Cam Lock Fence Assembly for Fast, Accurate Woodworking Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stop and alignment systems for woodworking machines are often expensive, complex, time-consuming to set up, and lack accuracy and durability, making them inefficient and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A cam lock fence system with a handle portion, top carrier, and bottom carrier connected by a threaded shaft, allowing for quick, durable, and accurate locking or unlocking of the fence assembly through rotational movement, which is ergonomic, intuitive, and extends forces along the axis of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional stop and alignment systems are used, then alignment function is provided, but they are expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fence assembly is divided into separate modular components including the fence body, cam lock mechanism, threaded shaft, and alignment arms that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies production while maintaining functional integrity and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lock mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides locking action, alignment reference surfaces, and adjustable positioning capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment devices, reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining comprehensive alignment functionality.
2Productivity
If conventional stop and alignment systems are used, then alignment is provided, but they are time-consuming to set up
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment arms are pre-configured with reference surfaces and the cam lock mechanism is pre-assembled with the threaded shaft, allowing for rapid installation and adjustment. The pre-positioned components eliminate time-consuming assembly steps during setup while maintaining precise alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lock mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the fence position through rotational movement of the handle, allowing quick repositioning and relocking without time-consuming manual adjustments. This dynamic locking system significantly reduces setup time while maintaining alignment accuracy.
3Reliability
If conventional stop and alignment systems are used, then alignment function is provided, but they lack accuracy and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surfaces are designed with curved geometries that provide progressive engagement and distribution of locking forces along the arc of rotation. This curved cam profile ensures consistent contact between mating surfaces, maintaining both high alignment accuracy and durability under repeated use and loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lock components utilize composite construction combining hardened steel cam surfaces for durability with precision-machined alignment surfaces. This composite approach ensures both long-term durability through wear-resistant materials and high alignment accuracy through precisely engineered contact surfaces.
4Ease of operation
If cam lock mechanism is rotated, then fence assembly is locked or unlocked, but forces must extend along axis of rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surfaces are designed with curved profiles that naturally guide forces along the axis of rotation during handle movement. The arc-shaped cam profile ensures that operational forces are directed axially through the threaded shaft and alignment arms, simplifying operation while maintaining proper force distribution without complex structural constraints.
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
The cam lock fence system provides a cost-effective, efficient, and safe solution that is easy to use, allowing for precise adjustments and firm locking while being easy to unlock, suitable for various woodworking tools, and maintains durability and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded shaft, wherein the handle portion and top carrier are positioned above the fence assembly and work table or surface; wherein the bottom carrier is positioned below the fence assembly and work table or surface
Implementation Method 2
The handle portion and top carrier both have cam surfaces that engage one another such that when the handle portion is rotated around the axis of the threaded shaft the handle portion is raised or lowered thereby raising or lowering the bottom carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A cam lock connected with a fence assembly includes a handle portion, a top carrier and a bottom carrier connected by a threaded shaft. The handle portion and top carrier are positioned above the fence assembly and a work table or surface; wherein the bottom carrier is positioned below the fence assembly and work table or surface. The top carrier and bottom carrier both have a pair of alignment arms with a space positioned therebetween, the alignment arms of the top carrier nest with the alignment arms of the bottom carrier. The handle portion and top carrier both have cam surfaces that engage one another such that when the handle portion is rotated around the axis of the threaded shaft the handle portion is raised or lowered thereby raising or lowering the bottom carrier, thereby locking or unlocking the fence assembly in a quick, durable, easy and accurate manner.