Grinding Machine Plate Device for Automatic Jointing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of incorporating joint material into floor joints is complex and cost-intensive, requiring separate tools and manual labor, especially for single-disc floor grinding machines used for parquet and wooden floors.

Innovation Solution

A plate device for grinding machines, featuring a disk-shaped support plate with sheet metal strip-shaped wing elements that rotate to create a spatula movement and force component, allowing for automatic and cost-effective incorporation of joint material into the floor joints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate hand trowel is used for grouting, then the jointing material can be applied to floor joints, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires additional tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality of grinding machineVSAvoidnumber of tools required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the grinding function and grouting function into a single device. The grinding machine is equipped with a grinding disc that can be replaced by a grouting disc, and a housing that can accommodate both grinding and grouting operations. This merging eliminates the need for separate hand trowels and reduces the number of tools required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The grinding machine is designed with multi-functionality to perform both grinding and grouting operations. The device includes a universal housing that can accommodate different disc types (grinding discs and grouting discs) and a drive mechanism that can power both functions, making the machine versatile for different floor treatment tasks.

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

2Productivity

If manual grouting with a hand trowel is used, then jointing material can be incorporated into floor joints, but the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrouting speedVSAvoidtime for manual grouting
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The grouting disc is designed to automatically incorporate jointing material into floor joints through its rotation. The disc has a specific structure with channels and edges that enable it to self-feed and self-applied jointing material without requiring manual intervention from the operator, significantly increasing grouting speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of a hand trowel with an automated rotating grouting disc driven by the machine's motor. This substitution of manual operation with automated mechanical rotation dramatically reduces the time required for grouting while maintaining effective jointing material application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If a grouting disc device is added to the grinding machine, then automatic grouting is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic grouting capabilityVSAvoidstructure of grinding machine
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grouting function is implemented as a separate, modular grouting disc that can be independently attached to and removed from the grinding machine. This segmentation allows the grouting component to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire machine, reducing the increase in overall device complexity while still enabling automatic grouting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grouting disc is designed as a dynamic component that rotates with the grinding disc, utilizing the existing drive mechanism's rotation to perform grouting operations. This dynamic integration allows automatic grouting to be achieved without adding complex control systems, as the grouting action naturally follows the rotation cycle of the existing motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables the same grinding machine to be used for both grinding and inserting joint material, reducing the need for additional tools and manual intervention, resulting in a more efficient and economical process.

Implementation Method 1

a force component on the jointing material located within the jointing material area such that the multiple wing elements convey the jointing material against the centrifugal force towards the inside of the carrier plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4230344B1Grinding machine and plate device for such a grinding machine
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 UZIN UTZ TOOLS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4230344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4230344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a disc device (5) for a grinding machine (1), in particular for a single-disc floor grinding machine, for incorporating a jointing material into parquet floors, wooden floors or the like, with a disc-shaped carrier plate (6) which has a pivot axis (7) and a floor-facing surface (10); and several sheet-strip-shaped wing elements (16), each of which has a fastening section (17) for attaching the several wing elements (16) to the floor-facing surface (10) of the carrier plate (6) and each has a spatula edge (20) which, during operation, rests at least partially on the floor to be processed;wherein the multiple wing elements (16) are arranged circumferentially around the axis of rotation (7) of the carrier plate (6) to form an internal jointing material area (23) such that the respective spatula edges (20) of the multiple wing elements (16), when the carrier plate (6) rotates during operation, exert a spatula movement to work the jointing material located within the jointing material area (23) into the floor to be treated and a force component on the jointing material located within the jointing material area (23) such that the spatula edges (20) of the multiple wing elements (16) convey the jointing material against the centrifugal force towards the inside of the carrier plate (6) to enclose the jointing material within the jointing material area (23). The present invention further relates to a grinding machine (1) with such a disc device (5).