Mitre Saw Table Fence with Guide Plate and Latch Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table saws and sliding compound mitre saws lack an effective mechanism to ensure linear and parallel movement of workpieces during cutting, which can lead to uneven cuts and safety hazards when converting between different cutting modes.
Innovation Solution
A table fence system with a guide fence and adjustable latch lever mechanism that securely attaches to the saw table, allowing precise alignment and adjustment to maintain linear workpiece movement, and includes a riving knife and guard for safety when used as a table saw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a table fence is added to enable linear cutting guidance, then cutting precision and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table fence assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: guiding linear cuts, supporting workpieces, and enabling conversion between mitre saw and table saw modes. The guide fence (302) with its elongate tubular structure and flat vertical face provides linear guidance, while the latch lever mechanism (308) enables mode conversion, making the assembly universally applicable to different cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The table fence is divided into separable components including the guide fence (302), guide plate (306), and latch lever assembly (308). This segmentation allows the components to be independently manufactured, adjusted, and maintained while collectively providing the guidance function. The guide fence can be positioned at different locations along the table edge through the slot mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If the table fence structure is made rigid for stability, then cutting accuracy is improved, but ease of adjustment and mode conversion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The table fence assembly incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to transition between fixed and movable states. The latch lever (308) can be pivoted between a first position that locks the guide fence in a fixed position for cutting accuracy, and a second position that releases it for adjustment or mode conversion. This dynamic mechanism enables the structure to be rigid when needed and adjustable when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch lever mechanism acts as an intermediary between the operator and the guide fence positioning system. By manipulating the latch lever, the operator can easily adjust the guide fence position or convert between cutting modes without directly handling the heavy guide fence assembly. The cam (330) and channel (320) mechanism provides mechanical advantage for easy engagement and disengagement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide fence is made detachable for mode conversion, then versatility is improved, but reliability of connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch lever mechanism serves as a reliable intermediary connection between the guide fence and the table. When engaged, the cam (330) and lip (318) create a positive mechanical lock that securely holds the guide fence in position. This intermediary mechanism provides both detachability for versatility and secure connection for reliability during cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam (330) at the end of the latch lever has a curved profile that works with the channel (320) to provide smooth engagement and disengagement. The curved geometry allows the latch lever to be easily pivoted into the locked position while maintaining a secure connection, and smoothly released when needed for mode conversion.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If safety features like riving knife and guard are added, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety features including the riving knife and guard are integrated with the table saw components rather than being separate additions. The riving knife is positioned behind the blade to prevent kickback, and the guard surrounds the blade area, merging safety functions with the existing table saw structure to minimize overall complexity while maximizing safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A saw comprising: a base assembly (102, 104) connected to a mounting portion (110); a motor unit (118) which is: pivotally mounted on the mounting portion (110) to allow the motor unit (118) to pivot towards or away from the base assembly (2, 4) to perform chop cuts; and/or slidingly connected to the mounting portion (110) to allow the motor unit (118) to slide across the base assembly (2, 4) to perform sliding cuts; the motor unit (118) having an output drive spindle upon which a circular saw blade (120) can be rigidly mounted to be rotationally driven by the motor unit (118); wherein there is further provided a table (114) mounted on the motor unit (118) to enable the saw to act as a table saw and a table fence 300 capable of being releaseably attached to the table 114; characterised in that the table fence (300) comprises a guide plate (306); a guide fence 302 moveably connected to the guide plate 306; and a locking mechanism which can releaseably lock the position of the guide fence (302) to the guide plate (306) wherein, when the locking mechanism is activated, the guide fence (302) is held rigidly relative to the guide plate (306) and when it is released, it allows relative movement between the guide plate (306) and the guide fence (302) so that both the position and the orientation of the guide fence (302) relative to the guide plate (306) can be altered.