Magnetic Throttle Sensing in Handheld Power Tool HMI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools face challenges with durability, reliability, and user-friendliness due to added features and functions, which increase complexity and cost, and are often compromised in demanding environments with dust, debris, and water exposure.
Innovation Solution
A power tool design incorporating a magnet connected to the throttle lever and a sensor arrangement on a circuit board to accurately sense the throttle lever's position contactlessly, allowing for a dust/debris/water-resistant and cost-efficient construction with a human machine interface, including buttons and a display, without significantly increasing complexity or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a potentiometer is used to indicate the position of the throttle lever, then the position can be sensed, but the durability and reliability are compromised in demanding environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical potentiometer system with a magnetic sensing system. A magnet is attached to the throttle lever, and a sensor arrangement on the circuit board detects the magnet's position through magnetic field sensing. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and wear, providing dust/debris/water resistance while maintaining accurate position sensing capability.
2Ease of operation
If features and functions are added to facilitate use and improve results, then user-friendliness is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board serves multiple functions: it houses the sensor arrangement for throttle lever position sensing, contains components for the human machine interface (buttons, display), and provides structural mounting. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated platform, the design adds user-friendly features while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensor arrangement and human machine interface components onto a single circuit board. This merging of previously separate elements (sensing system and control interface) into one integrated unit reduces the number of separate components and connections needed, thereby controlling complexity and cost while providing both accurate sensing and user-friendly operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical components and connections are added for features and functions, then functionality is improved, but durability is impaired in demanding environments
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensing system replaces mechanical contact-based electrical components. The magnet and sensor arrangement enable position detection without physical contact, eliminating wear and susceptibility to dust and water. This non-contact sensing method maintains functionality while significantly improving durability in demanding environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the throttle lever and the sensing system. Instead of direct mechanical or electrical contact, the magnet generates a magnetic field that the sensor detects through the circuit board. This intermediary approach allows for reliable signal transmission without physical connections that could fail in harsh conditions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a contact-less sensing method is used for the throttle lever, then dust/debris/water resistance is improved, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is designed to serve multiple purposes: it provides the mounting structure for the sensor arrangement, contains the electronic components for the human machine interface, and acts as the platform for signal processing. By making the circuit board multi-functional, the patent minimizes the number of additional components needed for contact-less sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement is integrated directly onto the circuit board, combining the sensing function with the existing control electronics. This integration ensures that the additional components required for contact-less sensing are minimized and efficiently utilized within the existing circuit board structure.
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 provides a robust, accurate, and reliable sensing of the throttle lever's position, enhancing durability and user-friendliness while maintaining cost-efficiency and resistance to environmental factors like dust and water.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement configured to sense the intensity of the magnetic field of the magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A power tool (1) is disclosed comprising a tool (3),a power source (5) arranged to power the tool (3),a throttle lever (7),a circuit board (9),and a human machine interface (10) comprising components (15, 17, 19) arranged on the circuit board (9). The power tool (1) further comprises a magnet (11) operably connected to the throttle lever (7), and a sensor arrangement (13) configured to sense the intensity of the magnetic field of the magnet (11). The sensor arrangement (13) is arranged on the circuit board (9).