Handheld Tool Housing Rib Structure for Impact Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-powered tools face challenges in absorbing impact energy efficiently and cost-effectively due to increased weight and changed center of gravity, requiring complex and costly additional elastic components.
Innovation Solution
A work tool design with a continuous rigid rib region and continuous elastic expansion region in the tubular section, where the stiffness is lower in the elastic expansion region than in the rigid rib region, allowing energy absorption without additional elastic components, using a single material for the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional elastic components are added to cushion impact energy, then impact energy absorption is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the impact energy absorption function into the housing structure itself by creating an integrated ribbed design. The ribs are formed as part of the housing shell during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate elastic components. This combines the structural support function with the impact cushioning function into a single integrated element.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves its own impact protection needs through the elastic deformation capability of the ribbed design. When impact occurs, the ribs elastically deform to absorb energy and then return to their original position, providing self-cushioning without requiring additional components or external intervention.
2Strength
If housing wall thickness is increased to improve impact resistance, then strength is improved, but the operating area becomes less slim and more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating structural reinforcement only in specific areas where impact is most likely to occur. The ribbed structure is positioned strategically in the housing, providing enhanced impact resistance locally at critical points while maintaining thin walls in other areas, thus preserving the slim profile of the operating area.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall is segmented into regions with different thicknesses and structural characteristics. The ribbed sections provide localized reinforcement for impact protection, while the spaces between ribs maintain thinner wall profiles. This segmentation allows the housing to be both strong where needed and slim where it contacts the user's hand.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the housing is made from hard material to improve guidance rigidity, then operational stability is improved, but impact energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the housing by introducing a ribbed geometry that creates elastic deformation zones. The ribs are designed with specific dimensions and spacing that allow them to flex elastically under impact loads. This parameter change enables the hard housing material to exhibit controlled flexibility in specific regions, absorbing impact energy while maintaining overall rigidity for operational stability.
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 design enables efficient energy absorption upon impact, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining operational comfort and integrity, allowing a thinner wall thickness for a slim operating area.
Implementation Method 1
The continuous elastic expansion region serves to elastically absorb energy released upon impact of the work tool
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a hand-held tool comprising a housing (40) and a tool (39) arranged thereon. The housing (40) has a rear end (31) to which an operating area (2) of the housing (40) is assigned, and a front end (32) at which the tool (39) is arranged. The housing (40) has a first housing shell (11) and a second housing shell (12) which can be separated and reassembled in a separation direction (50) when assembling the housing (40). The housing (40) has an outer wall (3). The operating area (2) has a handle opening (33) that completely penetrates the housing (40) in the separation direction (50) and which is bounded in the region of the rear end (31) of the housing (40) by a tubular section (9) of the outer wall (3) of the housing (40). The outer wall (3) of the first housing shell (11) is reinforced in the area of the tube-like section (9) by a rib structure (10) located inside the housing (40).The first housing shell (11), viewed in the separation direction (50) on the inner side of the first housing shell (11) in the region of the tubular section (9), has a continuous rigid ribbed area (13) in which the rib structure (10) is arranged, and a continuous elastic expansion area (14) for elastically absorbing energy released upon impact of the working tool (1). The expansion area (14) is directly adjacent to the ribbed area (13) and is located at a greater distance (a) from the rear end (31) of the housing (40) than the ribbed area (13). The expansion area (14) is essentially free of a rib structure (10).