Sanding Plate with Rigid Air Guide for Stable Dust Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanding plates with foam-based suction channels face instability and contamination issues due to the difficulty in maintaining open channels during the foaming process, leading to impaired dust removal and reduced stability.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a hollow air guide part made of a harder plastic that encloses and defines the suction channels, ensuring they remain open and stable, separate from the flexible cushion part, allowing for reliable and simple production by eliminating the need for sliding mechanisms during foaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If suction channels are kept free during foaming process using movable slides, then suction channels can be formed in the cushion part, but the sealing of slides against each other is difficult and plastic foam penetrates into the channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformation of suction channelsVSAvoidclean configuration of suction channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sanding plate is divided into distinct functional parts: a base plate, a cushion part, and a separate support part with predefined suction channels. This segmentation allows the support part to provide stable, pre-formed channels while the cushion part provides flexibility and dust collection, eliminating the need for slides during foaming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction channels are pre-formed in the support part before the foaming process. The support part is positioned on the base plate with its channels already defined, and then the cushion part is foamed around it. This preliminary action ensures clean channels without requiring slide mechanisms during foaming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If suction channels are made with foam walls, then the cushion part can be integrally formed, but the channels are not stable and foam penetration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegral formation of cushion partVSAvoidstability of suction channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support part acts as an intermediary structure between the base plate and the cushion part. It provides rigid walls for the suction channels, preventing foam penetration while allowing the cushion part to be integrally formed around it. The support part mediates between the need for integral formation and channel stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sanding plate uses a composite structure combining a rigid support part (providing stable channels), a flexible cushion part (polyurethane foam for dust collection), and a base plate. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function: the rigid part provides structural stability while the foam provides flexibility and dust absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If slides are used to keep suction channels free during foaming, then channels can be formed, but the sealing between slides is difficult and requires complex mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformation of suction channelsVSAvoidsliding mechanisms in foaming tool
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction channels are pre-formed in the support part before the foaming process begins. The support part is positioned on the base plate with channels already defined, eliminating the need for complex slide mechanisms during foaming. This preliminary action simplifies the manufacturing process significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex slide mechanisms are extracted from the foaming process entirely. Instead of using slides to define channels during foaming, the channels are pre-formed in the support part, which is then positioned and foamed around. This removes the problematic sealing requirements and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution ensures clean and stable suction channels, maintaining air flow and preventing foam penetration, resulting in improved dust removal and increased manufacturing reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a cushion part (12) made of a first flexible plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of suction channels (24) being provided in the cushion part (12), which are in suction openings (26) open out on a work surface (28)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2366498B1Sanding plate
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 C & E FEIN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2366498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2366498B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The grinding plate (10) has a base plate (14), which is firmly connected with a cushion part (12) made of a flexible plastic. A tool retainer is provided at the base plate for connecting with a motor driven drive shaft (30). A hollow air circulation part (22) is adjusted within the cushion part. The hollow air circulation part is made of another plastic, which is harder than the former plastic. A suction duct (24) is partly defined against the former plastic. The base plate is made of metal, particularly an aluminum alloy or a stainless steel. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a grinding plate.