Ceramic Ball Material Surface Roughness Layout to Prevent Chipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceramic ball materials with a spherical and band-shaped portion are prone to chipping during machining due to their brittleness and corners, leading to prolonged processing times.

Innovation Solution

The ceramic ball material is designed with a band-shaped portion having a surface roughness ratio R1/R2 of 0.3 or more and less than 1.0, where R1 is the surface roughness of the end portion and R2 is the surface roughness of the center portion, to enhance processing efficiency and prevent chipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the ceramic ball material has a band-shaped portion with corners, then the spherical shape is formed, but chipping occurs during machining due to impact on corners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespherical shapeVSAvoidchipping resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different surface roughness characteristics to different regions of the band-shaped portion. The end portions (corners) have higher surface roughness (R1) while the center portion has lower surface roughness (R2), with R1/R2 ≥ 0.3. This local differentiation allows the corners to better absorb impact energy during machining, preventing chipping while maintaining the overall spherical shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the band-shaped portion is machined in a restrained manner to prevent chipping, then chipping is suppressed, but machining time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechipping suppressionVSAvoidmachining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The surface roughness distribution is created during the molding process itself, before machining begins. The end portions of the band-shaped portion are formed with higher surface roughness in advance, which pre-equip them with impact resistance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for overly restrained machining operations, thereby reducing machining time while still preventing chipping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the surface roughness ratio R1/R2 is increased, then chipping resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechipping resistanceVSAvoidmolding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention controls the surface roughness parameters R1 and R2 within specific ranges (R1/R2 ≥ 0.3) to achieve the desired chipping resistance. By defining quantitative parameter ranges rather than qualitative descriptions, the molding process becomes more controllable and less complex, as standard molding techniques can be used to achieve these parameter specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4628470A1Material for ceramic ball, method for producing ceramic ball using same, and ceramic ball
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 NITERRA MATERIALS CO LTD
  • EP4628470A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(B)
  • EP4628470A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4628470A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A ceramic ball material according to an embodiment includes a spherical portion; and a band-shaped portion formed over a circumference of a surface of the spherical portion. The ceramic ball material has a ratio R1/R2 of 0.3 or more and less than 1.0, where R1 denotes a surface roughness of an end portion of the band-shaped portion; and R2 denotes a surface roughness of a center portion of the band-shaped portion.