Portable Power Tool Decoupling Mechanism for Cutting Depth Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable power tools, such as routers, face challenges in achieving precise and convenient setting of cutting depths due to limitations in movement delimitation and decoupling mechanisms, leading to potential setting errors during machining operations.

Innovation Solution

The portable power tool incorporates a decoupling unit that allows the movement setting unit to be decoupled from the housing unit when the movement delimitation element is in a fixed state, enabling precise adjustment of cutting depth through a combination of a position fixing unit, fine setting unit, and guide unit, which includes a mechanism for moving the housing unit relative to the seating unit along a defined path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a movement delimitation unit is used to set the movement travel of the housing unit, then the cutting depth can be set, but setting errors occur when the housing unit moves in the direction of the seating unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting depth setting precisionVSAvoidsetting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent subsystems: the movement delimitation unit (for initial cutting depth setting) and the position fixing unit (for maintaining position during housing movement). This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function without interference, preventing setting errors while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the movement delimitation unit and the housing unit. It selectively couples or decouples the movement delimitation element from the housing unit's movement, allowing the setting to be maintained during housing movement while still permitting adjustment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the movement delimitation element is fixed to prevent setting errors, then reliability improves, but the ability to adjust cutting depth is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting accuracyVSAvoidcutting depth adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the movement delimitation element and the housing unit is made dynamic rather than static. The decoupling unit enables the system to switch between coupled and decoupled states, allowing the movement delimitation element to be fixed during operation for reliability but movable during adjustment for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The operator can independently activate the position fixing unit to lock the housing unit's position without affecting the movement delimitation element. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain its setting while permitting independent adjustment when needed, balancing reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the housing unit is rigidly connected to the movement delimitation unit, then structural simplicity is achieved, but setting errors occur during housing movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcutting depth setting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling unit serves as an intermediary that selectively connects or disconnects the housing unit from the movement delimitation unit. This maintains structural simplicity when coupled but prevents setting errors when decoupled during housing movement, achieving both goals through conditional connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the movement delimitation element moves with the housing unit, then ease of operation is maintained, but setting accuracy deteriorates due to relative movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting operation convenienceVSAvoidcutting depth setting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the adjustment function (movement delimitation element) from the positioning function (housing unit). The movement delimitation element remains independently adjustable for ease of operation, while the position fixing unit ensures positioning accuracy by preventing relative movement during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9511507B2Portable power tool

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

A portable power tool includes at least one seating unit configured to seat on a workpiece, at least one housing unit mounted so as to be movable relative to the seating unit, and at least one movement delimitation unit that has at least one movement delimitation element configured to set a length of a movement travel of the housing unit relative to the seating unit. The portable power tool further includes at least one decoupling unit configured, in at least one operating state, to decouple the movement delimitation unit from a movement of the housing unit when the movement delimitation element is in a fixed state. The decoupling of the movement delimination unit occurring at least in the case of a movement of the housing unit in the direction of the seating unit.