Adaptable Sanding Head for Angle Grinders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sanding and polishing systems in grinding machines require complete disassembly for disk changes, leading to uneven wear and vibrations when handling rounded surfaces, making the process difficult and potentially rendering the machine useless.

Innovation Solution

A sanding head with a plate having a cylindrical end and internal nut for secure attachment to the machine shaft, featuring a Velcro-type attachment system for easy disk replacement and centering, allowing for uniform wear and reduced vibrations on non-planar surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a conventional sanding disk is assembled directly in the shaft of the grinder using a locking nut, then the disk can be securely fixed, but changing the disk requires complete disassembly and reassembly of the shaft assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for disk replacementVSAvoidcomplexity of disk replacement process
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sanding head is divided into two separate parts: a reusable plate that attaches to the grinder shaft, and a replaceable sanding disk that attaches to the plate. This segmentation allows the sanding disk to be changed without removing the plate from the shaft, significantly reducing replacement time and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate acts as an intermediary component between the grinder shaft and the sanding disk. It provides a standardized interface (threaded connection) to the shaft and a simplified interface (Velcro-type attachment) to the disk, mediating the connection and enabling easy disk replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a planar sanding disk is used on rounded surfaces, then the disk can be easily manufactured, but it causes uneven wear and vibrations that render the machine useless

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sanding disk manufacturingVSAvoidperformance on rounded surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sanding disk is designed with a tapered configuration rather than a planar shape. This dynamic adaptation allows the disk to conform to rounded surfaces during operation, ensuring uniform contact and wear while eliminating vibrations that would occur with a rigid planar disk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The geometry of the sanding disk is changed from planar to tapered, modifying the contact parameters between the disk and the workpiece. This parameter change enables the disk to adapt to curved surfaces while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the sanding disk attachment means are simple and planar, then the manufacturing is easier, but the disk cannot be properly centered and secured on non-planar surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of attachment meansVSAvoidcentering and securing of disk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: a threaded connection for securing the plate to the shaft, and a Velcro-type attachment for connecting the disk to the plate. This segmentation provides both simplicity and effectiveness in the attachment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An axial protrusion is added to the plate that fits into a corresponding hole in the sanding disk. This curved/rounded feature provides automatic centering of the disk on the plate, ensuring proper alignment while maintaining simple manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enables quick and simple disk changes with improved surface adaptation and reduced machine vibrations, ensuring efficient operation on rounded surfaces without interfering with the abrasive surface.

Implementation Method 1

forming between both an attachment system through Velcro-type hooks and loops

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVelcro: Velcro

Data Source

PatentEP2230046B1Sanding head adaptable to an angle grinder
Publication Date: 2015.01.21 SALINAS E HIJOS
  • EP2230046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2230046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2230046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanding head adaptable to an orbital grinder, having a plate (1) provided on its front face with an end (11) incorporating an inner threaded area (12) into which it screws and is fixed to the shaft (31) of the machine (3), and on its front face it has a peripheral discoid surface (14) forming the contact mechanical attachment means for a sanding disk (2), formed by a Velcro-type hook and loop system. The plate (1) likewise has, in the center of said front face, an axial protrusion (15) extending until being located inside a hole (22) existing in the center of the sanding disk (2), in which it is adapted facilitating its centering and securing.