Resilient Arm Switch Actuator for Power Tool
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Small hand-held rotary power tools with sliding on/off switches can be inadvertently actuated, leading to accidental power activation and potential damage when not held by an operator, posing a risk of environmental damage.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held rotary power tool design featuring a switch actuator with a guide plate and resilient arm that requires a specific bi-directional manual force to change positions, ensuring the switch is only actuated intentionally, preventing inadvertent power activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding on/off switch is used in a hand-held rotary power tool, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to inadvertent actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The switch actuator uses a resilient arm that can be dynamically positioned in two states: engaged with the wall edge (preventing actuation) and disengaged from the wall edge (allowing actuation). This dynamic positioning mechanism maintains reliability while enabling intentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm is preliminarily positioned to engage with the wall edge, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents inadvertent switch actuation. This pre-positioned protective mechanism blocks accidental activation before it can occur.
2Ease of operation
If the switch actuator is made accessible via a switch opening in the tool housing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors worsen due to potential environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arm creates a preliminary barrier that prevents accidental activation of the motor. By blocking inadvertent switch actuation before it occurs, the system prevents harmful effects such as environmental damage from uncontrolled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm acts as an intermediary element between the switch actuator and the electrical switch. It mediates the interaction by requiring intentional force to disengage and allow actuation, thereby preventing harmful accidental activation.
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
The design effectively prevents accidental activation of the power tool, enhancing user control and safety by requiring a deliberate action to switch the tool on or off, reducing the likelihood of unintended operation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient arm that extends from, and is integrally formed with, the guide plate. The switch actuator is moveable relative to the tool housing between a first actuator position and a second actuator position. When the switch actuator is in the first actuator position, the resilient arm is offset relative to the guide plate a first distance so as to protrude into the switch opening
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool includes a motor and a power supply that are connected by a switch disposed in an electrical circuit. The switch controls the on/off state of the motor and is actuated by a switch actuator that serves as a spring element. The switch actuator includes a guide plate supported on the housing, and a resilient arm that protrudes from the guide plate into an opening in the tool housing. When the switch actuator is in a first actuator position relative to the housing, the resilient arm is biased toward an edge of the opening and engages the edge, thereby preventing inadvertent movement of the switch actuator to the second actuator position. When the switch actuator is actuated by applying a bi-directional manual force to the resilient arm, the resilient arm is displaced from the edge, thereby permitting movement of the switch actuator to the second actuator position.