Lockable Trigger Mechanism for Power Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trigger mechanisms for power tools require manual operation with both hands, leading to fatigue and safety risks due to awkward movements, as they necessitate manual locking and unlocking of the latch member in multiple orientations.

Innovation Solution

A lockable trigger mechanism featuring a housing, a trigger, an actuator, an electrical switch unit, and a locking mechanism with a first and second locking member, and a biasing member, allowing automatic locking and unlocking by sliding the actuator inwardly and outwardly along a movement axis, eliminating the need for manual operation of a latch member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional latch member is manually moved into a locking position by one of the user's hands, then the power tool can be locked at the desired speed setting, but the operation becomes slow and tedious requiring two hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of locking operationVSAvoidtime to lock and unlock trigger mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger mechanism automatically locks itself when the trigger is released after being pulled to the desired speed setting. The latch member is spring-biased and automatically engages with the trigger housing features without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-serve the locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The latch member is pre-positioned and spring-loaded so that it is ready to automatically engage with the trigger housing features as soon as the trigger is released. This preliminary preparation of the latch mechanism eliminates the need for manual locking actions during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the latch member is disposed on the side of the trigger mechanism housing for manual operation, then locking is possible, but user safety is compromised due to requiring both hands to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-handed operation capabilityVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism performs the locking function automatically without requiring the user to manually operate any external latch. The spring-biased latch member self-engages with the trigger housing features when the trigger is released, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to manually move the latch member into position (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the latch member automatically move into the locked position through spring bias when the trigger is released, eliminating the need for manual two-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the latch member requires movement in multiple orientations (inwardly and upwardly), then locking can be achieved, but the operation becomes awkward and increases risk of injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of locking motionVSAvoidrisk of user injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by eliminating the need for manual multi-directional latch operation. The spring-biased latch member automatically engages in a single linear motion when the trigger is released, reversing the problem from requiring awkward manual movements to automatic single-motion locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch mechanism serves itself by automatically positioning and engaging with the trigger housing features through spring bias, eliminating the need for the user to perform any manual manipulation in multiple orientations, thereby removing the source of awkward movements and injury risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables faster, safer, and more efficient operation by allowing one-handed automatic locking and unlocking of the trigger mechanism, reducing user fatigue and eliminating the need for awkward hand movements, while maintaining a compact and simplified design.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member configured for biasing movement of the first locking member relative to the second locking member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10529502B2Lockable trigger mechanism for use in an electrical device

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 DEFOND ELECTECH CO LTD

AI summary

A lockable trigger mechanism for an electrical device, comprising: a housing; a trigger for biased movement relative to the housing; an actuator movably mounted to the housing such that in response to operation of the trigger, the actuator is movable along a movement axis from an OFF position inwardly of the housing towards an ON position, and movable along the movement axis from the ON position in a direction outwardly of the housing towards the OFF position; an electrical switch unit mounted to the housing for activation in response to movement of the actuator along the movement axis between its ON and OFF positions to close and open an electrical circuit of the electrical device respectively; and a locking mechanism comprising a first locking member, a second locking member and a biasing member configured for biasing movement of the first locking member relative to the second locking member.