Grinding Electrode Assembly Sleeve Flange Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for processing welding electrodes are cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to maintain, particularly when adapting to different electrode types or shapes, leading to inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for frequent replacements and adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A device with a motor flange designed as a sleeve allows easy attachment and detachment of the housing, enabling bores on both sides of the grinding wheel, reducing the overall length and allowing for quick replacement of the housing without affecting the motor shaft bearing, thus simplifying maintenance and adaptation to various electrode sizes and shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the motor flange is designed as a sleeve with detachable housing, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: a motor flange designed as a sleeve, a detachable housing, and a grinding wheel assembly. This segmentation allows the housing to be easily removed and replaced for maintenance or adaptation to different electrode types, improving repairability while keeping each individual component simple in design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple openings are provided in the housing for different electrode types, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with multiple openings of different configurations to accommodate various welding electrode types, diameters, and tip shapes. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform multiple grinding operations for different electrode applications, improving adaptability without requiring separate specialized devices for each electrode type.

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

3Ease of operation

If the housing is detachably attached to the motor flange, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A connection element or fastening mechanism serves as an intermediary between the detachable housing and the motor flange sleeve. This intermediary component facilitates easy attachment and detachment operations while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and alignment precision to ensure reliable operation during the grinding process, balancing ease of operation with operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 results in a more compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly device that reduces maintenance downtime and allows for precise machining of welding electrodes with minimal components, enhancing operational efficiency and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

a device for processing welding electrodes with a grinding surface which is driven by a drive motor via a shaft and faces the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2551054B1Assembly for grinding electrodes
Publication Date: 2016.12.14 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2551054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2551054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2551054B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (10) has shaft (30) that is connected to motor and motor flange (14) for bearing shaft. A grinding surface of housing (16) is arranged facing motor and driving motor is provided to drive grinding surface with shaft such that grinding surface rotates in housing about rotational axis. The housing is releasably fixed to motor flange and grinding surface is arranged on side of motor flange. The motor flange is formed by sleeve (21), which is adapted to be fixed to housing such that opening formed in housing extends from housing circumference towards grinding surface facing motor.