Electric Power Tool Varying Starting Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric power tools experience frequent wear and tear due to unidirectional starting of working implements, leading to reduced longevity and the complexity and cost of monitoring systems do not effectively address this issue.

Innovation Solution

A control unit is implemented to vary the starting direction of the operational movement of the working implement, ensuring a balanced ratio of starts in both directions, reducing wear on the coupling system and allowing for easy removal of stuck branches, using devices such as logic circuits, flip-flops, and mechanical devices like gearing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the working implement starts in a single fixed direction, then the control system is simple, but the mechanical components experience frequent wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongevity of power toolVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the starting direction of the working implement variable rather than fixed. The control unit randomly determines the starting direction (forward or backward) each time the tool is activated, creating a dynamic system that adapts to operational needs. This dynamic approach distributes wear evenly across mechanical components, extending tool longevity without requiring complex monitoring or adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a monitoring system is added to track component wear, then wear can be detected, but the system becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent wear monitoringVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of unidirectional wear into a beneficial outcome by randomly reversing the starting direction. Instead of adding monitoring systems to detect wear, the invention proactively prevents wear accumulation by making the starting direction unpredictable. This approach transforms the problem of component wear into an opportunity to extend tool life without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the working implement always starts in the same direction, then the mechanical structure is simple, but the starting direction cannot be varied to reduce wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear distributionVSAvoidstarting direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs the function of determining starting direction autonomously without requiring external input or complex user interaction. When the tool is activated, the control unit automatically and randomly selects the starting direction (forward or backward), making the system self-service. This simple yet effective approach varies the starting direction to distribute wear evenly while maintaining minimal system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2596576B1Electric power tool with alternating starting direction
Publication Date: 2014.10.29 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP2596576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2596576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2596576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric power tool (100) and a system (200, 300, 400) for varying the starting direction of the operational movement of at least one working implement of the electric power tool (100) are disclosed. The electric power tool (100) also includes a motor (204) for driving the plurality of working implement (106, 108). A control unit (206, 404) is disposed in the electric power tool (100) for varying the starting direction of the operational movement of the at least one working implement.