Interchangeable Tool Attachment Coupling for Secure Power Head Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor power tools lack a versatile and efficient system for interchangeable tool attachments that securely engage and disengage from a common power head, providing adequate protection and easy storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a power head with a motor, an attachment stem, a transmission shaft, a drive shaft, and a tool attachment unit, featuring a cover with an aperture and projections for secure engagement, along with a storage attachment that uses a bayonet slot for easy attachment and removal, ensuring secure operation and storage of various tool attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common power head is used with multiple tool attachments, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but secure engagement and protection during operation become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The power head is designed with a universal interface system comprising a drive shaft with splines and a standardized coupling mechanism that can accommodate multiple different tool attachments (cultivator, edger, trimmer, etc.). The bayonet-style coupling with spring-loaded lugs and corresponding slots provides a single standardized interface that ensures secure engagement across all attachment types while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A cover assembly acts as an intermediary component between the power head and various tool attachments. The cover includes a shield that extends to protect users from moving parts, and incorporates a coupling mechanism with spring-loaded lugs that interface with the drive shaft. This intermediary structure provides both protection and secure mechanical coupling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is added to protect users from moving parts, then safety is improved, but access to the attachment stem and difficulty of attachment/removal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates spring-loaded lugs that dynamically engage with the drive shaft slots. The springs allow the lugs to flex during engagement and maintain constant contact pressure, ensuring secure connection while allowing for easy insertion and removal. The shield is also positioned to provide protection without interfering with the dynamic engagement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a shield portion for protection, a coupling portion with spring-loaded lugs for secure attachment, and an aperture system for access. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system that balances protection with ease of operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transmission shaft is fixedly coupled to motor output shaft, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different tool attachments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is designed as a universal power transmission element with standardized splines and coupling interface that can connect to various tool attachments. The spring-loaded lug mechanism provides a standardized connection system that maintains efficient power transmission across different attachment types while enabling versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism with spring-loaded lugs acts as an intermediary between the motor output shaft and various tool attachments. This intermediary interface maintains direct mechanical coupling for efficient power transmission while providing adaptability through standardized slots and lugs that accommodate different attachment configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If no storage solution is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but storage and organization of attachments become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The power head is designed with a universal mounting interface that can serve dual purposes: operating the tool attachments and storing them when not in use. The drive shaft with splines and bayonet-style coupling with spring-loaded lugs provides a standardized interface that secures attachments during operation and can also securely hold multiple attachments for storage, eliminating the need for separate storage solutions.
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 solution enables secure, efficient, and versatile attachment of multiple tool units to a common power head, providing protection and easy storage, enhancing user convenience and tool compatibility while maintaining operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a motor positioned within the power head, an attachment stem removably coupled to the power head... The motor is rotatable in response to the user interface to rotate an output shaft extending therefrom
Implementation Method 2
a transmission shaft positioned within the attachment stem and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the output shaft, a drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis in response to rotation of the transmission shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A cultivator tool includes a power head having a handle and a user interface. A motor is positioned within the power head and is configured to rotate a drive shaft about a drive axis. The cultivator further includes an attachment stem removably coupled to the power head at a first end and removably supporting a tool attachment unit at an opposite second end. A cover is receivable on the attachment stem between the tool attachment unit and the power head to cover a cutter rotatably supported on the tool attachment unit. The cover includes an aperture configured to receive a projection extending from the stem to limit rotation and sliding of the cover relative the tool attachment unit.