Adjustable Shaft Laser Cleaning with Friction-Driven Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle cleaning equipment is unable to accommodate axles with different diameters, limiting its application range and compatibility.

Innovation Solution

The design includes two driving wheel structures with adjustable distances between them, a friction wheel structure, and a power driving mechanism that allows for the rotation of axles with varying diameters, enabling effective laser cleaning by using friction force to drive the axle rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed driving wheel structures are used, then the equipment structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate axles with different diameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different axle diametersVSAvoidequipment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the driving wheel structures movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The distance between the two driving wheel structures can be dynamically changed to accommodate axles of different diameters. This is achieved through a power driving mechanism that can adjust the position of the driving wheels, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying axle sizes while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable driving wheel structures are added, then adaptability to different axle diameters is improved, but the equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different axle diametersVSAvoidequipment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing the driving wheel structures to serve multiple functions: they can adjust their distance to accommodate different axle diameters, and they can rotate to drive the axle during cleaning operations. This multi-functional design allows a single adjustable mechanism to handle both the adaptation to different sizes and the actual driving function, reducing the need for separate specialized components for each function.

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

3Productivity

If friction wheel structure is used to drive axle rotation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiddriving mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the friction between the friction wheel structure and the axle surface to automatically drive the axle rotation during the cleaning process. The system leverages the natural friction that occurs when the laser cleaning head contacts the axle surface, converting this friction force into rotational motion of the axle. This eliminates the need for a separate complex driving mechanism to rotate the axle, as the cleaning process itself provides the driving force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for wider application and improved compatibility by enabling efficient movable laser cleaning operations on axles with different diameters, ensuring thorough cleaning while maintaining equipment stability.

Implementation Method 1

the friction force between the friction wheel structure and the driving wheel structures is configured to drive at least one driving wheel structure to rotate to drive the to-be-cleaned shaft component on the driving wheel structures to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the laser cleaning equipment is configured for performing moveable laser cleaning on the shaft component to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS11738374B2Laser cleaning equipment and cleaning method for shaft component
Publication Date: 2023.08.29 HARBIN INST OF TECH
  • US11738374B2 patent drawing
  • US11738374B2 patent drawing
  • US11738374B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Laser cleaning equipment and a cleaning method for a shaft component are provided. The equipment includes: a supporting base assembly; two driving wheel structures on the supporting base assembly, driving wheels of each of which is configured for being close to or away from each other, and the shaft component to be cleaned is placed between the two driving wheel structures; a friction wheel structure that is tangent to driving wheel structure(s) and uses a friction force thereof to drive driving wheel structure(s) to rotate; a connection shaft assembly that coaxially passes through the friction wheel structure; a power driving mechanism, one end of which that faces toward the connection shaft assembly is in drive connection with the connection shaft assembly and is configured to drive the connection shaft assembly to rotate; and a laser cleaning mechanism configured for performing laser cleaning on the shaft component to be cleaned.