Adjustable Guard for Power Tool with Rotatable Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held power tool guards are often non-adjustable or difficult to adjust, which can obstruct the user's view of the workpiece and fail to provide adequate protection from debris.
Innovation Solution
A power tool design featuring a rotatable guard with radially inward-extending projections and apertures, a lever with a detent member, and a biasing member that allows for adjustable positioning and rotational locking of the guard relative to the housing, enabling secure and customizable protection from debris while maintaining visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the guard is made non-adjustable or fixed in position, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the user's view of the workpiece is blocked and protection effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guard is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position. The guard can rotate to different angles to provide protection while maintaining user visibility of the workpiece, resolving the contradiction between fixed structure simplicity and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard assembly is segmented into multiple components including the guard itself, the flange with slots, and the lever mechanism. This segmentation allows the guard to be independently positioned and adjusted, enabling it to provide protection without blocking the user's view.
2Ease of operation
If the guard is made adjustable with multiple positions, then protection effectiveness and user visibility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard uses a simple rotational mechanism with detent positions rather than complex adjustable mechanisms. The biasing member automatically engages the detent member with apertures to lock the guard in specific positions, providing adjustability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically positions the lever to engage the detent member with the apertures, locking the guard in place without requiring additional fastening steps or complex locking mechanisms. The system self-locks through the spring force.
3Device complexity
If the guard is made difficult to adjust, then the structure is simpler, but the ease of operation and user safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member continuously applies force to the lever, automatically engaging the detent member with the nearest aperture when the guard is rotated to a desired position. This self-locking mechanism provides easy adjustment without complex fastening procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary between the user's rotational input and the locking mechanism. By manipulating the lever, the user can easily rotate the guard to different positions, and the detent member-aperture interface provides positive locking without requiring the user to perform complex actions.
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 provides users with adjustable protection from debris, ensuring safety and visibility during operation by allowing the guard to be easily positioned and locked in various orientations, enhancing user safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member for biasing the lever toward the rotatable guard
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool includes an output shaft defining a rotational axis and a housing from which the output shaft protrudes. The power tool further includes a flange at least partially surrounding the output shaft, a circumferential groove defined between the housing and the flange, and a radially inward-extending slot in the flange. The power tool also includes a rotatable guard having a first radially inward-extending projection and a plurality of apertures positioned radially about the rotational axis. The first radially inward-extending projection is receivable through the radially inward-extending slot in the flange and positioned within the groove. Furthermore, the power tool includes a lever having a detent member, and a biasing member for biasing the lever toward the rotatable guard. The detent member is receivable in one of the plurality of apertures to rotationally lock the rotatable guard relative to the housing.