Power Tool Dual-Controller Logic for Safe Function Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools lack efficient control mechanisms for managing the transition between main and auxiliary functions, leading to potential accidental operation and interference between functions, which compromises safety and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power tool with a dual-controller system, where a first controller manages the main function and a second controller handles auxiliary functions, ensuring independent control and smooth operation by using enable signals and keeping signals to manage function transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single controller is used to manage both main and auxiliary functions, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential accidental operation and interference between functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into two independent controllers: a first controller dedicated to main functions and a second controller dedicated to auxiliary functions. This segmentation allows each controller to independently manage its respective functions without interference, preventing accidental operation while maintaining clear functional separation. The enable signal mechanism further segments the control pathways, ensuring that main function activation requires explicit authorization from the second controller.
2Reliability
If independent control mechanisms are implemented for main and auxiliary functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to dual-controller system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces enable signals as intermediary control elements that mediate between the second controller and the first controller. The second controller outputs enable signals that authorize the first controller to activate main functions. This intermediary mechanism allows independent control of auxiliary and main functions while maintaining a streamlined communication pathway, reducing the need for complex direct interconnections between controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system requires preliminary activation of auxiliary functions before main functions can be activated. The second controller must first be activated and output enable signals before the first controller can activate main functions. This preliminary action sequence ensures safe operation by establishing proper control hierarchy and preventing accidental main function activation.
3Reliability
If enable signal mechanism is used to control function activation, then reliability is improved by preventing accidental startup, but loss of time increases due to signal transmission and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The enable signal mechanism performs preliminary authorization before main function activation. The second controller pre-outputs enable signals that indicate readiness for main function operation. This preliminary action establishes a prepared state where the system is authorized but not yet activated, allowing for safe and rapid response when activation is required without compromising reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool includes an electric motor; a power supply management device; a driving device driving the electric motor to operate to implement a main function; and an operating device being operated to activate one or more functions and output a function signal. The power tool has the main function and an auxiliary function, and the function signal includes a main function signal and an auxiliary function signal. The power supply management device is configured to output a first enable signal when receiving any function signal and output a third enable signal to the driving device when receiving the main function signal. The power tool further includes a first controller configured to output a first drive signal to the driving device when receiving the first enable signal. The driving device drives the electric motor to operate when receiving the third enable signal and the first drive signal.