Abrasion Apparatus Removable Insert Chamber Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface abrasion apparatuses for small objects face challenges in adjusting outlet configuration to control back pressure and wear reduction, particularly due to the accumulation of abraded material on abrasive belts, leading to reduced service life and leakage.

Innovation Solution

A chamber design with a removable insert and adjustable geometry, including a pivotable chamber secured by a pneumatic cylinder, allows for controlled back pressure and easy replacement of inserts to manage wear, using plastics materials for inserts to mitigate wear issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the outlet diameter is increased to improve object flow, then the back pressure control is reduced, but the abrasion effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject flow controlVSAvoidback pressure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet configuration is made adjustable through removable inserts with different aperture sizes, allowing the system to dynamically adapt the outlet diameter based on the specific abrasion requirements. This enables optimization of both object flow and back pressure control for different application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of outlet aperture diameter by providing inserts with different aperture sizes. This allows precise control of back pressure and object flow rates to be optimized for specific abrasion tasks, resolving the contradiction between flow ease and control reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the spacing between chamber and abrasive belt is reduced to prevent object escape, then component wear increases due to material buildup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject containmentVSAvoidcomponent service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the problematic wear surface from the main chamber structure by using a removable insert. This insert can be easily replaced when worn, while the main chamber structure remains intact. This separates the sacrificial wear component from the permanent structure, extending overall system service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert acts as a sacrificial, replaceable component that absorbs wear instead of the expensive main chamber structure. By making this component easily replaceable and relatively inexpensive, the system can maintain optimal spacing for object containment while accepting accelerated wear of this specific component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If the chamber geometry is fixed to simplify manufacturing, then adaptability to different object types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber fabricationVSAvoidoutlet configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber is segmented into a fixed main body and a removable insert component. This segmentation allows the main chamber to have a simple, easy-to-manufacture geometry while the insert provides the adaptable outlet configuration. Different inserts can be manufactured with different aperture sizes to suit various object types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized insert design with different aperture options provides multi-functionality to a single chamber structure. The same chamber body can accommodate multiple inserts with different outlet configurations, enabling adaptation to various object types without redesigning the entire chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2089162B1Abrasion apparatus with an abrading belt and product chambers having removable insert
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 KOOLMILL SYST
  • EP2089162B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2089162B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2089162B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A chamber for an abrading apparatus comprising an inlet, an outlet, a main body and an insert, the main body comprising a recess on an inner surface thereof between the inlet and the outlet, whereby, in use, the insert is removably retained in the recess. The apparatus also comprises a housing and actuation means, the chamber being pivotably secured at one end to the housing by a quick release pin, wherein the actuation means is connected to the chamber and operable to cause the chamber to pivot with respect to the housing toward and/or away from the abrasive surface.