Rotatable Mower Handle Interlock for Folded-Position Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gardening tools like mowers pose safety risks due to high-speed functional accessories, which can be dangerous if the operator inadvertently starts the tool while the handle is in a folded or rotated position, bringing the user too close to the main body.

Innovation Solution

A gardening tool with a rotatable handle connected to the main body, featuring a control system that prevents the motor from being operated when the handle is out of a secure position, using multiple control devices to ensure safety by locking the motor unless all risk items are in designated states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the handle is made longer to keep the operator far away from the main body, then safety is improved, but the handle cannot be conveniently received or stored

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidhandle reception

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be rotatable relative to the main body, allowing it to dynamically change position between an extended operating position and a retracted storage position. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the handle to be long during operation for safety, yet compact during storage for convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the handle is folded or rotated for convenient storage, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of misoperation increases when the user is too close to the main body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle receptionVSAvoidmisoperation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary safety verification by detecting the handle's position state before allowing motor operation. When the handle is in a received state, the control system preemptively prevents motor startup, thereby eliminating the risk of misoperation before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A control system acts as an intermediary between the operation assembly and the motor. This intermediary verifies handle position and selectively blocks or permits motor operation, preventing direct misoperation while maintaining normal control functionality when the handle is in the correct position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the handle is kept in a received state for storage, then compactness is improved, but the operator cannot safely operate the mower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage sizeVSAvoidoperation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between storage mode (handle received, motor inactive) and operation mode (handle extended, motor operational). The rotatable handle and control system work together to enable this dynamic state change, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12532807B2Handle and safety control device for a mower

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 CHERVON HK LTD WANCHAI

AI summary

A gardening tool, such as a mower, has a main body having an accessory, such as a mowing blade, and a motor for driving the accessory. A handle is rotatably connected to the main body. At least one operation assembly is associated with the handle for being operated by a user to control the motor when the handle is located in a predetermined position. A control system prevents the motor from being controlled by the operation assembly and halts the motor when the handle is located out of the predetermined position.