Device for grinding or milling and method for sealing such a device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinding and milling devices face challenges in sealing the passage opening for the drive shaft, especially when processing finely ground or milled products, as the friction between the drive shaft and foam seals can lead to abrasion and contamination of the grinding product.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sealing ring and a cutting ring, where the cutting ring is connected to the drive shaft or tool and interacts with the sealing ring to create a labyrinth seal, allowing for reliable sealing by producing an annular slot in the sealing ring, which prevents the passage of grinding product through the gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive shaft is pressed onto the foam seal to ensure sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the friction increases causing abrasion and contamination of the grinding product
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two functional segments: a foam seal providing the sealing interface and a cutting ring providing the cutting action. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other - the foam seal maintains sealing reliability while the cutting ring prevents abrasion contamination by cutting through any material that contacts it
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting ring acts as an intermediary element between the drive shaft and the foam seal. It transmits the cutting action to prevent contamination while allowing the foam seal to maintain its sealing function, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of sealing reliability and contamination prevention
2Ease of operation
If a coating or flocking is applied to the foam seal to reduce friction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the coating may be abraded and contaminate the grinding product
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting ring is designed as a consumable component that can be easily replaced. Instead of attempting to create a durable low-friction coating on the foam seal, the system uses a replaceable cutting ring that performs the friction-reducing cutting function, accepting that it will wear and need periodic replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting function is extracted from the foam seal and placed into a separate cutting ring component. This extraction allows the foam seal to focus solely on its sealing function while the cutting ring handles the friction and cutting requirements, preventing coating abrasion issues
3Ease of operation
If the seal is made softer to reduce friction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing effectiveness decreases allowing grinding product to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is segmented into a soft foam seal for sealing and a hard cutting ring for maintaining sealing effectiveness. The foam seal remains soft for ease of operation while the cutting ring provides the hardness needed to prevent grinding product passage, combining the benefits of both material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The seal system uses a composite structure combining foam material and cutting ring material. Each material is selected for its specific properties - the foam for low friction and sealing compliance, the cutting ring for hardness and contamination prevention - creating a composite sealing system that overcomes the limitations of single materials
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
The solution effectively prevents contamination by ensuring a tight seal even during the production of finely ground or milled products, reducing friction and maintaining the integrity of the grinding product within the container.
Implementation Method 1
the cutting ring has a friction-reducing coating
Data Source
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to improve the sealing of a device for grinding or milling material to be ground. To this end, the invention relates to a device (1) and to the method for sealing particularly such a device (1). According to the invention, the seal (10) of the device (1) includes the sealing ring (11) which radially surrounds the drive shaft (6) and the cutting ring (12) arranged between the sealing ring (11) and the tool (5). In order to produce the seal (10), the cutting ring (12) is set into the sealing ring (11) and positioned in the annular slit (14) created by this action, said cutting ring being connected to the tool (5) and/or the drive shaft (6) such that the passage (7) is sealed.