Trigger Switch Waterproof Sealing for Brushless Motor Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trigger switches for brushless motor-mounted power tools are prone to water ingress around the revolving shaft of the switching lever, leading to erroneous operations due to water propagation to contact elements on the sliding circuit board, and corrosion occurs due to leaks between electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof packing, such as a rubber-like resin, is used to cover the periphery of the revolving shaft and the top surface of the revolving shaft storage chamber, and a drip-proof device like a low-resistance film or slits between contact elements is employed to prevent water adhesion and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the revolving shaft is exposed without protective measure, then the switching lever can operate freely, but water enters around the revolving shaft and propagates to contact elements causing erroneous operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lever operationVSAvoidoperation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof packing made of flexible rubber-like resin is fitted around the revolving shaft to create a water-tight seal. This flexible membrane allows the shaft to rotate freely while preventing water from penetrating to the contact elements, thus maintaining both operational freedom and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the contact elements are coated with resister, then sliding operation is enabled, but water entry causes leak between electrodes accelerating corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding operationVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof packing creates a protective barrier that prevents water from reaching the resister-coated contact elements, allowing the sliding operation to function while protecting against water-induced corrosion and electrical leaks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If waterproof packing is added around the revolving shaft, then water ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single rubber-like resin waterproof packing is used to provide comprehensive water protection around the revolving shaft. This simple yet effective solution achieves reliable waterproofing without requiring complex multi-component sealing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents water ingress and subsequent corrosion, ensuring reliable operation by sealing the revolving shaft area and protecting contact elements on the sliding circuit board.

Implementation Method 1

a waterproof packing, such as a rubber-like resin, is used to cover the periphery of the revolving shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a drip-proof device like a low-resistance film or slits between contact elements is employed to prevent water adhesion and corrosion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2214188B1Trigger switch
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 SATORI S TECH
  • EP2214188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2214188B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2214188B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In a trigger switch having a normal and reverse switching lever configured to switch the direction of rotation of a motor, a case (12) is formed with a speed control unit storage chamber (19) for storing a speed control unit (44), a revolving shaft storage chamber (21) for storing a revolving shaft (29) of the switching lever (26) and a contact strip member storage chamber (22) with continuing from the revolving shaft storage chamber (21) through a shielding member therebetween for storing contact strip member of the switching lever, the revolving shaft storage chamber (21) is formed with a revolving shaft engaging hole (23) configured to allow the revolving shaft (29) to be inserted in an engaged state on an upper portion thereof on the side of the trigger lever (11), and a waterproof device for covering at least a gap between the switching lever (29) and the revolving shaft engaging hole (23) is provided to prevent entry of water therein.