Protective Cover Wiring for Functional Units in Table Saws

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underfloor pull saws and circular table saws face challenges in integrating additional functional units like sensors and illumination into their protective covers due to limited space and capacity for energy and communication supplies, which complicates their installation and poses safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an electrical line system within the carrier of the protective cover, allowing for a reliable and simple connection to the base unit below the work surface, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming supply or communication units within the cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If functional units (sensors, illumination) are integrated into the protective cover, then the saw's functionality and safety features are enhanced, but the carrier thickness would need to increase to accommodate supply and communication units

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcarrier thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the base unit from within the protective cover to the space below the work surface, effectively moving the solution from a two-dimensional constraint (carrier thickness) to a three-dimensional solution (utilizing vertical space below the work surface). This allows the carrier to remain thin while still providing adequate space for power and communication supplies.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into two separate components: the protective cover containing the functional unit, and the base unit containing the supply and communication components. These are connected via electrical lines, allowing each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If supply units are accommodated within the protective cover, then functional units can be powered, but the limited space and battery capacity make this impractical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidavailable space in protective cover
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The base unit containing the power supply and communication components is extracted from the protective cover and relocated to the space below the work surface. This removes the space constraint from the protective cover while maintaining the power supply function through electrical line connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the holder or riving knife is used as an electrical conductor, then power can be supplied to the protective cover, but this complicates adjustment and removal of the protective cover and poses occupational safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply implementationVSAvoidprotective cover adjustability and removability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A dedicated electrical line system serves as an intermediary between the base unit and the protective cover, replacing the use of the holder or riving knife as electrical conductors. This dedicated wiring system allows for easy connection and disconnection without affecting the mechanical adjustment and removal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3715073B1Saw
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 MAFELL AG
  • EP3715073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3715073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an underfloor pull saw or table circular saw, comprising a worktable providing a work surface for supporting workpieces to be processed, a saw blade that is partially located under the work surface and projects upwards beyond the work surface at least during sawing operation, a drive for the saw blade arranged under the work surface, which is designed to rotate the saw blade during sawing operation, a support which is supported on a holder below the work surface and projects upwards beyond the work surface, and a protective cover supported by the support which is designed to protect against interference with the saw blade in a protective position, wherein at least one electrical or electronic functional unit is integrated into the protective cover, and wherein a base unit for the functional unit is arranged below the work surface.wherein the functional unit is connected to the base unit via a supply and/or communication link, and wherein the supply and/or communication link comprises an electrical wiring system integrated into the carrier.