Adjustable Cutter Clamp Geometry for Shorter Guide Bar Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutter clamps do not effectively reduce the risk of kick-back of the guide bar and are not versatile enough to accommodate different types of power cutters, particularly those with smaller guide bars.

Innovation Solution

A cutter clamp design featuring arcuate arm parts that adjustably enclose a pipe's circumference, equipped with a locking screw for secure clamping and a hollow rod for pivoting the power cutter, allowing for easy attachment and adjustment to various pipe dimensions and power cutter types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a longer guide bar is used to accommodate larger pipe diameters, then the cutting capability is improved, but the risk of kick-back increases and the guide bar becomes harder to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidkick-back risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter clamp divides the clamping function into multiple contact points (at least three contact points) distributed around the pipe circumference. This segmentation allows the same clamp structure to effectively accommodate different pipe diameters without requiring a longer guide bar, thereby reducing kick-back risk while maintaining cutting capability across various pipe sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutter clamp is designed with adjustable arm parts and multiple contact points that can adapt to different pipe diameters. This universal design allows a single clamp configuration to work with various pipe sizes, eliminating the need for specialized equipment with longer guide bars for larger pipes, thus reducing kick-back risk while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a longer guide bar is used to increase cutting reach, then the cutting angle range is improved, but the guide bar becomes harder to handle and kick-back risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting angle rangeVSAvoidguide bar handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp structure segments the cutting support function into multiple contact points around the pipe, allowing the power cutter to achieve various cutting angles through the adjustable arm positions rather than requiring a longer guide bar. This maintains guide bar length within manageable limits while expanding cutting angle capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm parts of the cutter clamp are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable, allowing dynamic adaptation to different cutting angles and pipe diameters. This dynamic adjustment capability provides the versatility of a longer guide bar while maintaining the ease of handling associated with a standard-length guide bar.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a fixed clamping structure is used to ensure stable working positions, then cutting precision is improved, but the device cannot accommodate different pipe dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidpipe dimension accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter clamp employs adjustable arm parts that can be configured to match different pipe diameters while maintaining stable contact points. This dynamic adjustability allows the clamp to provide precise, stable working positions for each specific pipe size, combining cutting precision with adaptability across various dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp structure allows modification of geometric parameters (arm positions, contact point locations) to accommodate different pipe dimensions. By changing these parameters rather than the fundamental structure, the system maintains stable, precise clamping for each pipe size while adapting to various dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If a complex attachment mechanism is used to secure different power cutter types, then versatility is improved, but the attachment process becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower cutter compatibilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter clamp employs a standardized mounting rod interface that can accommodate different types of power cutters (chain saws, ring saws, etc.) without requiring complex specialized attachment mechanisms for each cutter type. This universal interface simplifies the attachment process while maintaining versatility across power cutter types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into a standardized mounting rod component that interfaces with the power cutter and the clamp body. This segmentation creates a simple, repeatable attachment interface that reduces complexity while enabling compatibility with various power cutter types through the same standardized connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enables the use of shorter guide bars, reducing kick-back risk and enhancing cutting angle precision, while being adaptable to different pipe dimensions and power cutters, including ring saws, with a secure and easy attachment mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a locking screw that is rotatably attached to a first screw holder and is arranged to engage threads comprised in a second screw holder such that turning the locking screw enables the adjustment of the arm parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

at least one hollow rod arranged for receiving a mounting rod of a power cutter in a pivoting manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting connection: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

the arm parts are arcuate and arranged to adjustably at least partially enclose a major part of a circumference having a center

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint through arcuate geometry: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3676037B1Cutter clamps, cutter clamp kit, and cutter clamp and holding frame systems
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP3676037B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3676037B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3676037B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cutter clamp (8, 37) that comprises a first arm part (10, 39) and a second arm part (11, 40), where the arm parts (10, 11; 39, 40) are arcuate and arranged to adjustably at least partially enclose a major part of a circumference (57, 63) having a center (58, 64). The cutter clamp (8, 37) comprises at least one hollow rod (21, 22; 48, 62) arranged for receiving a mounting rod (36) for a power cutter(1, 56) in a pivoting manner. The smaller circumference the arm parts (10, 11; 39, 40) are adjusted for, the closer to the center (58, 64) said hollow rod (21, 22; 48, 62) is moved. The present disclosure also relates to a cutter clamp attachment device (68), a cutter clamp kit and a cutter clamp holding frame (76).