Power Tool Shaft Support Using Three-Bearing Transmission Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power tools face a challenge in achieving precise rotational support without increasing the tool's size, as larger bearings are needed for improved support precision but result in a larger tool form factor.

Innovation Solution

The use of a transmission mechanism that couples a rotational drive shaft to a rotational driven shaft, supported by at least three bearings, including a needle bearing, allows for improved precision without increasing the tool's size, with two ball bearings arranged side by side for enhanced support on the machining tool side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the size of bearings is increased to improve rotational support precision, then the precision in rotational support is improved, but the size of the power tool increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational support precisionVSAvoidpower tool size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing support system is segmented into multiple smaller bearings (at least three bearings including needle bearings and ball bearings) distributed along the rotational driven shaft, replacing a single large bearing. This segmentation allows achieving high rotational support precision through distributed support points while maintaining a compact overall tool size, as each individual bearing remains small.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from supporting the rotational driven shaft at two endpoints (one-dimensional support) to supporting it at multiple points including intermediate positions (multi-dimensional support distribution). By adding bearings at intermediate positions between the two ends, the system achieves enhanced rotational precision through distributed multi-point support without increasing the radial size of individual bearings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If two ball bearings are arranged side by side to enhance support on the machining tool side, then the rotational support precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational support precisionVSAvoidbearing arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Two ball bearings are merged into a single support location arranged side by side, creating a combined support unit that provides enhanced rotational precision at a specific critical position (the machining tool side). This merging approach concentrates support functionality at key locations rather than distributing it uniformly, achieving high precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing configuration applies local quality enhancement by placing two ball bearings side by side specifically at the machining tool side where high rotational precision is most critical for cutting performance. This localized enhancement focuses complexity only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire shaft, optimizing the balance between precision and overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances rotational support precision while maintaining a compact tool size, primarily benefiting the machining tool side where the saw blade is mounted, and reduces the radial space occupied by bearings.

Implementation Method 1

the rotational driven shaft is rotatably supported by at least three bearings... including a needle bearing... two ball bearings arranged side by side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall Bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP2712711B1Power tools
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2712711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2712711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2712711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power tool (11A; 11B) may include a rotational force generating device (21) and a rotational driven shaft (36; 36B; 36C) coupled to a rotational drive shaft (24) of the rotational force generating device (21) via a transmission mechanism (30), so that the rotation of the rotational drive shaft (24) is transmitted to the rotational driven shaft (36; 36B; 36C) via the transmission mechanism (30). One or each of the rotational drive shaft (24) and the rotational driven shaft (36; 36B; 36C) is rotatably supported by at least three bearings (37, 381, 382; 37B, 381B, 382B; 371C, 372C, 381C, 382C).