Tile Cutter With Pivoting Carrier For Variable Thickness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile cutters face challenges in efficiently cutting tiles of varying thicknesses and surface profiles without changing cutting force, and in easily adjusting to different material thicknesses and efficiently breaking tiles along notches.
Innovation Solution
The tile cutter employs at least two selectively operable force accumulators with different spring preloads, a cutting wheel carrier articulated on a carriage that slides over the tile without initial vertical force, and a height-adjustable cutting wheel mechanism, allowing for adjustable vertical force application and efficient cutting and breaking of tiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single force accumulator is used to apply vertical force to the cutting means, then the cutting force is sufficient for standard tiles, but the cutting force cannot be adjusted for tiles of varying thicknesses and surface profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting means carrier is designed as a lever that can pivot about a horizontal axis, allowing the vertical position of the cutting means to change dynamically. This dynamic adjustment enables the cutting means to adapt to different tile thicknesses and surface profiles while maintaining consistent cutting force through the action of the force accumulator
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the cutting means by pivoting the carrier lever. The height selector actuator allows selective positioning of the cutting means at different vertical heights, enabling adaptation to various tile thicknesses while the force accumulator maintains constant cutting force
2Productivity
If the cutting means is pressed vertically onto the tile with force, then cutting is effective, but the carriage cannot be easily returned to the starting position
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting process uses periodic action where the cutting means applies vertical force only during the forward cutting stroke, while during the return stroke the cutting means is lifted clear of the tile by pivoting the carrier lever, eliminating resistance and enabling easy carriage return to the starting position
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier lever pivots dynamically to lift the cutting means away from the tile during the return stroke, transforming the system from a continuous contact state to a periodic contact state, thereby reducing friction and enabling easy carriage return while maintaining cutting efficiency during the forward stroke
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting means carrier is rigidly fixed to the carriage, then the structure is simple, but the cutting force cannot be adjusted and the carrier cannot adapt to different cutting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting means carrier is mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis rather than being rigidly fixed, creating a dynamic connection that allows the carrier to adapt to different cutting conditions. This pivotable mounting enables height adjustment and force application angle variation while maintaining a relatively simple structural connection
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier system is segmented into the cutting means carrier that can pivot independently from the carriage. This segmentation allows the carrier to be positioned at different angles and heights relative to the carriage, providing adaptability for different cutting conditions while keeping the overall structure modular and manageable
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 precise cutting of tiles with varying thicknesses and surface profiles with consistent cutting force, and facilitates easy adjustment for different materials, ensuring clean cuts and efficient breaking along notches with minimal effort.
Implementation Method 1
The force accumulator has a compression spring (10) which is already pretensioned
Implementation Method 2
an energy accumulator is charged when a cutting wheel runs onto an edge of a tile to be cut
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention first relates to a tile cutter, comprising a base plate (1) for accommodating a tile (8), which base plate extends in the horizontal direction in the usage position of the tile cutter, and a slide (3) that can be moved in the horizontal direction along a guide (2) above the base plate (1), on which slide a cutting element carrier (4), in particular a cutting wheel carrier, is articulated, which cutting element carrier bears a cutting element (5), in particular a cutting wheel, wherein the cutting element carrier (4) is supported on a stop (6) by means of a counter stop (7) when the slide (3) is moved along the guide (2) in a cutting direction (S), and so force is applied to the cutting element (5) downward in the vertical direction in order to produce a notch in the tile (8). In order to further develop the tile cutter in a manner that is advantageous to use, the cutting element carrier (4) is articulated on the slide (3) in such a way that the cutting element carrier slides or rolls across the tile (8) substantially without vertical force application when the slide (3) is moved in a direction opposite the cutting direction (S).