Trigger Switch Circuit Power Isolation for Electric Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trigger switch circuits in electric instruments consume power wastefully when illuminating without operating the motor, as power is supplied to motor-related circuits even during illumination, increasing energy usage without a corresponding operational need.

Innovation Solution

A trigger switch circuit design featuring a changeover switch that separates power supply to light-emitting and motor circuits, using a power switch and changeover switch configuration to ensure power is only supplied to the light-emitting element when the trigger is moved from its initial position, and to the motor when necessary, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If power is supplied to both light-emitting element and motor circuit simultaneously through a single power switch, then the circuit structure is simple, but power consumption increases when only illumination is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply circuit is segmented into two independent paths: one for the light-emitting element and another for the motor circuit. The first switch controls power to the light-emitting element, while the second switch controls power to the motor circuit. This segmentation allows independent control of each load, enabling the light to operate without energizing the motor circuit, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining circuit simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a single switch controls both light emission and motor operation, then the operation is simple, but the light cannot be emitted independently without motor power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidindependent control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single control function is segmented into two independent switches: a first switch for controlling light emission and a second switch for controlling motor operation. This allows the user to independently activate the light without necessarily activating the motor circuit, providing versatile control options while maintaining ease of operation through simple switch mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system transitions from a static single-switch configuration to a dynamic multi-switch configuration where each switch can be independently activated or deactivated. This dynamic control structure enables flexible operation modes: light-only mode, motor-only mode, or both simultaneously, adapting to different user needs while preserving operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2530694B1Trigger switch circuit and electric instrument
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 OMRON CORP
  • EP2530694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2530694B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2530694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to suppress wasteful power consumption without increasing the number of components. A trigger switch circuit operating in conjunction with a trigger of an electric instrument includes a main switch, a sliding switch, a light-emission control unit, and a rotation control unit. When the trigger is at an initial position, the main switch is off, and the sliding switch is not connected to any fixed contact point. When the trigger reaches a first position, the sliding switch is connected to one of the fixed contact points, and electric power is fed to the light-emission control unit without interposing the main switch to emit light in an LED. When the trigger reaches a second position, the main switch is turned on to feed the electric power into the trigger switch circuit. When the trigger reaches a third position, in sliding switch, connection is switched from the one fixed contact point to another fixed contact point to operate the rotation control unit to drive a motor.