Foldable String Trimmer Pole With Hub-Protected Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
String trimmers with single integral poles are unwieldy and difficult to transport and store, and the electrical cables running through them are prone to damage during folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A string trimmer with a hinged pole and a rotatable hub that allows the tool to be folded, featuring an electrical cable routed through the hub for protection and an over-center latch for secure locking, along with a guard that ensures safe folding and secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single integral pole is used in string trimmers, then the structure is simplest and cheapest to manufacture, but the tool becomes unwieldy and difficult to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The pole is divided into two separate sections that can be joined together. The first pole section contains the cutting head and motor, while the second pole section contains the handle and battery housing. These sections can be assembled and disassembled by the user, making the tool easier to transport and store while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If two separate poles are used that can be assembled, then transport and storage become easier, but the poles are designed to be assembled only once and are not easily taken apart
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed to be dynamically reusable, allowing the pole sections to be assembled and disassembled multiple times. The hinge includes a latch mechanism that secures the connection during use but can be easily released when needed for storage or transport, making the system adaptable to different operational needs.
3Ease of operation
If the pole is made foldable for easy transport, then storage becomes easier, but the electrical cable running through the pole is prone to damage from repeated folding
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly acts as an intermediary component that protects the electrical cable during folding and unfolding operations. The cable is routed through the hinge mechanism in a way that prevents sharp bending and reduces stress on the cable, allowing repeated folding without compromising cable integrity.
4Reliability
If an over-center latch is used to lock the hinge, then the locking security is improved and accidental release is prevented, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The over-center latch mechanism is designed to be self-latching, automatically securing the hinge in the locked position when the pole sections are assembled. The mechanism uses the natural movement of the hinge to engage the latch, requiring minimal user intervention while providing reliable security against accidental release.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to an outdoor device, preferably a string trimmer, having a hinged pole for folding the string trimmer. The hinge has an easy to use lock that allows for repeated folding of the trimmer for easy transport and storage. The string trimmer has a battery at a rear end of the pole near the handle, and a motor at a front end on the cutting head. An electrical cable is run from the battery to the motor to provide power to the motor. The hinge provides a protective sheath around the cable to protect it from damage when the string trimmer is folded and the cable might otherwise be exposed. Additionally, the string trimmer includes a guard around the cutting head that contacts a battery housing to secure the string trimmer in a folded position.