Dust collection system for a table saw

A dust collection system designed for a table saw is disclosed. The dust collection system includes a dust shroud and dust shield to channel dust generated by a blade as it cuts wood or other material. The dust shroud includes fins and walls to “peel” dust and air off a spinning blade and direct the dust and air downward. The dust shroud encloses the lower front portion of a blade.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dust collection system that may be incorporated in a table saw or other piece of power tool equipment.

BACKGROUND

In a workshop environment, such as a wood-working workshop, dust is routinely generated as a byproduct of operating power tools that perform cutting operations. The quantities of dust that can accumulate in and around the power tools and surrounding workspace can be considerable and it is often necessary to remove the dust to keep the machinery functioning properly and the workspace clear of interference. In addition, dust from wood and many other products commonly processed in a workshop environment have been shown to pose a health risk to those who are exposed to the dust, especially if exposed to the dust on a regular basis. Thus, it is important to limit the dust that can escape into the environment or that can accumulate in the machinery when a dust-generating power tool is in use. Enclosing the base of a power tool in a cabinet helps to trap the dust that falls below the cutting surface but it does not provide a way to keep dust from accumulating in certain interior parts of the tool and removal of the dust can be cumbersome. To address this issue, different kinds of dust collection systems have been developed. A dust collection system provides a way to collect dust generated by a power tool so that it can be contained and removed.

This document describes a dust collection system designed for a table saw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A saw10with a cabinet base12is shown inFIG. 1. Saw10includes a table14and a circular blade16that extends up through a slot18in a table insert20that fits within an opening in the table. A piece of wood, or other material to be cut, is placed on the table and pushed into contact with the spinning blade to make a cut. Saw10is a type of saw called a cabinet saw. A cabinet saw typically includes an enclosed casing or cabinet which houses the motor and other parts underneath the table and forms the base of the saw.

FIG. 2shows an interior mechanism of saw10designed to raise, lower and tilt blade16relative to table14, with a work piece22on the table (the work piece and table are shown in cross-sectional view along a line adjacent the blade). The front of the saw and table is to the left inFIG. 2. Blade16is shown mounted on a rotatable arbor17driven by a motor19and supported by the interior mechanism. The interior mechanism is also equipped with a dust collection system24. The dust collection system catches and channels dust generated by the blade as it cuts wood or other materials so that the dust can be captured and removed.

In a table saw, blade16rotates in the direction of arrow26so that the teeth of the blade emerge from the table at the right ofFIG. 2, contact and cut a work piece on the table, and then move beneath the table at the left ofFIG. 2. Blade16may rotate at 3,000 to 4,000 revolutions per minute, so the spinning blade creates an airflow pattern and moves air and dust particles near the blade generally along lines tangent to the direction the teeth are moving at any given instant, as shown by arrows28and30inFIG. 3. Typically, the teeth on blade16cut the work piece and create dust as the teeth move down from the highest point of the blade toward the table. Dust created by the teeth at the front of the blade typically moves down with the teeth, generally in the direction of arrow30inFIG. 3. The work piece itself and the table top help direct the dust and airflow downward by surrounding the blade. Dust collection system24partially surrounds a front portion of the blade and is designed to capture dust particles as they are directed downward by the blade.

A main component of dust collection system24is dust shroud32shown inFIGS. 4 through 6. The dust shroud is positioned and shaped to catch dust coming off the blade and direct the dust downward where it can be collected by a vacuum system. Dust shroud32is composed of two halves, a right half34and a left half36. In the depicted embodiment, the two halves are molded from plastic. The two halves fit together by tongue and groove edges38that run along the edges of each half. The tongue and groove form a tight seal between the two halves and help prevent dust from escaping the dust shroud. The tongue and groove also help with the alignment of the two halves in the assembly process. When joined, the tongue and groove form ridges40along the outside surface of the dust shroud and those ridges are interrupted by several non-threaded screw bosses42. Self-threading screws44are threaded into the bosses to secure the two halves. In the depicted embodiment, two screws secure the upper and middle front edge and one screw secures the middle rear edge of the dust shroud. A fourth screw passes through a non-threaded sunken boss46generally in the center of the right half34. Boss46extends into the interior of the dust shroud and includes a portion extending inward from left half36. In the depicted embodiment, the two halves are also held together with two clips48, as shown inFIG. 6. Clips48snap over or crimp around ridges40at the bottom of the dust shroud. Ridges40may include grooves50to accommodate the clips. Clips are used at these locations instead of screws because bosses for screws would not be in line with the direction at which the part is drawn from the mold. Other fasteners besides screws and clips could also be used.

Various views of dust shroud32are shown inFIGS. 7 through 12. As shown inFIG. 7, the upper right edge of the right half of dust shroud32has a somewhat parabolic edge52. That edge is mirrored on the left half along the upper left edge looking from the left, as shown inFIG. 8. From the front and rear, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, dust shroud32is generally narrow with a vertical upper section54and a bend56towards the bottom. As shown inFIG. 11, dust shroud32is open at the top and this upper opening58continues down along parabolic edge52. As shown inFIG. 12, the bottom of the dust shroud also includes an opening60.

Dust shroud32mounts in the saw by four screws that fit into four bosses62located towards the lower middle of left half36, shown inFIG. 5. Screws pass from a predetermined part of the internal mechanism of the saw into the screw bosses to hold the dust shroud in place. For example, a bracket may be designed in the internal mechanism to position and hold the dust shroud in place.

Another important component of dust collection system24is dust shield64, shown with dust shroud32inFIGS. 4-6and shown isolated inFIG. 13. Dust shield64is a metal piece positioned at the front and top of dust shroud32. The dust shield may be the first part of the dust collection system that dust particles moving off the blade encounter. Dust shield64is made of metal or some other hard material because the dust from certain kinds of materials can be very abrasive and wear through plastic or other soft materials. Dust shield64fits vertically along the inner front wall of dust shroud32and protrudes above the top of the dust shroud, as seen in at leastFIG. 9. The dust shield rests on the bottom legs of L-shaped ribs66that are molded into each dust shroud half, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. The L-shaped ribs extend upwards along the sides of the dust shield and these, along with a vertical rib68located at the top of the left half of the dust shroud, define the area within which the dust shield is positioned. To prevent the dust shield from moving vertically upwards, rounded notches70, one cut along the edge of each side of the dust shield, fit around semi-circular protrusions72that are molded along the L-shaped rib66on one side of the dust shield and along vertical rib68on the other side of the dust shield. The dust shield is somewhat dished or cupped in shape because it includes sides and a top that are curved or bent over to form a generally recessed area or concavity to help catch and direct dust into dust shroud32. The bottom edge of the dust shield, however, is open; it is not bent or curved to form a wall because that would impede the flow of dust into dust shroud32.

As seen inFIG. 2, dust shroud32and dust shield64are positioned below the upper surface of table14at the front of the blade so that the dust shroud partially encloses the forward portion of the blade. In that position, dust coming off the front of the blade is caught by the dust shield and dust shroud, especially when the blade is raised above the table a sufficient distance so that the movement of the teeth at the front of the blade is generally downward toward the table. However, when the blade is lowered so that less of the blade extends above the table, the movement of the teeth above the table is more horizontal relative to the table top and the dust coming off the blade typically moves in more of a horizontal direction toward the front of the saw rather than down into the dust shroud. If there is a gap between the top of the dust shroud and the underside of the table or table insert, then dust would move through the gap and escape.

To catch dust shooting off at a more horizontal angle, the top of dust shield64is designed to protrude up into a groove or channel74cut into the underside of table insert20, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17. In this manner, dust shield64and the underside of table insert20overlap so there is no gap between the top of the dust shield and the plane of the underside of table14.

The blade in a table saw is allowed to tilt between 90 and 45 degrees relative to the table top in order to make miter or angled cuts. As shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, dust shield64has a short horizontal top portion76and then a sloped section78that slopes downward at 45 degrees. When the blade is at 90 degrees relative to the table top, the horizontal top portion76of the dust shield protrudes up into channel74in the underside of table insert20. As the blade is tilted from 90 degrees, the dust collection system tilts as well. When the blade is tilted to 45 degrees, sloped section78becomes generally parallel to the bottom of table14and protrudes up into channel74to maintain the overlap with the underside of the table insert. Channel74is sized and shaped to allow the dust shield to tilt with the blade and still maintain the overlap.

Both the horizontal top portion and sloped section of the dust shield are cupped in such a way that the rounded corners evolve into a surface or wall80that extends back toward the blade, as shown inFIG. 21. Surface80provides what may be thought of as a shingling effect with channel74to help prevent dust from moving past the dust shield. Without the shingling effect, more dust particles might escape at the junction between the dust shield and the table insert even though the dust shield and table insert overlap. As the dust and airflow from the blade strike the dust shield, the dust and air may bounce back toward the blade and create turbulence, causing some dust to escape. Surface80and the bowl-shaped cupping of the dust shield help prevent dust from moving past the dust shield and help direct the dust and air so that it bounces back into the downward flow of air off the blade and into the dust shroud.

The cupping shape of the dust shield is different on the right and left sides. The side wall along the left side of the dust shield extends roughly normal from the front of the dust shield, and the side wall is created with a sharp bend82near top portion76. However, bend82changes into a less sharp curve84at the bottom of the dust shield, as shown inFIGS. 18, 20, 23 and 24. A sharp bend near the top, such as bend82, better directs dust back toward the downward airflow created by the blade, especially given that the top of the side wall is above the dust shroud. A less sharp curve at the bottom, such as curve84, can be used to match the inside curve of the dust shroud because the dust shroud itself covers the side wall and blocks dust.

The side wall along the right side of the dust shield is created from a more uniform sharp or squared bend86along the entire length of the side. It was found experimentally that a sharper, squarer bend works better along the right side of the dust shield. It is believed a squarer bend works better along the right side of the dust shield because the front and right half of dust shroud32do not extend vertically as high as the left half, leaving an open area88on the upper right side of the dust shroud, as seen inFIG. 17, through which dust particles can escape. (The front and right half of the dust shroud do not extend as high as the left half in order to provide clearance for the dust shroud to tilt with the blade; without that clearance the dust shroud would run into the underside of the table when the blade tilts.) A less sharp curve would allow more dust to escape over the top of the dust shroud through opening88. This is particularly true when the blade is lowered and the dust hits the dust shield at a more horizontal angle. The sharp bend86of the dust shield blocks the dust better than a less sharp bend. Additionally, sharp bend86allows for more clearance to remove the blade off the arbor while maintaining the dust shroud as narrow as possible when viewing the dust shroud from the front of the saw.

The right and left side walls of dust shield64also change from a narrow profile at the top of the dust shield to a larger dimension as the walls extend downward. Specifically, the left side wall is shown inFIG. 21to include a transition region90where the side wall becomes larger. Similarly,FIG. 22shows a transition region92where the right side wall becomes larger. Generally, larger side walls are better to block dust; however, the top of the dust shield includes smaller side walls to better fit into channel74in the table insert. Channel74would have to be larger to accommodate bigger side walls, and a bigger channel could interfere with the blade or the slot in the table insert through which the blade passes. Accordingly, the depicted embodiment includes side walls that increase in size as they extend down.

Air and dust particles that hit dust shield64are redirected downward into the dust shroud32. Like the dust shield, the dust shroud is also squared in the corner along the side of and just below opening88as shown at94inFIG. 15. This redirects dust downward that would otherwise follow the curvature of a curved corner and escape through opening88.

Dust shroud32has two channels in its interior, a front or primary channel96and a rear or secondary channel98. The two channels are partially separated by a barrier formed by a lower fin100and a side fin102, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. When the dust shroud is positioned in the saw, blade16is above lower fin100and to the right of side fin102when looking at the blade from the front of the saw. The front channel catches fast moving air from the blade, and the lower and side fins “peel” or direct the air and dust particles off the rotating blade as it passes by because of their proximity to the blade.

Side fin102consists of a wall-like projection that is perpendicular to and runs generally vertically along the inner wall of the left half of the dust shroud, as best seen inFIGS. 6 and 27. The side fin extends from the dust shroud towards the blade and fills in the area between the blade and the dust shroud along the length of the blade leaving only a small gap104between it and the blade, as shown inFIG. 26. Generally, side fin102should be as close to the blade as possible and generally within 2 to 10 millimeters from the side of the blade. Side fin102is long enough to run along the blade when the blade is in both its raised and lowered positions. A side fin could extend from the right half of the dust shroud as well so that the blade is surrounded on both sides, as indicated by dashed line103inFIG. 15. The additional side fin could be configured like fin102, but typically would have a larger side-to-side dimension in order to be closer to the blade to peel dust and air from the blade. The additional side fin also could be configured as a removable fin so that it could be removed when necessary, such as to accommodate thicker blade stacks, such as dado stacks, and/or blade removal. In the depicted embodiment, no side fin extends from the right half of the dust shroud in order to leave room for thicker blade sets and to facilitate blade removal.

Lower fin100is a relatively short and generally vertically oriented wall located in the lower part of dust shroud32. The lower fin is situated below the perimeter of the blade where it is most effective in peeling air and dust particles off the rotating blade, and lower fin100is closest to the blade when the blade is lowered so that only a small gap108is left between the lower fin and the teeth of the blade, as shown inFIG. 25. As with the side fin, the lower fin should be as close to the perimeter of the blade as possible when the blade is fully lowered and generally within 5 to 15 millimeters from the edge of the blade. Lower fin100extends across the dust shroud from one side to the other, thereby separating the front and rear channels within the dust shroud, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. As seen inFIGS. 14, 15, 27 and 28, lower fin100has slanted surfaces106, one at the top and another at the bottom. Those surfaces provide rigidity and strength to lower fin100, and surfaces106slope downward so that dust does not collect on them. In forming the front channel, the side and lower fins may be thought of as constricting the airway at least partially so that the air coming off the blade may increase in speed through a venturi effect. In any event, by peeling the fast moving air off the blade and directing it downwards the fins help create a powerfully blowing airstream that passes through and out the lower part of the dust shroud.

Rear or secondary channel98provides an additional or second layer of dust removal capability. The fast moving air channeled through the front channel, as shown by arrow110inFIGS. 27 and 28, creates a region112of low pressure in front of lower fin100relative to the region in the rear channel behind the lower fin. Consequently, air and dust within the rear channel is drawn into the stream of fast moving air in the front channel, especially as the air in the front channel passes lower fin100, as shown by arrow114inFIGS. 27 and 28.

Some air and dust from the blade will follow the movement of the blade and move horizontally into contact with lower fin100. The lower fin will block that air and direct it downward. This is part of what was referred to previously as “peeling” air off the blade. As that horizontal airstream hits the lower fin100, a local eddy or low pressure region116forms on the upper backside of the lower fin and that eddy can catch dust moving past the fin. The dust caught by the eddy eventually falls downward and is drawn into the stream of fast moving air in the front channel. Experiments have shown that the front surface of lower fin100should be positioned substantially vertical in order to maximize this effect, or in other words, generally perpendicular to the horizontal airstream, as shown inFIGS. 11, 27 and 28. Additional fins may be positioned within the air channels to create additional eddies or to further direct air and dust downward.

The rear channel also has rear walls and a bottom flange to peel the air and dust particles off the blade as the blade exits the dust shroud. As shown inFIGS. 11, 14 and 26, a left rear wall118(left with respect to the front of the saw) extends toward the blade from the left half36of the dust shroud. Left rear wall118slopes downward and is perpendicular to the blade, leaving only a small gap120between it and the blade. The left rear wall should be as close to the side of the blade as possible and generally within 2 to 10 millimeters from the side of the blade. Similarly, a right rear wall122, shown inFIGS. 11, 15 and 26, extends toward the blade from right half34of the dust shroud and is as close to the blade as practical, generally within 2 to 10 millimeters. The right rear wall does not extend up the dust shroud as far as the left rear wall in order to provide clearance for a stack of smaller diameter blades, such as an 8 inch diameter dado set. The left and right rear walls create what may be thought of as a slot through which the teeth on the blade may emerge from the dust shroud. A bottom flange124also extends from the left half of the dust shroud adjacent and just below where the edge of the blade exits the dust shroud, as shown inFIGS. 11, 14, 25 and 26. Only a small gap126is left between bottom flange124and the edge of the blade, generally on the order of 5 to 15 millimeters from the perimeter of the blade.

The dust shroud is sized from front-to-back to be sufficient to catch dust, but experiments have shown that little is gained if the dust shroud were to extend substantially beyond the front lower portion or lower front quadrant of the blade. Extending the dust shroud rearwardly beyond the center or midpoint of the blade (or beyond the arbor) to substantially cover the lower rear quadrant of the blade is not necessary because the disclosed dust shroud is able to “peel” air and dust off the blade. Covering the blade only partially allows for a more compact dust shroud, thereby permitting more easy access to the blade and other parts of the saw near the blade. Also, the side-to-side width of the dust shroud is set wide enough to accommodate a set of dado blades and effectively catch dust by trapping and channeling the air near the side surfaces of the blade or dado set while not interfering with other parts of the saw.

The main body of the dust shroud sits vertically in the saw, although in the embodiment shown the dust shroud includes a bend56towards its lower end. The bend allows the dust shroud to fit around other parts that may be in a saw, but is not otherwise necessary.

As shown inFIG. 5, the lower portion of the dust shroud includes an opening60through which the dust and air exits the dust shroud. Opening60may also be referred to as an exit port. As shown inFIG. 2, opening60is positioned substantially if not completely between the front of the saw and the blade center, and not rearward of the rear or back edge of the blade. The position of opening60allows the downward airflow in the shroud to easily exit the shroud. Opening60is bounded by a flange128and a flexible hose can be positioned over the flange to connect the dust shroud with a vacuum port in the saw cabinet. A user may then connect a vacuum system to the vacuum port to collect dust captured by the dust shroud and dust shield.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The dust collection system disclosed herein is applicable to dust-generating woodworking power tool equipment, and particularly to table saws. The described dust collection system provides a simple and effective means for channeling dust within the table saw so that the dust can be captured and later removed.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. No single feature, function, element or property of the disclosed embodiments is essential to all of the disclosed inventions.