then attached to the belt clip. This mediator allows users with corpulent bodies to easily attach and detach the tool without the locking member being directly obscured by the abdomen, while still maintaining secure holding through the combined action of the belt clip and locking member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions the locking member at the rear end of the tool body, extending in the width direction rather than only in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional change allows the locking member to be accessible from the side or rear, avoiding obstruction by the abdomen during attachment and detachment operations.

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

2Device complexity

If the locking member is arranged below the grip part for direct belt fastening, then the structure is simple, but the locking member is hidden under the hand or arm when fastening, making it difficult to attach to the belt

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidattachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is positioned at the rear end of the tool body and extends in the width direction, creating a lateral profile that is visible and accessible from the side. This spatial rearrangement allows users to easily locate and operate the locking member without it being hidden under the hand or arm, while maintaining structural simplicity.

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

3Reliability

If the tool is fixed to the belt in a vertical inverted posture, then the holding is stable, but significant wrist twisting is required for attachment and detachment, impinging on the wrist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidwrist burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the tool posture changeable by allowing rotation around the locking member axis. Users can dynamically adjust the tool orientation to a horizontal or inclined horizontal posture during attachment and detachment operations, reducing wrist twisting burden. The tool can then be held in a stable vertical inverted posture when needed, providing both operational comfort and holding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the tool is fixed to the belt, then attachment is secure, but the tool may contact the user's leg and drop, restraining user movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoiduser movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic posture adjustment of the tool relative to the belt. Users can change the tool orientation to optimize clearance from legs during movement, preventing contact and drops. The tool remains securely attached through the locking mechanism while gaining adaptability in positioning, allowing free user movement without restriction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ease of use by minimizing wrist strain and preventing tool obstruction during work preparations, ensuring secure attachment and detachment without deformation, and maintaining tool posture stability.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member arranged inside the body part, the elastic member having a resilient holding action for holding the suspension link in the folded position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2301722B1Electric power tool
Publication Date: 2012.08.22 PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS POWER TOOLS
  • EP2301722B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2301722B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP2301722B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

An electric power tool includes a body part for outputting a rotational force at one end thereof, a grip part provided to extend from the body part in an intersecting relationship with the body part, and a suspension link provided at the other end of the body part for hanging the body part. The suspension link is configured to ensure that, if the body part is suspended from the suspension link using the suspension link as a pivot point, the electric power tool is kept by a weight balance in a horizontal posture in which the extension direction of the grip part is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction or an inclined horizontal posture in which the joint portion of the body part and the grip part is positioned at the upper side.