Bristle-Dividing Element Rolling Friction Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bristle-dividing elements in brush and broom production apparatuses suffer from rapid wear and short lifespan due to sliding friction with abrasive-coated bristles, leading to frequent replacements and productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
A bristle-dividing element with a supporting arm and a pivot element mounting revolving elements, such as rollers made of hardened steel, which rotate to minimize friction and allow for selective replacement of worn parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed stiff bar is used as the bristle-dividing element, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wear is rapid and working life is very short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed stiff bar with a revolving element that can rotate around a pivot point. This dynamic transformation allows the bristle-dividing element to adapt to wear by rotating, distributing the contact stress across different areas of the revolving element, thereby significantly extending its working life while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and motion parameters of the bristle-dividing element by introducing rotational movement. The revolving element rotates around a pivot, transforming the static contact into dynamic rolling contact, which reduces friction and wear rates, thus extending the duration of action without compromising manufacturability.
2Reliability
If the entire bristle-dividing element is replaced when worn, then reliability is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to shutdown time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bristle-dividing element into separable components: a supporting arm and a revolving element that can be independently replaced. This allows only the worn revolving element to be replaced while retaining the functional supporting arm, thereby maintaining reliability through component renewal while minimizing shutdown time and preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing the revolving element to be discarded when worn, while the supporting arm is recovered and reused. This selective replacement strategy maintains system reliability by replacing only the consumable component, thereby avoiding unnecessary shutdowns and cost increases associated with replacing the entire assembly.
3Ease of repair
If multiple revolving elements are mounted on the pivot, then selective replacement of worn elements is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by mounting multiple revolving elements on a common pivot, allowing each element to be independently accessed and replaced. This modular arrangement enables easy repair of individual worn elements without affecting other components, while the common pivot structure prevents excessive complexity by providing a unified mounting mechanism.
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 significantly extends the working life of the bristle-dividing element by reducing wear through rolling friction and enables cost-effective maintenance by replacing only the worn revolving elements, thereby reducing downtime and operating costs.
Implementation Method 1
When the bristle-dividing element according to the invention interacts with the groups of bristles, the latter slide on at least one revolving element, causing the latter to rotate around the pivot element, thus minimising the friction between the group of bristles and the bristle-dividing element.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A bristle-dividing element (1) associable with a punch (P) of an apparatus for producing brushes or brooms, comprises a supporting arm (2) to which a pivot element (5) is fixed on which at least one revolving element (6; 6') is mounted so as to be free to rotate.