Cavitation Hole Processing with a Protective Inlet Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cavitation processing methods are ineffective in treating the inner surfaces of target holes within workpieces, particularly those with complex geometries or closed structures, as they require direct access and cannot perform processes like peening or cleaning inside these holes without damaging the surrounding areas.

Innovation Solution

A cavitation processing method and apparatus that utilize a cap with a through hole attached to the inlet of a target hole, combined with a nozzle outside the hole to eject a jet of processing liquid through the cap, allowing for cavitation processing on the inner surface of the target hole without direct nozzle insertion, thereby avoiding damage to non-processing regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a nozzle is inserted directly into a target hole to perform cavitation processing, then the processing effectiveness on the inner surface is improved, but the risk of damaging non-processing regions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing effectiveness on inner surfaceVSAvoiddamage to non-processing regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is divided into a head portion and a cover portion, where the cover portion selectively covers specific regions of the target hole inlet. This segmentation allows the jet to process only the intended inner surface regions while protecting non-processing regions from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cap acts as an intermediary component between the nozzle and the target hole. It mediates the jet's action by directing it into the hole while simultaneously protecting non-processing regions, thus resolving the contradiction between effective processing and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cap covers the entire inlet of the target hole, then non-processing regions are protected, but the jet cannot enter the hole to perform processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of non-processing regionsVSAvoidjet access to processing region

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is segmented into a head portion for protection and a cover portion that selectively covers only non-processing regions. This allows the jet to access processing regions through uncovered areas while still protecting vulnerable non-processing regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the cap have different functions: the head portion provides general protection, while the cover portion provides localized protection for specific non-processing regions. This local differentiation enables selective access for the jet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cap is made with a tight fit to the target hole inlet, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the difficulty of attachment and removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidattachment and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is designed with a universal attachment structure (screw threading) that provides both tight protection when attached and easy removal when needed. The threading mechanism serves multiple functions: securing the cap tightly during processing and enabling simple attachment/removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables effective cavitation processing on the inner surfaces of target holes with precise control, applying compressive residual stresses and cleaning without affecting non-processing regions, thus improving the surface treatment of complex workpiece geometries.

Implementation Method 1

a jet of a fluid containing a cavity (bubble) is caused to collide with the workpiece to process the surface of the workpiece by an impact force when the cavity collapses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240359274A1Cavitation processing method and cavitation processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 SUGINO MACHINE

AI summary

The cavitation process is performed on the inner surface of the target hole. The cavitation processing method includes; attaching a cap having a through hole to an inlet of a target hole of a workpiece; immersing the workpiece and a nozzle into a processing liquid; and ejecting a jet of the processing liquid from the nozzle located outside of the target hole to an inside of the target hole through the through hole such that a cavitation process is performed on a processing region that is located downstream of a non-processing region covered by the cap on an inner surface of the target hole.