Foldable Work Machine Handle Lock to Prevent Power Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machines, such as lawn mowers, face challenges in usability when storing, particularly in preventing accidental activation of the power source during folding and storage.
Innovation Solution
A work machine design incorporating a power source within the vehicle body, an extended grip portion that can be folded, a lock mechanism to secure the extended portion, and an activation suppressing mechanism that prevents power source activation when locked, ensuring safe storage and improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the extended portion is made foldable to improve storage usability, then the storage convenience is improved, but the risk of accidental power source activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock portion is designed to preemptively prevent accidental activation by requiring a deliberate locking action before the extended portion can be folded. The activation suppressing portion further applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the locked state and automatically preventing power source activation, thus counteracting the potential harmful effect before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the extended portion and the power source. It mediates the folding action by requiring explicit engagement, and the activation suppressing portion serves as another intermediary that detects the locked state and intervenes to prevent power activation, thus breaking the direct connection between folding and power activation.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent accidental activation, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock portion is merged with the folding mechanism of the extended portion, utilizing the existing structural movements. The activation suppressing portion is integrated into the control system, sharing sensors and control logic with other system components, thus reducing overall complexity despite adding safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation suppressing portion automatically detects when the lock portion is engaged and self-activates to prevent power source activation without requiring additional user input or complex control systems. The system monitors its own state and takes appropriate action, simplifying the control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine according to this invention includes a power source incorporated in a vehicle body, an extended portion extended from the vehicle body to form a grip portion and configured to be folded with respect to the vehicle body, a lock portion provided to lock the extended portion when the extended portion is folded with respect to the vehicle body, and an activation suppressing portion configured to suppress activation of the power source if the extended portion is locked by the lock portion.