Hemispherical Pommel for Aerial Tool Rotation and Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable aerial tools for fruit harvesting and green space maintenance are limited by restricted wrist rotation, leading to user fatigue and vibration transmission due to the need for a firm grip, which restricts tool positioning and increases discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A portable aerial tool with a hemispherical support pommel at the proximal end of the handle, allowing 0-360° rotation and axial movement, reducing the need for a tight grip and minimizing vibration transmission, featuring a connection system enabling freedom of angular movement and precision positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user holds the grip handle firmly to control the tool, then the tool can be oriented and moved along the pole axis, but vibrations are transmitted to the user's hand and arm causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The pommel acts as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the handle. Instead of gripping the handle directly, the user holds the pommel which is connected to the handle through a connection system that allows angular movements. This intermediary structure absorbs and isolates vibrations while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is segmented into two functional parts: the grip handle for axial movement control and the pommel for orientation control. This segmentation allows the user to control the tool without direct gripping, reducing vibration transmission to the hand and arm.
2Ease of operation
If the user rotates the tool around the pole axis by wrist movement, then the tool can be positioned correctly, but the rotation angle is limited to approximately 90°
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system between the pommel and the pole allows dynamic angular movements in multiple directions. Instead of being constrained to a fixed 90° rotation range, the user can now rotate the tool through a full 360° by manipulating the pommel, adapting to various working positions and angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation control is extended from a single-axis wrist movement to multi-dimensional movement through the pommel's connection system. The user can now achieve tool orientation changes in multiple directions (azimuth and elevation angles), effectively adding rotational freedom in another dimension beyond the original wrist capability.
3Reliability
If the user tightens grip on the handle to prevent tool drop, then the tool remains secure, but muscle tension increases leading to fatigue and potential trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The pommel serves as a mediator that provides both security and comfort. The connection system ensures the tool remains securely attached to the pole while the pommel's design allows the user's hand to relax without risking tool drop, eliminating the need for continuous muscle tension.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The tool (3) has a connection system (6) connecting a proximal end (1a) of a long sleeve (1) to a hemispherical support knob (5) to authorize a relative angular movement of the sleeve with respect to the support knob. The support knob is arranged coaxially to the sleeve. The support knob is connected to a distal end of a technical casing (4) constituting the proximal part of the sleeve. A control device i.e. start-stop switch, is formed by an electro-sensitive system integrated in the support knob, where the electro-sensitive system is formed by a magnet and a Hall-effect sensor.