Blade Assembly Segmentation for Thicker Branch Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld cutting devices face difficulties in cutting vegetation with thicker diameters, as they tend to jam, and existing solutions like sawing sections are not universally effective.

Innovation Solution

A blade assembly with a combination of a first and second elongated blade, each featuring a trimming portion and a high-capacity trimming portion, where the high-capacity trimming portion includes longer high-capacity trimming teeth and guide teeth, allowing for effective cutting of thicker branches while maintaining ease of handling and reducing overall load on the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cutting device uses a standard trimming portion with regular trimming teeth, then it can trim small vegetation effectively, but it cannot cut thicker diameter material or vegetation without jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to cut different vegetation sizesVSAvoidjamming resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is segmented into distinct portions: a trimming portion with regular trimming teeth for small vegetation, and a high-capacity trimming portion with longer high-capacity trimming teeth for thicker branches. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the device to handle various vegetation sizes without jamming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the blade assembly have different local qualities - the trimming portion has shorter teeth suitable for fine trimming, while the high-capacity trimming portion has longer teeth with greater cutting capacity for thicker material. This local differentiation enables the blade to perform multiple functions effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cutting device equips the entire blade with high-capacity trimming teeth to cut thicker branches, then it can handle larger vegetation, but it increases the weight and load on the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to cut thicker branchesVSAvoiddevice weight and load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of equipping the entire blade with heavy high-capacity teeth, only a specific high-capacity trimming portion is provided with longer teeth. The remaining trimming portion retains lighter regular teeth, thus reducing overall blade weight while maintaining the capability to cut thicker branches when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade assembly has non-uniform local quality - the high-capacity trimming portion is localized to where it is most needed, while other portions maintain lighter construction. This localized approach provides heavy-duty cutting capability only where required, minimizing overall weight increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the blade assembly includes only regular trimming teeth, then it maintains simple structure and easy operation, but it lacks the capability to cut thicker diameter material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of operationVSAvoidcutting capacity for different vegetation sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform both fine trimming of small vegetation and cutting of thicker branches using different portions. The guide teeth further enhance this versatility by enabling the high-capacity portion to function as a sawing section, making the device universally applicable to various cutting tasks.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Guide teeth are introduced as intermediary elements that facilitate the function of high-capacity trimming teeth. These guide teeth support the longer high-capacity teeth and enable effective sawing action on thick branches, bridging the gap between simple trimming and heavy-duty cutting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the high-capacity trimming portion includes longer high-capacity trimming teeth and guide teeth, then it enables effective cutting of thicker branches, but it increases the complexity of the blade assembly structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to cut thicker branchesVSAvoidblade assembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is divided into distinct functional segments - the trimming portion with regular teeth and the high-capacity trimming portion with longer teeth and guide teeth. This clear segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable sections, each with specific functions, making the overall structure easier to understand and maintain despite the added capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3468342B1A blade assembly for a cutting device and a cutting device
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP3468342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3468342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3468342B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The blade assembly (20') may include a first elongated blade (122) and a second elongated blade (124), where the first elongated blade (122) and the second elongated blade (124) each include a trimming portion (126) and a high-capacity trimming portion (128). The trimming portion (126) of each of the first elongated blade (122) and the second elongated blade (124) may include a set of trimming teeth (130). The high-capacity trimming portion (128) of each of the first elongated blade (122) and the second elongated blade (124) may include one or more high-capacity trimming teeth (146) that are longer than the trimming teeth (130), The high-capacity trimming portion (128) of the first elongated blade ( 122) or the second elongated blade (124) may further include a first guide tooth (142), the first guide tooth (142) being disposed on a first side (180) of the one or more high-capacity trimming teeth (146) of the first elongated blade ( 122) or the second elongated blade ( 124). The high-capacity trimming portion ( 128) of the first elongated blade ( 122) or the second elongated blade ( 124) may further include a second guide tooth (144), the second guide tooth (144) being disposed on a second side (182) of the one or more high-capacity trimming teeth (146) of the first elongated blade (122) or the second elongated blade (124). The first guide tooth (142) and the second guide tooth (144) may be longer than the one or more high-capacity trimming teeth (146) of the first elongated blade (122) or second elongated blade (124).