Cooling backup pad

Abstract

This invention provides a backup pad with a cooling function that can contain solid carbon dioxide within the backup pad itself, enabling simple and excellent polishing work. [Solution] A backup pad with a cooling function, used attached to a polishing device, comprising a backup pad body having a storage section 13 capable of containing solid carbon dioxide inside, and a lid 20 positioned at the opening 15 of the storage section to prevent the solid carbon dioxide from falling out of the opening, the lid including a hook-and-loop fastener layer and a far-infrared radiation layer, the hook-and-loop fastener layer engaging with the polishing member 200, and the far-infrared radiation layer having a plurality of ventilation holes, the gas generated by the sublimation of solid carbon dioxide being guided to the polishing member side through the ventilation holes and the hook-and-loop fastener layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a backup pad with a cooling function attached to a polishing device.

Background Art

[0002] In polishing operations, in order to grind, polish, and finish the surface of the workpiece, a method of attaching a backup pad to a polishing device such as a sander or a polisher and rotating a polishing member such as a buff is widely adopted.

[0003] However, during the polishing operation, a large amount of heat is generated due to the friction between the polishing member and the workpiece, and the surface of the workpiece may be overheated. For this reason, burning, discoloration, deformation, melting, etc. of the workpiece may occur, which may cause deterioration of the finished quality and processing defects. In addition, with respect to the polishing tool itself, there is a problem that the polishing member is likely to deteriorate and become clogged due to heat generation, resulting in a decrease in polishing performance.

[0004] In order to address such problems, during polishing or grinding, methods such as supplying cooling water or a coolant to the contact portion between the workpiece and the polishing tool, improving the adhesion of the coolant, or blowing a gas such as air from the outside to assist cooling have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, methods using cooling water or coolant result in liquid residue adhering to the workpiece and surrounding area after polishing, requiring cleaning work and potentially causing rust and contamination. Furthermore, methods that use cooling gas blown from an external source require dedicated supply equipment and piping, complicating the equipment configuration and increasing equipment and operating costs.

[0007] Furthermore, while it is conceivable to incorporate a cooling mechanism into the backup pad itself, adopting a liquid cooling mechanism or a complex cooling structure would lead to increased weight and structural complexity of the cooling backup pad, potentially increasing the burden on the operator and creating issues in terms of handling and safety.

[0008] On the other hand, solid carbon dioxide has the characteristics of being low in temperature and turning into a gas through sublimation, thus leaving no liquid residue, and is therefore used in the fields of cleaning and cooling. However, conventional backup pads have not adequately considered structures that can retain solid carbon dioxide within the pad itself and obtain a continuous cooling effect during polishing.

[0009] In particular, sufficient consideration had not been given to a configuration that would retain solid carbon dioxide near the polishing material, prevent it from falling off during the polishing process, and efficiently guide the gas generated by sublimation towards the polishing material.

[0010] Furthermore, when using solid carbon dioxide, it is difficult to monitor the cooling state and remaining amount from the outside during the polishing process, and there is a problem that the work may continue even when the cooling effect has decreased.

[0011] This invention was made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a backup pad with a cooling function that can contain solid carbon dioxide within the backup pad itself, thereby enabling simple and excellent polishing work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] As a result of diligent research by the inventors to solve the above problems, they discovered that a backup pad equipped with a containment structure capable of holding solid carbon dioxide could solve the above problems, and thus completed the present invention. In other words, the present invention is as follows: [1] A cooling backup pad used in a polishing device, A backup pad body having a compartment inside capable of containing solid carbon dioxide, A lid is placed at the opening of the aforementioned storage section to prevent solid carbon dioxide from falling out of the opening, Equipped with, The cover includes a hook-and-loop fastener layer and a far-infrared radiation layer. The hook-and-loop fastener layer engages with the abrasive member, The far-infrared radiation layer has a plurality of ventilation holes, A backup pad with a cooling function, in which the gas generated by the sublimation of the solid carbon dioxide is guided through the ventilation holes and the hook-and-loop fastener layer to the polishing member side. [2] The lid has an outer diameter that is larger than the central hole of the polishing member and smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion, as described in [1]. [3] The lid is formed to be approximately the same size as the inner circumferential surface of the housing, and is a backup pad with a cooling function as described in [1] or [2]. [4] The hook-and-loop fastener layer of the lid is provided with a marking portion for centering the polishing member, as described in any of [1] to [3]. [5] At least a portion of the outer surface of the backup pad body is provided with a thermochromic material that changes color in response to temperature changes, as described in any of [1] to [4], a backup pad with a cooling function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this invention, a backup pad with a cooling function can be provided, which allows for the storage of solid carbon dioxide within the backup pad itself, enabling simple and excellent polishing work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] The whole perspective view of the backup pad with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] The exploded perspective view of the backup pad with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] The longitudinal sectional view of the backup pad with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which solid carbon dioxide is accommodated in the accommodation part. [Figure 4] The front view for explaining the backup pad with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] The figure showing the sectional structure of the lid body related to the backup pad with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the backup pad with a cooling function of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a backup pad) will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations described below are examples (representative examples) of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easier to understand, the actual structure, the scale and the number in each structure may be made different.

[0016] The meanings of the terms used in this specification are as follows unless otherwise specified.

[0017] In this specification, "abrasive member" means a member that is attached to a backup pad and used to polish, grind, sharpen, finish, or perform surface treatment by contacting the surface of the object to be polished. The abrasive member may usually have a central hole in its center related to positioning to the backup pad or preventing the solid carbon dioxide from falling off, and preferably has a structure that can engage with a hook-and-loop fastener layer provided on the backup pad or lid. Examples of abrasive members include abrasive paper, abrasive cloth, abrasive film, nonwoven fabric, sponge material, felt material, sheet-like member containing abrasive particles, or combinations thereof.

[0018] In this specification, "polishing device" means a tool or apparatus for polishing, grinding, sharpening, or finishing the surface of an object to be polished by attaching a backup pad equipped with a polishing member and rotating or vibrating it. The polishing device may be electric, pneumatic, or manual, and includes, for example, sander polishers, disc sanders, orbital sanders, etc.

[0019] In this specification, "solid carbon dioxide" refers to a substance in which carbon dioxide is in a solid state, and includes what is commonly called dry ice. Solid carbon dioxide may be in granular, lump, pellet, or mixed forms thereof, and its shape and dimensions can be appropriately selected depending on the usage conditions.

[0020] In this specification, "sublimation gas" refers to gaseous carbon dioxide produced by the sublimation of solid carbon dioxide.

[0021] In this specification, "detachable" means a configuration in which a component can be removed or attached with or without tools.

[0022] In this specification, "polishing member side" refers to the side on which the polishing member attached to the backup pad is positioned, and "polishing device side" refers to the side on which the backup pad is attached to the polishing device.

[0023] In this specification, "external surface" means the surface of the backup pad that is exposed to the outside and visible to the user.

[0024] (Backup pad with cooling function) Figures 1 to 4 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a backup pad 100 with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The backup pad 100 with cooling function of this embodiment is used when attached to a polishing device, and comprises a backup pad body 10 having a storage section 13 capable of containing solid carbon dioxide A inside, and a lid 20 positioned in an opening 15 formed above the storage section 13 to prevent solid carbon dioxide A from falling out of the opening 15.

[0025] The backup pad body 10 is formed in a roughly circular shape when viewed from above, and has a concave storage section 13 in the center of its interior. Solid carbon dioxide A contained in the storage section 13 sublimes under normal pressure, generating gaseous carbon dioxide (sublimation gas).

[0026] In this embodiment, the lid 20 includes a hook-and-loop fastener layer 22 and a far-infrared radiation layer 21. The hook-and-loop fastener layer 22 has a configuration that engages with the polishing member 200. As a result, the lid 20 is held by the engaging portion 12 to the polishing member 200 which is fixed to the backup pad body 10.

[0027] With the above configuration, the sublimation gas generated in the containment section 13 is supplied to the polishing member 200, thereby reducing the heat generated during the polishing process.

[0028] More specifically, the cooling backup pad 100 according to the present invention creates a low-temperature environment near the polishing member 200 by the sublimation of solid carbon dioxide A contained in the storage section 13. This is expected to reduce the frictional heat generated during polishing, suppress the temperature rise of the workpiece, and reduce the generation of thermal stress in the resin material. Furthermore, it is expected that the carbon dioxide gas generated by sublimation will remain near the polishing member, relatively lowering the oxygen concentration in the surrounding air and suppressing thermal oxidation of the workpiece. Therefore, according to this invention, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise and the progress of oxidation reactions during polishing, and to reduce the occurrence of whitening, cracking, and deterioration in the polished material such as transparent resin.

[0029] Furthermore, since polishing is performed in a low-temperature environment, it is believed that disruption of molecular orientation on the surface of the polished object and freezing of internal stress are suppressed. As a result, maintenance of transparency, suppression of the occurrence of microcracks, and improvement of weather resistance can be expected.

[0030] Furthermore, since the backup pad 100 of this embodiment uses solid carbon dioxide A as a cooling function, the cost required for cooling can be significantly reduced compared to conventional polishing methods that use cooling water or coolant. In particular, while the use of cooling water or coolant may require ancillary equipment such as piping, pumps, and tanks, the backup pad 100 of this embodiment has a cooling function built into the backup pad 100 itself, so there is no need to introduce new special cooling equipment. Therefore, it is possible to achieve polishing work with a cooling function while suppressing capital investment.

[0031] Furthermore, the solid carbon dioxide A used as a cooling agent in the backup pad 100 of this embodiment sublimes into a gas during polishing, thus preventing the generation of liquid residue. This allows the workpiece to be kept in a very clean state after polishing, simplifying the cleaning process and making it suitable for polishing precision parts, electronic components, and the like. In this respect as well, the backup pad 100 of this embodiment differs significantly from conventional technology, where cooling water or coolant may remain on the surface of the workpiece after polishing.

[0032] Next, we will describe in detail each component that makes up the cooling backup pad 100.

[0033] <Backup Pad Unit> The backup pad body 10 is a component used by being attached to a polishing device, and transmits rotational force to the polishing member, and has a storage section 13 that can contain solid carbon dioxide inside. In this embodiment, the backup pad body 10 is formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from above.

[0034] <<Storage Area>> The storage section 13 is a recessed structure formed approximately in the center of the backup pad body 10 and has a volume capable of holding solid carbon dioxide. The shape, size, and depth of the storage section 13 are not particularly limited and are designed as appropriate according to the dimensions of the polishing material used and the cooling conditions.

[0035] The solid carbon dioxide A contained within the containment section 13 generates sublimation gas, which is gaseous carbon dioxide. The generated sublimation gas passes through the ventilation holes 23 provided in the lid 20 and the interfiber gaps in the hook-and-loop fastener layer 22, and is guided toward the polishing member 200.

[0036] The backup pad body 10 is provided with an engagement portion 12 around the housing portion 13. The engagement portion 12 is made of hook-and-loop fastener and engages with the polishing member 200 in a detachable manner. This allows the polishing member 200 to be fixed to the backup pad body 10.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferable that a thermochromic material is applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the backup pad body 10. In other words, it is preferable that a layer of thermochromic material is formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the backup pad body 10. By applying a thermochromic material, the remaining amount of solid carbon dioxide A or the cooling state during polishing can be easily observed from the outside. Therefore, the timing of replenishment of solid carbon dioxide A can be appropriately determined, improving work efficiency and preventing polishing work in an insufficiently cooled state.

[0038] As a thermochromic material, any material that changes color when it reaches a predetermined temperature, or whose color tone changes continuously in response to an increase or decrease in temperature, is acceptable, and its color change mechanism, chemical structure, composition, and manufacturing method are not particularly limited. Specific examples of thermochromic materials include, for example, leuco-dye-based thermochromic materials containing electron-donating compounds, electron-accepting compounds, and color-developing aids; liquid crystal-based thermochromic materials utilizing the orientation change of liquid crystal materials; inorganic thermochromic materials containing metal compounds or metal oxides; and thermochromic materials combining these. Furthermore, thermochromic materials can be used in powder form, granule form, microencapsulated form, or dispersed in resin, and may be applied in the form of inks, paints, coatings, resin materials, etc. The color change temperature, color change start temperature, color change end temperature, and color change width of the thermochromic material can be appropriately set from the viewpoint of making the cooling state associated with the sublimation of solid carbon dioxide A visible.

[0039] The discoloration caused by the thermochromic material may be a change from colorless to colored, from colored to colorless, from one single color to another single color, a stepwise change through multiple colors, or a continuous change in color tone. Such a thermochromic material can be applied to part or all of the outer surface of the backup pad body 10 by any method such as painting, printing, coating, kneading during resin molding, or adhesive application, and its application position, shape, and arrangement are not particularly limited.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the hook-and-loop fastener layer of the lid 20 is provided with a marking portion 24 for centering the polishing member 200.

[0041] The marking portion 24 may be formed to be the same size as or approximately the same size as the central hole 201 formed in the polishing member 200. By providing a marking portion the same size as the central hole 201, when the polishing member 200 is placed from above with the recess of a polishing device such as a polisher facing upwards, the position of the polishing member 200 can be accurately aligned using the marking portion 24 as a guide. This makes the centering work of the polishing member 200 easy and quick, contributing to improved work efficiency.

[0042] Furthermore, it is preferable that the marking portion 24 is made of hook-and-loop fasteners having a different color scheme from the hook-and-loop fasteners of the hook-and-loop fastener layer 22. By using different color schemes in this way, the marking portion 24 can be easily identified visually, thereby preventing errors in operation and further improving work efficiency.

[0043] The size of the backup pad body 10 is not particularly limited and should be designed appropriately according to the type of polishing equipment used and the polishing conditions. Similarly, the thickness of the backup pad body 10 is not particularly limited and should be designed appropriately considering the rigidity during polishing. Furthermore, the shape of the backup pad body 10 is not limited to a roughly circular shape in plan view, but may be polygonal, annular, or other shapes, and should be designed appropriately according to the mounting structure with the polishing equipment and the operating conditions.

[0044] In this embodiment, the backup pad body 10 also includes a base material 11. The base material 11 is a component that constitutes the skeleton of the backup pad body 10 and has the function of receiving rotational force transmitted from the polishing device and providing stable support force to the polishing member 200. The base material 11 is preferably formed in the shape of a plate or a disc, and a polishing device mounting portion 14 is provided in its central part.

[0045] The material forming the backup pad body 10 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it be formed from a material having sufficient rigidity. Suitable materials for forming the backup pad body 10 include, for example, plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics, or metal materials. Suitable plastics include, for example, thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile / styrene resin, ABS resin, polyamide, polyacetal, and polycarbonate, as well as thermosetting resins such as phenolic resins and epoxy resins. Suitable metal materials include aluminum alloys and stainless steel. Furthermore, these materials may contain reinforcing materials such as glass fibers and carbon fibers to improve durability or strength.

[0046] <<Lid>> Figure 5 shows the cross-sectional structure of the lid of a backup pad with a cooling function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lid 20 is a component positioned at the opening 15 of the storage section 13, and has the function of preventing the solid carbon dioxide A contained in the storage section 13 from falling out, as well as covering the central hole 201 of the polishing member 200.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lid 20 is preferably positioned in the opening 15 of the housing section 13 of the backup pad body 10, and also positioned approximately in the center of the housing section 13. The lid 20 is a member positioned in the opening 15 of the housing section 13, and is preferably provided to be positioned approximately in the center of the housing section 13. As a result, the lid 20 is positioned in a location corresponding to the central hole 201 of the polishing member 200, preventing the solid carbon dioxide A contained in the housing section 13 from falling out of the central hole 201 of the polishing member 200. In this way, the lid 20 is held in the opening of the housing section 13 by being pressed by the polishing member 200, thus reliably preventing the solid carbon dioxide A from falling out.

[0048] The lid 20 includes a hook-and-loop fastener layer 22 and a far-infrared radiation layer 21. The hook-and-loop fastener layer 22 has a hook surface that engages with the abrasive member 200. The cover 20 is held primarily by the polishing member 200, which is fixed to the backup pad body 10 via the engaging portion 12.

[0049] Multiple ventilation holes 23 are formed in the far-infrared radiation layer 21. Sublimation gas generated within the containment section 13 passes through the ventilation holes 23 and the interfiber gaps of the hook-and-loop fastener layer 22, and is guided towards the polishing member 200.

[0050] In this specification, "far-infrared radiation layer" refers to a layer containing a material that emits electromagnetic waves in the far-infrared region at room temperature or when the temperature rises slightly. Here, far-infrared generally refers to electromagnetic waves that include the infrared region with wavelengths of approximately 4 μm to 1000 μm. The far-infrared radiation layer may consist of far-infrared radiating ceramic powder, ore powder, metal oxide powder, carbon-based material, or a resin composition or fiber material containing these. The far-infrared radiation layer may be a single layer or may be formed as part of a multilayer structure laminated with other layers.

[0051] The far-infrared radiation layer 21 is thought to emit far-infrared rays in response to minute temperature changes that occur during polishing, thereby homogenizing the thermal energy distribution on the surface of the workpiece and near the polishing member. This helps to suppress localized overheating, reduce temperature unevenness, and stabilize polishing conditions. As a result, it is thought to contribute to stabilizing polishing quality and homogenizing the surface state of the workpiece.

[0052] Preferably, the outer diameter of the lid 20 is larger than the central hole of the polishing member 200 and smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 13. This allows the lid 20 to better prevent solid carbon dioxide A from falling out of the central hole of the polishing member 200.

[0053] Furthermore, the lid 20 may be formed to a size that substantially corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the containment section 13, and may be configured to be held inside the containment section 13 by the elasticity of the lid 20. This allows for more stable retention of solid carbon dioxide A within the containment section 13.

[0054] As described above, the backup pad 100 with cooling function of this embodiment is equipped with a storage section 13 capable of containing solid carbon dioxide A, and a lid 20 capable of discharging sublimation gas generated in the storage section 13 to the polishing member 200 side. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the heat generated during polishing work. This makes it possible to suppress excessive temperature rise of the polishing member 200 and the workpiece, prevent or reduce the occurrence of polishing burn, and reduce wear of the polishing member 200, thereby improving its durability and service life.

[0055] Furthermore, since the cooling backup pad 100 of this embodiment is configured to have a removable lid 20, solid carbon dioxide A can be easily stored or replaced before and after polishing work.

[0056] Furthermore, the backup pad 100 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a thermochromic material that changes color in response to temperature changes is applied to at least a part of the outer surface of the backup pad body 10, so that the remaining amount of solid carbon dioxide A or the cooling state during polishing work can be easily seen from the outside. This makes it possible to appropriately determine when to replenish solid carbon dioxide A, which contributes to improved work efficiency and the prevention of polishing work in an insufficiently cooled state.

[0057] (modified version) Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist.

[0058] <Example 1> In this embodiment, a configuration is illustrated in which a thermochromic material is applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the backup pad body 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the thermochromic material may be applied to the surface of the housing portion 13.

[0059] <Modification 2> In this embodiment, a configuration using a thermochromic material having a single color change temperature is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, by combining and applying multiple types of thermochromic materials having different color change temperatures, a configuration in which the color tone changes in stages according to the temperature change is also possible. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to grasp the remaining amount of solid carbon dioxide or the cooling state in more detail.

[0060] <Variation 3> In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the backup pad body 10 and the housing portion 13 are formed as a single unit, but they may also be configured as separate components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10...Backup pad body, 11...Base material, 12...Engaging part, 13...Housing part, 14...Polishing device mounting part, 15...Opening, 20...Lid, 21...Far-infrared radiation layer, 22...Hook and loop fastener layer, 23...Ventilation hole, 24...Marking part, 100...Backup pad with cooling function, 200...Polishing member, 201...Central hole, A...Solid carbon dioxide,

Claims

1. A cooling backup pad used in attachment to a polishing device, A backup pad body having a compartment inside capable of containing solid carbon dioxide, A lid is placed at the opening of the aforementioned storage section to prevent solid carbon dioxide from falling out of the opening, Equipped with, The cover includes a hook-and-loop fastener layer and a far-infrared radiation layer. The hook-and-loop fastener layer engages with the abrasive member, The far-infrared radiation layer has a plurality of ventilation holes, A backup pad with a cooling function, in which the gas generated by the sublimation of the solid carbon dioxide is guided through the ventilation holes and the hook-and-loop fastener layer to the polishing member side.

2. The backup pad with cooling function according to claim 1, wherein the cover has an outer diameter that is larger than the central hole of the polishing member and smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion.

3. The backup pad with cooling function according to claim 2, wherein the lid is formed to a size substantially corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the housing.

4. The backup pad with cooling function according to claim 1, wherein the hook-and-loop fastener layer of the lid is provided with a marking portion for centering the polishing member.

5. The backup pad with cooling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the backup pad body is provided with a thermochromic material that changes color in response to temperature changes.

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