Grinding Machine Drive Roller Device for Synchronized Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding machines require a high outlay on drive motors to achieve independent rotational speeds for grinding elements, limiting the flexibility in setting grinding parameters.

Innovation Solution

A flexible friction-locking or form-fitting drive device is used to rotate multiple grinding elements with a common motor, allowing for synchronized rotation speeds regardless of transport speed, reducing the need for multiple drive motors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each grinding element has its own motor drive, then the rotational speed of grinding elements can be independently controlled, but the cost and complexity of drive motors increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent rotational speed controlVSAvoidnumber of drive motors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple grinding elements are merged into a single group that shares a common drive motor. The flexible friction-locking or form-fitting arrangement allows one motor to drive multiple grinding elements simultaneously, reducing the total number of motors while maintaining synchronized rotation speeds for all elements in the group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single drive motor is designed to serve multiple grinding elements through the flexible drive arrangement. This universal drive system can rotate any number of grinding elements at the same speed, making the motor multi-functional and eliminating the need for individual motors for each grinding element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the grinding elements are driven by the transport device, then the structure is simplified, but the rotational speed of grinding elements becomes dependent on transport speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive structureVSAvoidrotational speed independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into two independent functions: the transport device moves the grinding heads along the workpiece, while the separate flexible friction-locking or form-fitting arrangement driven by a dedicated motor provides rotational drive to the grinding elements. This segmentation allows independent control of transport speed and grinding element rotational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible friction-locking or form-fitting arrangement acts as an intermediary between the drive motor and the grinding elements. This intermediary mechanism transmits rotational motion from the motor to the grinding elements while allowing the transport device to operate independently, thus decoupling the rotational speed from the transport speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple drive motors are used for each grinding element, then the grinding parameters can be precisely controlled, but the cost of drive motors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding parameter controlVSAvoidnumber of drive motors
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual drive motors into a single common drive motor that serves multiple grinding elements. By combining the drive functions, the total quantity of motors is reduced while the grinding precision is maintained through the synchronized rotation of all grinding elements at the same speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables improved grinding results with increased degrees of freedom in setting grinding parameters while minimizing the motor drive requirements, achieving efficient and even grinding processes with a single motor for multiple grinding elements.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible friction-locking or form-fitting drive device is used to rotate multiple grinding elements with a common motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2011602B1Grinding machine
Publication Date: 2010.10.27 HEESEMANN JURGEN
  • EP2011602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2011602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2011602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The machine has a grinding unit including multiple grinding heads with grinding elements (8) rotating about a respective shaft. A drive roller device drives the grinding elements by a common electric motor (23). The drive roller device consists of a flexible frictional engagement or positive engagement assembly which is guided parallel to a transporting chain (1) about deflection rollers (22) and is formed with the shafts of the grinding elements for rotationally driving irrespective of the speed of transportation of the grinding elements.