Foldable String Trimmer Hinge for Cable-Protected Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
String trimmers with single integral poles are unwieldy and difficult to transport and store, and the electrical cables running through them are prone to damage during folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A string trimmer with a rotatable hinge and hub design that allows for easy folding, protecting the electrical cable and featuring a latch for secure locking and a guard that ensures safe folding and storage, while preventing accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single integral pole is used in string trimmers, then the structure is simplest and cheapest to manufacture, but the tool becomes unwieldy and difficult to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The pole is divided into two separate sections that can be connected via a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows the pole to be folded for compact storage and transport while maintaining structural integrity during use, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and transportability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism introduces dynamic capability to the pole structure, allowing it to transition between extended (for operation) and folded (for storage) states. This dynamic design enables the pole to adapt to different operational requirements while improving transportability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If the pole is made foldable for easier transport, then storage becomes easier, but the electrical cable running through the pole is prone to damage during folding and unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
A hub is introduced as an intermediary component at the hinge joint through which the electrical cable passes. This hub protects the cable from pinching and damage during folding and unfolding operations, allowing the pole to be foldable while maintaining cable integrity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub structure provides protective cushioning for the electrical cable before damage can occur during folding operations. By designing the cable routing through a protected hub rather than exposing it to the folding mechanism, the system prevents cable damage proactively.
3Ease of operation
If two separate poles are used instead of a single integral pole, then shipping costs are reduced and transportability improves, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and the poles are not easily taken apart
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism provides a dynamic connection between the two pole sections, allowing them to be easily assembled and disassembled by simple rotational movements. This replaces complex assembly procedures with intuitive folding/unfolding actions, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining transportability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design enables the user to assemble and disassemble the pole sections without requiring tools or complex procedures. The self-contained hinge mechanism allows the pole to service its own assembly and disassembly needs, eliminating the need for external assistance or complicated fastening systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to an outdoor device, preferably a string trimmer, having a hinged pole for folding the string trimmer. The hinge has an easy to use lock that allows for repeated folding of the trimmer for easy transport and storage. The string trimmer has a battery at a rear end of the pole near the handle, and a motor at a front end on the cutting head. An electrical cable is run from the battery to the motor to provide power to the motor. The hinge provides a protective sheath around the cable to protect it from damage when the string trimmer is folded and the cable might otherwise be exposed. Additionally, the string trimmer includes a guard around the cutting head that contacts a battery housing to secure the string trimmer in a folded position.