Conical Grinding Wheel Layout for Planar Knife Bevels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grinding machines with cylindrical grindstones often produce concave bevels on edged tools, reducing their strength and leading to uneven sharpening due to wear and misalignment issues, especially when used with grinding jigs.

Innovation Solution

A grinding machine with a conical grinding wheel and a simplified jig design where the edge of the tool is ground perpendicular to the rotation direction on the envelope surface of the grinding wheel, supported by a dual-arm mechanism to maintain alignment and prevent concavity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cylindrical grindstone is used for grinding edged tools, then the grinding process can be performed, but the bevels of the edge develop a concave profile that reduces blade strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplanarity of edge bevelVSAvoidblade strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the grinding wheel from cylindrical to conical shape. This parameter change transforms the grinding surface from curved to substantially flat, eliminating the concave profile formation on blade bevels and maintaining blade strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a conventional cylindrical grindstone is used, then grinding can proceed, but wear results in a chambered profile that causes misalignment with the grinding jig

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of grindstoneVSAvoidalignment between grindstone and grinding jig
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conical shape of the grinding wheel changes the wear pattern characteristics. The geometry resists chambering that occurs with cylindrical wheels, maintaining alignment between the grinding wheel surface and the grinding jig throughout the service life of the wheel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a conical grinding wheel is used to grind edges perpendicular to rotation direction, then strong planar edges are achieved, but the device requires a specific support structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge strengthVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the tool against a stationary cylindrical wheel, the patent inverts the approach by using a conical wheel rotated in a direction perpendicular to the tool edge, with the tool fed through the center. This inversion creates the beneficial flat grinding surface while simplifying the support requirements.

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

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 approach results in stronger, planar edges with reduced concavity, maintaining the grinding wheel's shape and ensuring efficient, long-lasting tool edges with improved sharpening accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

grinding of the edges is performed on the envelope surface of the conical grinding wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3718690B1An arrangement for grinding edged tools
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 TORMEK
  • EP3718690B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3718690B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3718690B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

An arrangement (50) for grinding edged tools, such as knives, said arrangement (50) configured to be part of a grinding machine (100), comprising: - a conical grinding wheel (110) arranged to be rotated in a rotational direction (R) and having an envelope grinding surface (111) for an edged tool (10), and; - a grinding jig (120) for holding an edged tool (10), wherein the grinding jig (120), in use, is arranged such that the edged tool (10) extends over the envelope grinding surface (111) perpendicular to the rotational direction (R) and wherein the grinding wheel (110) is made of metal with a super-abrasive coating.