Spindle Cover Sealing Gap to Prevent Grinding Waste Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The spindle unit in grinding apparatuses is prone to reduced smooth rotation due to solid waste like swarf drying and sticking to the spindle and cover surfaces, leading to inefficiencies in cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A spindle unit design featuring a narrower second gap at the lower end between the spindle and the cover, created by an inclined sealing portion, prevents solid waste from entering and drying on the spindle surface, reducing the quantity of waste and facilitating easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is provided to prevent grinding waste liquid from applying to the spindle, then the spindle is protected from waste liquid contact, but the cover creates a gap where waste liquid can enter and dry, causing solid waste to stick to the spindle surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a sealing portion with a different gap width at a specific location (lower end of the cover) compared to the rest of the cover-spindle gap. The sealing portion has a narrower second gap that specifically targets the area where waste liquid tends to accumulate and dry, while the upper portion maintains a wider first gap for normal operation and air discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover gap is segmented into two distinct regions: a first gap in the upper portion and a second gap at the lower sealing portion. This segmentation allows different functional characteristics in different regions - the wider first gap for air flow and the narrower second gap for preventing waste liquid penetration and accumulation.
2Ease of repair
If the cover is made disassemblable for cleaning, then the cover can be cleaned to remove accumulated waste, but the cleaning process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion with the narrower second gap acts as a self-cleaning feature by preventing waste liquid from entering and accumulating in the first place. The design inherently resists waste accumulation through its geometric configuration, reducing or eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing portion provides preliminary anti-action by preventing waste liquid from reaching the spindle surface and drying in the first place. This preventive measure stops the waste accumulation problem before it occurs, rather than requiring subsequent cleaning actions.
3Productivity
If a wider gap is maintained between the cover and spindle for air discharge, then air can be discharged effectively from the air bearing, but grinding waste liquid can more easily enter the gap and cause waste accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the gap width along the axial direction of the cover-spindle interface. The upper portion has a wider first gap optimized for air discharge, while the lower sealing portion has a narrower second gap optimized for preventing waste liquid penetration, allowing each region to perform its specific function optimally.
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
Prevents solid waste from causing the spindle to become less liable to rotate smoothly and reduces the need for extensive cleaning by minimizing waste accumulation, ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a casing surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the spindle, the spindle being rotatably supported by an air bearing in the casing
Implementation Method 2
a sealing portion integrally formed with the cover portion at a lower end of the cover portion and having an inner oblique surface inclined toward the outer circumferential surface of the spindle, and the sealing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the spindle define therebetween a second gap that is narrower than the first gap for preventing a solid waste from being dried and deposited on the outer circumferential surface of the spindle
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing portion on a lower end of a cover portion of a spindle cover has an upper side surface and a lower side surface that are inclined toward an outer circumferential surface of a spindle. A larger-diameter disk and the outer circumferential surface of the spindle define therebetween a second gap that is narrower than a first gap defined between the spindle and the cover portion. The second gap is effective to prevent a processing waste liquid from entering between the spindle and the spindle cover to prevent a solid waste contained in the processing waste liquid from sticking to the spindle. The spindle is thus prevented from becoming less liable to rotate smoothly due to solid waste deposits.