Overlapping Cutting Blade Units With No-Dead-Center Circular Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutting blade drive apparatuses face issues such as object scattering, vibration and noise, large cutting loads, and locking due to foreign objects, which affect safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cutting blade drive apparatus with overlapping cutting blade units and a drive mechanism that allows one or more units to translate in a circular orbit without dead centers, using an eccentric cam to synchronize the movement of blades, reducing the risk of object scattering and foreign object entrapment, and minimizing load and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rotary cutting blades rotate at high speed to perform cutting operation, then cutting efficiency is improved, but objects scatter and safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidobject scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blades are divided into multiple independent blade units (first cutting blade unit and second cutting blade unit) that can operate independently. Each unit has its own drive mechanism, allowing them to cut at different times and positions, which prevents objects from being scattered by all blades simultaneously while maintaining high cutting efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blades perform periodic cutting actions rather than continuous rotation. The first and second cutting blade units alternately execute cutting strokes, creating a rhythmic cutting pattern that reduces object scattering while maintaining productivity through coordinated periodic operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If reciprocating cutting blades move at high speed to improve cutting performance, then cutting efficiency is improved, but vibration and noise increase due to speed changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting operation is segmented into multiple blade units that reciprocate independently. This segmentation distributes the vibration and noise generation across multiple smaller sources rather than one large source, reducing overall harmful effects while maintaining cutting performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blades execute controlled periodic reciprocating motions with optimized stroke rates and timing. By regulating the periodic action parameters, the system achieves efficient cutting while minimizing vibration and noise through controlled, rhythmic motion patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If all cutting blades operate simultaneously to maximize cutting capacity, then cutting load is distributed, but foreign objects are easily caught between blades causing locking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capacityVSAvoidlocking prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blades are segmented into multiple independent units with staggered positions and independent drive mechanisms. This spatial and operational segmentation creates gaps and timing differences that prevent foreign objects from being trapped between all blades simultaneously, reducing locking incidents while maintaining overall cutting capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade units operate with periodic, staggered cycles rather than simultaneous continuous operation. This creates temporal separation in the cutting actions, allowing foreign objects to be cleared from between blades during non-cutting phases and preventing locking while preserving cutting capacity through coordinated periodic strokes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If driving force is increased to prevent locking and ensure smooth operation, then cutting reliability is improved, but apparatus weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting smoothnessVSAvoidapparatus weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into multiple independent small-scale drive mechanisms for each cutting blade unit, replacing one large high-power drive. This segmentation achieves the required total driving force through distributed smaller motors, preventing locking while reducing overall apparatus weight compared to a single large drive system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting operation uses periodic reciprocating motions with optimized stroke rates and duty cycles. By controlling the timing and duration of cutting strokes, the system achieves reliable cutting performance through controlled periodic action rather than continuous high-force operation, reducing the required drive power and apparatus weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus effectively prevents object scattering, reduces vibration and noise, and ensures smooth operation without locking, while also reducing the weight and workload of the device.

Implementation Method 1

a drive mechanism supported by the base unit and configured to drive at least one of the cutting blade units to perform cutting operation... The drive mechanism allows at least one of the cutting blade units to translate drawing a circular orbit with no dead center

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4686388A1Cutting blade drive apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 YAMABIKO CORP
  • EP4686388A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686388A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686388A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting blade drive apparatus includes: cutting blade units including a plurality of cutting blades arranged in a plane; a base unit configured to support the cutting blade units overlapping one another; and a drive mechanism supported by the base unit and configured to drive at least one of the cutting blade units to perform cutting operation. The plurality of cutting blades protrude from a circumference of the base unit in different directions. The drive mechanism allows at least one of the cutting blade units to translate drawing a circular orbit with no dead center so that the cutting blades of one cutting blade unit and the cutting blades of another cutting blade unit overlap to perform the cutting operation.