Work Tool Movement Restricting Mechanism for Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work tools that operate in multiple modes require users to manually maintain the operation member in a pressed state, leading to inconvenience and potential accidental activation.
Innovation Solution
A work tool with a movement restricting mechanism that allows the operation member to be held in an off-position by default, requiring external pressing to switch to an on-position, and includes a mode switching member to select operation modes, preventing accidental activation by restricting movement based on selected modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operation member is held in a pressed state to keep the switch in an on-state, then the tool can operate continuously, but the user convenience deteriorates due to the need for manual maintenance and risk of accidental operation
Solution Approach 1:
The movement restricting mechanism is activated in advance by the mode switching member before the operation member needs to be held pressed. By pre-restricting the movement of the operation member when in hammer mode, the system eliminates the need for continuous manual pressure while ensuring the switch remains in the desired state, thus improving user convenience without sacrificing continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The movement restricting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the mode switching member and the operation member. It translates the mode selection into appropriate movement restrictions, automatically preventing the operation member from moving to the on-position in hammer mode while allowing it in drill mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable continuous operation and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If the operation member can move freely to the on-position, then the switch can be activated easily, but accidental activation increases reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The movement restricting mechanism dynamically adjusts its restriction level based on the selected operation mode. In hammer mode, it restricts movement to prevent accidental activation, while in drill mode, it allows free movement for easy switch activation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and prevention of harmful accidental activation
Solution Approach 2:
The movement restriction is applied locally and selectively based on the operation mode. Instead of permanently restricting or permanently allowing movement, the system applies restriction only in the specific context of hammer mode, while maintaining full mobility in drill mode. This localized application of quality resolves the contradiction by making the restriction conditional rather than absolute
Data Source
AI summary
A work tool, in which any one of a plurality of operation modes is selectable and which is configured to operate according to the selected operation mode, includes a switch for driving a tool accessory, an operation member, a mode switching member and a movement restricting mechanism. The operation member is configured to be held in an off-position in a non-pressed state and configured to move to an on-position in response to an external pressing operation. The mode switching member is configured to be switched between a plurality of switching positions in response to an external operation, the switching positions respectively corresponding to the operation modes. The movement restricting mechanism is configured to restrict a movement of the operation member from the off-position to the on-position in interlock with a switching operation of the mode switching member.