Cup Grinding Wheel Radial V-Shaped Segments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cup grinding wheels face challenges in achieving a strong and uniform grinding effect while preventing excessive contamination by abraded material, as they often require strong contact pressure and struggle with uneven material distribution.

Innovation Solution

The cup grinding wheel features V-shaped grinding segments with legs oriented radially, creating a space between them that allows for effective material detachment and removal, with a drop-like widening of the legs enhancing the grinding surface and airflow for improved material flow and cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If grinding segments are arranged with tangential orientation, then material removal is facilitated, but grinding effect uniformity deteriorates and contact pressure distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial removal efficiencyVSAvoidgrinding uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding segments are designed with asymmetric V-shape geometry where the legs have different lengths and orientations. The first leg extends radially outward while the second leg extends radially inward, creating an asymmetric configuration that optimizes both material removal and uniformity. This asymmetric design allows the grinding surface to conform better to the workpiece while maintaining effective cutting angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the conventional tangential orientation of grinding segments, the patent inverts the orientation to radial alignment. The V-shaped segments are positioned with their opening facing radially outward, which is the opposite of the traditional approach. This inversion enables the grinding segments to distribute contact pressure more uniformly across the workpiece surface while still achieving effective material removal through the radial cutting action.

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

2Productivity

If contact pressure is increased to enhance grinding effect, then grinding strength improves, but material accumulation on the wheel increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding strengthVSAvoidmaterial accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding wheel is divided into multiple discrete V-shaped grinding segments spaced around the periphery, rather than using a continuous grinding surface. This segmentation creates gaps between segments that allow abraded material to be ejected more effectively. The spaced arrangement prevents material buildup that would occur with continuous surfaces, enabling sustained high contact pressure without clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each grinding segment has locally optimized geometry with specific V-shape angles and leg configurations tailored for effective material removal. The radial orientation of the legs creates localized high-pressure contact zones that enhance grinding strength at each segment, while the overall distributed arrangement prevents global material accumulation. Each segment operates independently with optimal local properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If grinding segments are spaced far apart to reduce material accumulation, then material removal efficiency decreases, but if spaced closely then material accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial accumulation preventionVSAvoidgrinding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding segments are positioned in the radial dimension with their legs extending radially outward and inward, rather than being arranged only in the tangential plane. This radial dimensionality allows the segments to be spaced optimally in the circumferential direction for material ejection, while their radial extension provides continuous grinding coverage. The three-dimensional configuration resolves the trade-off between spacing and coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The V-shaped grinding segments have curved surfaces that conform to the rotational motion and radial forces of the grinding wheel. The curved geometry of the legs allows them to maintain effective contact with the workpiece surface while being spaced apart. The spherical/circular motion of the wheel combined with the curved segment shapes enables material ejection in the radial direction while maintaining grinding efficiency throughout the rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 configuration enhances the grinding effect by maintaining a strong and uniform contact pressure, preventing material accumulation, and ensuring efficient removal of abraded material, thereby improving the overall grinding performance and cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

both an improved grinding effect is achieved and excessive contamination of the cup grinding wheel by abraded material is avoided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

ensuring efficient removal of abraded material, thereby improving the overall grinding performance and cooling efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2712704B1Cup grinding wheel
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2712704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2712704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2712704B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The grinding disc (1) has a circular base disc (2) and several grinding segments (3). Each grinding segment is radially formed in outwardly open V-shape, and is provided with legs which are arranged axially symmetrical to a plane extending in the radial direction, in symmetry axis. The legs of grinding segment are extended to edge of circular base disc in radial direction.