Brush Trimming Station Segmentation and Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing brush manufacturing machines have a complex structure that makes the trimming station difficult to access and maintain, and the tool adjustment is limited to one direction, which complicates the trimming process.

Innovation Solution

The trimming station is designed with a tool that can only be adjusted in one direction, and the clamping devices are adjusted using height, pivoting, and tilting mechanisms to achieve necessary movements, while being positioned on the guide block for easy access and maintenance, allowing the tool to be accessible from the outside and minimizing space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the trimming station is integrated with other processing stations around the guide block, then the machine structure is compact, but the tool becomes difficult to access and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine footprintVSAvoidtool accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The trimming station is segmented from the main processing area and positioned on the guide block, allowing the tool to be accessed from the outside while maintaining a compact overall structure. This separation enables independent access to the trimming tool without disrupting other processing stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the tool is positioned to face the guide block for compact arrangement, then space is saved, but the tool becomes inaccessible from the outside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidtool accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the trimming tool to face the guide block (inward), the tool is positioned to face outward from the guide block. This inverted arrangement allows operators to access and maintain the tool from the outside while still utilizing the guide block structure for support and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment directions are provided for the tool, then trimming flexibility is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping devices are equipped with height adjustment, pivoting, and tilting mechanisms that provide multi-directional adjustment capabilities. This universal adjustment system can achieve various trimming positions and angles without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms for each direction, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring trimming flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3448203B1Machine for producing brushes
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 GB BOUCHERIE NV
  • EP3448203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3448203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3448203B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a brush production machine comprising a fixed guide block (10), multiple carriages (12) which can be moved around the guide block (10), a single, individual drive device (28) for each carriage (12), with which device the carriage can be moved around the guide block (10), and a trimming station (22) for cutting and/or post-processing the bristles (60) of a brush using at least one tool (70), said tool (70) being movable in only one direction (T). The invention also relates to a method for producing a brush, in particular using a brush production machine of the aforementioned type, according to which bristles (60) are provided on a main brush body (32) in a first orientation relative to a guide block (10) of the brush production machine, and the body is rotated into a second orientation relative to the guide block (10), before the bristles (60) are cut and/or post-processed in a trimming station (22).