Quick Change Arbor with Drive Pin Plate for Hole Cutters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arbors for hole saws and pilot drill bits often lead to difficulties in mounting and removing tools, causing damage and requiring costly replacements, and are limited in versatility as they can only accommodate proprietary tools, leading to issues with alignment, rotation, and securing standard tools.

Innovation Solution

A quick change arbor system that includes a drive pin member allowing axial movement but preventing rotational movement, with a biasing mechanism for easy attachment and detachment, and a pilot bit mechanism that securely engages both quick change and standard pilot bits, enabling one-handed operation and compatibility with various tool sizes and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a threaded connection is used to secure the hole saw to the arbor, then the hole saw can be firmly secured, but the hole saw may lock up on the threads during operation making removal difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurement of hole sawVSAvoidtime to remove hole saw
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded connection is segmented into two independent systems: a coarse external thread for initial engagement and securing, and a fine internal thread for precise positioning and drive pin alignment. This segmentation allows the hole saw to be firmly secured while enabling easier removal by loosening the external thread first, preventing the locking issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A drive pin plate with drive pins acts as an intermediary mechanism between the arbor and hole saw. The drive pins engage with drive pin holes in the hole saw end plate, providing a positive mechanical connection that prevents rotational slippage during operation while allowing for controlled disengagement, thus preventing thread locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a lock nut is tightened to prevent disengagement of drive pins, then the drive pins are securely held, but the hole saw must be held in place to maintain alignment during tightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of drive pin disengagementVSAvoidalignment maintenance during tightening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drive pin holes in the hole saw end plate are pre-aligned with the drive pins on the drive pin plate before tightening the lock nut. The coarse external thread on the arbor allows for easy initial positioning and alignment, so that when the hole saw is mounted, the drive pins are already in alignment with their corresponding holes, eliminating the need to hold the hole saw in place during tightening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If proprietary arbors are designed to accept only proprietary hole saws, then mounting is easier, but versatility is greatly limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidcompatibility with standard hole saws
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The arbor is designed with universal compatibility features: the connecting portion can engage with both proprietary hole saws (using the unique drive pin interface) and standard hole saws (using the universal threaded interface). The coarse external thread and fine internal thread configuration, combined with the drive pin mechanism, allows the same arbor to securely mount different types of hole saws, achieving both ease of operation and versatility.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If standard hole saws are used with proprietary arbors, then versatility is improved, but alignment and securing issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with standard hole sawsVSAvoidalignment and securement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thread parameters are specifically designed to work with standard hole saws: the coarse external thread provides easy engagement and alignment, while the fine internal thread provides precise positioning. The drive pin plate with its specific pin configuration ensures proper alignment and securement when used with standard hole saws, maintaining reliability across different hole saw types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2252421B1Quick change hole cutter and arbor
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 IRWIN IND TOOL CO
  • EP2252421B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2252421B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2252421B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

An arbor for quick change and standard hole cutters, wherein each hole cutter includes a central aperture and at least one drive pin aperture. The arbor comprises an arbor body including an end portion engageable within the central aperture, a drive shank opposite the end portion for engaging a power tool, and an aperture for receiving a pilot bit. The arbor further comprises a drive pin plate and/or collar having at least one drive pin receivable in a corresponding drive pin aperture of the hole saw for drivingly engaging the hole saw. The arbor, in at least one embodiment, further comprises a pilot bit mechanism for engaging and releasing a quick change or standard pilot bit.