Oscillating Brush Holder for Rock Surface Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for surface treatment of rock and concrete surfaces are inefficient and costly, requiring multiple sets of brushes for different formats and surfaces, leading to frequent replacements and uneven wear, which complicates the production of aesthetically pleasing surfaces with consistent quality.

Innovation Solution

A device with a processing machine that includes a surface treatment element mounted on a holder, capable of rotating and moving oscillatingly relative to the surface, allowing for adjustable angles and movements perpendicular to the direction of passage, ensuring uniform contact pressure and preventing tool-induced effects from being visible, thus enabling versatile and high-quality surface treatment with a single set of brushes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple sets of brushes are used for different formats and surfaces, then the surface treatment quality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to frequent replacements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface treatment qualityVSAvoidnumber of brush sets
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single brush set that can treat multiple formats and surfaces by enabling the brush to rotate about its axis while the holder moves oscillatingly in directions perpendicular and parallel to the throughput direction. This multi-directional movement capability allows one brush set to perform the function of multiple specialized brush sets, achieving universal applicability across different workpiece formats and surface types.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamic movement patterns to the brush holder, allowing it to oscillate in multiple directions rather than maintaining a fixed position. The holder can move oscillatingly perpendicular to the throughput direction and also parallel to it, creating dynamic treatment patterns that enable a single brush set to cover various formats and surfaces effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If brushes are stationary relative to the workpiece, then the device complexity is reduced, but the surface treatment uniformity deteriorates due to tool-induced effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement mechanismVSAvoidsurface treatment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the stationary brush configuration into a dynamic one where the holder moves oscillatingly in multiple directions. This dynamic movement prevents tool-induced effects by continuously varying the contact pattern between the brush and workpiece surface, ensuring uniform surface treatment while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic oscillating movement of the brush holder both perpendicular and parallel to the throughput direction. This periodic action creates a consistent, uniform treatment pattern across the workpiece surface, preventing localized tool-induced effects while maintaining device simplicity through regular, repeating motion cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Manufacturing precision

If the brush rotates only in one direction, then the manufacturing precision is improved for specific surfaces, but the adaptability decreases for different formats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface finish qualityVSAvoidformat compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional brush system that can adapt to different formats and surfaces by combining axial rotation with multi-directional oscillating movement of the holder. This allows the same brush set to maintain high surface finish quality across various workpiece formats by dynamically adjusting the treatment pattern through coordinated movements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds dimensional complexity to the brush movement by introducing oscillating motion perpendicular and parallel to the throughput direction, in addition to the axial rotation. This multi-dimensional movement capability enables the brush to adapt to different formats and maintain precision surface treatment across diverse workpiece types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 device ensures consistent and high-quality surface treatment across various rock and concrete surfaces, reducing costs by allowing a single set of brushes to be used for multiple formats, minimizing waste, and preventing tool-induced effects, while maintaining uniform wear and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one surface treatment element, which rotates about an axis of rotation at least during direct mechanical contact with the surface to be treated, is in rubbing contact with the surface to be treated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

by means of which the surface of the workpiece to be machined is processed by mechanical surface removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3928923A1Method for the treatment of the surface of a rock and / or concrete surface
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 SCHINDLER GMBH
  • EP3928923A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3928923A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3928923A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device (1000) and a method for surface treatment of a rock and/or concrete surface are disclosed. A transport unit (5) moves at least one workpiece (1) to be treated along a through-direction (D1). A processing machine (2) has at least one surface treatment element (31, 32,..., 3N) which is movable relative to a surface (100) of the workpiece (1) to be treated. A holder (7) for the at least one surface treatment element (31, 32,..., 3N) is provided, wherein the at least one surface treatment element (31, 32,..., 3N) is rotatably mounted in the holder (7) about the axis of rotation (R1 or R2). At least one translational drive (10) is provided, which moves the at least one surface treatment element (31, 32,..., 3N) oscillating in a direction of movement (Rs) and moving perpendicularly or at an angle of attack (301) to the direction of travel (D1) within a transport plane (11) of the processing machine (2).