Cable Saw Guide Layout for Flexible Saw Section Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire saws face limitations in mobility, flexibility, and safety due to fixed guide devices, which restrict their ability to cut large or heavy workpieces on-site and result in inaccurate cuts and increased wear on the saw cable.

Innovation Solution

A wire saw with a guide device featuring separate rope storage for each direction of movement, allowing for compact transport and flexible adjustment of the saw section's position and length, enabling precise and safe cutting under both tension and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the saw wire is opened to guide it through the workpiece, then the saw wire can be positioned, but the cut accuracy deteriorates and the saw wire wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesaw wire positioningVSAvoidcut accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-forms loops at both ends of the saw wire before operation, eliminating the need to open the saw wire during positioning. This preliminary preparation allows the wire to be threaded through the workpiece without compromising cut accuracy or increasing wear, as the continuous loop structure is maintained throughout the cutting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the saw wire is guided around sharp edges, then the workpiece can be cut, but the saw wire wear increases and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidsaw wire durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates guide rollers at critical points where the saw wire contacts sharp edges or changes direction. These guide rollers cushion the wire from direct contact with sharp edges, reducing wear and preventing whip-like motion if the wire breaks, thereby improving both durability and safety while maintaining cutting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If a stationary wire saw with fixed pulleys is used, then the structure is simple, but the mobility and adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidon-site cutting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the stationary wire saw into a mobile system by mounting the wire saw on a vehicle platform and implementing telescopic guide arms with adjustable lengths. This dynamic configuration allows the saw to be transported to various work sites and adapted to different workpiece sizes and positions, while the guide arms can extend and retract to maintain optimal wire tension and positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Length of moving object

If the guide device size is reduced for mobility, then transport becomes easier, but the saw section adjustment flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport sizeVSAvoidsaw section adjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs telescopic guide arms that can extend and retract, allowing the guide device to occupy minimal space during transport (nested configuration) while providing full adjustment range during operation (extended configuration). The nested design enables the longer saw section adjustments to be achieved within a compact transport footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables compact transport and flexible on-site use, allowing for precise cutting of large workpieces with reduced safety risks and increased efficiency by adapting the saw section to desired shapes and sizes.

Implementation Method 1

the guide device has a separate rope storage unit formed by at least one pair of deflection pulleys for each direction of movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP4013564B1Cable saw
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 SCHWING GMBH
  • EP4013564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4013564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4013564B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cable saw (1) for cutting a solid workpiece (W), such as a concrete or stone block, comprising: at least one saw cable (3) which is driven by a drive (2), wherein the saw cable (3) forms a saw portion (4) for engagement in the workpiece (W) to be cut; at least one guide device (5) for guiding the driven saw cable (3), wherein the guide device (5) is designed to position the saw portion (4) of the driven saw cable (3) relative to the workpiece (W), wherein the guide device (5) allows a plurality of independent movement directions (A, B, C, D), and therefore, in addition to advancing the saw portion (4) towards the workpiece (W) to be cut, at least lengthening or shortening of the formed saw portion (4) is also allowed; and at least one cable-storage and cable-tensioning device (6) for accommodating and withdrawing and tensioning the saw cable (3) when the position and/or length of the saw portion (4) is being changed by the guide device (5). The aim of the invention is to provide an improved cable saw which allows a compact transport size and rapid and secure deployment, wherein, in addition, the guide device is intended to provide a high level of flexibility when the position and/or length of the saw portion is being changed. For this purpose, according to the invention, for each of the movement directions (A, B, C, D), the guide device (5) has a separate cable storage means (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) assigned to the individual movement direction (A, B, C, D) .