Threaded Rod Cutter Guide and Clutch for Jam Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Powered threaded rod cutters often experience jamming or damage when cutting threaded rods at an angle due to misalignment, leading to inefficient operations.

Innovation Solution

A powered threaded rod cutter design featuring a first and second cutting die, an electric motor, planetary transmission, and a drivetrain that converts rotational output to pivoting movement of the second cutting die, with a guide to ensure the rod is perpendicular before cutting, and a clutch mechanism to prevent damage by redirecting torque when seizing occurs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the threaded rod is positioned at an angle relative to the cutting dies, then the cutting operation can be performed, but the cutting dies may be jammed or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting angle flexibilityVSAvoidcutting die integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide positioned against the threaded rod performs preliminary alignment before the cutting operation begins. The guide ensures the rod is perpendicular to the cutting dies, preventing angled positioning that would cause jamming or damage to the cutting dies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a guide is added to support the threaded rod perpendicular to the cutting die, then cutting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting perpendicularityVSAvoidcutter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide serves multiple functions: it aligns the threaded rod perpendicular to the cutting dies, supports the rod during positioning, and works in conjunction with the drivetrain to ensure proper orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the drivetrain converts rotational output to pivoting movement of the second cutting die, then cutting precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting alignmentVSAvoiddrivetrain structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drivetrain acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts the rotational output from the motor through the planetary transmission into controlled pivoting movement of the second cutting die. This intermediary mechanism enables precise control of the cutting die motion, improving cutting alignment while distributing mechanical complexity across multiple components (cam, follower arm, shaft) rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The design ensures accurate perpendicular cutting, prevents damage to the cutter components by redirecting torque during seizing, and maintains efficient operation by automatically deactivating the motor when a predetermined torque threshold is exceeded.

Implementation Method 1

a planetary transmission positioned downstream of the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a cam configured to receive torque from the planetary transmission when the electric motor is activated, wherein the arm is pivoted in response to being driven by the cam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP4070900A1Powered threaded rod cutter
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORP
  • EP4070900A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4070900A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4070900A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A powered threaded rod cutter (1) configured to perform a cutting operation on a threaded rod (132) includes a first cutting die (14) and a second cutting die (18), at least the first cutting die (14) including a recess (20) in which a first portion of the threaded rod (132) is at least partly receivable, an electric motor (22), and a planetary transmission (58) positioned downstream of the electric motor (22). The powered threaded rod cutter (1) additionally includes a drivetrain (30) for converting a rotational output of the planetary transmission (58) to a pivoting movement of the second cutting die (18), and a guide (96) against which a second portion of the threaded rod (132) may contact to support the threaded rod (132) to be perpendicular relative to the second cutting die (18) prior to the cutting operation.