Handheld Tool Contact Circuit for Residual Voltage Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric tools pose a risk of electric shock due to residual voltage on freely accessible contact elements after the accumulator is disconnected, which is not adequately addressed by existing safety mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tool with an intermediate circuit and circuit arrangement that detects disconnection and reduces or switches off the electrical voltage at the contact elements using defined operating information, employing semiconductor switching elements and a microprocessor module to manage the voltage control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contact elements are made freely accessible for easy connection and disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but electrical safety deteriorates due to residual voltage posing electric shock danger
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates the circuit arrangement to discharge residual voltage from capacitors before the contact elements become accessible. This preliminary action eliminates the electric shock hazard before the user can touch the contact elements, allowing them to remain exposed without safety compromises.
Solution Approach 2:
A circuit arrangement with switching elements (transistors or diodes) is introduced as an intermediary between the capacitors and contact elements. This intermediary controls the discharge path of residual voltage, directing it safely through designated pathways rather than allowing it to remain on accessible contact elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If residual voltage is discharged quickly to ensure safety, then electrical safety is improved, but loss of time increases due to interruption of tool operation
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit arrangement dynamically adjusts the discharge process based on operating conditions. The control unit monitors the operational state and only activates the discharge function when the tool is actually disconnected from the power supply, allowing rapid voltage reduction without unnecessarily interrupting ongoing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about the connection state between the power supply and the tool. Based on this feedback, it intelligently decides when to activate the discharge function, ensuring that residual voltage is eliminated only when safety is actually required, thus avoiding unnecessary operational interruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool, in particular a mobile and/or hand-held tool, includes: a drive unit that is configured to convert electrical energy to drive a tool element of the tool; a contact element for transmitting electrical energy and/or electrical signals and which is configured to form a disconnectable terminal connection with a supply device for providing electrical energy and/or electrical signals to be able to provide electrical energy and/or electrical signals to the drive unit in a connection state of the supply device; and an intermediate circuit that electrically connects the drive unit to the contact element. The intermediate circuit has a circuit arrangement that is configured to reduce or to switch off an electrical voltage that is applied to the contact element after a disconnection process of the supply device and/or in a disconnection state of the supply device as a function of at least one defined operating information.