Power Tool Optical Fiber Lighting Without Extra Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools often require additional circuitry and wiring for LEDs to function as status indicators or work lights, which occupy valuable space and increase manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical fibers to transmit light from internal light sources to external indicators or work areas, eliminating the need for additional circuitry and wiring by using a circuit board, connectors, and a transparent indicator mount with protrusions to emit light externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LEDs are positioned within the housing to provide status indicators or work lighting, then illumination function is achieved, but additional circuitry and wiring are required which occupy space and increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transmit light from internal LED sources to external indicator locations. The optical fibers act as a mediator that carries light signals through the housing walls without requiring external wiring or additional circuitry at the indicator locations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining illumination functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the light transmission function from the electrical circuit domain and transfers it to the optical domain. By using optical fibers to conduct light directly through the housing, the system eliminates the need for separate electrical wiring and control circuitry at each indicator location, simplifying the overall electrical system while preserving the illumination function
2Loss of information
If LEDs are positioned within the housing to provide status indicators, then indication function is achieved, but valuable housing space is occupied by additional circuitry and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
Optical fibers serve as compact intermediaries that transmit status information in the form of light signals. These fibers occupy minimal space compared to traditional wiring harnesses and control circuitry, allowing status indicators to be distributed throughout the housing without significantly impacting available volume for other components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies of the light signal from a centralized LED source and distributes them through multiple optical fibers to various indicator locations. This copying approach allows multiple status indicators to be driven by a single LED controller, reducing the need for multiple separate circuit boards and electrical connections, thereby conserving housing space
3Illumination intensity
If LEDs are used for work lighting near the output device, then work area illumination is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to additional wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light conduction function from the electrical system and assigns it to optical fibers. This separation allows the work lighting function to be implemented without requiring complex electrical wiring near the output device, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly steps while maintaining effective work area illumination
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
Saves space, reduces manufacturing complexity, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for extra circuitry and wiring while providing effective status indicators and work lighting.
Implementation Method 1
The use of optical fibers to transmit light from internal light sources to external indicators or work areas
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool includes a primary housing, and a motor situated within the primary housing. The power tool also includes a circuit board located within the primary housing, and a light source mounted to the circuit board. The power tool also includes an optical fiber including a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled to the light source and may be configured to receive light generated by the light source. The second end may be configured to emit the light to an outside of the primary housing to provide a status indication to a user and/or to illuminate a work area.