Centerless Grinding Machine Inverted Motor Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional centerless grinding machines face challenges with thermal deviations and debris impact on electromagnetic linear drive systems due to coolant flow and particle entrainment, leading to accuracy and efficiency issues.

Innovation Solution

The centerless grinding machine design mounts the grinding and regulating wheels above the drive components, using common linear rails to direct coolant flow downward and minimize debris penetration into electromagnetic linear motors, enhancing cleanliness and reducing thermal variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If coolant is applied from above to cool components and carry away debris, then cooling effectiveness and debris removal are improved, but electromagnetic linear motors mounted below are exposed to coolant and debris penetration which reduces their efficiency and accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidelectromagnetic motor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting arrangement by positioning the electromagnetic linear motors above the grinding and regulating wheels instead of below. This inversion allows coolant to flow downward away from the motors, preventing debris penetration while maintaining effective cooling of the grinding zone. The motors are strategically located in a debris-free zone above the wheels, solving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and motor reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional mounting places drive components below the wheels, then structural support is simplified, but electromagnetic linear motors are vulnerable to coolant and debris penetration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidcoolant and debris exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the conventional mounting configuration by placing electromagnetic linear motors above the grinding and regulating wheels. This inversion protects the motors from coolant and debris while maintaining structural integrity through properly designed support structures. The motors are positioned in the debris-free zone above the wheels, eliminating harmful exposure while preserving ease of manufacture through appropriate structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If grinding wheel and regulating wheel are mounted on common linear rails, then positional accuracy is improved, but thermal expansion of rails affects dimensional stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoiddimensional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent acknowledges thermal expansion of common linear rails as an inherent phenomenon and designs the system to accommodate it. By using high-precision rails with controlled thermal properties and designing the mounting structure to allow for thermal movement, the system maintains positional accuracy despite thermal effects. The electromagnetic linear motors above the wheels are positioned to minimize thermal interference from the rails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

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 improves the accuracy and longevity of the machine by reducing thermal deviations and wear on linear rails, maintaining the cleanliness of drive mechanisms, and extending their lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the wheels is indexable longitudinally using an electromagnetic linear motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic linear motor: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

Fluids and coolants naturally flow downwardly due to gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The heat generation results in unwanted thermal expansion of various components and structure of the centerless grinding machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8579680B2Centerless grinding machine

Publication Date: 2013.11.12 SCHELLENBERG DAN

AI summary

A centerless grinding machine includes a frame with an upper base and includes a driven regulating wheel and a driven grinding wheel mounted to the frame. At least one of the wheels is mounted to the upper base and hangs downwardly from the upper base. At least one of the wheels is indexable laterally along an X direction. The wheels are for supporting and grinding a work piece placed between the grinding wheel and the regulating wheel. Preferably the upper base is spaced from and above the at least one wheel and the regulating wheel and the grinding wheel are operably mounted to the upper base such that the wheels hang downwardly from the upper base.