Ceramic Cutter Head Lever Cam Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual ceramic cutters require users to apply significant force and use both hands to separate ceramic parts, as existing separators necessitate manual actuation to switch between operative and inoperative positions, hindering secure handling of the ceramic part during cutting and separation.

Innovation Solution

A cutting and separation head with a class 1 lever and spring mechanism that automatically adjusts the separator's position based on the head's inclination, using a cam to release coupling elements, allowing for one-handed operation and reduced effort in separating ceramic parts by transmitting greater force to the separator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the separator is directly mounted on the cutting head by means of a rotary shaft, then the separator can be positioned in operative and inoperative positions, but the user must apply significant force to separate the ceramic parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of separator actuationVSAvoidforce required to separate ceramic parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is mounted on a class 1 lever that can dynamically change position between operative and inoperative positions. The lever pivots on a transverse rotary shaft, allowing the separator to move from a retracted position (during cutting) to a forward position (during separation) based on the operational phase, making the system adaptive to different operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A class 1 lever acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the user's manual input and the separator. The lever provides mechanical advantage, amplifying the user's applied force and translating it into greater separating force on the ceramic part, thereby reducing the direct force requirement on the separator mounting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the separator is manually actuated to change position, then the separator can be placed in operative or inoperative position, but the user must use both hands, preventing secure handling of the ceramic part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehand-free operation capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of automatic positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator positioning mechanism is self-actuating through the lever system. When the user applies force to the lever handle, the lever automatically pivots and positions the separator in the operative position without requiring separate manual control. The system uses the user's primary hand operation on the lever to simultaneously control both the lever position and separator position, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining ceramic part security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient and one-handed operation of the separator, reducing the effort needed to separate ceramic parts and allowing secure handling of the ceramic part during the cutting and separation process.

Implementation Method 1

A cutting and separation head with a class 1 lever and spring mechanism that automatically adjusts the separator's position based on the head's inclination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A cutting and separation head with a class 1 lever and spring mechanism that automatically adjusts the separator's position... transmitting greater force to the separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever mechanical advantage: Lever

Implementation Method 3

using a cam to release coupling elements, allowing for one-handed operation and reduced effort in separating ceramic parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3272484B1Cutting and separation head for manual ceramic cutters
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 GERMANS BOADA SA
  • EP3272484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272484B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3272484B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting and separation head for manual ceramic cutters, comprising: a body (3) that carries a grip handle (5) and a cutting tool (6), is mounted on movable supports (2) on longitudinal guides of the cutter (C), and is able to rotate with respect to a first transverse rotary shaft (4); a separator provided with a foot (7), a class 1 lever (8), and a first coupling element (10) in the separator that is couplable to a second coupling element (12) in the body (3) of the head (1); and a cam (13) for releasing the first and second coupling elements (10, 12), the cam being mounted on the body (3) and relatively rotatable between a first position and a second position.