Foldable Power Equipment Handle Orientation Interlock

Solution Overview

Problem

Power equipment handles that are collapsible or foldable pose a safety risk as they allow operators to be too close to the work implement when stored, potentially leading to unintended operation and harm.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of first and second orientation sensors to detect the positions of handle and chassis elements relative to each other and gravity, with a controller enabling or disabling the motor based on predefined orientation ranges to ensure safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the handle is made collapsible or foldable to allow storage in limited space, then the storage convenience is improved, but the safety risk increases as operators may be too close to the work implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of handle orientation and position before allowing motor operation. The sensors continuously monitor the handle angle and proximity to the work implement, and the controller proactively disables the motor before unintended operation can occur, preventing the safety hazard rather than reacting to it after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors and a controller as intermediary components between the handle position and the motor operation. These intermediaries detect the spatial relationship between the handle and work implement, and mediate the control signal to the motor, ensuring that operation is only permitted when safe geometric conditions are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the handle is positioned close to the work implement for compact storage, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the operator safety deteriorates due to potential unintended operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of handle orientation and position before allowing motor operation. The sensors continuously monitor the handle angle and proximity to the work implement, and the controller proactively disables the motor before unintended operation can occur, preventing the safety hazard rather than reacting to it after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors and a controller as intermediary components between the handle position and the motor operation. These intermediaries detect the spatial relationship between the handle and work implement, and mediate the control signal to the motor, ensuring that operation is only permitted when safe geometric conditions are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If orientation sensors and controller are added to prevent unintended operation, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical safety interlocks and physical blocking mechanisms with electronic sensors and a controller. Instead of using mechanical levers, switches, or physical barriers to prevent operation, the system uses electronic detection of handle orientation and position, followed by electronic control signals to disable the motor, achieving safety through electronics rather than mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Prevents unintended actuation of the work implement by ensuring the handle and chassis are within safe orientation ranges, thereby safeguarding the operator from harm.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor positioned to detect an orientation of the first element, in which the first sensor outputs a first signal corresponding to the detected orientation of the first element to the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a second sensor positioned to detect an orientation of the second element, in which the second sensor outputs a second signal corresponding to the detected orientation of the second element to the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250274069A1Prevention of unintended power equipment operation

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 BLACK & DECKER CORP

AI summary

According to examples, a power equipment may include a controller, a motor to actuate a work implement, a first element, a second element housing the motor, in which the first element is rotatably mounted to the second element. The power equipment may also include a first sensor positioned to detect an orientation of the first element and a second sensor positioned to detect an orientation of the second element. The first sensor outputs a first signal corresponding to the detected orientation of the first element to the controller and the second sensor outputs a second signal corresponding to the detected orientation of the second element to the controller. In addition, the controller may enable or disable the motor based on both the first signal and the second signal.