Adjustable Power Tool Guide Device with Movable Connection Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide devices for power tools are limited in their ability to accommodate different tool specifications and sizes, as they often require fixed adapters that are not compatible with various power tools, restricting their versatility and operability.

Innovation Solution

A guide device featuring a ruler plate, an adapter base, and adjustable connection members that can be attached to different power tools, allowing for customizable positioning and compatibility with various tool sizes, including the option to change the distance between connection members and adjust their orientation to prevent improper attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed adapters are used to attach power tools to the ruler plate, then the attachment structure is simple, but the guide device cannot accommodate different power tool specifications and sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different power toolsVSAvoidadapter structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection members are designed to be movable relative to the adapter base, allowing the distance between connection members to be adjusted. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the adapter to accommodate different power tool specifications and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter base is designed with multiple attaching portions and connection members that can be configured in different positions, allowing a single adapter structure to universally attach to various power tools with different attaching portion distances, eliminating the need for multiple specialized adapters.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between connection members is fixed, then the adapter structure is simple, but it cannot be attached to power tools with incompatible attaching portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different attaching portionsVSAvoidattachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection members can be moved along the adapter base to different positions, allowing users to adjust the distance between connection members to match the attaching portion distances of different power tools. This dynamic adjustment maintains ease of operation while significantly improving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter base is divided into multiple attaching portions at different positions, and connection members can be selectively attached to different combinations of these portions, creating segmented attachment options that accommodate various power tool configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If connection members are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but improper attachment cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment accuracyVSAvoidconnection member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection members are designed with asymmetric features including restricting portions that prevent attachment in incorrect orientations. This asymmetric design ensures that connection members can only be properly attached in the correct orientation, preventing improper attachment while maintaining relatively simple connection member structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The restricting portions on connection members are designed in advance to prevent improper attachment before it can occur. This preliminary anti-action approach ensures that even if users attempt to attach connection members incorrectly, the asymmetric restricting portions will physically prevent such improper attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2581166B1Guide devices for power tools
Publication Date: 2014.09.17 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2581166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2581166B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2581166B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A guide device (10) may include a ruler plate (20) adapted to be fixed in position relative to the workpiece (W), an adapter base (30) adapted to support the power tool (50, 70) and movable in a process proceeding direction relative to the ruler plate (20), and a plurality of connection members (31, 43) for connecting the adapter base (30) to the power tool (50, 70). The plurality of connection members may include a front connection member (31, 43) and a rear connection member (31, 43) positioned on a rear side of the front connection member with respect to the process proceeding direction. A distance between the front connection member and the rear connection member can be changed.