Automatic Sharpening Device for Root Vegetable Shredder Knives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for sharpening shredding knives used in earth fruit shredding machines require significant manual effort and are prone to errors due to the need for precise positioning and depth control during the sharpening process.

Innovation Solution

A device with a centering unit and processing unit, both motor-adjustable, that uses a disk milling cutter and a pair of tongs to position and sharpen the knives automatically, with electronic sensors and a controller to ensure precise alignment and milling depth, reducing manual effort and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual operation is used for positioning and sharpening, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to positioning errors and depth control issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect the position of cutting elements and automatically adjusts the milling cutter depth and horizontal position. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with electronic control and sensing systems resolves the contradiction by achieving high positioning precision through automated feedback control while managing device complexity through integrated control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-positioning and self-adjustment through electronic sensors that automatically detect cutting element locations and control the milling cutter's movement and depth. The device serves itself by using sensors to guide the sharpening process without requiring manual intervention for positioning, thereby achieving high precision while reducing the need for complex manual positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual operation is used for sharpening, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharpening speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automated sharpening by mechanically moving the milling cutter through all cutting elements in sequence without manual intervention. The electronic control system continuously monitors and adjusts the process, enabling uninterrupted sharpening operations that significantly increase productivity compared to manual methods while managing complexity through automated sequencing and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic mechanical movement of the milling cutter combined with electronic control to automatically position and sharpen multiple cutting elements in rapid succession. The dynamic positioning and movement capabilities enable high-speed automated operation, improving productivity while the integrated control system manages the complexity of coordinating these dynamic movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If precise manual positioning is attempted, then manufacturing precision may improve, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult positioning and depth control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharpening precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces difficult manual positioning and depth control with electronic sensing and automated control systems. Sensors automatically detect cutting element positions and the control system manages milling cutter depth and movement, achieving high precision while making operation simple and intuitive through automated feedback control rather than requiring skilled manual positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses electronic sensors to provide real-time feedback on cutting element positions and milling cutter depth, automatically adjusting parameters to maintain precise sharpening. This feedback control mechanism achieves high manufacturing precision while simplifying operation, as the system self-corrects positioning and depth control based on sensor input rather than requiring manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2839926B1Device for sharpening of slicing blades
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 PUTSCH
  • EP2839926B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2839926B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2839926B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

The invention describes a device for sharpening cutting knives (1) for root vegetable shredding machines with roof-shaped cutting elements formed on a knife body (9), consisting of a centering unit (4) adjustable in the direction of a Y-axis (3) and a processing unit (5) with a disc cutter (6) and a clamp (8) which fixes the knife body (9) and is adjustable in an X-direction (2), wherein in a starting position the centering unit (4) and the processing unit (5) are moved away from each other and the clamp (8) with the cutting knife (1) is adjusted in the X-direction (2), in which a cutting element is aligned with the disc cutter (6), in a working position the centering unit (4) with a centering piece (12) is placed on the back of the cutting element and the disc cutter (6) engages in the cutting element and during the milling process the components are moved to the starting position by a milling dimension in the Y-direction (3).