Power Tool Connection Terminal Non-Parallel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held power tools lack flexibility in design due to restrictive connection terminal configurations, limiting the degree of freedom for the shape of the grip and surrounding components.

Innovation Solution

The power tool features a connection terminal unit with inner and outer terminal portions formed by bending a metal plate, where the inner terminal portions are non-parallel and inclined to accommodate changes in the shape of the grip and battery pack mount, enhancing layout and design freedom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the connection terminal uses a conventional parallel configuration, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the degree of freedom for the shape of the grip is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegree of freedom for shape of gripVSAvoidconnection terminal configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal is designed with flexible bending sections that allow it to adapt to different spatial configurations. The terminal portions can be bent at various angles to accommodate changes in grip shape and battery pack mount configuration, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring multiple rigid terminal designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection terminal extends in multiple directions with terminal portions arranged in different planes. By utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement rather than a simple linear configuration, the terminal can connect components with greater freedom in grip design while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the connection terminal is arranged with unnecessary space, then the layout is simpler, but the space utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout arrangementVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal incorporates bent and curved sections rather than straight rigid connections. These curved portions allow the terminal to navigate around other components efficiently, achieving compact layout arrangement that utilizes space effectively without requiring excessive clearance or simplified positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the inner terminal portion is parallel to the outer terminal portion, then the manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability to shape changes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to shape changesVSAvoidterminal formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2965868B1Power tool

Publication Date: 2017.12.20 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

A hand-held power tool (10) includes a grip (15), a battery pack mount (16) located below the grip (15), and a connection terminal (30, 31) coupled to the battery pack mount (16). The connection terminal (30, 31) includes outer and inner terminal portions (34 to 37). The outer terminal portion (36, 37) extends from a lower surface of the battery pack mount (16). The inner terminal portion (34, 35) extends into the grip (15) or the battery pack mount (16). The inner terminal portion is non-parallel to the outer terminal portion. When the outer terminal portion lies along a sagittal plane that extends in a front-to-rear direction and a vertical direction of the power tool (10), the inner terminal portion lies along a plane that differs from the sagittal plane.