Segmented Stone Polishing Tool with Barrier Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional abrasive blocks used for polishing stone materials contain potassium acid oxalate, a harmful substance that poses environmental pollution risks and incurs high disposal costs, necessitating a method to create a non-polluting and cost-effective alternative.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mold, foamable fluid compounds (epoxy, polyurethane, silicon, or acrylic resins), and granular oxalic acid derivatives, with a barrier member to separate and distribute the foamed compound, creating a tool with a non-polluting connecting portion and a working portion containing the salt, allowing for efficient and environmentally friendly disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional abrasive blocks containing potassium acid oxalate are used for polishing stone materials, then the polishing function is achieved, but environmental pollution and high disposal costs occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The block tool is divided into two distinct zones: a receiving zone containing the harmful salt granular material, and a foaming zone containing only the foamable fluid compound. A barrier member physically separates these zones, preventing salt from reaching the connecting portion while allowing foam to pass through. This segmentation isolates the harmful substance to the working portion only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful salt granular material is extracted from the connecting portion and confined exclusively to the receiving zone. The barrier member removes the salt from the foaming zone, ensuring that only non-polluting foamable fluid compound forms the connecting portion that attaches to the polishing head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If conventional abrasive blocks with salt mixed throughout are used, then the tool structure is simple, but the entire tool must be disposed of as polluting waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structure simplicityVSAvoidwaste management cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The block tool structure is segmented into a receiving zone with salt, a foaming zone with foamable compound, and a connecting portion with only foam. The barrier member creates this segmentation, allowing the connecting portion to be free of harmful substances while the working portion contains the salt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones of the block tool have different compositions: the receiving zone contains salt for abrasive function, the foaming zone contains foamable compound for structural integrity, and the connecting portion contains only cured foam for safe attachment. This local quality differentiation ensures the harmful substance is localized only where needed for working.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If barrier members with small pore sizes are used to block salt, then salt containment is improved, but foamable fluid compound permeability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesalt containment effectivenessVSAvoidfoam expansion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier member parameters are optimized to have pore sizes that selectively block salt granules while permitting foamable fluid compound to pass. The pores are sized to exclude the larger salt particles but allow the smaller foam-forming molecules to through, achieving both containment and permeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A porous barrier member is used that exploits the size difference between salt granules and foamable fluid molecules. The porous structure allows selective passage: blocking the harmful salt while permitting the beneficial foamable compound to migrate into the foaming zone for expansion and curing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 method produces a tool that can be disposed of without environmental harm and at lower costs, as the non-polluting connecting portion separates from the worn working portion, reducing waste management expenses and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

letting the at least one foamable fluid compound to foam or causing it to foam from the receiving zone to the foaming zone, whereby a portion of the at least one expansible fluid compound flows through the at least one barrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP2470330B1Method of obtaining a tool for working stone materials
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 AROS SRL
  • EP2470330B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP2470330B1 patent drawingFigure 11~15
  • EP2470330B1 patent drawingFigure 16~21

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a block tool (4), particularly for working stone materials, a block tool (4) for working both natural and artificial stone materials, and a support or base element (7) for a block tool (4).