Guide Rail Support Layout for Cutting Soft Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide systems for hand-held power tools are not suitable for softer workpieces like insulation mats, as they deform under the mechanical load of the guide rail and the tool, making straight or curved cuts impractical.

Innovation Solution

A guide system with a support device that creates a distance between the guide carriage and the drive unit of the hand-held power tool, allowing the cutting tool to operate between the guide rail and the drive unit, with the guide rail resting on a solid base, enabling cuts in softer workpieces without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the guide rail is placed directly on the workpiece, then the guide system provides stable guidance for hand-held power tools, but softer workpieces deform under the mechanical load of the guide rail and tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of guide systemVSAvoidworkpiece integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the guide system by elevating the guide rail above the workpiece surface using support elements. This dimensional change allows the guide rail to rest on a solid base rather than directly on the soft workpiece, distributing the mechanical load away from the workpiece and preventing deformation while maintaining guidance stability.

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

2Strength

If the guide rail is elevated above the workpiece, then softer workpieces are protected from deformation, but the guide system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece integrityVSAvoidguide system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed as thin, flexible components that can adapt to the workpiece surface while providing sufficient elevation. These minimalistic support structures raise the guide rail just enough to prevent workpiece deformation without introducing excessive complexity to the overall guide system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If the cutting tool is positioned close to the guide carriage, then the support structure is minimized, but the cutting tool may interfere with the workpiece or guide rail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structureVSAvoidcutting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support part is designed with non-uniform geometry, being narrower at the cutting end and wider at the drive unit end. This local variation in dimensions allows the cutting tool to be positioned close to the guide carriage without interference, while the wider rear portion provides sufficient support structure. The support part's shape is optimized to provide minimal obstruction in the cutting zone while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3664977B1Guide system
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3664977B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3664977B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3664977B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a guide system comprising a guide rail (160) which can be placed on an underlying surface (U) and a guide slide (120) which is provided for guiding a hand-held machine tool (10). The guide rail (160) has at least one guide contour (166) which extends along the longitudinal extension (LE) of the guide rail for guiding the guide slide (120), and the guide slide (120) forms a part of the hand-held machine tool (10) or can be connected to the hand-held machine tool (10) using connection means. The hand-held machine tool (10) has a drive assembly (11) for driving a cutting tool (40) which has at least one cutting element (50) and which is provided for cutting into a workpiece (W) along a working direction (AR). The guide system (110) has a support device (35), which is connected to the guide slide (120) or can be releasably connected to the guide slide using a fixing means (131), for supporting the drive assembly (11) of the hand-held machine tool (10) in a spaced manner from the guide slide (120), said spacing being provided in order to place the workpiece (W) on the guide rail (160), such that the cutting tool (40) is arranged in the spacing between the guide rail (160) and the drive assembly (11) in order to cut into the workpiece (W) placed on the guide rail (160).