Rotational Control Power Tool Using Wrist Motion Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power tool control methods require users to linearly actuate a switch to control rotational motion, making it difficult to intuitively adjust speed and assess joint tightness, as the user must sense wrist torque to adjust finger control accordingly.
Innovation Solution
A power tool with a rotational motion sensor that monitors and controls the output member's rotation based on detected rotational motion, allowing intuitive control similar to a manual screwdriver, with features like haptic feedback and adaptive control schemes to enhance user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linear trigger switch is used to control the power tool, then the tool can be turned on and off, but the user cannot intuitively adjust speed or assess joint tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional linear trigger switch with a rotational control mechanism that detects wrist rotation through sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope). This substitution transforms the control interface from linear finger motion to rotational wrist motion, making it more intuitive while maintaining manageable complexity through electronic sensing rather than complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotational motion sensors as intermediaries between the user's wrist motion and the motor control system. These sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope) mediate the translation of natural wrist rotation into precise motor speed adjustments, bridging the gap between intuitive user input and controlled output without requiring complex direct mechanical coupling.
2Power
If the motor continues spinning while the output member slows down, then the tool can maintain power, but reactionary torque is felt in the user's wrist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring wrist rotation through sensors and adjusting motor output accordingly. When the output member encounters resistance and slows down, the sensor detects the change in rotational motion and provides feedback to the controller, which then adjusts motor power to maintain smooth operation and reduce reactionary torque on the user's wrist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the motor output dynamic by continuously adjusting power based on real-time sensor input. Rather than maintaining constant motor speed, the system dynamically modulates motor output to match the actual operational needs detected through wrist motion sensing, allowing the motor to smooth out variations and reduce torque reactions while maintaining overall power delivery.
3Productivity
If the user must sense wrist torque to adjust finger control, then the tool can respond to load changes, but the control process becomes indirect and slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the indirect mechanical sensing method (user sensing wrist torque) with direct electronic sensing using accelerometers and gyroscopes. This substitution allows the system to directly detect rotational motion and load changes through electronic sensors, providing immediate digital feedback to the controller and enabling much faster response times compared to human sensory processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the tool to self-adjust by using sensors to automatically detect operational conditions and control the motor accordingly. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own state through rotational sensors and autonomously making control adjustments without requiring the user to sense and interpret wrist torque, thereby speeding up the control response.
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 solution provides a more intuitive and efficient control method that allows users to directly correlate rotational input with output, improving speed adjustment and joint tightness assessment, reducing user fatigue and enhancing operational precision.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational motion sensor arranged in the housing at a location spatially separated from the output member and operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about the longitudinal axis of the output member
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes: monitoring rotational motion of the power tool about an axis using a rotational motion sensor disposed in the power tool; determining a direction of the rotational motion about the axis; and driving the output member in a direction defined by the detected rotational motion of the tool, where the output member is driven by a motor residing in the power tool. Thus, the output member is drive clockwise when the rotational motion of the tool is clockwise about the axis and the output member is drive counter-clockwise when the rotational motion of the tool is counter-clockwise about the axis.