Pivotable Circular Knife for Angled and Curved Cuts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular knife devices lack flexibility in cutting flat materials with varying dimensions, particularly cardboard and textile materials, limiting their versatility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A circular knife device with a rotatable and pivotable circular knife that can adjust cutting width and angle, allowing for angled, curved, and wavy cuts, controlled by actuators and a control unit, and featuring U-shaped or C-shaped brackets for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the circular knife device uses fixed positioning perpendicular to transport direction, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to cut different dimensions and angles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circular knife is made dynamically adjustable through a pivoting mechanism that allows the knife to be rotated about a pivot axis perpendicular to the cutting plane. This enables the cutting width and angle to be varied dynamically during operation, transforming a static cutting device into a dynamic one that can adapt to different cutting requirements without requiring multiple dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circular knife device is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple cutting operations including straight cuts, angled cuts, and curved cuts using a single knife assembly. The pivoting mechanism and displacement capability allow the same device to handle various material dimensions and cutting patterns, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces what would traditionally require several specialized cutting devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the circular knife is displaceable parallel to cutting plane, then cutting width is adjustable, but the stability during cutting may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting width adjustmentVSAvoidcutting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The circular knife assembly incorporates a displacement mechanism that allows the knife to be moved parallel to the cutting plane while maintaining cutting stability. This dynamic positioning capability enables adjustment of the cutting width without compromising the structural stability during the cutting process, as the mechanism is designed to maintain precise control during displacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If manual adjustment is used for circular knife positioning, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and precision for varied cuts is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual adjustment mechanism is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to position and orient the circular knife precisely. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated control systems significantly improves cutting efficiency and precision while reducing the need for operator skill and time for setup adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position and orientation of the circular knife in real-time, automatically adjusting parameters to maintain optimal cutting conditions. This feedback control enables precise positioning for varied cuts and maintains high productivity by eliminating manual measurement and adjustment errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3957448B1Circular blade device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 MICHAEL HORAUF MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3957448B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957448B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3957448B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a circular knife device (10) for cutting planar materials, in particular cardboard and/or textile materials, especially cover boards and/or covering panels, wherein the circular knife device (10) defines a cutting plane in which the planar materials are arranged and moved along a transport direction (14), with at least one circular knife (46) and an associated circular knife axis, wherein the circular knife (46) is rotatable about the circular knife axis, wherein the at least one circular knife (46) is displaceable parallel to the cutting plane and perpendicular to the transport direction (14), whereby a cutting width of the planar materials is variably adjustable, wherein the at least one circular knife (46) is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (52) arranged substantially perpendicular to the cutting plane.so that cuts lying at an angle to the transport direction (14) and curved cuts of the planar materials can be carried out.