Adjustable Cutter Clamp Geometry to Reduce Guide Bar Kick-Back

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutter clamps for power cutters, particularly those used for cutting pipes, face challenges with kick-back of the guide bar and limitations in using smaller guide bars, which affect handling and cutting efficiency, and lack versatility across different types of power cutters.

Innovation Solution

A cutter clamp design featuring arcuate arm parts that adjustably enclose a pipe's circumference, incorporating a hollow rod for pivoting mounting and a locking screw mechanism for secure clamping, allowing for easier adjustment and use with various pipe dimensions, and an attachment device for secure mounting to power cutters and ring saws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a traditional cutter clamp with three-point grip is used, then stable and fixed working positions are achieved, but there is a risk of kick-back of the guide bar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of working positionVSAvoidkick-back risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter clamp is divided into two separate arm parts (first arm part and second arm part) that can be independently adjusted and positioned. This segmentation allows each arm to be optimized for specific functions: one arm provides stable clamping while the other positions the guide bar closer to the pipe, reducing kick-back risk without compromising overall stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm parts are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the clamp to adapt to different pipe diameters and cutting scenarios. The adjustable nature enables dynamic repositioning of the guide bar mounting point closer to the pipe center, which reduces the lever arm and minimizes kick-back forces while maintaining stable working positions through proper adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If a traditional cutter clamp design is used, then a larger guide bar can be mounted, but handling of the power cutter becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide bar lengthVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable arm parts enable the guide bar mounting position to be moved closer to the pipe center, effectively reducing the operational length of the guide bar during cutting. This dynamic adjustment maintains the physical integrity of the guide bar while reducing its effective leverage, making the power cutter easier to handle and control during the cutting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If the arm parts are adjusted for smaller circumference, then the hollow rod moves closer to the center, but the adjustment mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm part circumferenceVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm parts are designed with arcuate (curved) shapes that follow the circumference of the pipe. This curved geometry naturally guides the adjustment motion and allows the hollow rod to move along a predetermined arc path toward the center. The curvature simplifies the adjustment mechanism by providing natural geometric constraints rather than requiring complex guiding structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated slots are pre-positioned and pre-oriented in specific directions on the arm parts. This preliminary arrangement of the slots guides the hollow rod along the correct adjustment path before actual adjustment occurs, simplifying the adjustment mechanism by establishing predetermined motion paths that require minimal additional guiding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a versatile cutter clamp for different power cutters is designed, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with power cuttersVSAvoidclamp structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter clamp is designed with universal features including adjustable arm parts that accommodate different pipe diameters, multiple mounting positions for the guide bar through the elongated slots, and a standardized mounting interface (hollow rod receiving structure) that can work with various power cutter types. This multi-functionality achieves versatility without excessive complexity by using straightforward adjustable mechanisms rather than multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11305405B2Cutter clamp, an attachment device, a cutter clamp kit and a holding frame

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 HUSQVARNA AB

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).