A rice mill cutter adjusting device

Abstract

A rice mill cutter adjusting device belongs to the field of grain processing machinery. The device comprises a sand roller and a cutter, characterized in that it further comprises an arc-shaped adjusting plate and a cutter mounting seat linked with the arc-shaped adjusting plate, the cutter mounting seat is connected with the cutter, the cutter mounting seat is provided with an inclined guide part, the arc-shaped adjusting plate is matched with the inclined guide part through an acting part thereon, and the swing of the arc-shaped adjusting plate is converted into the linear motion of the cutter mounting seat driving the cutter to approach or move away from the sand roller. The research and development purpose of the device is to solve the problems of complex structure, high manufacturing cost, easy wear and jam, insufficient adjusting precision and reliability of the existing rice mill cutter adjusting device due to the adoption of complex meshing transmission modes such as disc wire grooves, and to provide an adjusting device utilizing the principle of arc plate swing and inclined surface cooperation, which realizes the precise, synchronous, stable and wear-resistant gap adjustment of the circumferential array cutter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cutting tool adjustment device for a rice milling machine, belonging to the field of grain processing machinery. Background Technology

[0002] Germ rice milling machines are essential equipment in modern grain processing. Their core function is to remove the bran layer while preserving the highly nutritious germ to the maximum extent possible. The key to this process lies in precisely controlling the gap between the grinding roller and the blades. If the gap is too large, the grinding will be incomplete; if the gap is too small, the germ will be easily damaged, leading to a decrease in the germ retention rate.

[0003] Currently, there are two main methods for adjusting the blades in a sand roller type germ rice mill: manual adjustment and preliminary automatic adjustment. Manual adjustment usually requires adjusting multiple rice blades surrounding the sand roller one by one. This process is cumbersome, inefficient, and makes it difficult to ensure the consistency of the gap between the multiple rice blades and the circumference of the sand roller, directly affecting the uniformity of the rice milling effect and the quality of the finished rice.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, several automatic adjustment solutions have emerged in the prior art. For example, the prior art document CN219334311U, entitled "A Sand Roller Type Germ Rice Maker with Rice Knife Adjustment Device," discloses a device that achieves adjustment through the engagement of a coiled wire and a rice knife guide slide rod with an arc groove. This solution uses gears to drive the coiled wire to rotate, which in turn drives the slide rod to slide within the guide seat, achieving synchronous adjustment of the rice knife gap. While achieving synchronous adjustment, its reliance on precision thread engagement reveals several drawbacks: First, the machining precision requirements for the coiled wire and the slide rod groove are extremely high, leading to increased manufacturing costs; second, under harsh working conditions rich in rice bran dust, this meshing pair is prone to abrasive wear, resulting not only in rapid deterioration of adjustment accuracy but also the risk of jamming and insufficient reliability; furthermore, the inherent frictional resistance and backlash of its transmission method also restrict the smoothness of adjustment and the sensitivity of fine-tuning.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a rice milling machine blade adjustment device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of complex structure, high manufacturing cost, easy wear and jamming, and insufficient adjustment accuracy and reliability of existing rice milling machine cutter adjustment devices, which use complex meshing transmission methods such as coiled wire grooves. This invention provides an adjustment device that utilizes the principle of arc plate oscillation and inclined plane cooperation, achieving precise, synchronous, stable, and wear-resistant gap adjustment of the circumferential array of cutters. A brief overview of the invention is provided below to offer a basic understanding of certain aspects of it. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive summary of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or essential parts of the invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention:

[0008] A rice milling machine blade adjustment device includes a frame, a sanding roller mounted on the frame, and multiple sets of blades arranged in a circular array around the axis of the sanding roller. It also includes an arc-shaped adjustment plate that swings around the axis of the sanding roller, multiple sets of blade mounting seats connected one-to-one with each of the blades, and a drive mechanism for driving the arc-shaped adjustment plate to swing. The blade mounting seats are mounted on the frame via a linear guide mechanism and have an inclined guide portion. The arc-shaped adjustment plate has an action portion that cooperates with the inclined guide portion on the blade mounting seats. The drive mechanism drives the arc-shaped adjustment plate to swing, and through the cooperation of the action portion and the inclined guide portion, the swing of the arc-shaped adjustment plate is synchronously converted into linear movement of all the blade mounting seats along the linear guide mechanism, thereby adjusting the gap between the blades and the sanding roller.

[0009] Preferably, the actuating part is a roller mounted on the arc-shaped adjusting plate, and the inclined guide part is an inclined surface formed on the tool mounting base.

[0010] Preferably, the linear guide mechanism is a linear slide rail assembly or a guide rod slider assembly.

[0011] Preferably, it further includes a reset elastic element, which acts on the tool mounting seat to provide a reset force for the tool mounting seat.

[0012] Preferably, the arc-shaped adjusting plate is mounted on the frame via multiple limiting rollers on both sides thereon, and the limiting rollers constrain the swing trajectory of the arc-shaped adjusting plate.

[0013] Preferably, the driving mechanism is a linear drive that outputs linear motion, and its output end is hinged to the arc-shaped adjustment plate.

[0014] Preferably, the arc-shaped adjusting plate is provided with limiting rollers on both sides, and the limiting rollers clamp and roll in contact with the arc-shaped adjusting plate on both sides, so that the arc-shaped adjusting plate can move along the trajectory determined by its arc-shaped contour.

[0015] Preferably, the driving mechanism is a linear drive, the output end of which is connected to the middle of the connecting rod; the output end of the linear drive is provided with a lifting slider with a U-shaped groove, and the connecting rod is fitted into the U-shaped groove to form a floating hinge.

[0016] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. This invention directly converts the oscillation of the arc-shaped adjusting plate into the linear motion of the cutting tool through the cooperation of the actuating part and the inclined guide part, eliminating the complex coiled groove meshing pair in the prior art. This greatly simplifies the transmission structure, fundamentally avoids the problems of jamming and accuracy failure caused by abrasive wear, and significantly improves the reliability and service life of the device;

[0018] 2. This invention provides a high-precision and high-rigidity guide for the linear motion of the tool mounting base, ensuring that the tool does not wobble as it approaches or moves away from the sanding roller, greatly improving the accuracy and stability of the gap adjustment;

[0019] 3. By setting the cutter mounting base and the arc-shaped adjustment plate as two symmetrical sets and using a connecting rod to achieve rigid synchronous linkage, the present invention completely ensures the absolute synchronicity of the adjustment at both ends of the cutter, effectively avoiding uneven wear and grinding of the cutter caused by unilateral adjustment, thereby significantly improving the embryo retention rate and uniformity of the finished rice.

[0020] 4. The present invention specifically uses a roller as the working part, which forms a rolling contact with the inclined surface, greatly reducing the frictional resistance during the movement process, making the adjustment operation more labor-saving, sensitive and smooth, and further improving the fine adjustment accuracy and dynamic response speed;

[0021] 5. This invention provides a continuous reset force for the tool mounting base, which on the one hand gives the adjustment system the ability to automatically retract, and on the other hand effectively eliminates the backlash in the entire transmission chain, making bidirectional adjustment accurate and error-free, and enhancing the rigidity and responsiveness of the system.

[0022] 6. This invention provides a stable and reliable arc-shaped guide for the arc-shaped adjustment plate, constraining it to swing strictly along a predetermined trajectory, preventing it from deviating or shaking during operation, thereby ensuring the accuracy and consistency of motion conversion relationships.

[0023] 7. The present invention adopts a drive mechanism such as an electric push rod that outputs linear motion, which makes the drive method naturally match the swing requirements of the arc-shaped adjustment plate, facilitates remote control and automation integration, and improves the intelligence level of the equipment.

[0024] 8. This invention arranges multiple sets of blades and mounting bases in a circumferential array around the axis of the sand roller, and combines them with a concentric arc-shaped adjusting plate. From a structural principle perspective, this perfectly adapts to the circumferential grinding characteristics of the sand roller rice milling machine, laying an optimal working foundation for achieving unified, synchronous, and precise adjustment of all blades. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the assembly of the arc-shaped adjusting plate and the tool mounting base of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the installation and assembly of a rice milling machine blade adjustment device.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the installation of the arc-shaped adjusting plate and the connecting rod according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the assembly of the linear guide rail mechanism of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the installation of the arc-shaped adjusting plate and the limiting roller of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the mating and installation of the linear drive component and the connecting rod of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the usage state of the linear drive component and connecting rod of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the installation of the linear drive component as described in Specific Implementation Method Two;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the mating and installation of the reset elastic element and the limiting protrusion of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the cutting tool described in Specific Implementation Method 3;

[0035] Figure 11 This is a front view of the cutting tool described in Specific Embodiment Three;

[0036] Figure 12 This is a top view of the cutting tool described in Specific Embodiment Three;

[0037] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 AA section view;

[0038] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 BB cross-sectional view;

[0039] Figure 15This is a perspective view of the blade described in Specific Embodiment Three.

[0040] In the diagram: 1-Abrasive roller, 2-Cut tool, 3-Arc-shaped adjusting plate, 4-Cut tool mounting base, 5-Linear slide rail mechanism, 6-Connecting rod, 7-Roller, 8-Inclined surface, 9-Reset elastic element, 10-Limiting roller, 11-Linear drive element, 12-Limiting protrusion, 13-Frame, 41-Cut tool holder, 42-Blade assembly, 43-Transverse spacer, 44-End stop plate, 45-Front edge strip, 46-Rear edge strip, 47-Blade face stop block, 48-Blade, 49-Blade clamping strip, 410-Pad plate, 411-Groove, 51-Slide rail, 52-Slider, 111-Lead screw, 112-Nut, 113-Lifting slider, 114-Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention is described below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0042] In germ rice processing, it is essential to remove the bran while preserving the germ within the rice grain to the greatest extent possible. This requires precise control of the gap between the grinding roller 1 and the blades 2 within an optimal range. Traditional adjustment methods not only struggle to achieve synchronous and precise adjustment of multiple sets of blades 2, leading to uneven grinding, but also fail to conveniently compensate for the increased gap caused by long-term wear of the blades 2. Once the blades 2 wear down, the gap exceeds a reasonable range, resulting in a sharp decline in grinding efficiency, while frequent blade replacement is impractical due to cost considerations. The core objective of this invention is to provide an adjustment device that can quickly and accurately compensate for wear synchronously and restore the optimal gap, ensuring a consistently stable rice milling effect.

[0043] Specific implementation method one: Combining Figures 1-5 This embodiment describes a rice milling machine blade adjustment device, which includes a sand roller 1 and blades 2. The sand roller 1 is rotatably mounted on a frame 13, and multiple sets of blades 2 and an adjustment mechanism that drives their movement are arranged around the sand roller 1.

[0044] The adjustment mechanism includes an arc-shaped adjustment plate 3, a tool mounting seat 4, and a linear slide rail mechanism 5. The linear slide rail mechanism 5 is fixedly installed on the frame and includes a slide rail 51 and a slider 52. Specifically, the slide rail 51 is fixedly installed on the frame 13, the slider 52 is slidably installed on the slide rail 51, and the tool mounting seat 4 is fixedly installed on the slider 52. This allows the tool mounting seat 4 to move precisely in a straight line along the direction close to or away from the axis of the sanding roller 1 under the guidance of the linear slide rail mechanism 5.

[0045] The bottom of the tool mounting base 4 is fixedly connected to the tool 2 by bolts, and its top is machined to form an inclined slope 8.

[0046] The arc-shaped adjusting plate 3 is mounted on the frame 13 via its arc-shaped guide mechanism. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped guide mechanism consists of multiple I-shaped limiting rollers 10. These limiting rollers 10 are mounted on the frame 13 via axles and are respectively clamped to the upper and lower edges of the arc-shaped adjusting plate 3, restricting it to only perform small-angle arc-shaped oscillations around the axis of the sanding roller 1. A roller 7 is mounted on the arc-shaped adjusting plate 3 as the actuating part, and the roller 7 makes rolling contact with the inclined surface 8 at the top of the tool mounting seat 4.

[0047] It also includes an arc-shaped adjusting plate 3 and multiple sets of tool mounting seats 4 linked with the arc-shaped adjusting plate 3. Each set of tool mounting seats 4 has a corresponding tool 2 mounted on one end. The tool mounting seat 4 has an inclined guide part. The arc-shaped adjusting plate 3, through its function part cooperating with the inclined guide part, converts the swing of the arc-shaped adjusting plate 3 into a linear movement of the tool mounting seat 4 driving the tool 2 to move closer to or away from the sanding roller 1.

[0048] During operation, grains are fed in from the top of the sanding roller 1. The high-speed rotating sanding roller 1 pushes the rice grains outwards, forcing them through a narrow wedge-shaped gap formed by the circumference of the sanding roller 1 and multiple blades 2. Within this gap, the rice grains are subjected to multiple actions, including friction and tumbling from the sanding roller 1, and resistance and scraping from the blades 2, gradually peeling off the hard bran layer. Because the gap can be precisely controlled within the optimal range by the adjustment device of this embodiment, the pressure acting on the rice grains is sufficient to remove the bran layer without damaging the tender germ. Finally, the peeled bran layer is sucked away by the airflow, and the rice grains become germ rice with intact germ and a crystal-clear color.

[0049] Furthermore, as the blade 2 wears down normally, the gap between its cutting surface and the grinding roller 1 gradually increases. At this point, there is no need to replace or disassemble the blade 2. Instead, by using the blade adjustment device of this embodiment to drive the arc-shaped adjustment plate 3 to swing slightly, the inclined plane 8 and the roller 10 work together to push all the blade mounting seats 4 synchronously and equally towards the axis of the grinding roller 1 by a small distance. This quickly and accurately compensates for the increased gap due to wear, restoring it to its optimal grinding state. This process is simple to operate, highly precise, greatly extends the effective service life of the blade 2, and ensures the long-term stability of the germ rice quality.

[0050] Specific Implementation Method Two: Combining Figures 1-9This embodiment describes a rice milling machine blade adjustment device based on specific embodiment one. The blade mounting base 4 and the arc-shaped adjustment plate 3 are arranged as two sets symmetrical about the axis of the sand roller 1. They are fixedly connected to the two arc-shaped adjustment plates 3 at both ends of the connecting rod 6, thereby ensuring that the two can maintain absolute synchronous swing at any time.

[0051] To achieve automatic adjustment, this embodiment also includes a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is a linear drive 11 that outputs linear motion.

[0052] One specific implementation of the linear drive component 11 is as follows: The linear drive component 11 includes a motor 114, a lead screw 111, and a nut 112. The motor 114 is fixed on the frame, and its output end is connected to the lead screw 111. The lead screw 111 and the nut 112 form a threaded engagement, and a lifting slider 113 is installed on the nut 112. The lifting slider 113 has a U-shaped groove. The middle part of the connecting rod 6 is fitted into this U-shaped groove. When the motor drives the lead screw 111 to rotate forward and backward, the nut 112 drives the lifting slider 113 to move up and down, which in turn drives the arc-shaped adjusting plates 3 on both sides to swing synchronously through the connecting rod 6.

[0053] The U-shaped groove on the lifting slider 113 forms a floating hinge with the connecting rod 6. This ingenious design allows the connecting rod 6 to have a slight adaptive movement during transmission, thereby compensating for the mismatch between the strictly linear motion of the lifting slider 113 and the slight arc trajectory of the connecting rod 6 caused by the swing of the driving arc-shaped adjusting plate 3. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted transmission process and effectively reduces the assembly precision requirements.

[0054] Other specific implementations of the linear drive component 11 include: the motor 114, lead screw 111, and nut 112 of the linear drive component 11 can also be replaced with a telescopic structure such as a linear electric push rod.

[0055] To ensure the stability of the adjustment and eliminate gaps, this embodiment also includes a reset elastic element. In this embodiment, the reset elastic element 9 is a leaf spring. One end of the leaf spring is fixed to the frame 13, and the other end has an elastic restoring force. A limiting protrusion 12 is provided on the side of the tool mounting seat 4, and the free end of the leaf spring acts on the limiting protrusion 12, continuously providing the tool mounting seat 4 with a reset force tending to move away from the sanding roller 1.

[0056] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0057] Initially, under the restoring force of the leaf spring 9, the tool mounting seat 4 and the tool 2 are positioned far from the grinding roller 1, with the gap at its maximum. When it is necessary to reduce the grinding gap, the motor 114 of the linear drive component 11 is started, driving the lead screw 111 to rotate, causing the nut 112 and the lifting slider 113 to move upward. The lifting slider 113 pushes the connecting rod 6 through the U-shaped groove, and the connecting rod 6 drives the arc-shaped adjusting plates 3 on both sides to swing synchronously around the axis of the grinding roller 1.

[0058] During the oscillation process, the roller 7 mounted on the arc-shaped adjusting plate 3 moves accordingly and rolls on the inclined surface 8 of the tool mounting seat 4. Due to the guiding effect of the inclined surface 8, the movement of the roller 7 is converted into a horizontal thrust on the tool mounting seat 4, overcoming the elastic force of the leaf spring 9, and pushing the entire tool mounting seat 4 to move precisely along the linear slide rail mechanism 5 towards the sanding roller 1, thereby reducing the grinding gap. Conversely, when it is necessary to increase the gap, the motor rotates in the opposite direction, the lifting slider 113 moves down, and the arc-shaped adjusting plate 3 oscillates in the opposite direction. At this time, under the action of the restoring force of the leaf spring 9, the tool mounting seat 4 is pushed away from the sanding roller 1, the gap increases, and the roller 7 rolls in the opposite direction on the inclined surface 8 to maintain close contact.

[0059] In summary, this embodiment achieves synchronous, precise, and automated adjustment of the gap between circumferential array tools through a sophisticated mechanical transmission chain, with reliable structure and significant effect.

[0060] Specific implementation method three: Combining Figures 1-14 This embodiment describes a rice milling machine blade adjustment device based on specific embodiment one. The blade 2 is a modular rice milling blade, which includes a blade holder 41, blade sets 42, and transverse spacers 43. The blade holder 41 is an upward-opening C-shaped groove. Multiple blade sets 42 are arranged side by side in the groove of the blade holder 41, and a transverse spacer 43 made of silicone or rubber is provided between adjacent blade sets 42.

[0061] End plates 44 are fixed to both ends of the C-shaped groove of the tool holder 41 by screws, which tightly clamp all the blade groups 42 and the transverse spacers 43 in the tool holder 41 from the axial direction, forming an integral module.

[0062] A front strip 45 is inserted between the front side of the blade assembly 42 and the front inner wall of the blade holder 41, and a rear strip 46 is inserted at the rear. Both the front strip 45 and the rear strip 46 are made of silicone or rubber to restrict the movement of the blade assembly 42 in the front-back direction. Between two adjacent transverse spacers 43, between the front end face of the blade assembly 42 and the blade holder 41, a blade stop 47 made of silicone or rubber is provided. The rice milling gap can be finely adjusted by replacing the blade stop 47 with blades of different thicknesses.

[0063] The blade assembly 42 consists of multiple independent I-shaped blades 48 arranged side by side, with symmetrical grooves 411 on both sides of each blade 48. The transverse spacer 43 is tightly fitted into the grooves 411 of the corresponding blades 48 of two adjacent blade assemblies 42, forming a mechanical interlock. A blade clamping strip 49 made of silicone or rubber is provided between adjacent blades 48 to ensure uniform spacing. A pad 410, made of silicone or rubber, is laid between the bottom of the blade assembly 42 and the bottom wall of the slot in the blade holder 41, providing elastic support for the blade assembly 42.

[0064] During assembly, first place the pad 410 into the blade holder 41, then insert the blade assembly 42 with the blade clip 49 and the transverse spacer 43 into the blade assembly 42 through the groove 411, then insert the front side strip 45, the rear side strip 46 and the blade face stop 47, and finally lock them with the end plates 44 at both ends to form a complete rice milling knife.

[0065] This rice milling knife constitutes a system that combines rigidity and flexibility: the rigid blade 48 ensures the milling effect, while the elastic elements such as the transverse spacer 43, blade clamping strip 49, and pad 410 can absorb impact and allow slight elastic yielding, thereby effectively reducing the broken rice rate, increasing the germ retention rate, and extending the service life of the knife.

[0066] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, as long as the technical solutions are not contradictory, they can be permuted and combined. Those skilled in the art can exhaust all possibilities based on the mathematical knowledge of permutation and combination. Therefore, the present invention will not describe the technical solutions after permutation and combination one by one, but it should be understood that the technical solutions after permutation and combination have been disclosed by the present invention.

[0067] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rice milling machine blade adjustment device, comprising a frame, a sanding roller (1) mounted on the frame, and multiple sets of blades (2) arranged in a circumferential array around the axis of the sanding roller (1), characterized in that: It also includes an arc-shaped adjusting plate (3) that swings around the axis of the sanding roller (1), multiple sets of tool mounting seats (4) that are connected one-to-one with multiple tools (2), and a driving mechanism (11) that drives the arc-shaped adjusting plate (3) to swing; the tool mounting seats (4) are mounted on the frame through a linear guide mechanism (5), and the tool mounting seats (4) are provided with an inclined guide part; the arc-shaped adjusting plate (3) is provided with an action part, which cooperates with the inclined guide part on the tool mounting seat (4); the driving mechanism (11) drives the arc-shaped adjusting plate (3) to swing, and through the cooperation of the action part and the inclined guide part, the swing of the arc-shaped adjusting plate (3) is synchronously converted into the linear movement of all the tool mounting seats (4) along the linear guide mechanism (5) to adjust the gap between the tool (2) and the sanding roller (1).

2. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuating part is a roller (7) mounted on the arc-shaped adjusting plate (3), and the inclined guide part is an inclined surface (8) formed on the tool mounting seat (4).

3. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear guide mechanism (5) is a linear slide rail assembly or a guide rod slider assembly.

4. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a reset elastic element (9), which acts on the tool mounting seat (4) to provide a reset force to the tool mounting seat (4).

5. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The arc-shaped adjustment plate (3) is provided with limiting rollers (10) on both sides. The limiting rollers (10) clamp and roll in contact with the arc-shaped adjustment plate (3) on both sides, so that the arc-shaped adjustment plate (3) can move along the trajectory determined by its arc-shaped contour.

6. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (11) is a linear drive that outputs linear motion, and its output end is hinged to the arc-shaped adjustment plate (3).

7. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tool mounting base (4) and the arc-shaped adjusting plate (3) connected thereto are set as two sets symmetrical about the axis of the sand roller (1), and are synchronized by a connecting rod (6).

8. The rice milling machine blade adjustment device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The driving mechanism (11) is a linear drive, and its output end is connected to the middle of the connecting rod (6). The output end of the linear drive is provided with a lifting slider (113) with a U-shaped groove. The connecting rod (6) is fitted into the U-shaped groove to form a floating hinge.

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