Blade sharpening apparatus

Abstract

To provide a blade sharpening apparatus including a cover portion that can accommodate wear of a grindstone, have durability, and reduce replacement frequency.SOLUTION: A blade sharpening apparatus comprises: a grindstone 31 having a thickness, which is a dimension in a direction along a central axis C1, where an end surface having the central axis C1 as its normal direction is a polishing surface 31b for sharpening a blade, and an outer surface 31d is cylindrical; a mounting base 10 on which the grindstone 31 is mounted; a rotation device 20 that rotates the grindstone 31 about the central axis C1 on the mounting base 10; a water supply unit 60 for supplying water to the grindstone 31; a cover portion 40 that surrounds the outer surface 31d of the grindstone 31 and prevents scattering of water from the grindstone 31; and a height adjustment mechanism 50 that varies the height of the cover portion 40 from the mounting base 10 by moving the cover portion 40 in the direction along the central axis C1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blade sharpening device used for sharpening blades.

Background Art

[0002] For blade sharpening, generally, a rectangular block-shaped grindstone is used. The grindstone is fixed to a workbench, and the user moves their own hand holding the blade back and forth to slide the blade on the surface of the grindstone for sharpening. However, since it takes a long time to sharpen the blade using a rectangular block-shaped grindstone, as a device for improving work efficiency, for example, the blade sharpening devices of Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 are on the market.

[0003] The blade sharpening devices of Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 include an annular grindstone and a rotating device for rotating the grindstone. While supplying water to the polishing surface of the grindstone, the grindstone is rotated by the rotating device, and the user presses the blade against the rotating polishing surface of the grindstone to perform sharpening. A cylindrical sponge cover is arranged around the grindstone to suppress the scattering of moisture such as water supplied to the grindstone and water mixed with polishing debris to the outside. Further, for the blade sharpening device of Non-Patent Document 2, as an attachment, a diamond grindstone can be attached above the polishing surface of the grindstone, and surface straightening can be performed by grinding the worn grindstone surface.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the blade grinding apparatuses of Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the cover portion surrounding the periphery of the grindstone is made of sponge, the durability is low and the replacement frequency is high. Further, in order to suppress the scattering of moisture, it is necessary to raise the cover portion to a certain extent, but when the grindstone wears, the surface of the grindstone may become lower than the cover portion. Since it is made of sponge, it is possible to cope with the wear of the grindstone by deforming the cover portion by pressing it with a blade, but the cover portion is easily damaged by the blade, and the replacement frequency is further increased.

[0006] Further, in the blade grinding apparatus of Non-Patent Document 2, although straightening with a diamond grindstone is possible, a dedicated part for straightening must be attached every time straightening is performed.

[0007] A first object of the present disclosure is to provide a blade grinding apparatus having a cover portion that can cope with wear of a grindstone, has durability, and can reduce the replacement frequency. In addition, a second object is to provide a blade grinding apparatus capable of eliminating the trouble of attaching a dedicated part for straightening every time straightening is performed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a blade grinding apparatus for grinding a blade (100) in a blade (101), having a central axis (C1), having a thickness that is a dimension in a direction along the central axis, and having an end face with the central axis as a normal direction being a polishing surface (31b) for grinding the blade, a grindstone (31) having an outer surface (31d) formed in a cylindrical shape, an installation table (10) on which the grindstone is installed, a rotating device (20) for rotating the grindstone around the central axis on the installation table, a water supply unit (60) for supplying water to the grindstone, a cover portion (40) surrounding the outer surface of the grindstone and stopping the scattering of moisture from the grindstone, and a height adjustment mechanism (50) for varying the height of the cover portion from the installation table by moving the cover portion in a direction along the central axis.

[0009] In this way, the cover part covers the outer peripheral surface of the grindstone. Therefore, during blade grinding, it is possible to suppress the scattering of moisture by the cover part. Further, since a height adjustment mechanism is provided to enable height adjustment of the cover part, the height of the cover part can be adjusted in response to a change in the height of the grindstone due to wear. As a result, even if the height of the grindstone decreases due to wear, it is possible to prevent the upper end of the cover part from hitting the blade or the operator's hand and causing interference during blade grinding. And since the height of the cover part can be adjusted by providing a height adjustment mechanism, the cover part can be made of a hard material such as metal instead of a soft material such as sponge, which can provide durability and reduce the replacement frequency. Therefore, it is possible to provide a blade grinding device having a cover part that can cope with wear of the grindstone, has durability, and can reduce the replacement frequency.

[0010] In the blade grinding device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the cover part is composed of a cylindrical member arranged around the central axis, and includes a first cover (41) fixed to the installation table and a second cover (42) arranged inside or outside the first cover. By relatively moving the second cover along the central axis with respect to the first cover, the height of the cover part from the installation table can be made variable.

[0011] In this way, by configuring the cover part with the first cover and the second cover and relatively moving the second cover with respect to the first cover, the height of the tip of the second cover can be adjusted, and the height of the cover part from the installation table can be made variable.

[0012] In the blade grinding device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the height adjustment mechanism is installed at three locations in the cover part. At each of these three locations, by adjusting the distance from the end of the first cover on the side opposite to the installation table to the end of the second cover on the side opposite to the installation table, in addition to making the height variable, it is possible to tilt the second cover with respect to the central axis.

[0013] In this way, if the height adjustment mechanism is provided at three locations and height adjustment is possible at each location, the second cover can be inclined with respect to the central axis. As a result, at a position close to the operator, the second cover can be inclined to expose the grinding wheel more, making it easier to grind the cutting tool. Also, at a position far from the operator, the grinding wheel can be more covered by the second cover to suppress the scattering of moisture.

[0014] In the knife grinding device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the height adjustment mechanism is set at three of the four locations where two locations where one radial direction centered on the central axis intersects the cover portion and two locations where a direction orthogonal to the one radial direction in the radial direction intersects the cover portion.

[0015] When the three height adjustment mechanisms are arranged in this way, they can be arranged such that the line segments connecting the three locations and the central axis of the cover portion form a T shape. Therefore, it becomes possible to more easily incline the second cover with respect to the central axis.

[0016] In the knife grinding device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a pedestal (23b) on which the grinding wheel is mounted and rotated together with the grinding wheel is provided at the center of the cover portion. The grinding wheel is cylindrical with a hollow portion (31a), and a fixing jig (32) fixed to the pedestal is fixed to the bottom surface (31c) which is the end surface on the side opposite to the polishing surface. The pedestal and the fixing jig are provided with one of a concave portion (32a) and a convex portion (23c) having corresponding shapes, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion to position the grinding wheel with respect to the pedestal.

[0017] In this way, if concave and convex portions are formed with corresponding shapes for the pedestal and the fixing jig, it becomes possible to easily position the grinding wheel with respect to the pedestal by fitting the convex portion into the concave portion.

[0018] In the blade grinding device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is a flattening unit (70) that grinds the grinding surface to flatten the grinding wheel. The flattening unit includes a support unit (71) erected on the installation table, an arm unit (72) rotatable about the support unit as a rotation axis, a grinding unit (73) for grinding the grinding surface, and a distance adjustment unit (74) attached to the arm unit and configured to adjust the distance between the grinding unit and the grinding surface by moving the grinding unit in the vertical direction.

[0019] By providing such a flattening unit, even if the grinding surface wears out and the surface is no longer a flat surface suitable for blade grinding, it is possible to repair the grinding surface to a flat surface suitable for blade grinding by flattening it. In addition, since the arm unit is rotatable about the support unit as a rotation axis, when grinding the blade, if the arm unit is rotated so that the grinding unit and the distance adjustment unit are positioned at a place shifted from the grinding wheel, the flattening unit can be prevented from getting in the way when the operator grinds the blade. Furthermore, if the grinding unit can be moved in the vertical direction by the distance adjustment unit, the height of the grinding unit can be adjusted according to the degree of wear of the grinding wheel. Since the flattening unit has such a configuration, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of attaching dedicated parts for flattening each time flattening is performed.

[0020] In addition, by providing the flattening unit, it becomes possible to use the grinding wheel multiple times. Therefore, since the amount of waste is reduced, it corresponds to Target 12.5 of SDGs Goal 12, "Responsibility for Production and Consumption": "By 2030, significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse of waste." Furthermore, it becomes possible to reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption related to the production of the grinding wheel, which in turn leads to mitigation and reduction of the impact of climate change, and can also contribute to SDGs Goal 13, "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

[0021] Note that the reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component etc. show an example of the correspondence relationship between the component etc. and the specific components etc. described in the embodiments described later.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, including other embodiments described below, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other among the embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0024] (First Embodiment) The blade grinding device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. The blade grinding device 1 shown in these figures is used, for example, for grinding blades such as kitchen knives for business use. First, the configuration of the blade grinding device 1 will be described.

[0025] 〔Configuration of the blade grinding device 1〕 As shown in FIG. 1, the blade grinding device 1 includes an installation base 10, a rotation device 20, a blade grinding unit 30, a cover unit 40, a height adjustment mechanism 50, a water supply unit 60, and a surface straightening unit 70.

[0026] The installation base 10 serves as the base of the blade grinding device 1 to which the rotation device 20, the blade grinding unit 30, the cover unit 40, the height adjustment mechanism 50, the water supply unit 60, and the surface straightening unit 70 are attached. For example, the installation base 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an upper surface 11 that is a horizontal plane, a bottom surface 12, and a plurality of side surfaces 13 connecting them. On the upper surface 11 of the installation base 10, the blade grinding unit 30, the cover unit 40, the water supply unit 60, and the surface straightening unit 70 are installed, and the electrical equipment 21 of the rotation device 20 is built inside. Wheels 12a are attached to the four corners of the bottom surface 12, enabling the movement of the blade grinding device 1. An operation unit 22 of the rotation device 20 is provided on one of the side surfaces 13. And, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip of a rotation shaft 23a and a pedestal 23b, which will be described later, of the rotation device 20 are exposed from the upper surface 11, and the blade grinding unit 30 is arranged on the pedestal 23b.

[0027] The rotation device 20 is a device that rotates the grindstone 31 provided in the blade grinding unit 30. The rotation device 20 includes the electrical equipment 21 shown by a broken line in FIG. 2 provided inside the installation base 10, the operation unit 22 provided on the side surface 13, a rotation mechanism 23 that rotates the grindstone 31, and electrical wiring (not shown) that makes an electrical connection between the operation unit 22 and the electrical equipment 21.

[0028] The electrical device 21 has an inverter 21a and a motor 21b, and is driven based on power supply from an external power source. The inverter 21a is controlled based on various switches 22a to 22e provided in the operation unit 22, and controls the motor 21b, specifically, the start / stop, rotation direction, and rotation speed of the motor 21b. Based on the control of the motor 21b by this inverter 21a, the on / off, rotation direction, and rotation speed of the rotation of the grindstone 31 via the rotation mechanism 23 are controlled. The motor 21b is rotated based on inverter control by operating various switches 22a to 22e. For example, the motor 21b is rotated forward when a positive current flows through the inverter 21a, and rotated backward when a reverse current flows. Also, the motor 21b changes its rotation speed based on control of the supplied power based on PWM control or the like, and is rotated at a higher rotation speed as the supplied power is increased.

[0029] Note that a gear mechanism 21c can also be connected to the motor 21b, and the rotation speed of the motor 21b can be attenuated by the gear mechanism 21c and transmitted to the rotation mechanism 23.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the operation unit 22 is provided with various switches 22a to 22e related to the drive of the blade grinding device 1. When the user operates the various switches 22a to 22e, the blade grinding device 1 is driven. Switch 22a is a power-on switch, which is composed of, for example, a rocker switch. When it is in the on state, the power supply to the electrical equipment 21 is enabled, and when it is in the off state, the power supply to the electrical equipment 21 is cut off. Switch 22b is a start switch, which is composed of, for example, a push switch. When it is in the on state, the blade grinding device 1 is activated, and the power supply to the electrical equipment 21, that is, the power supply to the motor 21b through the inverter 21a, is carried out to rotate the motor 21b. Switch 22c is a stop switch, which is composed of, for example, a push switch, and stops the blade grinding device 1 that is in the activated state. Switch 22d is used to adjust the rotation speed of the grinding wheel 31 and is composed of, for example, a volume switch. Switch 22e is a control switch for the rotation direction of the grinding wheel 31 and is composed of, for example, a rotary switch.

[0031] The rotation mechanism 23 is a mechanism that converts the rotation of the motor 21b into the rotation of the grinding wheel 31. It is arranged in the installation base 10 and is provided with a rotating shaft 23a, a pedestal 23b, etc.

[0032] The upper end side of the rotating shaft 23a is inserted into an opening provided on the upper surface 11 of the installation base 10, and the lower end side is rotated by transmitting the rotation of the motor 21b. The dashed-dotted line in Fig. 1 indicates the central axis C1 of the rotating shaft 23a and the grinding wheel 31, and the rotating shaft 23a and the grinding wheel 31 are rotated around this central axis C1. For example, the shaft of the motor 21b is connected to the rotating shaft 23a via a gear mechanism 21c, and when the motor 21b is rotated, the rotating shaft 23a is rotated at a reduced rotational speed by the gear mechanism 21c.

[0033] The pedestal 23b is a base to which the grinding wheel 31 is fixed, is disposed at the center of the cover portion 40, is connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft 23a as shown in FIG. 2, and is exposed above the upper surface 11 of the installation base 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the pedestal 23b is disk-shaped, and is fixed to the rotating shaft 23a such that the central axis of the pedestal 23b is coaxial with the rotating shaft 23a as shown in FIG. 2, and is rotated together with the rotating shaft 23a. As shown in FIG. 4, positioning convex portions 23c having a symmetric shape are formed on both sides in one direction in the radial direction around the central axis of the pedestal 23b. Further, female screw holes 23d are formed in the pedestal 23b on both sides in one direction in the radial direction around the central axis of the pedestal 23b and in directions orthogonal to the direction in which the positioning convex portions 23c are formed.

[0034] With such a configuration, when the motor 21b is rotated, the rotating mechanism 23 rotates the rotating shaft 23a based on this, and also rotates the pedestal 23b connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft 23a. The rotation directions of the rotating shaft 23a and the pedestal 23b are in directions corresponding to the rotation direction of the motor 21b, and are opposite depending on whether the motor 21b is rotated forward or reversely.

[0035] Although not shown, the installation base 10 is provided with an adapter or the like for connecting the rotating device 20 to an external power source, and the power supply to the rotating device 20 can be turned on and off based on the on / off of the switch 22a.

[0036] The blade grinding unit 30 is a mechanism for grinding the blade of a cutting tool, and includes a grinding wheel 31 and a fixing jig 32.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the grinding wheel 31 has a hollow portion 31a, is configured in a cylindrical shape with the direction along the central axis C1 as the thickness direction, one end surface on the side along the central axis C1 of the grinding wheel 31 is a grinding surface 31b, and the end surface on the side opposite to the grinding surface 31b is a bottom surface 31c. Further, the outer surface 31d located between the grinding surface 31b and the bottom surface 31c of the grinding wheel 31 is cylindrical. The blade of the cutting tool is ground by the grinding surface 31b, and the bottom surface 31c is fixed to the fixing jig 32.

[0038] The fixing jig 32 is disk-shaped as shown in FIG. 5, and is used to fix the grinding stone 31 disposed on the upper surface side to the pedestal 23b. The fixing jig 32 is disposed so as to cover the hollow portion 31a of the grinding stone 31 on the bottom surface 31c side of the grinding stone 31. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, positioning recesses 32a having a symmetrical shape are formed on both sides in one radial direction centered on the central axis C1 of the grinding stone 31 in the portion of the fixing jig 32 exposed from the hollow portion 31a. The shape of the positioning recess 32a matches the shape of the positioning projection 23c formed on the pedestal 23b, and the formation location is also a corresponding location. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, circular through holes 32b are formed in the fixing jig 32 on both sides in one radial direction centered on the central axis C1 of the grinding stone 31 and in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the positioning recess 32a is formed. The diameter of the through hole 32b is made to correspond to the diameter of the female screw hole 23d formed in the pedestal 23b, and the formation position of the through hole 32b is also a location corresponding to the female screw hole 23d.

[0039] Due to such a configuration, when fixing the blade grinding portion 30 including the grinding stone 31 to the pedestal 23b, the positioning of the grinding stone 31 with respect to the pedestal 23b can be performed by fitting the positioning recess 32a of the fixing jig 32 into the positioning projection 23c of the pedestal 23b. Then, by fastening the screw 24 to the female screw hole 23d, the blade grinding portion 30 can be easily fixed to a determined position on the pedestal 23b.

[0040] The cover portion 40 suppresses the scattering of moisture scattered from the grinding stone 31, that is, water supplied from the water supply portion 60 or water containing grinding chips, when grinding the blade of the cutting tool using the grinding stone 31. The cover portion 40 is made of a material having rigidity that is difficult to elastically deform, and here it is made of metal, but it may also be made of resin.

[0041] The cover part 40 is cylindrical so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical grindstone 31, has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the grindstone 31, and is arranged with a gap between it and the outer peripheral surface of the grindstone 31. The cover part 40 is arranged with its central axis coaxial with the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31, and at least a part of it is movable in the direction along the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31, and the height from the upper surface 11 on the installation table 10 is variable. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, etc., the cover part 40 includes a first cover 41 and a second cover 42.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first cover 41 is configured as a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom surface 41a and an outer peripheral surface 41b, and is capable of receiving moisture. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 41c is formed at the center of the first cover 41, and the rotary shaft 23a is inserted through the opening 41c. An inner wall 41d protruding in a cylindrical shape is provided around the opening 41c, and the moisture received by the first cover 41 is structured so as not to enter the opening 41c. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first cover 41 is partially disposed so as to protrude outside the upper surface 11, and in the protruding portion, a drain hole 41e is provided in the bottom surface 41a. A drain hose 41f is provided below the drain hole 41e, and the moisture received by the first cover 41 can be discharged.

[0043] The first cover 41 is fixed to the upper surface 11 on the installation table 10. Although not shown here, the first cover 41 is fixed to the upper surface 11 by fastening bolts to the upper surface 11 of the installation table 10 at a plurality of locations on the bottom surface 41a. The first cover 41 is arranged with the lower end side, which is one end, directed toward the installation table 10 side, and the upper end side, which is the other end, directed toward the side opposite to the installation table 10. And the upper end of the first cover 41 is made lower than at least the polishing surface of the grindstone 31 before wear, and here it is made lower than the boundary position between the fixing jig 32 and the grindstone 31.

[0044] The second cover 42 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged such that its central axis is coaxial with the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31 and the central axis of the first cover 41 as shown in FIG. 6 etc. The outer diameter of the second cover 42 is made smaller than the outer diameter and inner diameter of the first cover 41, and the inner diameter of the second cover 42 is made larger than the outer diameter of the grindstone 31. And the second cover 42 is arranged inside the first cover 41.

[0045] The second cover 42 is a member that can move in the height direction. The lower end side, which is one end, is directed toward the installation table 10 and the bottom surface 41a side of the first cover 41, and the upper end side, which is the other end, is arranged facing the side opposite to the installation table 10. By moving the second cover 42 inside the first cover 41, the height of the upper end of the second cover 42 from the upper surface 11 can be made variable. For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper end of the second cover 42 can be adjusted to a height corresponding to the polishing surface 31b of the grindstone 31. Also, since the outer diameter of the second cover 42 is made smaller than the inner diameter of the first cover 41, the central axis of the second cover 42 can be tilted with respect to the central axis of the first cover 41 and the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31, and as shown in FIG. 9, the upper end of the second cover 42 can be tilted with respect to the upper end of the first cover 41.

[0046] Note that the inner diameter of the second cover 42 may be made larger than the outer diameter of the first cover 41 and the second cover 42 may be arranged outside the first cover 41. However, when the second cover 42 is arranged inside the first cover 41, it is preferable because when the second cover 42 dams the moisture scattered during edge grinding, the first cover 41 can receive that moisture.

[0047] The height adjustment mechanism 50 adjusts the height of the upper end of the cover part 40 from the installation table 10 by moving the cover part 40 in the direction along the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31. Specifically, the height adjustment mechanism 50 adjusts the height of the upper end of the second cover 42 as the upper end of the cover part 40 by relatively moving the second cover 42 in the cover part 40 with respect to the first cover 41.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the height adjustment mechanism 50 is installed at three locations in the cover portion 40. Specifically, the height adjustment mechanism 50 is provided at three of a total of four locations where the radial one direction centered on the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31 or the central axis of the cover portion 40 intersects the cover portion 40, and where the direction orthogonal to the one direction in the radial direction intersects the cover portion 40. In other words, the height adjustment mechanism 50 is arranged at three locations shifted by 90° in the circumferential direction around the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31 or the central axis of the cover portion 40, that is, at two locations where the radial one direction centered on the central axis of the cover portion 40 intersects the cover portion 40, and at three central locations between the two locations. And the height adjustment mechanism 50 is configured to be able to adjust the distance from the upper end of the first cover 41 to the upper end of the second cover 42 at each of the three locations. For this reason, in addition to varying the height of the upper end of the second cover 42, the height adjustment mechanism 50 also enables the second cover 42 to be inclined with respect to the central axis C1 of the grindstone 31 or the central axis of the first cover 41.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each height adjustment mechanism 50 is configured to include a rail portion 51, a fixing screw 52, and a seat portion 53.

[0050] The rail portion 51 is L-shaped, protruding outward in the radial direction by a predetermined distance from the upper end of the second cover 42 and then bent downward. The portion of the rail portion 51 bent downward is plate-shaped, and a slit 51a cut along the vertical direction is formed in this portion. The width of the slit 51a is made larger than the diameter of the screw portion of the fixing screw 52, and is dimensioned such that the screw portion can pass through the slit 51a.

[0051] The fixing screw 52 and the seat portion 53 are used to sandwich the rail portion 51 to fix the second cover 42 to the first cover 41 and fix the height of the upper end of the second cover 42. The fixing screw 52 is a male screw, and a female screw hole is formed in the seat portion 53. The fixing screw 52 is structured to have a screw portion with respect to the gripping portion 52a, and the user can loosen or tighten the fixing screw 52 by gripping the gripping portion 52a and turning the fixing screw 52. The seat portion 53 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cover 41. The height of the seat portion 53 from the outer peripheral surface of the first cover 41 is dimensioned corresponding to the protruding amount of the rail portion 51 radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second cover 42. And although not shown, a female screw hole is formed in the tip surface of the seat portion 53, that is, one surface of the seat portion 53 on the side of the rail portion 51, and the screw portion of the fixing screw 52 can be fitted into the female screw hole through the slit 51a. For this reason, when the fixing screw 52 is tightened, the height of the upper end of the second cover 42 is set by the rail portion 51 being sandwiched between the fixing screw 52 and the seat portion 53, and when the fixing screw 52 is loosened, the restraint of the rail portion 51 is released and the height of the upper end of the second cover 42 can be adjusted.

[0052] The water supply unit 60 supplies water to the polishing surface 31b from above the grindstone 31, which improves the sliding of the blade against the polishing surface 31b during blade sharpening to enable smooth polishing and also serves to cool the frictional heat of the polishing surface 31b. Specifically, the water supply unit 60 is configured to have a support base 61 and a water supply tank 62.

[0053] The support base 61 supports the water supply tank 62 at a position above the grindstone 31, is erected at a position outside the cover portion 40 on the upper surface 11 of the installation base 10, and installs the water supply tank 62 at a position above the grindstone 31.

[0054] The water supply tank 62 is installed on the support base 61 and stores water to be supplied to the grindstone 31. The water supply tank 62 is provided with a valve 62a. When the valve 62a is opened, the water inside is discharged and supplied to the grinding surface 31b of the grindstone 31. The discharge amount of water from the valve 62a can be adjusted according to the valve opening degree, and it can be adjusted to an appropriate amount of water suitable for blade sharpening.

[0055] The flattening portion 70 serves to grind the grinding surface 31b of the grindstone 31 to perform flattening to a flat surface suitable for blade sharpening, and is in a state of being attached to the installation base 10. The flattening portion 70 has a configuration including a support portion 71, an arm portion 72, a grinding portion 73, and a distance adjustment portion 74.

[0056] The support portion 71 is erected at a position outside the cover portion 40 on the upper surface 11 of the installation base 10, and the arm portion 72 is connected to the upper end. Here, the support portion 71 is erected in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 11.

[0057] The arm portion 72 extends horizontally from the support portion 71 and holds the grinding portion 73 and the distance adjustment portion 74 on the tip side opposite to the end where the support portion 71 is connected. As shown by the arrow A1 in FIG. 7, the arm portion 72 is rotatable on the horizontal plane with the support portion 71 as the rotation axis, enabling the position movement of the grinding portion 73 and the distance adjustment portion 74. By rotating the arm portion 72, except during flattening, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the grinding portion 73 and the distance adjustment portion 74 are moved to a position away from above the grindstone 31 so as not to interfere with blade sharpening. And during flattening, by moving the grinding portion 73 and the distance adjustment portion 74 above the grindstone 31 as shown by the arrow A1, flattening by the grinding portion 73 becomes possible.

[0058] The grinding section 73 is a member for truing the grinding surface 31b of the grinding wheel 31, and is composed of diamond or the like harder than the grinding wheel 31. The grinding section 73 is detachable from the distance adjustment section 74 and can be replaced according to the degree of wear of the diamond, but it has durability that can withstand multiple truing operations without replacement. The grinding section 73 is attached to the tip side of the arm section 72 together with the distance adjustment section 74, and is arranged to protrude downward from the distance adjustment section 74.

[0059] The distance adjustment section 74 adjusts the distance of the grinding section 73 from the grinding surface 31b, that is, the height of the grinding section 73. Although not shown, the distance adjustment section 74 is provided with a screw mechanism inside, and the grinding section 73 is attached to the lower end of the screw mechanism provided inside. At the upper end of the distance adjustment section 74, a screw head 74a of a hexagonal bolt connected to the screw mechanism is provided. And as shown in FIG. 1, when the wrench 75 is inserted into the screw head 74a of the distance adjustment section 74 and the screw head 74a is rotated in one direction with the wrench 75, the grinding section 73 moves downward by the internal screw mechanism, and when the screw head 74a is rotated in the reverse direction with the wrench 75, the grinding section 73 moves upward by the internal screw mechanism. When the grinding section 73 is set to the highest position and the farthest from the upper surface 11 by the distance adjustment section 74, the grinding section 73 is located at a position higher than the grinding surface 31b of the grinding wheel 31, so that the grinding section 73 does not interfere with the grinding wheel 31 even when the arm section 72 is rotated. And by adjusting the height of the grinding section 73 with the distance adjustment section 74, as shown in FIG. 10, the grinding section 73 can be set to a height at which it can be brought into contact with the grinding surface 31b for truing. As shown in FIG. 11, the height of the grinding section 73 can be lowered by the distance adjustment section 74 until the tip position of the grinding section 73 reaches the boundary position between the bottom surface 31c of the grinding wheel 31 and the fixing jig 32, so that the grinding surface 31b can be trued until the grinding wheel 31 is almost gone.

[0060] 〔Usage method of the blade grinding device 1〕 Next, a method of using the blade grinding device 1 configured as described above will be explained. First, prepare the blade grinding device 1. Regarding the attachment of the blade grinding unit 30 including the grindstone 31, positioning is performed by fitting the positioning concave portion 32a formed in the fixing jig 32 shown in FIG. 5 to the positioning convex portion 23c formed in the pedestal 23b shown in FIG. 4, and then fastening the screw 24 to the female screw hole 23d.

[0061] Then, set the height of the upper end of the second cover 42 according to the height of the polishing surface 31b of the grindstone 31. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the entire upper end of the second cover 42 may be set to the same height, but as shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable to incline the upper end of the second cover 42 with respect to the upper end of the first cover 41. In this way, even when blade grinding is performed in a state where the blade 101 side of the cutting tool 100 is disposed on the polishing surface 31b of the grindstone 31 and the handle portion 102 passes over the cover portion 40, the cutting tool 100 can be prevented from contacting the second cover 42.

[0062] Subsequently, after turning on the switch 22a to supply power, press the switch 22b to drive the motor 21b and rotate the grindstone 31. Then, while supplying water from the water supply unit 60 to the polishing surface 31b, perform blade grinding by applying the blade surface of the cutting tool 100 to the polishing surface 31b as shown in FIG. 9. Further, if necessary, operate the switch 22d to adjust the rotation speed of the grindstone 31, or operate the switch 22e to switch the rotation direction of the grindstone 31 to perform blade grinding of the cutting tool 100.

[0063] At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the grindstone 31 can be covered by the cover portion 40, even if moisture such as water supplied from the water supply unit 60 during blade grinding or water containing grinding chips scatters, it can be blocked by the cover portion 40. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the scattering of moisture outside the cover portion 40. And since the upper end of the second cover 42 is inclined with respect to the upper end of the first cover 41, it is possible to perform blade grinding well without the handle portion 102 of the cutting tool 100 interfering with the second cover 42.

[0064] Further, when the grinding wheel 31 wears and the height of the grinding surface 31b decreases, the height adjustment mechanism 50 adjusts the height of the upper end of the second cover 42 to a height corresponding to the height of the grinding surface 31b. Thereby, the height of the cover portion 40 can be set corresponding to the wear of the grinding wheel 31, and even if the grinding wheel 31 wears, the edge grinding of the cutting tool 100 can be performed well.

[0065] Furthermore, when the flatness of the grinding surface 31b of the grinding wheel 31 is impaired and it becomes unsuitable for edge grinding, after rotating the arm portion 72 to move the grinding portion 73 and the distance adjustment portion 74 onto the grinding wheel 31, the height of the grinding portion 73 is adjusted by the distance adjustment portion 74. Then, for example, the grinding portion 73 is brought into contact with a portion of the grinding surface 31b located on the outer edge side of the grinding wheel 31. In this state, the switch 22b is pressed to rotate the grinding wheel 31, and the grinding surface 31b of the grinding wheel 31 is ground. Then, while grinding the grinding surface 31b, the arm portion 72 is rotated as indicated by the arrow A1 in FIG. 7 while maintaining the height of the grinding portion 73, and the grinding portion 73 is gradually moved to the inner peripheral side of the grinding wheel 31. Thereby, the entire area of the grinding surface 31b can be reconditioned into a flat surface suitable for edge grinding, and good edge grinding can be performed again using the grinding surface 31b that has become a flat surface.

[0066] Note that since the tip of the grinding portion 73 is positioned at the boundary position between the bottom surface 31c of the grinding wheel 31 and the fixing jig 32 when the grinding portion 73 is lowered to the lowest position by the distance adjustment portion 74, the grinding surface 31b can be reconditioned until the grinding wheel 31 is almost completely worn out. Therefore, the grinding wheel 31 can be used up without any remainder.

[0067] 〔Effect of the edge grinding device 1〕 (1) In the blade grinding device 1 of this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the grindstone 31 is covered by the cover portion 40. Therefore, when grinding the cutting tool 100, it is possible to suppress the scattering of moisture by the cover portion 40. Further, since the height adjustment mechanism 50 is provided to enable the height adjustment of the cover portion 40, the height of the cover portion 40 can be adjusted in response to the change in the height of the grindstone 31 due to wear. As a result, even if the height of the grindstone 31 decreases due to wear, when grinding the cutting tool 100 with the grindstone 31, it is possible to prevent the upper end of the cover portion 40 from hitting the cutting tool 100 or the operator's hand and causing interference. And since the height of the cover portion 40 can be adjusted by providing the height adjustment mechanism 50, the cover portion 40 can be made of a hard material such as metal instead of a soft material such as sponge, so that durability can be provided and the replacement frequency can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the blade grinding device 1 having the cover portion 40 that can cope with the wear of the grindstone 31, has durability, and can reduce the replacement frequency.

[0068] Specifically, the cover portion 40 is composed of a first cover 41 and a second cover 42, and the second cover 42 is relatively movable in the direction along the central axis with respect to the first cover 41. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the height of the cover portion 40 variable from the installation base 10.

[0069] (2) The height adjustment mechanism 50 is installed at three locations in the cover portion 40, and at each of the three locations, the distance from the upper end of the first cover 41 to the upper end of the second cover 42 can be adjusted. For this reason, the height of the second cover 42 can be made variable at each of the three locations, and the second cover 42 can be inclined with respect to the central axis of the first cover 41. As a result, at a position closer to the operator, the second cover 42 can be inclined to expose the grindstone 31 more, making it easier to grind the cutting tool 100, and at a position farther from the operator, it is possible to suppress the scattering of moisture by covering the grindstone 31 more with the second cover 42.

[0070] In particular, in this embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism 50 is arranged at three out of a total of four locations where the cover portion 40 intersects with two locations in one radial direction centered on the central axis of the cover portion 40 and where the cover portion 40 intersects with two locations in a direction orthogonal to that one direction in the radial direction. When the height adjustment mechanism 50 is arranged at such three locations, it can be arranged such that the line segments connecting those three locations and the central axis of the cover portion 40 form a T shape. Therefore, it becomes possible to more easily tilt the second cover 42 with respect to the central axis.

[0071] (3) The rotating device 20 is provided with a pedestal 23b and the pedestal 23b is provided with a positioning convex portion 23c. Further, the fixing jig 32 to which the grindstone 31 is fixed is provided with a positioning concave portion 32a. In this way, if concave and convex portions having corresponding shapes are formed on the pedestal 23b and the fixing jig 32, it becomes possible to easily position the grindstone 31 with respect to the pedestal 23b by fitting the convex portion into the concave portion.

[0072] Here, the positioning convex portion 23c is formed on the pedestal 23b and the positioning concave portion 32a is formed on the fixing jig 32. However, a concave portion may be formed on the pedestal 23b and a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion may be formed on the fixing jig 32. Further, the positioning concave portion 32a formed on the fixing jig 32 and other positioning concave portions may be configured by through holes or may be configured to be recessed from the contact surface between the pedestal 23b and the fixing jig 32.

[0073] (4) It is provided with a flattening portion 70 so that even when the polishing surface 31b of the grindstone 31 wears and becomes unsuitable for polishing, it can be flattened into a flat surface suitable for polishing. As a result, it becomes possible to perform good edge grinding using the polishing surface 31b that has become a flat surface again. Also, during flattening, it is only necessary to rotate the arm portion 72 to move the grinding portion 73 above the grindstone 31, and since the height of the grinding portion 73 can also be varied by the distance adjustment portion 74, the flattening portion 70 including the grinding portion 73 can be left attached to the installation table 10. Therefore, it is possible to make the edge grinding device 1 that can eliminate the trouble of attaching parts for flattening each time flattening is performed.

[0074] Furthermore, when the grinding unit 73 is lowered to the lowest position by the distance adjustment unit 74, the grinding unit 73 is positioned at the boundary position between the bottom surface 31c of the grinding wheel 31 and the fixing jig 32. Therefore, the surface of the polishing surface 31b can be straightened until the grinding wheel 31 is almost completely worn out. For this reason, the grinding wheel 31 can be used up without any remainder. Also, for the fixing jig 32, when the grinding wheel 31 is worn out and disappears, it can be reused by arranging the grinding wheel 31 again by adhesion or the like. For this reason, resource reuse can also be achieved.

[0075] In this way, in addition to being able to use the grinding wheel 31 multiple times, the fixing jig 32 for the grinding wheel 31 can be reused. Therefore, since the amount of waste is reduced, it corresponds to Target 12.5 of Goal 12 of the SDGs, "By 2030, significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse of waste." Furthermore, it becomes possible to reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption related to the manufacture of the grinding wheel 31, which in turn leads to mitigation and reduction of the impact of climate change, and can also contribute to Goal 13 of the SDGs, "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

[0076] Also, by using the edge grinding device 1, the edge of the kitchen knife 100 can be repeatedly ground, allowing the kitchen knife 100 to be used for a longer time. Therefore, the replacement frequency of the kitchen knife 100, that is, the number of times of disposal, can also be reduced. This can also contribute to Target 12.5 of Goal 12 of the SDGs.

[0077] (Other Embodiments) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope described in the claims. Also, in the above embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential, except when it is explicitly stated that they are essential or when they are considered to be clearly essential in principle. Further, in the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific number, except when it is explicitly stated that they are essential or when they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Also, in each of the above embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the components, etc., they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., except when it is explicitly stated or when they are clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0078] (1) For example, since the fixing jig 32 is exposed in the hollow portion 31a of the grindstone 31 and the fixing jig 32 is fixed to the pedestal 23b in the hollow portion 31a, the grindstone 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it does not need to be a complete cylindrical shape. That is, for the grindstone 31, it is sufficient that the upper end face is the polishing surface 31b and the outer surface 31d is cylindrical. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the fixing of the fixing jig 32 and the pedestal 23b is not performed through the hollow portion 31a of the grindstone 31, different from the first embodiment. In that case, the grindstone 31 may be simply cylindrical.

[0079] (2) Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the height adjustment mechanism 50 of the cover portion 40 is composed of the rail portion 51, the fixing screw 52, and the seat portion 53 was taken as an example, but it may have a different configuration. Furthermore, regarding the formation location of the height adjustment mechanism 50, the angles were shifted by 90° each around the central axis of the cover portion 40, and the line segments connecting the three locations and the central axis were arranged in a T-shape. This is just an example, and it is also possible to shift the angles by 120° each around the central axis of the cover portion 40, that is, to arrange the three locations such that the line segments connecting the three locations and the central axis are in a Y-shape. However, arranging the line segments connecting the three locations where the height adjustment mechanism 50 is arranged and the central axis in a T-shape as in the above embodiment makes it easier to incline the upper end of the second cover 42 with respect to the upper end of the first cover 42 than in the case of arranging it in a Y-shape. Also, the number of locations where the height adjustment mechanism 50 is arranged may be two, or four or more.

[0080] (3) Also, a positioning convex portion 23c was formed on the pedestal 23b, and a positioning concave portion 32a was formed on the fixing jig 32. However, this shows an example of a structure for positioning, and it may have other structures. That is, as long as one of the concave and convex portions with corresponding shapes and the other are provided for each of the pedestal 23b and the fixing jig 32, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion to position the grindstone with respect to the pedestal 23b, any structure may be used. Furthermore, regarding the positioning concave portion including the positioning concave portion 32a formed on the fixing jig 32, it may be constituted by a through hole, or may be constituted by a portion recessed from the contact surface between the pedestal 23b and the fixing jig 32.

[0081] (4) Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the surface straightening portion 70 includes the support portion 71 and the arm portion 72. While the support portion 71 is fixed to the installation base 10, the arm portion 72 is rotated on a horizontal plane with the support portion 71 as the rotation center. This is just an example, and it is also possible that the support portion 71 is rotatable with respect to the installation base 10, and by rotating both the support portion 71 and the arm portion 72 with respect to the installation base 10, the arm portion 72 can be rotated on a horizontal plane.

Description of Symbols

[0082] 1... Grinding device, 10... Installation table, 11... Upper surface, 12... Bottom surface, 13... Side surface, 20... Rotating device, 21... Electrical equipment, 21a... Inverter, 21b... Motor, 21c... Gear mechanism, 22... Operation part, 22a~22e... Switches, 23... Rotating mechanism, 23a... Rotating shaft, 23b... Pedestal, 23c... Positioning convex part, 23d... Female screw hole, 24... Screw, 30... Grinding part, 31... Grinding wheel, 31a... Hollow part, 31b... Grinding surface, 31c... Bottom surface, 31d... Outer surface, 32... Fixing jig, 32a... Positioning concave part, 40... Cover part, 41... First cover, 42... Second cover, 50... Height adjustment mechanism, 51... Rail part, 51a... Slit, 52... Fixing screw, 52a... Knob part, 53... Seat part, 60... Water supply part, 62... Water supply tank, 62a... Valve, 70... Flattening part, 71... Support part, 72... Arm part, 73... Grinding part, 74... Distance adjustment part 100... Cutting tool, 101... Blade

Claims

1. A blade grinding device for grinding a blade (101) in a cutting tool (100), comprising: a grindstone (31) having a central axis (C1), having a thickness which is a dimension in a direction along the central axis, and having an end face with the central axis as the normal direction serving as a grinding surface (31b) for grinding the blade, and an outer surface (31d) being cylindrical; an installation table (10) on which the grindstone is installed; a rotating device (20) for rotating the grindstone about the central axis on the installation table; a water supply unit (60) for supplying water to the grindstone; a cover unit (40) surrounding the outer surface of the grindstone to prevent scattering of moisture from the grindstone; a height adjustment mechanism (50) for varying the height of the cover unit from the installation table by moving the cover unit in a direction along the central axis.

2. The cover unit is composed of a cylindrical member arranged around the central axis, and has a first cover (41) fixed to the installation table and a second cover (42) arranged inside or outside the first cover. The blade grinding device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the cover unit from the installation table is varied by relatively moving the second cover in a direction along the central axis with respect to the first cover.

3. The height adjustment mechanism is installed at three locations of the cover unit, and at each of the three locations, by adjusting the distance from the end of the first cover on the side opposite to the installation table to the end of the second cover on the side opposite to the installation table, in addition to varying the height, the second cover can be inclined with respect to the central axis. The blade grinding device according to claim 2.

4. The height adjustment mechanism is set at three locations out of four locations, which are two locations where a radial direction and the cover unit intersect around the central axis and two locations where a direction orthogonal to the one direction in the radial direction and the cover unit intersect. The blade grinding device according to claim 3.

5. A pedestal (23b) for mounting the grindstone and rotating together with the grindstone is provided at the center of the cover unit. The grindstone is cylindrical with a hollow portion (31a), and a fixing jig (32) fixed to the pedestal is fixed to a bottom surface (31c) which is an end face on the side opposite to the grinding surface. The base and the fixing jig are provided with one of a concave portion (32a) and a convex portion (23c) having corresponding shapes, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion, whereby the positioning of the grindstone with respect to the base is performed. The blade grinding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. It has a flattening portion (70) for grinding the grinding surface to flatten the grindstone. The flattening portion is a support portion (71) erected on the installation table, an arm portion (72) rotatable about the support portion as a rotation axis, a grinding portion (73) for grinding the grinding surface, and a distance adjusting portion (74) attached to the arm portion for adjusting the distance of the grinding portion from the grinding surface by moving the grinding portion in the vertical direction. The blade grinding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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