Circular Saw Guide Rails With Edge Protection and Low-Friction Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular saw guide systems face difficulties due to increased friction from sawdust and dirt, and issues with aligning and transporting long tracks, which affect the quality of cuts and ease of use on construction sites.

Innovation Solution

A power tool guide assembly with elongate rails and sliding surfaces to reduce friction, and edge protectors to prevent damage and misalignment, allowing for easy connection and extension of guide tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If two guide rails are combined to create a longer track, then the track length is extended, but the alignment between rails becomes difficult to achieve perfectly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack lengthVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide system is divided into modular segments (individual guide rails) that can be connected together. Each segment has standardized connection features including alignment pins and slots that ensure precise joining, allowing the creation of extended tracks while maintaining manufacturing precision through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection elements such as alignment pins, slots, and fastening mechanisms serve as intermediaries between adjacent guide rails. These intermediaries facilitate precise alignment and secure joining, ensuring that multiple segments can be combined while maintaining the required alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the guide rail ends are left exposed, then the structure remains simple, but the ends become damaged when impacted against walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidguide rail durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Protective elements are pre-installed on the guide rail ends before the guide rails are put into service. These end protectors prevent damage from impacts against walls or other obstacles, ensuring the guide rails maintain their integrity and reliability throughout their service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the guide rail surface is smooth, then the circular saw slides easily, but sawdust and dirt increase friction between the track and saw

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesliding easeVSAvoidfriction from contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful contaminants (sawdust and dirt) are extracted or removed from the interface between the guide rail and circular saw through the use of protective coverings or shields. These coverings prevent contaminants from accumulating in the sliding interface, maintaining low friction and smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4292740A1Power tool guide assembly

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 BLACK & DECKER CORP

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AI summary

A power tool guide (102) assembly comprises a power tool guide (102). The power tool guide (102) has an elongate body (104) having a workpiece side (302) configured to engage a workpiece and a power tool side (304) configured to engage a power tool (100). At least one elongate rail (200) is mounted on the power tool side (304). The at least one elongate rail (200) is configured to engage a reciprocal channel (1100, 110) in the power tool (100) and limit lateral movement of the power tool (100) in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body (104). At least one edge protector (214) connectable to an end of the elongate body (104).