Band Saw Blade Guide Device Clearance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional band saw blade guide devices face issues in maintaining an appropriate clearance between fixed and movable insertion blocks, leading to cutting deviations and excessive wear due to variations in band saw blade thickness, whether using eccentric cams or hydraulic cylinders.

Innovation Solution

A method and device employing a return allowing unit with a pressing force transmitting member and a passive member, actuated by an actuator, to maintain a predetermined clearance by mechanically fixing one of the members and allowing the movable insertion block to return, ensuring consistent guidance regardless of blade thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the clearance between fixed insertion block and movable insertion block is set for thin band saw blade, then thin blade is properly guided, but thick blade cannot be held firmly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance precisionVSAvoidholding firmness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable insertion block is made dynamically adjustable through a screw mechanism that allows the clearance to be changed based on blade thickness. The block can be positioned at multiple discrete locations along the guide direction, enabling the system to adapt between different blade specifications while maintaining proper guidance and holding firmness for each case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If movable insertion block is pressed firmly against fixed insertion block, then blade is held securely, but insertion blocks wear out quickly and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding firmnessVSAvoidinsertion block wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining continuous firm pressure, the system applies pressing force only when and where needed. The movable insertion block is positioned to provide minimal necessary clearance for the specific blade thickness, and the screw mechanism allows precise positioning that avoids excessive pressing. This partial action approach maintains secure holding while significantly reducing wear and power consumption compared to continuous firm pressing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If hydraulic cylinder is used to press movable insertion block, then blade is held firmly, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding firmnessVSAvoidpressing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cylinder and its associated fluid pressure system are completely removed from the design. The pressing and positioning function is achieved through a purely mechanical screw mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear displacement of the movable insertion block. This extraction of the hydraulic subsystem dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to hold the blade firmly through mechanical advantage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2492036B1Method of holding band saw blade by means of band saw blade guide device, as well as band saw blade guide device
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 AMADA CO LTD
  • EP2492036B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2492036B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP2492036B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(C)

AI summary

In the process of holding a non-toothed section of a band saw blade (5) between a fixed insertion block (9) and a movable insertion block (15) included in a band saw blade guide device, the movable insertion block (15) is moved while a return allowing unit (33) included in an insertion block moving unit (21) is held in a returnable state, the insertion block moving unit (21) configured to move the movable insertion block (15) toward the fixed insertion block (9). The band saw blade (5) is firmly held between the fixed insertion block (9) and the movable insertion block (15). Whereafter, the entirety of the insertion block moving unit (21), including the return allowing unit (33), is fixed in an immovable state by a mechanical fixing unit (45). In this fixed state, a clearance between the fixed insertion block (9) and the movable insertion block (15) is kept at an appropriate clearance corresponding to a thickness of the band saw blade (5) by a return allowing action of the return allowing unit (33).