Rotatable Fence Assembly for Table Cutting Machine Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Table cutting machines struggle to accurately cut large workpieces as they cannot effectively support parts that extend beyond the work table, affecting cutting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable fence assembly with multiple contacting surfaces is integrated into the work table, allowing it to function in abutting, extending, and supporting positions, providing additional support and adjusting capabilities to accommodate various workpiece sizes without increasing the fence's size perpendicular to the work surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the work table size is increased to support large workpieces, then the support capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fence assembly rotatable around a vertical axis, allowing it to change position dynamically. The fence can rotate between an extended position (providing support surface for large workpieces) and a retracted position (clearing the work table surface). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same structure to serve multiple functions without permanently increasing the work table size or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes another dimension by implementing vertical rotation of the fence assembly around a vertical axis. Instead of expanding the work table horizontally to accommodate large workpieces, the solution adds a rotational degree of freedom in the vertical dimension. The fence assembly extends outward when needed and retracts vertically when not needed, effectively using the vertical dimension to resolve the horizontal space constraint.
2Area of stationary object
If the fence size perpendicular to the work surface is increased to provide more support surface, then the support area is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fence assembly is designed as a dynamic component that can rotate around a vertical axis rather than a static structure. This allows the support surface area to be variable - extended when needed for large workpieces and retracted when not needed. The dynamic nature eliminates the need for a permanently large fence structure, reducing overall device complexity while providing adequate support area on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable fence assembly serves multiple functions: it provides support surface for large workpieces when extended, and can be rotated clear of the work table to allow access or accommodate different workpiece sizes. This multi-functionality means a single fence structure of moderate size can replace what would otherwise require multiple different-sized fences or a permanently large fence, reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination includes a work table defining a working surface for placing a workpiece and a fence assembly including a fence. The fence is rotatably mounted on the work table. The fence includes a first contacting surface which is arranged to provide an abutting surface when the fence is rotated to an abutting position and which is arranged to provide an extending surface when the fence is rotated to an extending position, a second contacting surface which is arranged to provide a supporting surface when the fence is rotated to a supporting position, and a third contacting surface which is arranged to provide an abutting surface when the fence is rotated to the supporting position.