Power Tool Display Projection for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools with built-in electric motors face challenges in displaying multiple operating states and switches without compromising visibility and ease of operation due to limited display size, especially when multifunctionality increases the need for more display elements and switches.
Innovation Solution
The display is configured to project forward from the controller, increasing its surface area and allowing for more display elements and switches without reducing their size, which enhances visibility and operation ease by utilizing the projected area for additional light-emitting parts and text inscriptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the display size is increased to accommodate more display elements and switches, then the number of display elements and switches increases, but the display becomes larger and may compromise visibility and ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The display is configured to project forward from the controller in the surface direction, transitioning from a flat-planar arrangement to a three-dimensional protruding structure. This dimensional change creates additional display surface area without increasing the footprint on the controller, allowing more display elements and switches to be accommodated while maintaining visibility and ease of operation through the projected geometry
2Volume of moving object
If the display size is reduced to maintain compactness, then the device remains compact, but the visibility of display elements and ease of operation are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting the display forward from the controller surface, the invention creates additional display area in the third dimension (depth direction) without increasing the device's overall footprint or volume significantly. This allows compactness to be maintained while providing sufficient display surface area for visible and easily operable display elements and switches
3Adaptability or versatility
If more display elements and switches are added to accommodate multifunctionality, then the device becomes more versatile, but the display size must increase which may compromise visibility and ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The projected display configuration provides expanded surface area in the forward direction, enabling accommodation of multiple display elements and switches required for multifunctionality. The three-dimensional projection ensures that despite the increased number of elements, visibility and ease of operation are maintained through the optimized spatial arrangement in the projected geometry
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool includes a tool-main-body part, an electric motor as a drive source, a grip part, which extends downward from the tool-main-body part and is configured to be gripped by a user, and a power-supply unit at a tip of the grip part. The power tool includes a controller configured to control the operation of the electric motor, the controller being located on the power-supply unit, and a display controlled by the controller and configured to indicate an operating state of the electric motor. The controller and the display each have a flat-plate shape and are disposed along a surface direction with respect to one another, and the display includes a first portion that overlies the controller and a second portion that projects beyond an end edge of the controller.