Adaptive Heater Power Control for Work Apparatus Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing heating power based on the charging state of their energy stores, leading to reduced tool operating time and inconsistent heating performance.
Innovation Solution
A work apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the electric power supplied to a heater based on the charging state of the energy store, allowing for adaptive heating power and feedback control using temperature sensors, enabling efficient power management and extended tool operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the heater is operated directly with the voltage provided by the energy store to enable rapid heating, then heating speed is improved, but the maximum power made available to the heater varies with the charging state causing inconsistent heating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum power made available to the heater dynamic rather than static. The control unit continuously adapts the maximum power based on the charging state of the energy store, allowing the system to respond to changing energy availability while maintaining optimal heating performance at each state of charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of maximum power made available to the heater as a function of the charging state. By adjusting this parameter dynamically according to the energy store's charge level, the system achieves both rapid heating when energy is abundant and consistent performance when energy is limited, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and consistency.
2Power
If the heater is operated at maximum power to provide rapid heating, then heating effectiveness is improved, but the tool operating time is reduced due to faster energy depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum heating power based on the charging state, transitioning from static maximum power operation. This allows the heater to operate at high power when the energy store is fully charged while automatically reducing power as the charge depletes, thereby extending overall tool operating time while maintaining heating effectiveness when energy is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The maximum power parameter is changed as a function of the charging state. This parameter adaptation enables the system to optimize the trade-off between heating power and operating time, providing rapid heating when energy is abundant while conserving energy to extend operational duration when the charge is lower.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the control unit continuously regulates the electric power supplied to the heater, then heating performance consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit receives information about the charging state of the energy store and adjusts the maximum power made available to the heater accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to energy availability, maintaining consistent heating performance without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service by automatically regulating the heater power based on the charging state without external intervention. The control unit independently monitors energy availability and adjusts heating parameters accordingly, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining consistent heating performance through autonomous decision-making.
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 extends tool operating time by adapting heating power to the energy store's charging state, ensuring consistent heating performance and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater (12) for the handle (3)
Implementation Method 2
an electric energy store (7) configured to supply the drive motor (8) and the electric heater (12) with electric power
Data Source
AI summary
A work apparatus includes a tool, a drive motor for driving the tool, at least one handle for guiding the work apparatus during operation, at least one electric heater for the handle, an electric energy store which supplies the drive motor and the at least one heater with electric energy, and a control unit which is configured to control the electric power supplied to the at least one heater. It is provided that the work apparatus is configured to provide the maximum electric power made available to the at least one heater as a function of a charging state of the energy store. The control unit only switches the at least one heater on and off, and the heater in the switched-on state is operated directly with the voltage provided by the energy store.