Portable Hand Router With Axial Locking for Precise Undercut Cavities

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of portable hand tools capable of making specific types of cavities with high precision and reliability for woodworking, particularly for use on the ground and by individual carpenters or small workshops, as existing CNC machines are costly and not portable.

Innovation Solution

A portable hand router with a mechanical locking device and guiding structure that allows for precise and reliable cutting without numerical control systems, featuring a slide and guiding structure with coupling parts for axial and transverse movement, and a retractable support part for edge and face-side cavity creation, enabling easy handling and selection of cavity lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If CNC cutting machines are used to make precise cavities, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavity precisionVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing operation is segmented into two independent movements: axial positioning (depth control) and transverse movement (cutting path). The mechanical locking device segments the control functions by providing a fixed stop for axial positioning while allowing free transverse movement, eliminating the need for complex integrated CNC control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mechanical stop acts as an intermediary element between the operator and the routing depth control. This simple mechanical feature provides precise axial positioning without requiring complex electronic controls, serving as a mediator that translates operator intent into precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If CNC machines are used for cavity making, then manufacturing precision is improved, but portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavity precisionVSAvoidmachine portability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The complex numerical control system and heavy structural components of CNC machines are extracted and replaced with simple mechanical features. The essential function of precise positioning is extracted and achieved through the mechanical locking device with its stop feature, enabling portability while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Weight of moving object

If manual axial positioning is used in portable routers, then portability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine portabilityVSAvoidcavity precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical locking device provides self-service positioning by using the workpiece itself (or a reference surface) as the stop. The router's own weight and the mechanical stop work together to automatically maintain precise axial positioning without requiring active operator intervention or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If mechanical locking device with slide and guiding structure is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism and guiding structure are merged into a single integrated assembly. The slide combines the locking function (through engagement with the stop) and the guiding function (through its constrained movement path) into one component, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3380289B1Portable hand router for making cavities on a surface of a board
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 VIRUTEX
  • EP3380289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3380289B1 patent drawingFigure 6
  • EP3380289B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a portable hand router for making cavities in a board, said cavities having a channel with a first width at the level of the surface that is less than a second width at a deeper level. The router is configured as a surface router, with a motor body (6) and a milling cutter arbor in an axial direction, perpendicular to a planar base (4), axial guiding means (10) for moving the motor body (6) in the axial direction and transverse guiding means (11) for moving the motor body (6) in a transverse direction. The router comprises a mechanical limiting device for limiting the movement of the milling cutter arbor in the transverse direction within a predetermined path while the motor body (6) is in an axial working position, and a mechanical locking device for locking the axial working position while the milling cutter arbor is moved in the transverse direction.