Abrasive Kit with Deflector and Pneumatic Debris Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional abrasive systems struggle with efficiently abrading foamed polystyrene materials, leading to clogging and uneven surfaces due to static electricity and the tendency of debris to adhere, and often result in large flakes being cut off, causing poor abrasion results and debris removal issues.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising an abrading article and a backing pad arrangement with peripheral openings that allow air flow to transport debris, featuring a dense backing material to resist air leakage and a deflector function to prevent scratching, ensuring efficient debris removal and a smooth abrasion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional abrading apparatuses are used on foamed polystyrene, then the material is easily abraded into debris, but the abrasion debris clogs the apparatus and adheres to surfaces due to static electricity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion efficiencyVSAvoiddebris removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backing pad is divided into multiple zones with different functions: a central area for supporting the abrasive disc, peripheral openings for debris extraction, and a deflector perimeter to prevent disc separation. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of abrasion support and debris removal pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deflector perimeter is introduced as an intermediary element between the abrasive disc and the working surface. This deflector prevents the disc from separating and hitting the surface at non-parallel positions, thereby preventing large flake generation and reducing clogging while maintaining abrasion effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If air flow is used to remove abrasion debris, then debris transport is enabled, but charged debris sticks to surfaces due to static electricity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris transport capacityVSAvoidstatic electricity adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of static electricity adhesion is addressed by extracting and removing debris through peripheral openings before it can adhere to surfaces. The air flow pathway is established through these openings, allowing continuous debris removal from the work area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A pneumatic debris removal system is implemented using air flow generated by suction connected to the backing pad. This pneumatic system transports abrasion debris through the peripheral openings, enabling effective removal of charged particles that would otherwise adhere to surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of manufacture

If the abrading disc is attached to the backing pad, then abrasion function is provided, but the disc may separate at the perimeter and cause impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidabrasion surface parallelism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deflector perimeter is designed to preemptively prevent disc separation before it can occur during operation. By providing mechanical support at the perimeter, the deflector counteracts the separation tendency of the abrasive disc, preventing impact damage to the working surface and maintaining abrasion parallelism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Productivity

If large flakes are cut off from the working surface, then material removal occurs, but the flakes clog the debris removal system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial removal rateVSAvoiddebris removal system performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The potential harm of large flake generation is converted into a benefit by using the deflector perimeter to control disc-surface contact. This ensures only controlled abrasion occurs, producing smaller debris particles that are more easily removed through the pneumatic system, thereby converting what would be a clogging problem into an efficient debris removal scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables high-quality, even abrasion of foamed polystyrene surfaces without clogging, improves debris removal efficiency, and reduces health risks by effectively collecting and potentially recycling the debris, enhancing working safety and sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

peripheral openings which peripheral openings on the backing pad arrangement and on the abrading article enable transport of debris from the working surface with air flow through the abrading article and the backing pad arrangement, wherein the air flow may be generated by suction pressure connected to the backing pad arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the abrading article comprises a dense backing material that resists air flow through the material, such as paper or film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow resistance:

Implementation Method 3

Abrasion debris of foamed polystyrene material gets very easily charged due to static electricity generated due to friction between the abrasive and the working surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStatic electricity: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4410480A1Abrasive system for polystyrene applications
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 KWH MIRKA LTD
  • EP4410480A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4410480A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4410480A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an abrasive system for polystyrene applications. The invention relates to a kit of parts suitable for abrasion of a working surface with a power tool. The invention relates to a kit of parts suitable for abrasion of working surfaces of polymer materials, such as extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation panels. The kit of parts comprises a backing pad arrangement and an abrading article.