Modular Buffing Apparatus for Tight Spaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional buffers are unable to fit in small spaces and require complete replacement when components break or wear out, leading to high maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular buffing apparatus with a shaft assembly, stator, and rotor, where buffer pads are secured between the shaft and connectors, allowing for easy replacement and torsional compression to fit in tight spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional buffers are used, then they can perform buffing operations, but they cannot fit in small spaces such as between spokes of automobile wheels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer sizeVSAvoidability to operate in tight spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer is divided into multiple detachable components including a shaft assembly, stator with arms, rotor with arms, and separate pads. This segmentation allows the buffer to be disassembled into smaller parts that can fit in tight spaces and enables selective replacement of worn components without replacing the entire buffer system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor is designed to be rotatably mounted on the shaft, allowing it to rotate independently. This dynamic configuration enables the buffer to adapt to tight spaces by allowing the rotor and pads to flex and compress when pushed into confined areas, while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional buffers are used, then they can perform buffing operations, but the entire buffer must be replaced when one component breaks or wears out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer functionalityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer is divided into multiple detachable components including a shaft assembly, stator with arms, rotor with arms, and separate pads. This segmentation allows the buffer to be disassembled into smaller parts that can fit in tight spaces and enables selective replacement of worn components without replacing the entire buffer system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design with detachable pads and components allows users to discard only the worn or damaged parts (such as individual pads or arms) while retaining and reusing the functional components. This extends the overall life of the buffer system and reduces maintenance costs by recovering and reusing durable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If the buffer is designed to fit in tight spaces, then it can operate in confined areas, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate in tight spacesVSAvoidbuffer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer is divided into multiple detachable components including a shaft assembly, stator with arms, rotor with arms, and separate pads. This segmentation allows the buffer to be disassembled into smaller parts that can fit in tight spaces and enables selective replacement of worn components without replacing the entire buffer system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional elements (shaft, stator arms, rotor arms, pads, and connectors) are combined into a compact integrated assembly that maintains relative simplicity. The modular design allows these components to work together cohesively while still enabling disassembly for storage and maintenance, balancing adaptability with structural simplicity.

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

Enables efficient buffing in tight spaces with reduced maintenance costs by allowing individual component replacement and extended pad life due to modular design and bi-directional rotation.

Implementation Method 1

the pads torsionally compress to enable the apparatus to operate in a tight space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional compression: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9078513B2Buffing apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 HIGGINS STEPHEN MARK

AI summary

A buffing apparatus has a shaft assembly connectable to a drill or other stationary motorized buffer/polisher. A stator is fixedly mounted on the shaft and a rotor is rotatably mounted on the shaft, and each of the stator and rotor includes a respective hub and two or more arms extending radially from the respective hub, and each of the two or more arms defines a hole. A pad having first and second holes is mounted on the shaft with an arm of the stator extending through a first hole of the pad and an arm of the rotor extending through a second hole of the pad. The pads are secured in place with a connector extending through the hole of an arm of the stator and through a hole of an arm of the rotor so that the pads are sandwiched between the shaft assembly and the connectors.