Grinder Brake Mechanism for Power Tool
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power tools face challenges in incorporating a brake device that can effectively brake the rotation of the output shaft while maintaining easy operability, particularly when the operator accidentally drops the tool, leading to unintended switch deactivation.
Innovation Solution
An electric power tool design featuring a cooperative mechanism that includes a slide member and tilted surfaces, allowing the brake device to be released by pushing the operation member toward the housing, enabling smooth sliding and reduced friction, and a biasing unit to restore the switch to the OFF position, ensuring easy operation and effective braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brake device is added to brake the output shaft, then the stopping capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake release mechanism is merged with the existing operation member mechanism. The operation member's pushing motion is combined with the brake release function through the slide member, eliminating the need for a separate brake release actuator and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stopping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The operation member is given dual functionality: it serves both as the switch activation mechanism and as the brake release mechanism. By pushing the operation member, the operator simultaneously turns on the motor and releases the brake, making one component perform multiple functions and avoiding additional complexity
2Ease of operation
If the operation member is pushed toward the housing to turn on the switch, then the ease of operation is improved, but the brake release mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide member is pre-positioned and pre-loaded with spring force before operation. The tilted surface is pre-configured to automatically convert the pushing motion into the correct sliding direction. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex control mechanisms during operation, maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
A tilted surface (inclined plane) is used to convert the linear pushing motion into the required sliding motion of the brake member. This geometric solution provides smooth, friction-reduced motion and automatic direction control without requiring complex mechanical linkages or guidance mechanisms
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 allows for easy operation and reliable braking of the output shaft, as the brake device can be released and reactivated smoothly, maintaining tool functionality even when dropped, by using a cooperative mechanism with tilted surfaces and a biasing unit to manage the switch state.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the brake device to be released by pushing the operation member toward the housing, enabling smooth sliding and reduced friction
Implementation Method 2
a biasing unit to restore the switch to the OFF position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a grinder (1), a motor (M) is accommodated in a housing (3) so that an output shaft (6) faces forward, a paddle switch (30) that turns on and off a drive switch (S) of the motor (M) is supported by the housing (3) so that the paddle switch (30) can be operated to move in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the output shaft (6) of the motor (M), and a brake device (60) that brakes rotation of the output shaft (6) is provided on a front side of the motor (M) in the housing (3). The grinder (1) includes a cooperative mechanism (40, 90) that releases the brake device (60) in response to a pushing operation of pushing the paddle switch (30) toward the housing (3) to turn on the drive switch (S).