Key-Operated Ignition and Speed Control for Outdoor Power Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor power equipment often requires separate components and circuitry for starter control and speed control, leading to increased cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A key-operated combination ignition and speed control assembly that integrates both starting and speed control functions into a single system, using switch circuitry to manage engine operation and selectable speed positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate components are used for starter control and speed control, then each function can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control of starting and speedVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ignition switch and speed control into a single integrated assembly. The ignition switch portion and speed control portion share common housing, mounting structure, and circuitry. The key-operated switch controls both engine starting and speed selection through a unified mechanism, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining independent control capability for both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated switch assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both an ignition switch for engine starting and a speed control mechanism for selecting operating speeds. The single assembly performs what previously required two separate components, making the control system more versatile without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate components are used for starter control and speed control, then each function has dedicated circuitry, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated circuitry for each functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the circuitry for ignition control and speed control into a single unified electrical assembly. Rather than requiring separate wiring harnesses and control circuits for the ignition switch and speed control, the integrated design shares common electrical pathways and control elements, reducing material costs and assembly expenses while maintaining reliable dedicated control paths for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11920527B2Multi-function key-operated ignition switch for outdoor power equipment for selecting different operating speeds

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

A powered device may include an engine, a mobility assembly operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the powered device responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, a working assembly operably coupled to the engine to perform a working function responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, and a key-operated combination ignition and speed control assembly including switch circuitry configured to control both starting the engine and selection of different selectable positions corresponding to respective different operating speeds for the engine.