Pole Assembly Actuation for Hedge Trimmer Reach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current powered garden tools, especially hedgetrimmers, are cumbersome and difficult to control due to their weight and size, and when attached to a pole assembly, they lack a simple and effective method for actuation, posing challenges in reaching tall vegetation.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, hand-held garden tool with a powerhead and an extensible pole assembly, featuring a shorter blade assembly, an electric motor, and a telescopic design with a coupling mechanism that allows easy attachment and actuation, using a trigger on the pole assembly to control the tool when extended.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long blade assembly is used in a hand-held hedgetrimmer, then the cutting reach is improved, but the tool becomes heavier and more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into two separate components: a lightweight hand-held powerhead with a shorter blade assembly, and a separate pole assembly. This segmentation allows the powerhead to remain light and easy to control, while the pole assembly provides the extended reach needed for tall vegetation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing blade length in one dimension, the solution extends the tool's reach by adding a pole assembly in another dimension (vertical extension), allowing the powerhead to remain compact and maneuverable while achieving the necessary cutting height.
2Length of moving object
If a pole assembly is added to extend reach, then the ability to reach tall vegetation is improved, but the complexity of actuation control worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation controls (trigger and switch) are merged into the pole assembly's second handle, consolidating all control functions in one location. This eliminates the need for separate controls on both the powerhead and pole, simplifying the overall actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second handle on the pole assembly serves multiple functions: it provides a gripping surface for the user, houses the actuation controls (trigger and switch), and integrates the electrical connection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Weight of moving object
If a corded electric tool is used, then the motor weight is reduced compared to gas engines, but the cord becomes tangled and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord connection is extracted from the powerhead and relocated to the pole assembly. The power cord connects to the pole assembly rather than the powerhead, separating the cord management issue from the tool's main body and allowing the powerhead to remain lightweight and simple.
4Device complexity
If the power cord is connected to the powerhead, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the cord interferes with the coupling of the pole assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection point is extracted from the powerhead and relocated to the pole assembly. The power cord now connects to the pole assembly rather than the powerhead, eliminating the interference between the cord and the powerhead-pole assembly coupling mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a small hand-held garden tool, for example a hedgetrimmer, having an electrically powered powerhead (10), and a detachable pole assembly (12). The powerhead (10) can be used alone to cut nearby vegetation or in combination with a pole assembly (12) to reach vegetation farther away. The powerhead (10) has a separate handle (22) and motor chamber (18), with the pole assembly (12) being secured to the motor chamber (18). Actuation of the powerhead (10) is controlled by a trigger on the handle (22). However, when connected to the pole assembly (12), actuation of the powerhead (10) is controlled by a second trigger (58) on the pole assembly (12).