Adjustable Guide Device for Precise Edge Grinding on Complex Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface treatment tools face challenges with precision, flexibility, and efficiency, particularly in edge grinding and intermediate paint sanding, as they often result in inaccurate, time-consuming, and costly processes due to tilting issues and limited adaptability to complex surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A guide device that can switch between rigid and flexible operating modes, featuring an adjustable angle device, stiffening members, and elastic elements, allowing for precise and adaptable surface treatment with minimal visibility obstruction and easy abrasive changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid connection is used between the guide device and tool, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to complex surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection arrangement allows dynamic switching between rigid and flexible operating states. In rigid state, the connection provides stable, precise positioning for manufacturing. In flexible state, the connection adapts to complex surface geometries. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between precision and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the connection (from rigid to flexible) based on operational requirements. By modifying the connection's mechanical properties, the system achieves both high precision when needed and adaptability to varying surface conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible connection is used between the guide device and tool, then adaptability to complex surfaces is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the connection stiffness based on the operational phase. During positioning and finishing operations requiring precision, the connection becomes rigid. During navigation over complex surfaces, the connection becomes flexible, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If stationary machining centers are used for edge processing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the machining function into a mobile guide device that provides positioning and guidance, and a simpler tool that performs the actual machining. This segmentation allows high precision without requiring a complex stationary machining center, reducing overall system complexity and installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex support and positioning functions from the machining tool itself and places them in a separate, mobile guide device. This allows the main machining center to be simpler and more compact while still achieving high precision through the dedicated guide device.
4Ease of operation
If handheld sanding is used for surface finishing, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the tool. It provides mechanical guidance and support that prevents tilting and ensures precise operation, while still allowing the operator to easily control the tool. This mediator resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and precision.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide device (100), to a system comprising a guide device and a tool (111) for surface processing, to a method for surface processing with the guide device (100), and to a method for retrofitting a tool (111) with the guide device (100). The guide device (100) comprises at least one guide element (101), an angle-setting device (102) and a connecting arrangement (130) for connecting the guide device to the tool (111). Furthermore, by means of the angle-setting device (102) a predetermined angle between the plane (180) of the at least one guide element (101) and an acting plane (110) of the connectable tool (111) is set. The guide device (100) is also characterized in that it is able to be converted between at least one flexible operating state and a stiff operating state.