Handheld Power Tool Safety Switch for Pole Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld power tools face safety risks due to their design and the need for multiple tools to reach different distances, leading to ergonomic and cost burdens, as well as difficulties in using pole extension units safely and intuitively.
Innovation Solution
A handheld power tool with a safety switch that prevents motor operation when a pole extension unit is attached, ensuring safe usage by preventing unintended actuations, combined with a pole extension unit designed to securely attach and transfer power while preventing motor activation until correctly attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a pole extension unit is attached to increase the reach of the power tool, then the ability to process objects at larger distances is improved, but safety risks increase due to difficulty in manoeuvring and supporting the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The safety switch is configured to prevent unintended motor actuation before it can occur during pole extension unit operation. By anticipating the safety risk of unintended actuation when the pole extension unit is attached, the system proactively blocks this harmful possibility through the safety switch mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pole extension unit is attached to increase the reach of the power tool, then the versatility of the power tool is improved, but the complexity of safe operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (safety switch) that operates independently from the main actuator control system. This separation allows the safety mechanism to function autonomously based on pole extension unit attachment status, simplifying the overall operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety switch automatically detects when the pole extension unit is attached and independently controls motor actuation without requiring user intervention or complex control logic. The system serves itself by autonomously preventing unintended actuation based on the attachment state.
3Reliability
If the power tool is designed to prevent unintended actuation when a pole extension unit is attached, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the safety switch mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The safety switch mechanism is integrated with the existing connector portion and control arrangement of the power tool. By merging the safety function into the existing structural and control framework, the patent minimizes additional complexity while achieving the safety objective.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A handheld power tool (1) comprising a tool (8), a motor (2) configured to power the tool (8), an actuator (3), a control arrangement (21), and a connector portion (5) configured to receive a pole connector portion (15) of a pole extension unit (10) for increasing the reach of the power tool (1). The power tool (1) comprises a safety switch (9) configured to switch from a first state to a second state when a pole connector portion (15) is attached to the connector portion (5) of the power tool (1). The control arrangement (21) is configured to prevent a control of operation of the motor (2) based on input from the actuator (3) when the safety switch (9) is in the second state. The present disclosure further relates to a pole extension unit (10) and power tool assembly (20) comprising a handheld power tool (1), and a pole extension unit (10) for increasing the reach of the power tool (1).