Artificial Ageing Apparatus for Concrete Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for artificial ageing of blocks, such as concrete blocks, are inefficient and costly, often wasting energy and time by treating non-visible surfaces and edges, and result in artificially treated appearances rather than naturally aged looks, with high costs and downtimes due to the use of magnets and complex sorting systems.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves movably fastened striking bodies that can be lifted and placed on blocks within a defined region, eliminating the need for a magnet and allowing continuous or discontinuous ageing, with adjustable arrangements of striking bodies to achieve a naturally aged appearance without excessive mobility or jamming, using a vibrating device to set blocks and striking bodies in motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If blocks are treated in a rotary drum to achieve aged appearance, then edge breaking and surface treatment are improved, but energy and time are wasted on treating non-visible surfaces and edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating only the visible surfaces and edges of blocks that will be displayed in the final product. The apparatus selectively positions striking tools to contact only those surfaces and edges that contribute to the aesthetic appearance, rather than treating all surfaces uniformly as in rotary drum methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by applying the striking treatment to only the necessary portions of the block surfaces and edges. Rather than continuously treating all surfaces as the block rotates, the apparatus applies treatment only where needed for the desired aged appearance, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If blocks are treated in a rotary drum to achieve aged appearance, then edge breaking and surface treatment are improved, but treatment time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by applying the striking treatment to only the necessary portions of the block surfaces and edges. Rather than continuously treating all surfaces as the block rotates, the apparatus applies treatment only where needed for the desired aged appearance, reducing unnecessary treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus positions blocks in a predetermined arrangement before treatment, with visible surfaces and edges exposed and oriented toward the striking tools. This preliminary positioning ensures that the treatment process can proceed efficiently without requiring continuous rotation or repositioning during treatment.
3Ease of operation
If sorting installations are used to arrange treated blocks, then block orientation and pallet arrangement are improved, but procurement and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary arrangement features directly into the treatment apparatus. Blocks are positioned in a predetermined arrangement before treatment, and the apparatus maintains this arrangement throughout the process. This eliminates the need for separate sorting installations by integrating the arrangement function into the treatment process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the treatment and arrangement functions into a single integrated apparatus. The treatment apparatus simultaneously performs the ageing treatment and maintains the block arrangement, eliminating the need for separate sorting and arrangement installations.
4Manufacturing precision
If magnets are used to apply striking bodies to block surfaces, then striking precision is improved, but downtimes increase due to lifting and placing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuous operation by eliminating the need to lift and place striking bodies between blocks. The striking bodies remain in fixed positions relative to the block arrangement, allowing continuous treatment as blocks are fed through the apparatus without interruption for tool repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The striking bodies are preliminarily positioned in fixed locations before the treatment process begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for repeated lifting and placing operations during treatment, as the striking bodies remain in place throughout the continuous treatment process.
5Manufacturing precision
If striking bodies are highly mobile to achieve natural aged appearance, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but jamming between blocks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing striking bodies to contact only specific visible surfaces and edges of blocks. The striking bodies are positioned and oriented to treat only the areas that contribute to the aged appearance, with controlled movement patterns that avoid excessive mobility and potential jamming between blocks.
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
This approach reduces cycle times, eliminates downtimes, and achieves a naturally aged appearance with optimized edge breaking and surface treatment, while being cost-effective and integrating seamlessly into block production processes without increasing cycle time.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating device is provided in order to set the blocks (1) and the striking bodies (3) in motion relative to one another in such a way that the striking bodies (3) act on the surfaces (1a) and the adjoining edges (1b) of the blocks (1)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the artificial ageing of blocks, in particular concrete blocks, clinker bricks and natural stone blocks, has a base on which the blocks can be placed in such a way that their surfaces to be treated and the adjoining edges are exposed. Essentially freely movable striking bodies are used for treating the surfaces and the adjoining edges of the blocks. A vibrating device sets the blocks and the striking bodies in motion relative to one another in such a way that the striking bodies act on the surfaces and the exposed edges of the blocks. In this case, the striking bodies are movably fastened to a retaining device in such a way that the striking bodies are freely movable within a defined region of the surface of the blocks.