Asymmetrical Dovetail Slide Arrangement to Prevent Misassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing symmetrical dovetail guides in slide tools can lead to incorrect installation due to 180° rotation, causing potential damage to the tool and machined parts, especially in complex and space-constrained environments.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetrical arrangement of the dovetail joint is introduced, with the plane of symmetry offset from the tool center, ensuring that sliding plates are positioned asymmetrically and preventing unintentional 180° rotation during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a symmetrical dovetail guide is used in the slide tool, then the guide structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the slide can be incorrectly installed due to 180° rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the plane of symmetry of the dovetail joint from the tool center, creating an asymmetrical arrangement where sliding plates are positioned at different distances from the tool center. This asymmetrical configuration prevents 180° rotation during installation, ensuring correct installation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If the plane of symmetry of the dovetail joint coincides with the tool center, then the guide structure is symmetrical and simple, but incorrect assembly cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by deliberately offsetting the dovetail joint's plane of symmetry from the tool center. This creates an asymmetrical guide structure where the sliding plates are at different positions relative to the tool center, making incorrect assembly (180° rotation) immediately detectable and physically impossible, while adding minimal complexity to the overall guide structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sliding plates are arranged symmetrically on the dovetail, then the force distribution is balanced, but the slide can be mounted in incorrect orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by arranging sliding plates asymmetrically relative to the tool center, while maintaining their symmetrical relationship to the offset dovetail joint's plane of symmetry. This ensures balanced force distribution through the dovetail joint while preventing incorrect mounting orientation, as the asymmetrical position relative to the tool center makes 180° rotation impossible.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a quill slide is used to address space constraints, then the driver can be mounted on the quill, but the quill may deflect unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the quill support function into multiple components: the quill holder that receives the quill, guide bushings that provide lateral guidance, and sliding plates that enable controlled movement. This segmented approach allows the quill to be supported at multiple points, preventing unintentional deflection while maintaining the space-efficient quill slide configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses guide bushings as intermediary elements between the quill and the quill holder. These guide bushings provide lateral guidance and support to the quill, preventing deflection while allowing axial movement. The intermediary guide bushings enable the quill to maintain stability without being rigidly fixed, resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and quill stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a slide tool (100) comprising a slide bed (2) and a slide (3) which is movably mounted thereon on a dovetail guide by means of sliding plates (G1, G2), wherein the dovetail connection has a non-symmetric design.