Power Tool Contact Element Safety Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held power tools, such as angle grinders, lack effective safety measures to ensure that safety-relevant accessories like protective hoods and additional handles are properly installed, which can lead to unsafe operation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of machine-side and accessory-side contact elements that allow for releasable connection of safety-relevant accessories, along with a blocking mechanism that prevents the tool from being switched on unless these accessories are mounted, ensuring safe operation by requiring their installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety-relevant accessories are required to be installed, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional contact elements and blocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety verification function with the existing accessory mounting structure by integrating contact elements into the mounting interface. The machine-side contact element is incorporated into the housing, while the accessory-side contact element is integrated into the accessory itself, merging the mounting and safety verification functions into a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element automatically verifies accessory installation through the contact elements and self-actuates to block or enable the mechanical element based on detection results. The system performs self-verification and self-control without requiring external monitoring devices or complex control circuits.
2Reliability
If a blocking mechanism is added to prevent tool operation without accessories, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are pre-positioned in the housing and accessory mounting interface before operation. The blocking element is pre-configured to automatically detect accessory installation through these contact elements and pre-act to block the mechanical element, ensuring safety verification occurs before the tool can be operated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic safety monitoring systems with a purely mechanical verification and control mechanism. The contact elements and blocking element work together through mechanical interaction to verify accessory installation and control tool operation, eliminating the need for sensors, circuits, or electronic control systems.
3Reliability
If contact elements are integrated into the housing and accessory, then safety monitoring is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements serve multiple functions: they act as mounting contact points for electrical or mechanical connection, safety verification sensors to detect accessory installation, and positioning references for the blocking element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components and loosens precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements are divided into separate machine-side and accessory-side components, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. The machine-side contact element is integrated into the housing, while the accessory-side contact element is part of the accessory, enabling modular production and reducing the precision requirements for each individual component.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hand-held power tool (10), in particular an angle grinder having a gearing housing part (12), wherein the gearing housing part (12) has at least one machine-side contact element (24), and having accessory equipment (26), wherein the accessory equipment (26) has at least one accessory equipment-side contact element (28). It is proposed that in the mounted state of the accessory (26) on the hand-held power tool (10) the machine-side contact element (24) comes into contact with the accessory-side contact element (28).