Bidirectional Digging Tool Motor Control and Kickback Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digging apparatus often lack bidirectional rotation capabilities, leading to inefficient digging and potential user injury from kickback due to closed-loop handles and complex drilling bit engagement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A digging apparatus with a motor capable of selective bidirectional rotation, an S-shaped handle assembly for reduced kickback risk, and a simplified drilling bit connection system using an adaptor with aligned through-holes for easy attachment and detachment without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a closed-loop handle is used in digging apparatus, then the handle structure is compact and strong, but user hands may be easily hit by kickback occurring during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is divided into separate segments including a main handle, trigger guard, and auxiliary handle portions that are not fully interconnected. This segmentation allows the handle to absorb kickback forces without forming a rigid closed loop that could strike the user's hand, while maintaining structural strength through strategic connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
A trigger guard structure serves as an intermediary element between the main handle and the user's finger. This mediator component absorbs and redirects kickback forces away from the user's hand while still allowing operational control, preventing direct contact between the handle and user during kickback events.
2Productivity
If bidirectional rotation capability is added to the motor, then reverse digging becomes possible and efficiency improves, but the control system and switch mechanisms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The digging apparatus automatically determines when reverse rotation is needed based on operational conditions such as torque sensors detecting resistance or sensors detecting when the digging tool becomes stuck. The system self-manages the direction change without requiring manual intervention, reducing the perceived complexity for the user while maintaining bidirectional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Torque sensors and operational sensors provide feedback to the control system about digging conditions. When the sensors detect conditions indicating the need for reverse rotation (such as excessive resistance or stalled progress), the control system automatically reverses the motor direction, simplifying user interaction while enabling efficient bidirectional operation.
3Reliability
If existing drilling bit engagement mechanisms are used, then secure connection is achieved, but the mechanisms are complex to manufacture and operate and may require additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-component engagement mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simplified universal adaptor system. The adaptor uses basic threaded connections and simple retaining features that can be manufactured with standard processes and operated with common tools, eliminating the need for specialized manufacturing and tooling while maintaining secure connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal adaptor design is implemented that can accommodate multiple drilling bit types and sizes through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional adaptor simplifies manufacturing compared to dedicated mechanisms for each bit type, while providing reliable connections across different applications through standardized threading and retention features.
Data Source
AI summary
A digging apparatus (10, 300) is disclosed. The digging apparatus (10,300) includes a handle assembly (14, 14a, 314), a motor (32), a main switch (22, 322) electrically connected with the motor (32). The main switch (22,322) is movable between a first position in which operation of the motor (32) is allowed and a second position in which operation of the motor (32) is prevented, and a drilling bit (88, 88a, 388) is driven by the motor (32). The drilling bit (88, 88a, 388) has a longitudinal axis (P-P, M-M), and when the switch member (22, 322) is in the first position, the motor (32) is adapted to drive the drilling bit (88, 88a, 388) to rotate about the longitudinal axis (P-P, M-M) in a clockwise direction in response to pushing of the handle assembly (14, 14a, 314) in a direction towards the drilling bit (88, 88a, 388), and the motor (32) is adapted to drive the drilling bit (88, 88a, 388) to rotate about the longitudinal axis (P-P, M-M) in an anti-clockwise direction in response to pulling of the handle assembly (14, 14a, 314) in a direction away from the drilling bit (88, 88a, 388).