Wireless Communication Device Protection in Electric Power Tools

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electric power tools face issues with wireless communication devices being damaged by vibrations and foreign materials accumulating on antenna units, leading to potential radio wave attenuation and data transmission disruptions.

Innovation Solution

The wireless communication device is covered with a shock-absorbing material, and the antenna unit is positioned higher than the trigger switch when the tool is stored, preventing collisions and foreign material accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless communication device is arranged inside the housing, then the device is protected from external damage, but the device may collide with surrounding structures due to vibration and be broken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from external damageVSAvoidvibration-induced collision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a vibration isolation member that is arranged between the housing and the wireless communication device before vibration occurs. This vibration isolation member absorbs and reduces the vibration energy transmitted to the wireless communication device, preventing collision with surrounding structures and potential damage.

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

2Ease of operation

If the antenna unit is stored at the end of works, then the tool is ready for storage, but foreign materials such as iron particles accumulate on the antenna unit and attenuate radio waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness for storageVSAvoidforeign material accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies another dimension by arranging the antenna unit at a higher position than the trigger switch in the vertical dimension. This spatial arrangement ensures that when the tool is stored in a tool folder with the output portion facing obliquely downwards, foreign materials accumulate at lower positions and cannot reach the antenna unit, preventing radio wave attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the antenna unit is positioned higher than the trigger switch, then foreign materials are prevented from accumulating on the antenna unit, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign material accumulationVSAvoidspatial arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the antenna unit with the wireless communication device housing, integrating it into the existing structure. The antenna unit is arranged to extend from the housing in a direction toward the output portion, utilizing the existing spatial framework of the power tool. This integration minimizes additional complexity while achieving the protective positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively protects the wireless communication device from vibration-induced damage and prevents foreign material accumulation, ensuring reliable data transmission by maintaining antenna cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

the wireless communication device is covered with a shock-absorbing material, the antenna unit being arranged to lie higher than the trigger switch when the electric power tool is stored in a specified storage state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2301720B1Electric power tool
Publication Date: 2013.07.24 PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS POWER TOOLS
  • EP2301720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2301720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2301720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric power tool includes a housing, a motor arranged within the housing (10), a power transmission unit (17) arranged within the housing for transferring rotation of the motor to a work tool (14), a motor control unit (20) arranged within the housing for controlling the rotation of the motor, and a trigger switch (18) retractably provided to the housing for instructing the motor control unit to control the rotation of the motor. The electric power tool further includes a wireless communication device (24) arranged within the housing for wirelessly communicating the work information on the content of works. The wireless communication device includes an antenna unit (30a). The wireless communication device is covered with a shock-absorbing material. The antenna unit is arranged to lie higher than the trigger switch when the electric power tool is stored in a specified storage state.