Wound Prevention Assembly Using Wearable Distance Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for portable power tools with blades or jaws often fail to prevent accidental injuries due to user negligence, as they can be ignored or not worn, leading to difficulties in assigning liability and increased risk of mutilation.
Innovation Solution
A portable power tool assembly that includes a wearable accessory and a distance estimation system using antennas to ensure the blades or jaws remain open unless the accessory is within a predetermined safety threshold distance, with additional features like accelerometers to verify active use and prevent improper use, and a man-machine interface for temporary safety overrides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetic field sensor or radio signal transceiver is used to detect proximity between the power tool and accessory, then the safety system can detect when the user is too close to the blades, but the system can be ignored or not worn by users, leading to injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by detecting whether the accessory is properly worn before allowing the power tool to operate. The distance estimation means continuously monitors the distance between the accessory and power tool, and the control means prevents blade closing if the accessory is not detected or distance exceeds threshold, ensuring safety conditions are met before operation begins
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by constantly monitoring the distance between the accessory and power tool using the distance estimation means. The control means receives real-time distance information and automatically adjusts blade operation accordingly - preventing closing when distance exceeds threshold and allowing closing when within threshold, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds dynamically to user position
2Reliability
If the blades are prevented from closing when distance exceeds threshold, then user safety is improved, but the tool productivity is reduced due to frequent safety interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time distance measurements. The control means continuously monitors distance through the distance estimation means and automatically transitions between safety modes (preventing blade closing) and operational modes (allowing blade closing) based on whether the accessory remains within the predetermined threshold distance, optimizing both safety and productivity through adaptive control
3Loss of information
If a wearable accessory with distance estimation means is required, then liability allocation is clarified through compliance evidence, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable accessory serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a safety sensor for distance detection, provides compliance verification through the verification means, and triggers appropriate safety responses through the control means. The distance estimation means in the accessory works in conjunction with the power tool to provide both safety monitoring and liability documentation capabilities in a single integrated device
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 assembly effectively prevents accidental injuries by ensuring the user wears the accessory and maintains a safe distance, reducing the risk of mutilation and providing evidence of compliance for liability purposes, while allowing temporary safety overrides.
Implementation Method 1
a means for estimating a value representative of the distance separating the portable accessory and the portable power tool
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly which includes: - a power tool (100) having a drive means configured to move two blades or two jaws between an open position and a closed position, - a handheld accessory (200) intended to be worn by the user on a limb separate from the arm of the user wearing the tool, - a means for estimating a representative value of the distance (D1) separating the handheld accessory and the power tool, and in that the blades or jaws are moved or held in the open position unless each of the following conditions is met: - the representative value of the distance (D1) separating the handheld accessory and the power tool is less than a predetermined threshold, called the activation threshold, - the representative value of the distance (D1) separating the handheld accessory and the power tool is greater than a predetermined threshold, called the safety threshold.