Vacuum Fastening Interface for Stable Tool and Guide Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for function units, such as tools and guide rails, face challenges in reliable and comfortable attachment to workpieces, often relying on suction cups which can be inefficient and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device equipped with an electrically operated vacuum unit and a suction region, allowing for secure and adjustable attachment to an underlay, combined with multiple fastening interfaces for various function units like guide rails, tools, and illumination devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction cup is used for fastening the function unit to the workpiece, then the fastening device can be attached in a releasable manner, but the handling ability and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suction cup system with an electrically operated vacuum unit. This substitution introduces active control through electrical actuation, allowing for more reliable vacuum generation and maintenance while improving handling through electronic control mechanisms and potential feedback systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the vacuum system by using an electrically operated vacuum unit that can dynamically adjust and maintain vacuum levels. This allows for consistent vacuum pressure control, improving both reliability and ease of operation compared to passive suction cups.
2Reliability
If a suction cup is used for fastening, then the device can be attached to the workpiece, but the attachment is inconsistent and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically operated vacuum unit replaces the simple mechanical suction cup, providing consistent and controllable vacuum generation. This substitution ensures reliable and consistent attachment while the electrical control system manages the complexity, offering precise control over the fastening mechanism.
3Reliability
If an electrically operated vacuum unit is used, then the vacuum provision is more comfortable and reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts the increased complexity of an electrically operated vacuum unit in exchange for significantly improved reliability and comfort of vacuum provision. The electrical system provides controlled, consistent, and maintainable vacuum levels that mechanical suction cups cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical operation enables dynamic parameter control of the vacuum system, allowing for adjusted vacuum levels, maintenance of optimal vacuum pressure, and potential integration with control systems. This parameter control improves reliability while the complexity is managed through electronic control mechanisms.
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
Enhances handling and reliability by providing a stronger, more consistent vacuum-based attachment method, improving the stability and ease of use when attaching function units to workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically operated vacuum unit which is arranged in the housing and which is designed to provide a vacuum in the suction region
Data Source
AI summary
A functional unit, in particular for a tool, a tool accessory and/or a lighting apparatus, that includes a housing, a suction region, which is arranged on the housing and with which the fastening apparatus can be fastened releasably to a substrate, and an electrically operated negative-pressure unit, which is arranged in the housing and to provide a negative pressure in the suction region. The fastening apparatus also includes at least one fastening interface for fastening the functional unit. Alternatively, or additionally, the fastening apparatus includes the functional unit. The functional unit includes a guide device, in particular a guide rail, a router guide, a routing template, a rolling guide rail, a drilling apparatus, a lamp and/or a grazing light.