Miter Box Cutting Guide With Replaceable Sacrificial Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices, particularly miter jigs, face issues where the cutting edge of the tool, such as a saw or knife, damages either the soft or hard surfaces below the workpiece support during cutting, leading to potential tool or surface damage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of protective or sacrificial elements with rounded surfaces, such as cylindrical or spherical shapes, that project beyond the base surface to prevent direct contact between the cutting edge and the base, allowing these elements to be easily replaced when worn.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a soft material surface is used below the workpiece support, then the cutting edge is protected from damaging the base, but the cutting edge may damage the soft material surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of base surfaceVSAvoiddamage to soft material surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base surface is segmented into two distinct zones: a hard base surface providing structural support and replaceable sacrificial elements positioned at the cutting line. This segmentation allows the hard base to remain undamaged while the sacrificial elements absorb the cutting impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sacrificial elements act as intermediary components between the cutting edge and the hard base surface. These elements are specifically positioned to intercept the cutting edge, preventing direct contact with the base while being designed to withstand or absorb the cutting forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a hard material surface is used below the workpiece support, then the base surface is durable, but the cutting edge may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of base surfaceVSAvoiddamage to cutting edge
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Sacrificial elements serve as intermediary components between the cutting edge and the hard base surface. These elements are specifically positioned to intercept the cutting edge, preventing direct contact with the base while being designed to withstand or absorb the cutting forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial elements are designed as replaceable, consumable components that can be easily replaced when worn or damaged. This allows the use of harder materials for the base surface while the sacrificial elements absorb the wear and potential damage to the cutting edge.

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

3Device complexity

If the cutting edge contacts the base surface directly, then the device structure is simple, but both the tool and base surface are at risk of damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of device structureVSAvoidprotection of tool and base
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base surface is segmented into two distinct zones: a hard base surface providing structural support and replaceable sacrificial elements positioned at the cutting line. This segmentation allows the hard base to remain undamaged while the sacrificial elements absorb the cutting impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sacrificial elements act as intermediary components between the cutting edge and the hard base surface. These elements are specifically positioned to intercept the cutting edge, preventing direct contact with the base while being designed to withstand or absorb the cutting forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4536434B1Device for guiding a tool during the cutting of a workpiece
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 WOLFCRAFT GMBH
  • EP4536434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4536434B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4536434B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for guiding a tool during the cutting of a workpiece (69), in particular a miter box, comprising guide elements (31) which define a cutting guide line (S), and comprising a base element (1), with which the tool comes into contact once the cut is completed. In order to protect the cutting edge of the tool and a base surface of the base element, one or more bodies (55) are provided, the body or bodies being rotatably arranged on the base element (1) in the cutting guide line and against which body or bodies the cutting edge can bump once the cut is completed. The body can be a rivet or a roller.