Swivelable Operating Element for Angle Grinder Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand power tools, such as angle grinders, often face challenges in providing comfortable and safe operation, particularly in confined spaces, due to the design of their handle and operating elements, which can lead to susceptibility to jamming and unintentional actuation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rod-shaped housing region with a swivelable operating element aligned parallel to the housing's direction of main extent, featuring a convexly curved operating face and a bearing system that includes a film hinge, allowing for easy operation from different sides and preventing unintentional actuation through an inhibiting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operating element is fixed rigidly to the housing region, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the device becomes susceptible to jamming during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is designed to be swivelable relative to the housing region through a bearing system, allowing dynamic adjustment during operation. This enables the operating element to adapt to different operational positions and reduces jamming susceptibility by eliminating rigid constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the operating element extends perpendicular to the housing region, then compact design is achieved, but comfortable operation in confined spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is extended along the direction of main extent of the rod-shaped housing region, utilizing the longitudinal dimension rather than perpendicular extension. This provides better leverage and operational comfort in confined spaces while maintaining a compact overall form factor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operating element has a flat operating face, then manufacturing is simplified, but operation from different sides is less versatile
Solution Approach 1:
The operating face is designed with a convex curvature instead of a flat surface. This curved geometry enables operators to comfortably actuate the operating element from different sides and angles, providing versatility for both left-handed and right-handed users while remaining manufacturable through standard molding processes.
4Reliability
If the operating element is exposed without inhibition, then ease of actuation is maximized, but unintentional actuation becomes a hazard
Solution Approach 1:
An inhibiting device is integrated into the operating element to prevent unintentional actuation before it can occur. The inhibition mechanism is designed to be simple, using a cover or shield that can be easily opened by the operator when intentional actuation is desired, thus preventing accidents without significantly complicating the device.
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
This configuration enhances operational comfort and safety by reducing jamming susceptibility and ensuring secure, controlled operation, suitable for both left- and right-handed users, while maintaining low production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A hand power-tool device (10) is proposed having a rod-shaped housing region (12), an operating element (14), and a bearing (18). The bearing exerts a bearing force that counteracts motion other than swiveling motion, enabling the operating element to swivel about an axis aligned parallelwise in relation to the direction of main extent.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-operated machine tool device, in particular for an angle grinder, includes a housing region and at least one operating element. The housing region is at least substantially rod-shaped and is configured to be used as a main gripping element. The at least one operating element extends in the housing region in a main extension direction of the housing region. The hand-operated machine tool device also has a least one mounting which supports at least one operating face of the at least one operating element such that the at least one operating element is configured to pivot about at least one axis aligned at least substantially parallel to the main extension direction.