Progressive Compression Spring for Vibration Damping in Hand-Held Power Tools

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held power tools experience significant vibration at medium to high contact pressures, which is not adequately reduced by existing anti-vibration systems without increasing spring travel.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrically progressive compression spring with two or three stiffness ranges of different rigidity levels is used in the anti-vibration unit, allowing for a non-linear spring characteristic and adjustable stiffness without a thread dome, reducing vibration effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional linear spring is used in the anti-vibration unit, then the structure is simple, but vibration reduction at medium to high contact pressures is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration reductionVSAvoidspring structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a different wire diameter to create varying stiffness characteristics. This local variation in geometry allows the spring to provide optimized vibration reduction at different compression stages without requiring multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wire diameter parameter is varied along the length of the spring to create a progressive stiffness characteristic. By changing this geometric parameter, the spring transitions from a linear to a non-linear force-deflection behavior, improving vibration reduction effectiveness at medium to high contact pressures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the spring travel is increased to reduce vibration, then vibration reduction improves, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration reductionVSAvoidspring travel
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the wire diameter parameter along the spring length, the spring achieves a non-linear force-deflection curve that provides enhanced vibration reduction within a limited travel range. The progressive stiffness allows effective vibration damping without requiring excessive spring compression distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the spring with varying wire diameters provide localized stiffness optimization, allowing the spring to deliver maximum vibration reduction effectiveness within a compact travel envelope rather than requiring uniform high stiffness throughout the entire spring length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a threaded boss is used to attach the spring, then the spring can be securely mounted, but the adjustment of stiffness profile becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestiffness adjustmentVSAvoidattachment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded boss attachment feature is removed from the spring design. Instead, the spring is secured through alternative means that allow for simpler stiffness adjustment, possibly through direct placement or simplified retention mechanisms that do not require threading operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Stiffness adjustment is achieved by replacing springs with different wire diameter profiles rather than modifying the attachment structure. This parameter-based approach to stiffness control simplifies the attachment mechanism while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces vibration in hand-held power tools at medium to high contact pressures without increasing spring travel, providing a cost-effective and structurally simple means to manage stiffness, thereby enhancing user comfort and tool performance.

Implementation Method 1

the anti-vibration unit comprises a spring wire coil with several turns oriented along the vibration axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a non-linear spring characteristic of the coiled spring wire can be achieved... effectively reduces vibration in hand-held power tools

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3727762B1Vibration-dampened hand-held machine tool
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 HILTI AG
  • EP3727762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3727762B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3727762B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric hand-held power tool (100), in particular a drill or chisel hammer, comprising a percussion assembly (10) which vibrates along a vibration axis (A) and a handle assembly (20) which is vibration-decoupled via an anti-vibration unit (30). The anti-vibration unit (30) has a coil spring (35) which is oriented along the vibration axis (A) and which comprises multiple windings, wherein the coil spring (35) is designed as a cylindrically progressive compression spring (36) with two rigidity regions (S1, S2) with different degrees of rigidity.