Handheld Power Tool Torque Lock for Blockage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held power tools face challenges in safely managing uncontrolled blockages during operation, where the tool gets caught in a workpiece, leading to unsafe rotational movement of the tool housing, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held power tool device equipped with a torque lock that connects the tool spindle to the housing in the direction of rotation, using a monitoring unit and motor controller to detect impermissible movement states, reducing power output and reversing torque direction to counteract rotational motion, and automatically releasing the connection upon restarting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive motor continues to operate at full power during uncontrolled blockage, then productivity is maintained, but the housing undergoes unsafe rotational movement and operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit detects impermissible housing movement states before they can cause serious harm, and the motor control proactively reduces power output or reverses torque direction to counteract the blockage condition. This preliminary anti-action prevents the housing from undergoing unsafe rotational movement while maintaining the ability to resume operation after the condition is resolved
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit continuously monitors housing movement and provides feedback to the motor control. When impermissible movement is detected, the system responds by reducing power or reversing torque. The system allows resumption of full power only after the impermissible condition ceases, creating a feedback loop that balances safety with productivity
2Reliability
If a spindle lock mechanism is added to prevent housing rotation during blockage, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a mechanical spindle lock mechanism, the patent substitutes a control system that uses monitoring units and motor controls to detect and respond to blockage conditions. The motor control reduces power output or reverses torque direction to counteract housing rotation, replacing complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a more integrated electronic control approach
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control serves multiple functions: it not only drives the tool spindle during normal operation but also acts as a braking and counteracting mechanism during blockage conditions by reducing power or reversing torque. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical safety devices
3Reliability
If the motor control reduces power output immediately upon detecting impermissible movement, then housing movement is limited, but the tool requires manual intervention to restart, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors for impermissible housing movement conditions and self-corrects by reducing power or reversing torque. When the condition ceases, the system automatically permits resumption of operation without requiring manual intervention such as pulling a trigger or pressing a button, making the tool serve itself during safety events
4Reliability
If the torque lock connects the tool spindle to the housing during blockage, then housing rotational movement is prevented, but wear increases due to friction during the blocking event
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical torque lock mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses motor power reduction and torque reversal to counteract housing rotation during blockage. This substitution avoids the friction and wear associated with mechanical locking components engaging during high-stress blocking events
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a handheld power tool device, comprising a drive motor (12), a tool spindle (14), a power tool housing (16), a monitoring unit (18) for detecting an inadmissible state of movement of the housing, and further comprising a motor control unit (20) connected to the monitoring unit (18) for at least reducing a power output of the drive motor (12) during the inadmissible state of movement of the housing. According to the invention, the handheld power tool device comprises a torque block (22) for connecting the tool spindle (14) in a rotational direction to the handheld power tool housing (16) during the inadmissible movement state of the housing, on the basis of a torque transmitted to the tool spindle (14).