Tool-Free Suction Nozzle Attachment for Hand-Held Mill Depth Stop

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction nozzles for hand-held milling machines are cumbersome to mount and remove, often requiring tools, leading to incomplete dust extraction and increased risk of damage during falls.

Innovation Solution

A suction nozzle with a releasable attachment mechanism to a depth stop, featuring a snap closure system with latching elements and a spring element for easy installation and detachment, and a ring-shaped design for optimal dust extraction, along with a transparent plastic construction for visibility and blockage detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the suction nozzle is firmly mounted on the hand-held milling machine, then the dust extraction reliability is improved, but the device complexity and risk of damage during falls increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust extraction reliabilityVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle is divided into separate components: a body portion and a mounting portion with attachment elements. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining reliable dust extraction when mounted, resolving the contradiction between firm mounting and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the suction nozzle is firmly mounted on the hand-held milling machine, then the dust extraction reliability is improved, but the damage risk during falls increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust extraction reliabilityVSAvoiddamage risk during falls
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient attachment elements are designed to act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact forces during falls. The resilient nature of these elements allows them to deform and absorb energy, protecting the suction nozzle from damage while maintaining reliable mounting during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a special tool is required for mounting the suction nozzle, then the mounting security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidmounting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements are designed to self-secure when the suction nozzle is mounted on the depth stop, eliminating the need for special tools. The resilient nature of the attachment elements allows them to automatically engage and secure the mounting position through their own elastic properties, providing both ease of operation and mounting security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If the suction nozzle is cumbersome to assemble, then the mounting stability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidassembly productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle is segmented into a body portion and a mounting portion with integrated attachment elements. This segmentation enables quick assembly and disassembly without compromising mounting stability, as the attachment elements are designed to securely engage with the depth stop while allowing rapid installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates safe and efficient dust extraction by simplifying the attachment and detachment process, reducing the likelihood of damage from falls, and ensuring effective dust collection around the milling tool.

Implementation Method 1

a first of the latching elements (11) is formed rigidly on the connection area (10) and/or a second of the latching elements (11') is formed resiliently on the connection area (10) by means of a spring element (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3634195B1Suction nozzle for a hand-held mill
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 HILTI AG
  • EP3634195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3634195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3634195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A suction nozzle (100) for a handheld milling machine (200), wherein the suction nozzle (100) has a suction-extraction connection (30), which is designed for connection to a dust-extraction system (300), and the handheld milling machine (200) is equipped with a depth stop (210), by means of which it is possible to delimit a penetration depth (ET) of a milling tool (220) of the handheld milling machine (200), wherein the suction nozzle (100) has a connection region (10) via which the suction nozzle (100) can be fastened on the depth stop (210) such that it can be released again, preferably released again without any tools being used.