Circular Saw Clamping Structure for Small Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular saws lack an effective clamping mechanism to securely hold small workpieces transversely to the saw slot, posing a safety risk as users must manually hold these pieces during cutting.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with a receiving section that fits within the saw slot, featuring locking sections on both sides to securely fasten the workpiece, utilizing a spring element for automatic adjustment and a transmission system for easy operation, allowing for positive and non-positive locking mechanisms to ensure the workpiece is held firmly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamping device is designed to clamp workpieces transversely to the saw slot, then small workpieces can be securely held during cutting, but the device structure becomes more complex requiring additional locking sections and receiving areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece clamping reliabilityVSAvoidclamping device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving area is integrated into the clamping device body, allowing the clamping device to be inserted into the saw slot. The locking sections are incorporated as integral parts of the clamping device structure, nested within the overall design rather than being separate components, thus achieving secure clamping without excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is divided into functional segments: a receiving area for insertion into the saw slot, locking sections for securing to the saw blade, and clamping elements for holding the workpiece. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining an overall compact structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If locking sections are added to fasten the clamping device to the saw blade, then the clamping security is improved, but the operation becomes more complex requiring additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping device fixationVSAvoidclamping device adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element automatically pushes the locking sections into engagement with the saw blade when the clamping device is inserted into the saw slot. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment of locking mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element is pre-loaded to automatically engage the locking sections with the saw blade upon insertion. This preliminary action of spring loading ensures that the locking mechanism is ready to engage immediately when needed, without requiring additional operational steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the clamping device is positioned directly in the saw slot area, then small workpieces can be clamped close to the cut, but the saw blade must pass through the receiving area creating potential interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precision for small workpiecesVSAvoidsaw blade interference with receiving area
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the clamping device away from the saw slot to avoid interference, the receiving area is designed to be inserted into the saw slot itself. The saw blade passes through the receiving area during cutting, inverting the expected spatial relationship and allowing precise clamping of small workpieces directly at the cutting zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 safe and reliable clamping of small workpieces, reducing the risk of accidents by providing a secure hold during cutting, and allowing for quick and easy operation with minimal manual effort.

Implementation Method 1

the clamping section has a spring element, by means of which the locking section(s) can be adjusted from an unlocking position to a locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4286084A1Clamping device for a circular saw
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP4286084A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4286084A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4286084A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamping device (100) for a circular saw, in particular a miter saw or a compound miter saw, with at least one clamping section (300) which has at least one clamping element (301) for clamping a workpiece (70) to the circular saw, wherein a clamping section (200) is provided which is designed for attaching the clamping device (100) to the circular saw. In order to be able to clamp particularly small workpieces reliably and securely to a circular saw, it is provided according to the invention that the clamping section (200) and/or the clamping section (300) form a receiving section (310) which is designed to receive a saw blade (63) in a portion of its outer circumference, and that the clamping section (200) has one or more locking sections (204) on one or both sides of the receiving section (310), which are designed and arranged to lock the clamping device (100) in the area of ​​a limiting edge (24).2) of the saw slot (24), preferably at the boundary edge (24.2), of the saw slot (24) of the circular saw in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner.