Actuating Device for Hand-Held Power Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held power tools, such as angle grinders, face challenges in designing an actuating device that meets safety standards while maintaining ergonomic design and operational convenience, particularly in compact spaces, and preventing inadvertent activation during safety tests like the ball drop test.
Innovation Solution
A compact and space-saving actuating device with a pivotably mounted pawl and actuating element, where the pawl exerts an actuating force on the On/Off switch, utilizing a spring-mounted design to increase the required actuation force and ensure safe operation, allowing for a small pivot-angle range and optimal ergonomic design without compromising safety or convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-piece actuating device is arranged in the grip region to comply with safety provisions (ball drop test), then safety is improved, but the manipulation convenience deteriorates and the structural space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device is divided into two separate components: a pawl mounted on the handle housing and an actuating element mounted on the trigger. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the pawl can be designed for safety compliance while the actuating element maintains ergonomic manipulation, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation
2Volume of moving object
If the On/Off switch is arranged in the handle housing to utilize structural space, then space utilization is improved, but the ergonomic design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element serves as an intermediary component that transmits the operator's input force from the trigger to the On/Off switch. This allows the switch to be positioned optimally for space utilization while the actuating element maintains the ergonomic trigger interface, decoupling the ergonomic requirements from the spatial constraints
3Length of moving object
If a small pivot-angle range is used for the actuating device, then the operating travel is reduced, but the actuation force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-mounted pawl introduces dynamic characteristics to the actuating mechanism. The spring provides progressive resistance that adapts to the operator's input, allowing the system to maintain compact dimensions with small pivot angles while dynamically adjusting the actuation force requirements during the triggering sequence
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 solution enhances operational convenience and safety by increasing the actuation force as needed, preventing inadvertent activation, and optimizing the use of limited structural space within the handle housing, ensuring compliance with safety standards while maintaining ergonomic design.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating element, which, inter alia, may be spring-mounted, for example
Implementation Method 2
Upon an actuation of the On/Off switch, by means of a pivoting movement the pawl can be pivoted further in the direction of the handle housing... This is due to an additional driving of the actuating element, which, inter alia, may be spring-mounted
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held power tool, in particular an angle grinder, includes a tool receiver, a tool housing, and a drive motor arranged in the tool housing. The drive motor is configured to be switched on and off via an electric On/Off switch for driving the tool receiver. The hand-held power tool also includes an actuating device configured to actuate the On/Off switch. The actuating device has a pivotably mounted actuating element and a pivotably mounted pawl that is configured to be coupled to the actuating element. The pawl is further configured, in a free-running state, to move pivotably relative to the actuating element and, in an actuation state, to exert upon the actuating element an actuating force that actuates the actuating device.