Power Tool Fault Indication Using a Single Actuator LED
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools face issues of increased cost, complexity, reduced durability and reliability due to added features, and user-unfriendliness, especially in demanding environments with dust and debris, while manufacturing and assembly efficiency is compromised.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held power tool with a motor assembly, actuator, and a control arrangement that switches between states to enable or disable operation, using a single light emitting device to indicate potential operational faults, arranged adjacent to the actuator for intuitive user feedback, and optionally incorporating a temperature sensor for ambient temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple light emitting devices are used to indicate different fault types, then fault indication capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fault indication functions into a single light emitting device by implementing different blinking patterns (different frequencies and durations) to represent different fault types. This consolidation reduces the number of components while maintaining comprehensive fault indication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the light signal (blinking frequency, duration, and pattern) to encode different fault information. By varying these parameters, a single light emitting device can convey multiple types of fault data without requiring multiple physical devices.
2Loss of information
If multiple light emitting devices are used to indicate different fault types, then fault indication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fault indication functions into a single light emitting device by implementing different blinking patterns (different frequencies and durations) to represent different fault types. This consolidation reduces the number of components while maintaining comprehensive fault indication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light emitting device is designed to perform multiple functions by emitting different blinking patterns for different fault conditions. This multi-functionality approach allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components, reducing manufacturing cost.
3Loss of information
If additional electrical components and connections are added for fault indication, then fault detection capability is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fault indication functions into a single light emitting device by implementing different blinking patterns (different frequencies and durations) to represent different fault types. This consolidation reduces the number of components while maintaining comprehensive fault indication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement continuously monitors operational parameters and provides real-time feedback through the light emitting device when faults are detected. This feedback mechanism enables early fault detection and alerting without requiring complex additional sensing systems.
4Device complexity
If a single light emitting device is used for fault indication, then device complexity is reduced, but fault information differentiation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the light signal (blinking frequency, duration, and pattern) to encode different fault information. By varying these parameters, a single light emitting device can convey multiple types of fault data without requiring multiple physical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different colors of light (e.g., green for normal operation, red for faults) in combination with blinking patterns to provide intuitive visual differentiation of fault types. This color-coding system enhances the ease of interpreting fault information from a single light emitting device.
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 cost-effective manufacturing, reduces component damage from improper operation, ensures intuitive user interaction, and conserves energy by using a single light emitting device for fault indication, enhancing reliability and user-friendliness.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device arranged on or adjacent to the actuator, and a control arrangement operably connected to the actuator, to the motor assembly and to the light emitting device
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held power tool (1) is disclosed comprising a tool (2) and a motor assembly (3). The power tool (1) further comprises an actuator (5), a light emitting device (7) arranged on or adjacent to the actuator (5), and a control arrangement (21). The control arrangement (21) is configured to enable or disable operation of the motor assembly (3) based on input from the actuator (5). The control arrangement (21) is configured to obtain fault data indicative of an at least potential operational fault of the power tool (1). The control arrangement (21) is further configured to cause the light emitting device (7) to output a first type of signal when no fault data is obtained, and to cause the light emitting device (7) to output a second type of signal, being distinguishable from the first type of signal, when fault data is obtained.