Dustproof Movable Cover Structure for Cutting Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutting machines face challenges in achieving high dust-proofness without using a special bearing in the rotatably supporting portion of the movable cover, which increases costs while allowing dust to enter and disrupt the smooth operation of the cover.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a dust-proof structure using a ring spring or rubber rings with inclined surfaces and recessed portions, which provide a biasing force to prevent dust entry while maintaining smooth rotational operation of the movable cover, eliminates the need for a second bearing by sealing the clearance between the supporting annular portion and the bearing box.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a second bearing is attached to the outer circumferential side of the bearing box to support the movable cover, then dust-proofness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust-proofnessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member (intermediary element) is introduced between the movable cover and the bearing box to prevent dust from entering the clearance gap. This seal member acts as a mediator that blocks the harmful dust particles while allowing the movable cover to rotate smoothly, eliminating the need for a second bearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using an expensive second bearing, the invention employs a simple seal member that is cheaper and easier to replace. The seal member provides effective dust protection at a lower cost compared to the conventional second bearing solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a second bearing is attached to support the movable cover, then dust-proofness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust-proofnessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the expensive second bearing with a simple seal member that is much cheaper to manufacture and install. This seal member provides effective dust protection without the high cost associated with additional bearing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If clearance is maintained between the movable cover and bearing box for smooth rotation, then ease of operation is improved, but dust-proofness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth opening and closing operationVSAvoiddust-proofness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member serves as an intermediary element that fits into the clearance gap between the movable cover and the bearing box. It prevents dust from entering while allowing the movable cover to rotate smoothly, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving dust-proofness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution ensures high dust-proofness and cost-effectiveness by preventing dust from entering the supporting annular portion, allowing for reliable operation and reduced costs by omitting the need for a special bearing.

Implementation Method 1

ring spring or rubber rings with inclined surfaces and recessed portions, which provide a biasing force to prevent dust entry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2508285B1Dustproof structure for movable support section in cutting machine
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2508285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2508285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2508285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For example, in a handheld cutting machine that is constructed such that a user holds the machine by hand and performs cutting processing while moving the same, a lower portion of a circular cutting blade protruded from a lower surface side of a base that is placed on a cutting object is covered by a movable cover. Conventionally, a bearing is used to secure dust-proofness and smooth opening and closing operation of the movable cover. This may lead to increased costs. It is an object of the invention to reduce costs without using the conventionally-used special bearing while securing the dust-proofness of the movable cover to a bearing box. An enough clearance is set between a supporting annular ring (25b) of a movable cover (25) and a rotating boss portion (17a) of a bearing box (17) in order to smoothly open and close the movable cover (25) while a ring spring (31) is interposed between the supporting annular portion (25b) and an axial restricting portion (19) to increase dust-proofness of the a movable cover support portion.