Hand Power Tool Thermal Management via Sensor-Controlled Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand power tools, such as angle grinders, face challenges in effectively cooling their drive and electronic units, which can lead to thermal issues affecting performance and longevity, especially during prolonged use or high-power operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit that manages the cooling device independently of the drive unit's operational state, using sensors to monitor parameters like temperature and power consumption, and adjusting cooling accordingly through algorithms, ensuring efficient thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling device is provided for cooling the drive unit and electronic unit, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control units and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically activates the cooling device based on operational parameters detected by sensors, enabling the system to self-regulate temperature without manual intervention. The cooling device serves itself by using system-generated data (temperature, power consumption) to trigger appropriate cooling actions.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor temperature and power consumption parameters, feeding this information back to the control unit which adjusts cooling device operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism optimizes thermal management while avoiding unnecessary cooling activation.
2Reliability
If cooling is activated during high-power operations, then thermal issues are reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device operation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time power consumption and temperature readings. The control unit modulates cooling intensity to match actual thermal demands, activating stronger cooling only when high-power operations generate excessive heat, rather than running at constant high intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the cooling device (activation state, intensity) based on detected parameters (power consumption, temperature). The control unit adjusts cooling parameters dynamically to match thermal load conditions, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.
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
This configuration achieves effective cooling of critical components, enhancing the power density and operational comfort of hand power tools while adhering to safety standards like EN 60745-1, by dynamically adapting cooling based on real-time conditions without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (14), which is provided, at least partially, for cooling the drive unit (10) and/or the electronic unit (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A hand power tool includes a drive unit, an electronic unit, and a cooling device configured to cool at least one of the drive unit and the electronic unit. The hand power tool also includes at least one of an open-loop control unit and a closed-loop control unit configured to control the cooling device.