Handheld Milling Machine Pivotable Tool and Support Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Milling grooves in composite components, such as gypsum plasterboard or aluminum-coated polyethylene panels, poses challenges in maintaining accurate milling depth and flexibility when dealing with panels of varying thicknesses, as conventional groove milling cutters are inflexible and prone to tilting, which can result in damage to the front coating.

Innovation Solution

A hand milling machine with a pivotable milling tool and a support element outside the housing that can be placed on the workpiece surface, allowing for adjustable milling depth and anti-trap protection, along with a disc milling cutter for precise groove creation, and a system for easy adapter connection to suction hoses for dust management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional groove milling cutter is used, then the milling tool is fixed and simple to operate, but the milling depth accuracy deteriorates and the machine tips over easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmilling depth accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The milling tool is made pivotable relative to the base body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the milling depth. The machine part can be pivoted to immerse the milling tool into the workpiece to the desired depth, then locked in position. This dynamic mechanism enables precise control of milling depth while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The milling depth is controlled by changing the pivot angle of the machine part relative to the base body. By adjusting the angle parameter, the milling depth can be precisely controlled for different workpiece thicknesses, resolving the accuracy issue while keeping the operation simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the milling tool has a long overhang for deep groove milling, then deep grooves can be milled, but the risk of tipping over increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilling depth flexibilityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A support element is provided that can be placed on the workpiece surface before milling begins. This support element counterbalances the long overhang of the milling tool and prevents the machine from tipping over during operation, enabling stable deep groove milling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support element acts as an intermediary between the machine base and the workpiece surface. It provides additional support points that stabilize the machine during deep groove milling, allowing the long overhang to be maintained without compromising stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the support element is integrated inside the housing, then the structure is compact, but accessibility for replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is extracted from inside the housing and positioned outside on the base body. This extraction makes the support element easily accessible for replacement and adjustment without disassembling the housing, while the housing structure remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the milling machine is designed for fixed depth milling, then the structure is simple, but versatility for different panel thicknesses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different thicknesses
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable machine part allows the milling depth to be dynamically adjusted by changing the pivot angle. This simple dynamic mechanism enables the same machine to accommodate different panel thicknesses without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2607036B1Handheld milling machine
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 MAFELL AG
  • EP2607036B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2607036B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2607036B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The machine (11) has a base body (13) provided with a base plate. A machine part (15) includes a disk-like milling tool (17) e.g. plunge milling cutter, where the body includes a stationary housing (20) for the milling tool. The machine part with the milling tool is movably mounted at the base body for moving the milling tool out from a lower opening (22) of the housing for plunging into a workpiece (30). An adjusting screw and a stop surface for the movable machine part are provided for limiting a milling depth. A supporting element (21) is directly provided at an outer side of the housing. An independent claim is also included for a system of a handheld milling machine and an adapter system.