Garden Tool Controller Integrates Ignition and Fuel Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gasoline engine garden tools are difficult to start and maintain due to the need for manual control of the starter rope, fuel throttle, and choke, and the ignition system's low rotational speed-dependent ignition power, leading to inefficiencies and increased product costs from idle battery packs.

Innovation Solution

A single controller system that includes sensors to collect working condition signals and control the fuel supply and ignition systems, featuring an automatic choke control unit, automatic fuel throttle control, and a lithium-ion battery pack to power the entire system, optimizing system coordination and reducing battery pack idle usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control of starter rope, fuel throttle, and choke is used, then the garden tool can be operated without additional power components, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to demanding user skills and coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions (starter motor control, fuel throttle control, and choke control) into a single integrated controller that automatically coordinates all three components based on engine state, eliminating the need for manual coordination and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic self-control where the controller monitors engine parameters and autonomously adjusts the fuel throttle and choke positions without user intervention, allowing the engine to manage its own fuel-air mixture requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a magneto-based ignition system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates at low rotational speeds due to insufficient ignition power

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical magneto-based ignition system with an electronic ignition system that uses an electronic controller to generate and timing ignition signals, providing reliable ignition power across all rotational speeds including low-speed starting conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic ignition system dynamically adjusts ignition timing and voltage parameters based on real-time engine state feedback, optimizing ignition power delivery across different operational conditions particularly improving reliability during cold starts and low-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a battery pack is equipped for the starter motor, then the ease of operation improves during starting, but the loss of energy increases due to the battery pack being idle during normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is designed to serve multiple functions: providing power during engine starting, supplying electricity to the electronic controller and ignition system during normal operation, and enabling the overall electronic control architecture that optimizes fuel efficiency and engine performance across all operational phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining optimal fuel-air mixture and ignition timing throughout all engine operations, maximizing the utility of the battery-powered systems during both starting and normal operation phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The solution simplifies the operation of gasoline engine garden tools, improves system coordination, and reduces product costs by utilizing the battery pack more efficiently across all operational phases.

Implementation Method 1

a passive cam sleeved on the choke shaft and an active cam cooperating with the passive cam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

a locking end located at an end of the throttle shaft and cooperating with the automatic choke unit, wherein when the throttle is opened, the choke valve is also driven to open

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical linkage: Four-Bar Linkage

Data Source

PatentEP3404239B1Garden tool
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 SUZHOU CLEVA PRECISION MACHINERY & TECH CO LTD
  • EP3404239B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3404239B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3404239B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A garden tool (1) comprises a gasoline engine (2) and a lithium-ion battery pack (101). The gasoline engine (2) comprises an engine block (201) and a fuel supply system (25) and an ignition system (24) disposed on the engine block (201). The garden tool (1) further comprises a control system. The control system comprises at least one sensor (22) for collecting a working condition signal of the gasoline engine (2), and comprises a single controller (21) used for receiving the working condition signal and controlling the fuel supply system (25) and/or the ignition system (24) according to the signal. The lithium-ion battery pack (101) supplies power to the fuel supply system (25), the ignition system (24) and the control system by means of the controller (21). The garden tool (1) is simple and convenient to operate, and can keep the optimal working condition.