Cutting Tool Chip Guard System for Downward Debris Guidance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal cutting chop saws face challenges in preventing chips and dust from scattering to the surroundings, as the blowing direction of chips shifts upward as the tool unit moves downward, leading to potential scattering through the gap between the fixed cover and the chip guard, and extending the fixed cover can result in chips being blown back towards the operator.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring a chip guard system with a first chip guard on the base and a second chip guard on the fixed cover, both extending along the vertical length between the rear edge of the fixed cover and the base, ensuring that chips are guided downward onto the base surface, preventing scattering and avoiding circulation towards the operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the fixed cover is extended downward to cover a range nearer to the cut portion, then chip scattering is prevented, but chips are received by the rear portion of the fixed cover and circulate toward the operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip scatteringVSAvoidchip circulation toward operator
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chip guard is divided into two separate parts: a first chip guard fixed to the base and a second chip guard fixed to the cover. This segmentation allows each part to perform its function independently - the first chip guard receives chips blown rearward while the second chip guard prevents chips from scattering through the gap between the cover and base, eliminating the chip circulation problem that would occur with a single extended cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If only a stationary cover is provided, then structure is simple, but chips blown rearward are not sufficiently prevented from scattering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover structureVSAvoidchip scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chip protection function is segmented between the stationary cover and the first chip guard. The stationary cover maintains structural simplicity while the first chip guard, positioned on the base, specifically addresses rearward-blown chips. This segmentation allows the simple cover structure to be supplemented by a targeted chip guard without increasing overall complexity significantly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a chip guard is provided on the base at the rear side of the cut portion, then rearward-blown chips are received, but chips may scatter through the space between the rear edge of the fixed cover and the chip guard as the tool unit moves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverearward chip scatteringVSAvoidchip containment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chip guard system is segmented into two parts that work together: the first chip guard on the base receives rearward-blown chips, while the second chip guard on the cover prevents chips from escaping through the gap between the cover and base. This segmentation ensures reliable chip containment throughout the tool unit's vertical movement range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chip protection is extended from a single horizontal plane to a vertical arrangement with two chip guards at different heights. The first chip guard handles chips at base level while the second chip guard covers the vertical gap, creating multi-level protection that maintains reliability during tool unit movement

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

Data Source

PatentEP2684632B1Cutting tools
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2684632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2684632B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2684632B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting tool (1) may include a base (2) having an upper surface (2a) for placing a workpiece (W) thereon, and a tool unit (10) vertically movably supported on the base (2). The tool unit (10) may include a rotary circular cutter (12) for cutting the workpiece (W) and a cover (13) configured to cover a part of the cutter (12). A chip guard (20) may be disposed between the base (2) and the cover (13) and configured to receive powder dust produced at a cut portion (C) of the cutter (12) and blown in a rearward direction from the cut portion (C). The chip guard (20) may extend along an entire vertical length of a space formed between the cover (13) and the upper surface (2a) of the base (2).