Portable Cutting Machine Strap Mount Damage Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable cutting machines lack effective measures to notify operators of damage to the suspending member's connecting part, leading to potential falling hazards and insufficient functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a notification member that alerts the operator to deformation or damage of the connecting part, ensuring the suspending member's functionality is maintained by preventing continued use of a damaged part and allowing for timely repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a suspending member is connected to the cutting machine, then falling-down prevention function is provided, but the connecting part may be damaged due to long-term use without notification to the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalling-down prevention functionVSAvoiddamage status of connecting part

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The notification member is configured to preliminarily indicate damage to the connecting part before the suspending member actually fails. When the connecting part is damaged, the notification member changes its state (e.g., becomes exposed or visible) to alert the operator in advance, allowing preventive action to be taken before a falling accident occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification member provides visual feedback about the condition of the connecting part. It acts as a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the structural integrity of the connecting part and communicates its status to the operator, enabling the operator to understand whether the suspending member is functioning properly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the suspending member is positioned behind the handle portion, then it does not interfere with the user's grip, but the connecting part may still be damaged without the operator being aware

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser grip on handle portionVSAvoidsuspending member functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The notification member is integrated with either the suspending member or the connecting part, combining the suspension function with the notification function into a single unified structure. This allows the notification capability to be added without requiring separate additional components that would interfere with the handle portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11684985B2Portable cutting machine

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 MAKITA CORP

AI summary

A suspending member, such as a tether strap or the like, may by connected to improve convenience for an operator. The function of the suspending member shall be reliably performed by clearly notifying the user when the connecting part for connecting the suspending member is damaged. A ring-shaped notification member is incorporated in a connecting part for connecting the suspending member. The suspending member is inserted into both of a connecting hole in a connecting part and a notification member so as to be connected. When an end of a handle portion breaks due to long-term use, the notification member is pulled out such that the damage of the connecting part is notified.