Power Tool Virtual Pivot via Offset Arc Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pin and guide slot arrangement in power tools becomes unstable when one locking mechanism is unlocked, leading to potential misalignment of the axis of rotation with the blade plane, causing binding during cuts and requiring careful balancing to prevent offset between the front and rear pin and guide slot arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A power tool design featuring a motor supported by a frame with a foot structure, a first guide plate with an arcuate slot, and a second guide plate with an orthogonal arcuate slot, where both pins are guided by these plates, providing stable support through the use of offset guide slots that maintain alignment and prevent skewing during pivoting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pin and guide slot arrangement is used to define a virtual pivot point, then the structure is simpler, but the tool becomes unstable when the locking mechanism is unlocked and the pin can move tangentially within the guide slot
Solution Approach 1:
The single pin and guide slot arrangement is segmented into two separate pin and guide slot arrangements positioned at different locations (front and rear) on the tool. This segmentation distributes the stability function across multiple elements, preventing the instability that occurs when a single pin is unlocked and allowing the tool to maintain stable support even when one locking mechanism is disengaged.
2Ease of operation
If care is not taken to ensure equal movement of front and back pins, then the pivoting operation is simpler, but offsets between the pin and guide slot arrangements occur causing misalignment of the rotation axis with the blade plane
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slots are configured with specific geometric relationships including offset positions and different orientations (one guide slot extends in a first direction, the other in a second direction). This dimensional configuration creates interdependent constraints that automatically maintain proper alignment of the rotation axis with the blade plane during pivoting, eliminating the need for careful manual coordination of pin movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axis of rotation is misaligned with the blade plane due to pin offset, then the tool structure allows some flexibility, but the blade binds during cutting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The dual pin and guide slot arrangement with specific geometric configurations provides mechanical feedback that maintains proper alignment between the rotation axis and blade plane. The interdependent constraints of the two arrangements ensure that any deviation in one pin's position is compensated by the other, preventing the misalignment that would cause blade binding during cutting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool in one embodiment includes a motor supported by a frame, a foot defining a first plane, a first guide fixedly positioned with respect to the foot and defining a first arc in a second plane, a second guide fixedly positioned with respect to the foot and defining a second arc in a third plane, wherein the second plane and the third plane are orthogonal to the first plane and the first arc and the second arc are offset when projected onto a reference plane parallel to the second plane and the third plane, a first pin fixedly positioned with respect to the motor and guided by the first guide; and a second pin fixedly positioned with respect to the motor and guided by the second guide.