Rotatable Collection Bag Assembly for Power Tool Clipping Capture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of handheld outdoor power devices like hedge trimmers and chainsaws face inefficiencies in collecting vegetation clippings, as existing solutions require significant manual effort and often fail to gather all clippings thoroughly, especially when changing cutting directions.

Innovation Solution

A collection assembly integrated with the power device, featuring a rigid frame and a rotatable bag assembly that creates a seal with a rotatable plate, allowing for efficient clipping collection regardless of cutting direction without the need for reattachment or tool-assisted emptying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a collection bucket is used to collect clippings, then clipping collection capability is improved, but the device requires manual reattachment when changing cutting directions and tools are needed to empty the collection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclipping collection capabilityVSAvoidmanual reattachment and emptying effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collection bag is made rotatable relative to the rigid frame, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. The rotatable plate with creating seal mechanism enables the bag to rotate while maintaining a sealed connection, eliminating the need for manual reattachment when changing cutting directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The collection assembly is designed to be self-emptying through gravity. When the bag rotates to the appropriate position, clippings automatically discharge without requiring external tools or manual intervention, making the system serve itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If a fixed collection assembly is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the assembly cannot adapt to different cutting directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to cutting directions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collection bag transitions from a fixed position to a rotatable position relative to the rigid frame. This dynamic capability allows the bag to adapt to different cutting directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a rotatable plate mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3379917B1Collection assembly for a power device
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP3379917B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3379917B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3379917B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power device may include a blade assembly (20) that includes at least one cutting blade and a motor assembly (30) that powers the blade assembly (20). The power device may further include a collection assembly (70). The collection assembly (70) may include a rigid frame (100) defining an opening (180) and a bag assembly (110) operably coupled to the rigid frame (100) at the opening (180). The bag assembly (110) may include a rotatable plate (160) having an axis (200) extending substantially parallel to the blade assembly (20), and a bag (170), where the bag (170) creates a seal between the rigid frame (100) and the rotatable plate (160).