Sensor-Controlled Cutting Tool for Ergonomic Force Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting tools require significant user effort and cause fatigue, and lack ergonomic design suitable for different hand sizes.
Innovation Solution
A cutting tool with pivotally coupled blades, a drive unit providing supplemental motor force, and sensors to detect handle forces, controlled by a unit that adjusts the opening angle and locks/unlocks automatically, using machine learning to adapt to user behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor drive unit is added to assist cutting movement, then user effort is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical cutting system with an electromechanical system by introducing a motor drive unit. The motor assists the cutting movement by providing supplemental force, thereby substituting part of the manual mechanical effort with automated mechanical assistance. This directly reduces user effort while accepting increased device complexity through the addition of motor components.
2Ease of operation
If sensors and control systems are added to detect force and control opening angle, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by incorporating sensors on the handles that detect forces applied by the user. This force detection feedback is transmitted to a control unit that automatically adjusts the opening angle between blades based on the detected force magnitude. This closed-loop feedback system improves ease of operation by automatically adapting to user input while increasing device complexity through sensor and control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides self-service functionality by automatically controlling the opening angle based on force detection without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the detected force information to autonomously adjust cutting parameters, thereby improving ease of operation while accepting the complexity of the automated control system.
3Ease of operation
If the opening angle is automatically controlled based on sensor outputs, then user fatigue is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors force sensor outputs and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the opening angle between blades. This real-time feedback control prevents user fatigue by automatically optimizing the cutting geometry based on the force being applied, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust settings or maintain excessive force over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening angle control system transitions from a static, fixed geometry to a dynamic, adjustable geometry that changes in response to operating conditions. The control unit dynamically modifies the opening angle based on real-time force detection, allowing the cutting tool to adapt its geometry during operation to maintain optimal cutting conditions and reduce user fatigue.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cutting tool (100) includes a first blade (102) and a second blade (104) pivotally coupled to the first blade (102). A first handle (108) and a second handle (110) are operatively coupled to the first blade (102) and the second blade (104) respectively. A drive unit (130) is operatively coupled to at least one of the first blade (102) and the second blade (104). At least one first sensor (131) is coupled to the first handle (108) for detecting force (F1) acting on the first handle (108). A control unit (133) is electrically coupled to the drive unit (130) and the at least one first sensor (131). The cutting tool (100) is characterized in that at least one second sensor (132) is coupled to the second handle (110) for detecting a force (F2) acting on the second handle (110). The control unit (133) based on respective outputs (S1, S2) of the at least one first sensor (131) and the at least one second sensor (132) controls an opening angle between the first blade (102) and the second blade (104).