Ice Skate Blade Sharpening Machine with Interchangeable Contouring Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice skate blade sharpening machines are limited in their ability to create a wide variety of profiles on skate blades, often resulting in irregular grooves due to the need for manual adjustment and dressing of grinding wheels, which can be time-consuming and require multiple passes to achieve the desired contour.
Innovation Solution
An ice skate sharpening machine equipped with a rotatable grinding wheel and a movable contouring tool that can be easily interchanged, allowing for the creation of various contour profiles on the grinding wheel, which in turn shapes the skate blade, enabling the production of multiple profiles with improved precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single point diamond dresser is used to dress the grinding wheel, then the grinding wheel contour can be created, but the process requires multiple passes and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the grinding wheel dressing function into multiple interchangeable contouring tools, each with a specific pre-formed contour. Instead of using a single point diamond dresser that requires multiple passes to create a contour, the operator can select and apply a pre-formed contouring tool that matches the desired blade profile, dramatically reducing the dressing time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The contouring tools are pre-formed with specific contours before being applied to the grinding wheel. This preliminary preparation of the contouring tools allows them to transfer their pre-defined shapes directly to the grinding wheel surface in a single operation, eliminating the need for multiple incremental passes required by traditional single point dressing methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual dressing and adjustment is used, then the grinding wheel can be shaped, but the operator skill and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses contouring tools that are essentially physical copies or templates of the desired blade profile. These tools have pre-formed contours that directly copy the target shape, which are then transferred to the grinding wheel and subsequently to the blade. This eliminates the need for operators to manually create contours through skill-based adjustment, as the contouring tools provide the precise shape automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of how contours are created by switching from a single point diamond dresser (which requires manual positioning and multiple passes) to pre-formed contouring tools with specific geometric profiles. This parameter change transforms the process from skill-dependent manual manipulation to a more standardized, tool-driven approach that reduces operator skill requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed contouring tool is used, then one profile can be created, but versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system of interchangeable contouring tools, where each tool is designed for a specific profile type. The collection of these tools can be mounted on the same grinding wheel dresser mechanism, allowing the system to handle multiple blade profile requirements. This multi-functionality enables the equipment to adapt to different skating disciplines and preferences while maintaining high contour accuracy for each specific profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic versatility through interchangeable contouring tools that can be quickly swapped based on the desired blade profile. Instead of a fixed tool, the system allows operators to select and change contouring tools dynamically to match different profile requirements, transforming a static single-profile system into a dynamic multi-profile capable system.
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 machine enables high-quality, low-cost sharpening of ice skate blades with the capability to generate a wide range of profiles, reducing the time and effort required for sharpening and improving the alignment and symmetry of the blade edges.
Implementation Method 1
the contour surface engages the rotating grinding wheel and grinds the periphery of the grinding wheel to define a grinding wheel contour
Implementation Method 2
the grinding wheel contour grinds the blade to define a profile when the grinding wheel is rotating and the blade is held in the releasably fixed position
Data Source
AI summary
A ice skate blade sharpening machine comprises a skate holder which holds the blade in a releasably fixed position, a rotatable grinding wheel having a periphery and rotatable about a grinding wheel axis, and a contouring tool having a contour surface, moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the contouring tool is held in place with respect to the grinding wheel axis, the contour surface engages the rotating grinding wheel and grinds the periphery of the grinding wheel to define a grinding wheel contour, and wherein the grinding wheel contour grinds the blade to define a profile when the grinding wheel is rotating and the blade is held in the releasably fixed position.