Support Arm Cooling Structure for Dust-Sealed Cutting Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held work tools for cutting and abrading hard materials like concrete and stone generate excessive heat and vibration, which can lead to overheating and discomfort for operators, and there is a need for efficient cooling and vibration reduction.
Innovation Solution
A support arm that encloses and thermally conducts heat away from the electric motor, combined with a vibration isolation system and a single fan that cools both the motor and battery, while guiding cooling air through a conduit to minimize dust and debris entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric motor is enclosed in a sealed belt chamber to protect it from dust and debris, then reliability is improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm acts as a protective enclosure (shell) that seals the motor from dust and debris while incorporating thermal conduction features. The support arm is made of thermally conductive material and includes cooling flanges that conduct heat away from the motor, allowing the shell to simultaneously provide protection and heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm serves as an intermediary structure between the motor and the external environment. It provides a thermally conductive path for heat transfer from the motor to the surrounding air, while also providing mechanical protection. The cooling flanges extend from the support arm to increase the surface area for heat dissipation.
2Device complexity
If a single fan is used to cool both the motor and battery, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency for each component may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single fan is designed to perform multiple functions: it draws cooling air through the motor housing to cool the motor, and also directs air flow through the battery compartment to cool the battery. The support arm with its thermal conduction features and the housing design work together to distribute the single fan's cooling capacity to multiple heat-generating components.
3Reliability
If cooling air is guided through a conduit to increase air pressure and prevent dust entry, then protection from debris is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm combines multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the motor, acts as a thermal conduction path for heat dissipation, and forms part of the sealed enclosure that prevents dust and debris entry. The housing integrates the cooling air flow path, eliminating the need for separate complex conduit systems while maintaining positive pressure to prevent contaminant ingress.
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 dissipates heat from the motor, reduces vibration, and minimizes dust and debris ingress, enhancing operator comfort and tool longevity.
Implementation Method 1
the support arm is a thermally conductive support arm arranged to support the electric motor by a support surface at the second end of the support arm, wherein the support arm comprises one or more cooling flanges arranged to conduct heat away from the electric motor via the support surface
Implementation Method 2
the hand-held work tool comprises a fan, configured to generate a flow of cooling air
Implementation Method 3
A portion of the flow of cooling air is arranged to be guided via at least one opening into the interior space, thereby increasing an air pressure in the belt guard interior space above an ambient air pressure level
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A support arm (240) for a hand-held work tool (100, 200, 800, 1000), the work tool comprising an electric motor (140) arranged to drive a circular cutting tool (130). The support arm (240) is arranged to support the circular cutting tool (130) on a first end (241) of the support arm, and to support the electric motor (140) at a second end of the support arm (242) opposite to the first end (241). The support arm (240) is arranged to at least partially enclose the electric motor (140).