Hand-Guided Saw Lighting for Precise Miter Cut Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held processing machines, such as circular saws and jigsaws, face challenges in accurately aligning for miter cuts due to complex procedures and difficulty in setting precise angles, leading to inconsistent cuts.

Innovation Solution

The cutting tool is positioned in the light path of a light cone to create a cast shadow on the workpiece, allowing for precise alignment by aligning the shadow with markings on the workpiece, ensuring the cutting tool is in the correct position for an exact miter cut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional alignment methods (bevel gauge and manual sighting) are used for miter cuts, then the procedure can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and the desired angle cannot always be set precisely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system (bevel gauge and manual sighting) with an optical system. A light source projects a light cone through the cutting tool onto the workpiece, creating a visual reference that automatically indicates the cutting path and angle, eliminating the need for manual measurement and sighting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an optical copy of the cutting tool's position and orientation by projecting its shadow through the light cone onto the workpiece. This shadow copy serves as a visual indicator of the exact cutting path, allowing operators to align the tool precisely with the workpiece markings without direct mechanical measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment procedures are used, then the cutting tool can be positioned, but the desired cutting position cannot always be achieved with high precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidalignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces difficult manual alignment operations with an optical projection system. The light cone automatically projects the cutting tool's position and orientation onto the workpiece, providing clear visual feedback that simplifies the alignment operation while ensuring high cutting precision through accurate optical projection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the cutting tool and the workpiece. The light cone acts as a mediator that transfers the tool's spatial information to the workpiece surface, creating a visual reference that bridges the gap between tool positioning and precise cutting alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the cutting tool is positioned for miter cuts, then the cut can be made, but complex procedures reduce productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidalignment procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with a simple optical projection system. The light source and light cone automatically provide alignment references, eliminating multiple manual steps (setting bevel gauge, marking angles, sighting alignment) and significantly improving cutting efficiency through a single, straightforward alignment operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the cutting tool to self-align with the workpiece through optical projection. The light cone automatically projects the tool's position and orientation onto the workpiece, allowing the system to self-indicate the correct cutting path without requiring complex external measurement and adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method simplifies the alignment process, enabling more accurate and precise miter cuts by clearly indicating the cutting path on the workpiece, improving the setting result and ensuring the cutting tool is in the desired operating position.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting arrangement (40) associated with the cutting tool (30), which emits a cone of light (41) in the working direction (AR) of the processing machine (10) onto the cutting tool (30) in order to create a shadow (70) of the cutting tool (30) on the workpiece (80)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4311617A1Hand-guided machine tool
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP4311617A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311617A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4311617A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held processing machine (10), in particular a hand-held circular saw or jigsaw, with a guide plate (11) which has a support surface (12) for indirect or direct support on a workpiece (80) to be processed and has a top surface (13) opposite the support surface (12), wherein a drive assembly (20) with a drive motor (21) is held in the area above the top surface (13), by means of which a cutting tool (30) can be driven, wherein the cutting tool (30) projects below the support surface (12) in a locked cutting position in which the drive assembly (20) is fixedly positioned relative to the guide plate (11), in particular locked, wherein a lighting arrangement (40, 40') is assigned to the cutting tool (30), which emits a cone of light (41) in the working direction (AR) of the processing machine (10) onto the cutting tool (30).To facilitate the alignment of the machine tool with respect to a workpiece, it is provided according to the invention that the cutting tool (30) is arranged in the locked cutting position in the light path of the light cone (41, 41') in order to generate a drop shadow (70) of the cutting tool (30) on an end face (81) of a workpiece (80) to be machined, facing the cutting tool (30) and oriented transversely to the support side (12) of the guide plate (11).