Spring Clamping Fastening for Tool-Free Stop Element Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for stop elements in hand-held circular saws face difficulties in tool-free, stepless adjustment with low operating forces, often requiring manual strength and being prone to screw loss due to small screw heads and non-stepless locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device utilizing two obliquely oriented spring elements that clamp the stop element in a locking position, allowing tool-free, stepless adjustment by moving against spring force to release the lock, with the spring elements automatically returning to secure the stop element once positioned, eliminating the need for screws and reducing the risk of accidental displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw is used to clamp the stop element against the guide, then the stop element can be fixed stably, but it becomes difficult to loosen the screw and requires manual strength or tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fastening system with a spring-based clamping system. The spring element automatically clamps the stop element against the guide with sufficient force for stable fixation, while allowing easy release by simply removing the stop element without requiring tools or excessive manual strength to loosen a screw
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides self-adjusting clamping force that automatically maintains stable fixation of the stop element. The system serves itself by using the spring's inherent elasticity to provide continuous pressure, eliminating the need for manual tightening and loosening operations required by screw-based systems
2Volume of moving object
If a screw with small head dimensions is used, then the fastening device has compact dimensions, but high manual strength is required to grasp and unscrew it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the screw-based fastening system entirely and replaces it with a spring clamping mechanism. This substitution removes the need for small-headed screws that are difficult to grasp, while maintaining compact dimensions through the streamlined spring element design that requires no manual unscrewing operation
3Reliability
If a locking device with teeth and positive connection is used, then the stop element can be locked in discrete positions, but stepless locking is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring element that can accommodate the stop element at any position along the guide. The spring's elastic properties allow it to adapt to continuous positions rather than discrete tooth engagements, enabling stepless adjustment while maintaining reliable locking through the spring's clamping force
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element's elastic deformation capability allows the locking mechanism to transition from discrete positional locking (teeth) to continuous positional locking. By changing the physical state of the spring between compressed and relaxed states, the system achieves stepless adjustment while maintaining secure locking at any position
4Ease of operation
If a hooked handle mechanism is used to pull back the spring element, then the form-fitting connection can be released, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hooked handle mechanism and form-fitting connection system. Instead, it uses a simple spring element that naturally maintains clamping force and allows easy removal of the stop element by simply pulling it out, without requiring any additional releasing mechanisms or complex operational steps
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
Enables rapid, tool-free, and stepless adjustment of the stop element with reduced operating forces, ensuring secure locking and preventing accidental release, thus improving usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the locking device has two spring elements which run obliquely and not parallel to one another with respect to the displacement direction of the stop element, the spring elements clamping the stop element in a locking position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The fastening device (18) has a guide (26), in which the catch element (20) is inserted, and a locking device (28), which locks the catch element in a displacement direction (R). The locking device has a spring element (38), which clamps the catch element in its locking position, particularly with clamping force directed against the catch element.