Electric Power Tool Dual Forward Reverse Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power tools with automatic reverse rotation in tapping mode can change direction unintentionally, making them less handy to use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a separate touch switch for reversing motor direction, in addition to a slide switch and trigger switch, allowing users to control rotation direction through multiple switches, and implementing different operational modes to facilitate easier use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic reverse rotation is implemented in tapping mode, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unintended direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the forward/reverse switching function into two separate switching units: a first switching unit (slide switch) and a second switching unit (touch switch). This segmentation allows different switching mechanisms to handle different operational modes, with the second unit specifically designed for tapping mode operations where automatic direction reversal is needed, thus resolving the conflict between productivity improvement and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from either switching unit and automatically determines the appropriate action. In tapping mode, the control unit mediates between the trigger switch activation and the motor direction control, enabling automatic reverse rotation only when appropriate, thereby maintaining both productivity and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If multiple forward/reverse switching units are provided, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the first switching unit (slide switch) and the second switching unit (touch switch) are designed to perform the same fundamental function of controlling motor direction, but with different operational characteristics suited to different modes. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to maintain ease of operation across different scenarios while managing complexity through functional equivalence rather than complete redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different forward/reverse control mechanisms based on the operational mode. The control unit dynamically determines which switching unit to respond to based on whether the tool is in normal operation mode or tapping mode, allowing the system to adapt its complexity to the specific operational requirements rather than maintaining fixed high complexity.
3Productivity
If automatic direction reversal is implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the state of the trigger switch and the current operational mode before executing direction reversal. This feedback ensures that automatic reverse rotation only occurs when the trigger switch is properly activated and the system is in tapping mode, preventing unintended direction changes and maintaining reliability while still enabling productivity improvement through automatic reversal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential unintended direction changes by implementing preliminary checks through the control unit, which verifies operational conditions before allowing automatic reverse rotation. This preliminary anti-action prevents harmful unintended direction changes by anticipating and blocking them before they can occur, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a handier electric power tool (1). An electric power tool (1) according to an embodiment includes: a motor (10); a driving unit (20) to be driven by the motor (10); a trigger switch (30) to be operated by a user; a first forward/reverse switching unit (40); a second forward/reverse switching unit (50); and a control unit (60). The first forward/reverse switching unit (40) includes a slide switch (41) operable by the user to change the direction of rotation of the motor (10) from a forward direction to a reverse direction, and vice versa, responsive to the user's operation of the slide switch (41). The second forward/reverse switching unit (50) is provided separately from the trigger switch (30) and the first forward/reverse switching unit (40) and includes a touch switch (51) operable by the user to change the direction of rotation of the motor (10) from the forward direction to the reverse direction, and vice versa, responsive to the user's operation of the touch switch. The control unit (60) performs drive control on the motor (10) responsive to the user's operation of the trigger switch (30). The electric power tool (1) has a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the control unit (60) performs a type of control of changing the direction of rotation of the motor (10) responsive to the user's operation of the first forward/reverse switching unit (40). In the second mode, the control unit (60) performs a type of control of changing the direction of rotation of the motor (10) responsive to the user's operation of the second forward/reverse switching unit (50).