Cutting Tool Drive Unit Shaft Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gardening cutting tools, such as garden shears and secateurs, experience deformation due to insufficient support of the drive unit within the handle, leading to inefficient transfer of drive force and potential loss of cutting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The drive unit is structurally coupled to the shaft section of the second cutting element, providing a rigid support that directs the drive force directly to the cutting elements, avoiding deformation of the handle and ensuring efficient force transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the drive unit is attached inside the handle part, then the structure is compact and easy to integrate, but the handle part deforms under drive force
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive unit and the handle part. This support structure receives the drive force from the drive unit and transfers it to the cutting element, preventing the handle part from deforming under the drive force while maintaining structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission path is segmented into distinct functional components: the drive unit generates drive force, the support structure (including support surface and support arm) transfers this force, and the cutting element receives the force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while preventing force-induced deformation in the handle part.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drive unit is supported on the handle part, then the assembly is simple, but the drive force transfer is inefficient due to handle deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as a mediator that ensures efficient drive force transfer from the drive unit to the cutting element. By providing a dedicated force transmission path through the support surface and support arm, the system achieves high efficiency without complicating the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure provides more than just minimal support - it creates a rigid, dedicated force transmission path that exceeds the basic requirements. This excessive support ensures that drive force is transferred efficiently without any loss to handle deformation, while the modular design keeps assembly simple.
3Strength
If the handle part is made more rigid to support drive force, then deformation is reduced, but the handle becomes heavier and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as a mediator that takes over the load-bearing function from the handle part. Instead of making the handle part heavier and more rigid, the support structure (with its support surface and support arm) is specifically designed to carry and transmit the drive force, allowing the handle part to remain lightweight and comfortable for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural functions are segmented between the handle part (for user comfort and operation) and the support structure (for force transmission). This segmentation allows the handle part to be optimized for ergonomics and light weight, while the support structure is optimized for strength and rigidity in carrying the drive force.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cutting tool, in particular gardening cutting tool, comprising one first cutting element (102) and one second cutting element (104) that are coupled pivotally movable relative to each other and at least one drive unit (122) that is configured to provide a drive force (FD) that causes or assists to causing a pivotal closing movement of the first cutting element (102) and the second cutting element (104) relative to each other, wherein the second cutting element (104) comprises a blade section (118) configured to be in contact with a subject to be cut in a cutting process and a shaft section (120) that is configured to receive at least a substantial part of the drive force (FD) in a cutting process to cause or to assist to the pivotal closing movement of the first cutting element (102) and the second cutting element (104) relative to each other, wherein the drive unit (122) is supportedly coupled to the shaft section (120) of the second cutting element (104).