Chainsaw Control Portion Angled Grip Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Top handle chainsaws often cause discomfort and ergonomic issues due to sharp edges and inadequate grip design, leading to wrist strain and difficulty in maintaining a neutral position, especially as they do not fit various hand sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The control portion is designed with an angled support surface for the heel of the hand and recesses for fingers, combined with exchangeable parts made of ergonomic materials, allowing for adjustable fit and grip to accommodate different hand sizes and conditions, preventing the control portion from rotating in the hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a sharp edge is used as support for the heel of the hand, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the comfort and ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp edge with a rounded support surface for the heel of the hand. This curved surface conforms to the natural anatomy of the hand, providing comfortable support while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacture through standard molding processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If the control portion is designed with a fixed shape, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different hand sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the control portion expandable through an inflation mechanism. The control portion can be inflated to different sizes to accommodate various hand dimensions, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that can be modified through inflation rather than complex manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the control portion's volume and dimensions to be adjusted through inflation. This enables the same basic structure to adapt to different hand sizes by changing the physical parameters (volume, diameter) rather than requiring multiple fixed-size versions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control portion lacks recesses for fingers, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the grip stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control portion surface into distinct functional zones, including recesses for fingers and other grip areas. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific function in providing stable grip, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and manufacturable.
4Ease of operation
If the control portion rotates in the hand during operation, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an asymmetric grip configuration with recesses positioned in specific locations on the control portion. This asymmetric design works with the natural anatomy of the hand to prevent rotation while maintaining ease of operation, as the recesses are strategically placed to engage with finger positions and eliminate unwanted movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A chainsaw (1), comprising: a guide bar (10), a cutting chain (11) and a driving unit (25) arranged to drive the cutting chain (11) around the guide bar (10). The guide bar (10) defines a first longitudinal axis (16) extending along a centre of the guide bar (10). The chainsaw (1) further comprising a handle section (2) for carrying and operating the chainsaw (1), wherein the handle section (2) includes a control portion (3) disposed on the upper side of the chainsaw (1). The control portion (3) in turn includes a throttle lever (8) for controlling the speed of the driving unit (25) and the control portion (3) has a left (4) and a right (5) side. The control portion (3) defines a second longitudinal axis (17) substantially extending along an upper side of at least a part of the control portion (3). An angle, A, between the first (16) and the second longitudinal (17) axes is between 14° and 45°, and preferably between 14° and 35° and more preferably between 14° and 30°.