Cut-Off Machine Guard Pivot Offset for Greater Cutting Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable, hand-held cut-off machines achieve cutting depths that are less than the maximum potential due to oversized flange diameters, which restrict the components' distribution and storage space, limiting the achievable cutting depth.

Innovation Solution

The pivot axis of the protective hood is offset from the output axis, allowing for a more efficient distribution of components and the use of a flange with the smallest possible diameter to increase cutting depth, with the protective hood's mounting flange adjustable to accommodate larger diameters, enabling greater cutting depths without additional component limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a larger flange diameter is used to ensure safety and component mounting, then component distribution and safety are improved, but the cutting depth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcutting depth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot axis of the protective hood is offset from the output axis, creating a dimensional shift that allows the mounting flange to be positioned in a different spatial location. This offset arrangement enables the flange to accommodate larger diameters while maintaining adequate clearance for cutting operations, thus resolving the contradiction between safety (larger flange) and cutting depth (clearance requirement).

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

2Length of moving object

If a smaller flange diameter is used to increase cutting depth, then cutting depth is improved, but component distribution and safety are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting depthVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By offsetting the pivot axis from the output axis, the invention creates additional spatial dimension for flange placement. This allows the use of smaller flange diameters that provide sufficient cutting depth while the offset position ensures proper component distribution and maintains safety requirements through alternative spatial arrangement.

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

3Length of moving object

If the pivot axis is offset from the output axis, then component distribution and cutting depth are improved, but the mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting depthVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The offset pivot axis configuration utilizes spatial dimensionality to achieve better component distribution and increased cutting depth. While this introduces some mounting complexity, the patent resolves this by providing a mounting flange with adjustable positioning features that simplify the implementation of the offset arrangement, making the increased complexity manageable.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If a mounting flange with adjustable diameter is used, then adaptability to different cutting depths is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to cutting depthsVSAvoidmounting flange complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting flange is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities that allow it to adapt to different cutting depth requirements. This dynamic adjustment feature enables the flange diameter and position to be modified based on the specific cutting application, providing versatility while managing complexity through a standardized adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting flange serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables adjustable positioning for different cutting depths, and ensures proper component distribution. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while the integrated design keeps the complexity increase manageable by combining multiple functions in a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3380272B1Portable, hand held cutting-off machine
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 HILTI AG
  • EP3380272B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3380272B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3380272B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A hand-held, hand-guided abrasive cutting machine comprising a rotating abrasive cutting disk, a supporting housing part (36), an output shaft (20) which is mounted such that it can rotate about an output axis (40), a drive motor, a transmission device (19) which connects the drive motor to the output shaft (20), a flange (41) and a protective cover (24) which covers the abrasive cutting disk over a covering region (25). The abrasive cutting machine is mounted, by means of the flange (41), on the output shaft (20) for conjoint rotation and is surrounded by the protective hood (24). The protective hood (24) can be rotated about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being offset from the output axis (40) of the output shaft (20) by a distance.