Power Tool HMI With Magnetic Throttle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools face challenges with durability, reliability, and user-friendliness due to added features and functions, which increase complexity and cost, and are often compromised in harsh environments with dust, debris, and water exposure.
Innovation Solution
A power tool design incorporating a magnet connected to the throttle lever and a sensor arrangement on a circuit board to accurately sense the throttle lever's position without contact, allowing for dust/debris/water resistance and efficient use of space, while adding features like buttons and displays without significant cost or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a potentiometer is used to indicate the position of the throttle lever, then the position can be sensed, but the durability and reliability are compromised in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical potentiometer system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. A magnet is attached to the throttle lever, and a sensor arrangement on the circuit board detects the magnet's position through magnetic field intensity changes. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and wear, providing dust/debris/water resistance while maintaining accurate position sensing capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If several electrical components and electrical connections are added to provide features and functions, then the power tool functionality is improved, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor arrangement with the circuit board by directly mounting the sensors onto the circuit board. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor housings, additional mounting brackets, and extra electrical connections. The magnet operates through the circuit board, allowing the sensor to detect magnetic field intensity changes without requiring physical access from the opposite side, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board serves multiple functions: it acts as the structural platform for mounting the sensor arrangement, provides electrical connections for the magnet, and integrates control electronics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Ease of operation
If features and functions are added to facilitate use and improve results, then user-friendliness is improved, but durability and reliability are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensing with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The magnet attached to the throttle lever generates a magnetic field that the sensor arrangement on the circuit board detects. This contact-less measurement method provides dust/debris/water resistance, ensuring durability in harsh environments while enabling accurate position sensing for improved user operation.
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 a robust, accurate, and cost-efficient power tool with improved durability and user-friendliness, maintaining reliability and performance in demanding conditions while reducing complexity and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement configured to sense the intensity of the magnetic field of the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool (1) is disclosed comprising a tool (3), a power source (5) arranged to power the tool (3), a throttle lever (7), a circuit board (9), and a human machine interface (10) comprising components (15, 17, 19) arranged on the circuit board (9). The power tool (1) further comprises a magnet (11) operably connected to the throttle lever (7), and a sensor arrangement (13) configured to sense the intensity of the magnetic field of the magnet (11). The sensor arrangement (13) is arranged on the circuit board (9).