Portable Cutting Machine Guard Cover Angle Locking Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable cutting machines face challenges in adjusting the angle of the protection cover without tools and securely holding it during operation, particularly when cutting materials like concrete, which can lead to increased component count, weight, and instability due to strong repulsive forces and potential operation failures from concrete mud ingress.

Innovation Solution

A portable cutting machine design featuring an elastic member fastened to the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical attachment part, providing stable turn resistance without multiple springs or bolts, allowing tool-free angle adjustment and secure fixation, while reducing the number of components and weight, and preventing mud ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple springs and attachment bolts are used to withstand strong repulsive forces during cutting, then the holding strength of the protection cover is improved, but the number of components and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple springs and attachment bolts into a single elastic member with integrated fastening structure. The elastic member includes an elastic body and a fastening portion that engages with the cutting machine body, merging the functions of multiple components into one unified element that provides both holding strength and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides elastic pressing force to maintain holding strength, acts as a fastening mechanism through its engagement structure, and replaces multiple separate components. This multi-functional design reduces component count while maintaining the required mechanical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If multiple springs and attachment bolts are used to withstand strong repulsive forces during cutting, then the holding strength of the protection cover is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If the spring constant is increased to hold the protection cover against strong repulsive force, then the holding strength is improved, but the risk of operation failure from concrete mud ingress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidoperation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vulnerable spring mechanism from the design and replaces it with an elastic member that has a closed-loop fastening structure. This structure prevents concrete mud from entering the mechanism while maintaining the necessary holding strength through the elastic properties of the member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of concrete mud ingress into a benefit by designing a closed-loop fastening structure that prevents contamination. The elastic member's structure naturally excludes contaminants while maintaining operational reliability and holding strength.

Inventive Principle:

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

4Strength

If a tool is needed to adjust the angle of the protection cover, then the holding strength after adjustment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidease of angle adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the elastic member can be easily repositioned and locked at different angles. The fastening portion allows for tool-free adjustment while maintaining secure holding strength once positioned, enabling operators to quickly adapt the protection cover angle as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 easy angle adjustment and stable holding of the protection cover without tools, reducing component count and weight, and maintaining long-term stability against concrete mud exposure.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the attachment part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3960347B1Portable cutting machine

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 YAMABIKO CORP

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AI summary

A protection cover 4 covering a part of a cutting blade 3 includes a cylindrical attachment part 45 extending around the central axis X of the cutting blade 3. The attachment part 45 is turnably attached to the cutting machine body. An elastic member 53 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the attachment part 45. A fastening tool 54 for fastening the elastic member 53 to the outer circumferential surface of the attachment part 45 is kept from turning about the central axis X with respect to the cutting machine body.