Touch-Sensitive Tool Controls for Dead-Man Power Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power-tool operating devices lack intuitive operation and safety features, particularly in switching power-tool functions and energy supply management, leading to potential unintentional activation of the drive unit.
Innovation Solution
The integration of touch-sensitive electronic operating elements and an electronic unit that controls energy supply and power-tool functions, including locking and dead-man's switching functions, allows for intuitive operation and enhanced safety by sensing operator movements and actuations to manage energy supply and power-tool functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical operating elements are used, then the device structure is simple, but the operation is not intuitive and safety features are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical operating elements with touch-sensitive electronic operating elements that can be actuated by touching, sliding, or other gestures. This substitution enables more intuitive operation while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of electronic sensing technology rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive operating elements serve multiple functions: they can detect different types of user inputs (touching, sliding, pressing), control various power-tool functions, and provide safety features through the same physical interface. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If touch-sensitive electronic operating elements are integrated, then intuitive operation and safety features are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching contacts with touch-sensitive electronic operating elements that detect user intent through touch, slide, or press gestures. This electronic substitution enhances safety by preventing unintentional activation while requiring only moderate increases in device complexity through integration of electronic sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic unit continuously monitors the state of touch-sensitive operating elements and provides feedback control over energy supply to the drive unit. This feedback mechanism enhances reliability by ensuring that power-tool functions are activated only when intended by the operator, while the complexity increase is managed through efficient electronic control architecture.
3Reliability
If electronic unit controls energy supply based on operator input, then safety is improved, but operating current requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-current mechanical switching contacts with low-current touch-sensitive electronic operating elements. The electronic sensing mechanism requires only minimal operating current to detect user input, while the actual high-power energy supply control is managed electronically based on these low-current signals, thereby improving safety without significantly increasing operating current requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine-tool operating device includes at least one operating unit and at least one electronics unit. The at least one operating unit has at least one operating element that is configured to be actuated by an operator and at least one further operating element that is configured to be actuated by an operator. The at least one electronics unit is configured at least for switching at least one energy supply of a drive unit in accordance with actuation of the operating element and of the further operating element. One or more of the operating element and the further operating element are configured as a touch-sensitive electronic operating element.