Power Tool Fencing Attachment for Fast Wire Knot Winding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction and maintenance of agricultural fencing is labor-intensive due to the time-consuming process of securing mesh to strainer posts, particularly with knotting methods, which are slow and costly when using fastening devices.
Innovation Solution
A fencing attachment for a hand-held power tool with a housing, engagement means, gear train, rotor, and winding arms that allows for automated winding of wires to form secure knots, reducing manual labor and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If knotting method is used to secure horizontal strands to strainer post, then labor cost is reduced compared to fastening devices, but the process becomes slower and more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical knot-tying process with a power tool-driven mechanical winding system. The attachment uses a motorized rotor to automatically wind the horizontal strand around the strainer post, substituting human hand operations with automated mechanical action, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of the knotting method
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is designed to be self-contained with all necessary components (rotor, winding arms, sheaves, cutting blade) integrated into a single unit that attaches to a power tool. The system performs the complete knot-tying operation autonomously once attached to the post, requiring minimal operator intervention beyond positioning and triggering the power tool
2Productivity
If fastening devices are used to secure mesh to strainer posts, then fence erection speed increases, but capital cost increases appreciably due to large number of devices required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive materials that are already part of the fencing system (the horizontal strand itself) to create the fastening mechanism, rather than requiring separate expensive fastening devices. The knot is formed using only the wire material, eliminating the need for additional capital investment in specialized fasteners
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment serves multiple functions within a single integrated unit: it guides the horizontal strand, winds it around the post, forms the knot, and cuts the excess wire. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate tools or fastening devices, reducing both capital cost and device complexity while maintaining high productivity
3Device complexity
If manual knotting process is used, then device complexity is minimized, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical knot-tying process with a power tool-driven mechanical winding system. The attachment uses a motorized rotor to automatically wind the horizontal strand around the strainer post, substituting human hand operations with automated mechanical action, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of the knotting method
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is positioned and prepared in advance by attaching it to the power tool and positioning it at the strainer post before the actual winding operation begins. The horizontal strand is pre-positioned through the mouth of the attachment, and the power tool is ready to be activated, allowing the knot-tying process to proceed immediately without delays
Data Source
AI summary
A fencing attachment (30) for a power tool (32) is disclosed. The attachment housing (31) has a mouth (40), and an engagement means to permit the attachment to be powered by the power tool. A gear train drives a rotor (44). The rotor has a longitudinally extending radial slot which reaches its axis of rotation. The rotor is mounted facing a mouth (40). There is at least one winding arm (51) mounted exterior of the housing, being rotatable with the rotor, and carrying a sheave (52) rotatably mounted on the winding arm at a location radially spaced from the axis of rotation. The mouth can envelop a first stationary wire (1) and locate same within the rotor substantially co-incident with the axis of rotation. A second wire (2) can be engaged with the sheave, and rotation of the rotor winds the second wire around the first wire.