Sheet-Metal Tool Holder With Tapered Elastic Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for holding tools, such as battery-powered drills, lack efficiency in secure storage and utilization of downtime for charging, and do not provide effective protection against environmental effects.
Innovation Solution
A holding part with a base, side, and cover parts made from sheet metal, featuring specific bending angles to create a tapered mounting region that securely holds the tool with elastic deflection, allowing contact-free identification and charging control, and integration of an RFID/NFC tag for tool verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the holding part is produced as a punched and bent part from sheet metal, then simple production is possible, but the bending point induces greater elasticity causing nonpositive holding of the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the holding part by optimizing bending angles (greater than 90° for bottom and cover parts, smaller than 180° for insertion parts) and sheet thickness to achieve the right balance between elasticity for easy insertion and structural integrity for reliable holding. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by making the holding part both easy to manufacture and reliable in function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the side parts are bent away from the base part to create a tapered mounting region, then the tool can be securely accommodated and protected, but the elasticity at bending points prevents positive holding
Solution Approach 1:
The holding part is segmented into functional zones: a rigid base part for mounting and structural support, and flexible side parts with insertion parts for tool engagement. This segmentation allows the base part to provide stable mounting while the side parts provide elastic, protective holding, resolving the contradiction between protection and positive holding.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the holding structure have different mechanical properties: the base part has high rigidity for stable mounting, while the side parts have controlled elasticity for protective holding. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction by providing both protection and appropriate holding characteristics in different locations.
3Reliability
If an identification control is integrated into the holding part, then incorrect tool usage can be prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical verification systems with electronic identification controls (RFID/NFC readers and tags). This substitution maintains high verification accuracy while reducing mechanical complexity, as the electronic system requires no moving parts and can be integrated into the existing holding part structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding part is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical holding, protection, charging, and identification verification. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate devices for each function, while maintaining high verification accuracy.
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 system provides efficient, secure storage and charging of tools, with minimal force required for insertion, and prevents incorrect tool usage through contact-free verification and display warnings, enhancing tool protection and utilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the side parts, which are connected to the base part with greater elasticity, are elastically deflectable when the tool is inserted into the mounting region and are therefore able to hold the tool in an elastic manner
Implementation Method 2
the mounting region becomes increasingly tighter the farther the tool is inserted into the mounting region, and the elastic restoring force, e.g., spring force, which holds the tool and is induced by the increasing deflection of the bottom part, thus becomes greater
Implementation Method 3
an identification control may be integrated into the holding part, which allows the tool to be charged only if the allocated tool is accommodated and furthermore induces a display as a function of the result of the control
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a holding part, and the holding part has a base part, side parts, insertion parts, a bottom part, and a cover part. The base part together with the side parts, the insertion parts, the bottom part, and the cover part is arranged as one piece, e.g., as a single piece. The side parts are bent away from the base part such that the holding part has a mounting region that tapers with decreasing distance from the base part.