Electric Screwdriver Housing with Hidden Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric screwdriver housings often feature visible fastening elements, which can be aesthetically unappealing and complicate assembly and maintenance, while also potentially weakening the structural integrity of the handle.

Innovation Solution

The design integrates a first and second housing shell element connected along a contact line without visible fastening elements, forming a pistol grip handle, with internal components like a motor and control unit enclosed, and utilizes a drive train unit to fix these elements along a drive axis, creating a linear force transmission chain with minimal weak points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If visible fastening elements are used to connect housing shell elements, then assembly is simplified and structural integrity is maintained, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and user confidence is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiduser confidence in handle integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes visible fastening elements from the exterior of the handle by integrating them into the internal structure. The housing shell elements are connected through internal contact lines and fastening mechanisms that are hidden from external view, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate connection structure along the contact line between housing shell elements. This intermediate structure serves as a mediator that provides structural reinforcement and reliable connection while remaining invisible from the outside, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and perceived reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple housing shell elements are connected along a contact line, then manufacturing flexibility and assembly ease are improved, but the presence of visible fastening elements complicates maintenance and reduces aesthetic appeal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmaintenance simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into multiple shell elements that can be manufactured separately and assembled along a contact line. This segmentation allows for flexible manufacturing and easy assembly while the fastening elements are integrated into the internal structure, simplifying maintenance by allowing modular replacement without disassembling the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If housing shell elements are connected with fastening elements, then structural integrity is maintained, but the visual appeal and ergonomic design are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvisual appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fastening elements only in local areas along the contact line where structural connection is needed, while keeping the majority of the housing surface smooth and visually appealing. The fastening elements are positioned internally or in less visible areas, providing localized structural reinforcement without compromising overall visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3787843B1Electric screwdriver housing
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3787843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3787843B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric screwdriver housing having at least a first housing shell element (12a; 12b) and at least a second housing shell element (14a; 14b) which is connected to the first housing shell element (12a; 12b) via at least one contact surface (16a) of the first housing shell element (12a; 12b) and via at least one contact surface (18a) of the second housing shell element (14a; 14b) along at least one contact line (20a) between the first housing shell element (12a; 12b) and the second housing shell element (14a; 14b), wherein the first housing shell element (12a; 12b) and the second housing shell element (14a;14b) form at least in sections a handle (22a), in particular a pistol grip. According to the invention, the first housing shell element (12a; 12b) and the second housing shell element (14a; 14b) are connected to one another, in particular fixed to one another, along the contact line (20a), in particular at least essentially free from visible fastening elements.