Flexible LED Wiring for Power Tool Parameter Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power tools face design and positioning limitations due to the rigid attachment of illumination devices to the circuit board, which restricts the placement of mechanical devices for setting working parameters and can compromise cooling fin space, affecting reliability and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible wires to indirectly connect the illumination device's electrical contacts to the printed circuit board allows for flexible placement of the illumination device and mechanical devices, enabling greater variability in arrangement and easier assembly, while also allowing the illumination device to be easily replaced and moved with the mechanical device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the illumination device is rigidly attached to the circuit board, then the electrical connection is stable and simple, but the position of the illumination device is limited and the design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the connection system into separate functional elements: the circuit board, the illumination device, and flexible wires as independent components. This segmentation allows the illumination device to be positioned independently from the circuit board, enabling flexible placement to illuminate mechanical devices located away from the circuit board area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible wires instead of rigid connections to link the illumination device to the circuit board. These flexible wires provide both electrical connection and mechanical flexibility, allowing the illumination device to be positioned at various locations while maintaining stable electrical contact with the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the illumination device is positioned near the circuit board, then the connection is simple, but the mechanical device for setting working parameters cannot be properly illuminated when located elsewhere

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination of mechanical deviceVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the illumination device's reach beyond the immediate vicinity of the circuit board by using flexible wires that can route through available spaces within the power tool housing. This allows the illumination device to illuminate mechanical devices located in different spatial zones without requiring the mechanical device to be adjacent to the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the circuit board is positioned to accommodate cooling fins, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the mechanical device for setting working parameters cannot be illuminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidvisibility of mechanical device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible wires act as intermediaries that transmit both electrical power and positional flexibility from the circuit board to the illumination device. This intermediary connection allows the circuit board to be positioned optimally for cooling fin accommodation while the illumination device can be positioned separately to illuminate the mechanical device for setting working parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances the flexibility and reliability of power tool design, allowing for improved placement of mechanical devices, reduced space constraints, and easier assembly, while maintaining efficient energy use and visibility of operational parameters.

Implementation Method 1

the illumination device comprises at least one LED

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3326758B1Power tool
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 VALENTINI GUIDO (I) (IT)
  • EP3326758B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3326758B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3326758B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a power tool (10) comprising a mechanical device (50) for setting a working parameter of said power tool (10) via a potentiometer (56) that is adjustable via the mechanical device for setting the working parameter, the power tool (10) further comprising a printed circuit board (44) and an illumination device (64), in particular an LED (70), with electrical contacts (72), the illumination device (64) being adapted for illuminating the mechanical device (50) for setting the working parameter. The electrical contacts (72) of the illumination device (64) are indirectly connected to the printed circuit board (44) via flexible wires (74).