Removable Battery Protector with Clearance for Power Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery-powered power tools lack sufficient impact absorption protection for their battery packs, as direct cushioning members fail to provide adequate protection against impacts and drops.

Innovation Solution

A removable battery protector with a frame member, either rigid metal or elastic elements, is mounted to the tool body, creating a clearance between the protector and the battery pack to absorb external forces, thereby preventing direct transmission of impact to the battery pack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cushioning protection member is directly mounted on the battery pack, then the battery pack is protected against impact, but sufficient impact absorbing effectiveness cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidimpact transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protector as an intermediary component between the external environment and the battery pack. This protector includes a protection member with a battery pack protection area that is disposed with a clearance between it and the battery pack outer surface. The protector acts as a mediator that intercepts and absorbs impact forces before they can reach the battery pack, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces while maintaining reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by positioning the battery pack protection area with a predetermined clearance from the battery pack outer surface. This clearance creates a buffer zone that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the battery pack. The protection area is designed to deform or absorb energy during impact, providing cushioning protection in advance before the actual battery pack is subjected to harmful forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of repair

If a protector is removably mounted to the tool body, then the protector can be easily replaced if broken, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotector replacementVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the protection system into separate, modular components. The protector is designed as a distinct, removable unit that can be independently attached to and detached from the tool body. This segmentation allows the protector to be easily replaced if damaged without affecting the battery pack or tool body, while the modular design keeps the overall structure manageable through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances the protection of the battery pack by absorbing impacts and allowing for easy replacement of the protector if damaged, while maintaining operational flexibility and reducing the need for frequent battery pack replacements.

Implementation Method 1

the battery pack protection area is disposed on at least part of the outer surface of the battery pack with a clearance therebetween and prevents an external force upon the battery pack protection area from being transmitted to the battery pack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2080594B1Power tool and protector for power tool
Publication Date: 2013.04.03 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2080594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2080594B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2080594B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object of the invention to provide a technique to further increase protection performance for a battery pack of power tool. A representative power tool (100) may include a tool body (101) to which a tool bit is coupled to perform a predetermined operation, a driving motor that is disposed within the tool body, a battery pack that supplies driving current to the driving motor, the battery pack (111) being removably mounted to the tool body (101) and placed on the outside of the tool body in an exposed state, and a protector (121) that is removably mounted to the tool body (101) to protect the battery pack (111). The protector (121) may include a battery pack protection area (123,125) that protects the battery pack (111) mounted to the tool body (101) when the protector (121) is mounted to the tool body (101). The battery pack protection area (123,125) is disposed on at least part of the outer surface of the battery pack (111) with a clearance and prevents transmission of external force upon the battery pack protection area (123,125) to the battery pack (111).