Backing Pad Conduit Arrangements for Debris Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing abrading systems face challenges in efficiently and controllably extracting debris, leading to reduced abrading efficiency, surface quality, and increased maintenance costs due to debris accumulation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of conduit arrangements in a backing pad, intermediate pad, and abrading article, which include medial and peripheral conduits, allows for controlled air and debris flow, ensuring even surface flushing and effective debris extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional backing pads without conduit arrangements are used, then the structure is simple, but debris extraction efficiency is poor and surface flushing is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris extraction efficiencyVSAvoidconduit arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backing pad is segmented into multiple functional zones with different conduit types: peripheral conduits for air supply, medial conduits for debris extraction, and combined conduits for both functions. This segmentation allows optimized debris extraction in different regions while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular conduit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air acts as an intermediary substance that is introduced through peripheral conduits to carry debris toward medial conduits for extraction. The air flow serves as a mediator that enhances debris removal efficiency without requiring direct mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If air flow is not controlled onto the lower surface, then the system is simple, but surface flushing is uneven and debris accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface flushing uniformityVSAvoidconduit arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the backing pad are provided with different conduit configurations: peripheral conduits at the edges for air supply, medial conduits in the center for debris extraction, and combined conduits in intermediate zones. This local differentiation ensures uniform surface flushing across the entire backing pad surface while keeping each local conduit design relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If debris is not efficiently extracted, then the system is simple, but abrading efficiency decreases and surface quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrading efficiencyVSAvoidconduit arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pneumatic principles by introducing compressed air through peripheral conduits to create air flow that carries debris toward medial extraction conduits. This pneumatic approach significantly improves debris extraction efficiency and maintains high abrasing efficiency while avoiding complex mechanical extraction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution enhances debris removal efficiency, maintains surface quality, and prolongs the lifespan of abrading system components by ensuring even air and debris flow across the surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

an abrading apparatus capable of producing sucking pressure or capable of being connected to a source of sucking pressure for the purposes of extracting abrading debris away from the abrading process with the suction pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction pressure: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3580011B1Conduit arrangements in a backing pad
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 KWH MIRKA LTD
  • EP3580011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3580011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3580011B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The presented solution discloses conduit arrangements in an intermediate pad (20, 100), a backing pad (10, 200) and an abrading article (300, 400). The conduit arrangements enable controlled conveyance of air onto and extraction of air and debris from the surface of an intermediate pad (20, 100), a backing pad (10, 200) and an abrading article (300, 400). The presented solution is an intermediate pad (20, 100) suitable for use in an abrading system. The presented solution is an abrading system comprising an intermediate pad (20, 100). The presented solution is a backing pad (10, 200) suitable for use in an abrading apparatus (1). The presented solution is an abrading system comprising a backing pad (10, 200). The presented solution is an abrading article (300, 400) suitable for use in an abrading system. The presented solution is an abrading system comprising an abrading article (300, 400). The presented solution further relates to methods of using an abrading system for extracting abrading debris.