mill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mills with high-strength grinding elements require laborious and complex assembly due to multiple parts coupled by screws, making automation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A mill configuration using four elements: a plastic rotating part, a high-hardness rotating part, a high-hardness stationary gear, and a plastic stationary part, with specific support and locking mechanisms for efficient assembly and operation, allowing for automated assembly and use of high-hardness materials for grinding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple parts are coupled by screws to achieve high-strength grinding elements, then grinding durability is improved, but assembly complexity increases and automation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate parts into an integrated structure where the rotating part and stationary part form a unified assembly. The coupling elements are integrated into the gear structure itself rather than being separate fastening components, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining the durability benefits of high-strength material coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mill is segmented into four functional elements (plastic rotating part, high-hardness rotating part, high-hardness stationary gear, plastic stationary part) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled through integrated coupling mechanisms. This allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while enabling automated assembly through standardized coupling interfaces.
2Reliability
If high-strength materials are used for grinding elements, then wear resistance is improved, but material cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-hardness materials only to the specific regions that require wear resistance (the grinding surfaces of the rotating part and stationary gear), while other non-critical components remain in plastic materials. This localized application of high-strength materials optimizes wear resistance where needed while reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The mill utilizes composite construction combining plastic materials for structural components with high-hardness materials for grinding surfaces. This composite approach allows each material to be used where it provides the most benefit, balancing durability requirements with manufacturing ease and cost effectiveness.
3Extent of automation
If four elements are used instead of multiple parts, then assembly is simplified for automation, but coupling mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanisms are designed to self-align and self-lock during assembly. The support means and locking means are integrated into the gear structure itself, allowing the components to couple together through their inherent geometric features without requiring external fastening operations or complex alignment procedures, thereby enabling automated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate coupling elements (support means and locking means) that are integrated into the gear structure. These intermediary features mediate the coupling between the rotating and stationary parts, providing automated assembly capability while distributing the coupling function across multiple integrated features rather than a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses a mill formed by a plastic rotating part, a high-hardness rotating part, a high-hardness stationary gear, and a plastic stationary part, such that the high-hardness rotating part and the high-hardness stationary gear are provided with a plurality of teeth complementary to one another for the grinding function. The high-hardness gear and the plastic stationary part advantageously have locking means enabling an automatic assembly of the mill, since the mentioned elements are able to easily rest relative to one another in the suitable position and fit together effortlessly.