Chainsaw Blade Case Locking and Oil Collection Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chainsaws release lubricating oil during storage and transport, leading to fouling and pollution, and existing cases do not effectively collect or dispose of this oil, causing environmental impact and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

A case with a collection volume that communicates with the housing volume, featuring a liquid conveyor and absorbent material to collect and retain oil, allowing for controlled disposal, and includes locking and unlocking mechanisms for secure application and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the chainsaw is stored in a vertical orientation with the blade at the bottom, then the blade is easily accessible and can be engaged to a support hook, but the lubricating oil released by the blade accumulates inside the case causing fouling and pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidoil pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful accumulation of lubricating oil into a beneficial collection system. The case includes a dedicated collection volume (29) that captures the oil that would otherwise pollute the environment. The oil is redirected from the housing volume (28) through a conveyor mechanism into the collection volume, transforming a pollution problem into a controlled containment solution that allows the chainsaw to be stored vertically with the blade accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional case is used to contain the blade, then the blade is protected during storage, but the case does not prevent oil accumulation and fouling inside the case

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade protectionVSAvoidoil fouling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The case is segmented into two distinct functional volumes: a housing volume (28) for containing the blade and a separate collection volume (29) for capturing lubricating oil. This segmentation allows the case to simultaneously provide blade protection while preventing oil fouling. The housing volume protects the blade, while the collection volume isolates the oil that drains from the blade, preventing contamination of the case interior and enabling easy oil disposal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the case is designed with a simple structure, then it is easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively collect and dispose of the lubricating oil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecase constructionVSAvoidoil release
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a vertical dimension to oil management by incorporating a conveyor mechanism that transports oil from the housing volume (28) to the collection volume (29). This dimensional approach to oil movement, rather than relying on simple lateral drainage, enables effective oil collection while maintaining a relatively simple overall case structure. The conveyor creates a controlled path for oil in the vertical dimension, preventing fouling without requiring complex multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the case includes a collection volume for oil, then oil disposal is improved, but the case structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil disposalVSAvoidcase structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection volume (29) is merged into the overall case structure as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The case combines the housing volume (28) for blade containment and the collection volume (29) for oil capture into a single unified structure. This merging approach enables effective oil disposal while avoiding the complexity of separate oil collection devices, as the two volumes work together within one case assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 case effectively collects and disposes of lubricating oil, reducing environmental impact and ensuring correct, stable, and safe storage and transport of chainsaws, enhancing usability and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

said housing volume (28) and said collection volume (29) being in communication with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

featuring a liquid conveyor and absorbent material to collect and retain oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4364555A1Case with locking means
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 STIGA S P A IN BREVE ANCHE ST SPA
  • EP4364555A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4364555A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4364555A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a case (9) configured to be applied, for the purpose of containment and/or protection, to a blade (8) of a chainsaw (7), the blade (8) comprising a plurality of teeth composing a cutting profile. The case (9) delimits a housing volume (28) of the blade (8) therein, the housing volume (28) departing from an insertion opening (11) and extending along a longitudinal axis (V) coinciding with the main extension direction of the blade (8) when the blade (8) is arranged in the housing volume (28). According to the invention, the case (9) is provided with locking means configured to establish, when the blade (8) is arranged in the housing volume (28), a position maintenance condition of the case (9) with respect to the blade (8), in the position maintenance condition a relative movement of the case (9) with respect to the blade (8) being inhibited along the longitudinal axis (V). In order to establish position maintenance condition of the case (9), the locking means comprise an engagement element (4) configured to cooperate with a tooth (5) of the blade (8). In the position maintenance condition of the case (9), a portion of the engagement element (4) acts as an effective portion (77), being arranged inside an interposition zone between the tooth (5) of the blade (8) and the insertion opening (11).