Rotating Outlet Deflector for Pneumatic Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outlet deflectors for pneumatic power tools are complex in design and operation, requiring combined axial displacement and rotation to shift between axial and radial flow directions, leading to increased manufacturing costs and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A simplified outlet deflector unit with a cup-shaped deflector element and sector element that allows manual rotation to switch between axial and radial flow directions by aligning specific openings, reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs while enabling easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a previous outlet deflector design is used to switch between axial and radial flow directions, then the flow direction can be changed, but the structural design and operation become relatively complicated requiring combined axial displacement and rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow direction switching capabilityVSAvoidstructural design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet deflector is divided into a stationary housing and a rotatable deflector element with separate functional zones (axial flow zone and radial flow zone). This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently and enables simple rotational switching between flow directions without complex combined movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector element is designed to be freely rotatable within the housing, allowing dynamic switching between axial and radial flow directions through simple rotation. This dynamic design replaces the previous static or complexly-mechanized switching mechanisms, enabling operators to easily change flow direction by rotating the element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a previous outlet deflector design is used to switch between axial and radial flow directions, then the flow direction can be changed, but the number of comprised details increases leading to increased manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow direction switching capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The axial flow outlet and radial flow outlets are integrated into a single deflector element with continuous peripheral openings that can be selectively positioned. This merging of functions into one component reduces the total number of parts compared to having separate deflectors for each flow direction, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector element serves multiple functions: it can direct flow axially, direct flow radially, and be rotated to intermediate positions. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single universal component design with peripheral openings that work for both flow directions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized parts and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a previous outlet deflector design is used to switch between axial and radial flow directions, then the flow direction can be changed, but the operation becomes complicated requiring combined axial displacement and rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow direction switching capabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex combined axial displacement and rotation mechanisms as in previous designs, this invention inverts the approach by using simple pure rotation of a deflector element with strategically positioned peripheral openings. The opening positions are fixed on the deflector, and rotation alone achieves the flow direction switching that previously required complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2018251B1Sector divided two-way outlet flow deflector unit for a pneumatic power tool

Publication Date: 2015.07.08 ATLAS COPCO IND TECHNIQUE AB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

Figure 1~4

AI summary

A outlet flow deflector unit for a pneumatic power tool having a housing (10) with an outlet opening (13), comprises a cup-shaped rotatable deflector element (23) communicating with the outlet opening (13) and having at least one axially directed opening (37) and one radially directed opening (38) located within a certain angular interval (C) of the deflector element circumference, and a stationary cup- shaped sector element (26) located inside the deflector element and having radial opening (30) locating in a certain angular sector (A) substantially larger than the angular interval (C) of the deflector element (23) opening (38), and an axially directed outlet port (31), wherein the deflector element is rotatable to obtain alignment either between the radial openings (30,38) for a radially directed outlet flow, or between the axial opening (37) and the outlet port (31) for accomplishing an axially directed outlet flow.