Battery Tool Control Circuit with Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered portable tools like chainsaws and hedge trimmers can inadvertently activate, posing a surprise to users due to their silent operation when idle, especially for inexperienced users.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a control circuit with auxiliary switches, a timer, and indication means such as light emitting devices and a speaker to provide feedback on the tool's active or inactive state, preventing unintended activation by ensuring the tool only operates when intentionally used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If battery-powered portable tools operate silently when idle, then energy efficiency is improved, but user awareness of tool status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including audible signals (speaker emitting sounds) and visual indicators (light emitting devices) that provide continuous information to the user about the tool's operational state. The control circuit monitors the main switch position and activates these feedback devices to inform users whether the tool is ready for operation or inactive, thereby compensating for the lack of auditory feedback from idle operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tool activates only when desired, then user safety is improved, but operational responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is configured to perform preliminary checks before enabling tool operation. The main switch must be activated to transition the control circuit to an active state, and the system provides advance warning through audible and visual indicators before the driven element becomes operational. This preliminary action sequence ensures user awareness while maintaining the ability for quick activation when desired.
3Loss of information
If auxiliary switches and indication means are added, then user awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit serves multiple functions: it monitors the main switch position, controls the driven element operation, and manages both audible and visual indication systems. The speaker and light emitting devices are integrated into the existing control architecture, allowing a single control circuit to handle switching, monitoring, and feedback provision, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 ensures user safety by clearly indicating the tool's status, reducing the likelihood of accidental activation and providing familiar feedback for users accustomed to petrol- or gasoline-powered tools, while allowing customization of sounds for personal preference.
Implementation Method 1
The indication means may comprise at least one light emitting device, and the control circuit may be arranged to illuminate at least one of the or each light emitting devices in order to provide the indication.
Implementation Method 2
The indication means may comprise a speaker, with the control circuit being arranged to provide the indication by causing the speaker to emit sound.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A battery-powered portable tool, such as a chainsaw, hedge trimmer or handheld drill, comprising: a housing (1), a driven element (2) supported by the housing (1 ), an electric motor (6) coupled to the driven element (2) so as to drive the driven element (2), a battery (5) electrically coupled to the motor (6) so as to supply electric current to the motor (6) and a control circuit (9) arranged to control the supply of electric current to the motor (6) from the battery (5), in which the control circuit (9) comprises a main switch (8) operable by a user and an auxiliary switch (10, 1 1) also operable by a user; in which the control circuit (9) has: an active state in which operation of the main switch (8) by the user allows electric current to flow to the motor (6) so as to cause the driven element (2) to be driven; and an inactive state in which operation of the main switch (8) does not allow electric current to flow to the motor (6) and so the motor (6) does not drive the driven element (2); in which operation of the auxiliary switch (10, 11) causes the control circuit (9) to change between the active and inactive states; and in which the control circuit is further provided with indication means (30) arranged to provide an indication to a user whether the control circuit (9) is in the active or inactive mode. The indication may be by the means of light emitting devices (31, 32) or a speaker (33); user-uplpadable sounds may be stored in a memory (34) of the tool to enable a user to customise the sound of their tool.