Split Grinding Jig for Consistent Blade Bevel Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grinding jigs for blade tools fail to maintain the blade's edge bevel angles consistent, leading to reduced edge strength and convex edges, especially as blade thickness increases.

Innovation Solution

A grinding jig with two separate halves that can be moved in a controlled manner, featuring front and rear abutment surfaces to maintain consistent distance from the blade's center, ensuring no change in angle between the blade and grindstone during grinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional grinding jig with a single clamp design is used, then the structure is simple, but the blade is not centered in the grinding jig causing angle deviation when turned over

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejig structureVSAvoidedge bevel angle consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding jig is divided into two separate halves that can be moved independently. Each half has its own clamp and support portion, allowing the blade to be centered between them. This segmentation enables precise positioning and maintains consistent edge bevel angles when the jig is turned over for grinding the second side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the grinding jig is turned over to grind the second edge bevel, then both sides of the blade can be sharpened, but the angle between the blade and grinding stone changes reducing edge strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding capabilityVSAvoidedge strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the jig into two independent halves with individual clamps and support portions, the blade remains centered and maintains consistent positioning relative to the grinding stone. This eliminates angle deviation when turning the jig over, preserving edge strength while enabling grinding of both sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front and rear abutment surfaces provide tactile feedback and mechanical constraints that ensure the blade maintains the correct angle with the grinding stone. When the jig is turned over, these abutment surfaces guide the positioning, providing immediate feedback to the operator to maintain consistent edge bevel angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If a conventional grinding jig design is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but convex edges are produced reducing blade strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding operationVSAvoidedge strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The two separate jig halves with independent clamps allow precise control over blade positioning. The front and rear abutment surfaces on each half provide mechanical constraints that prevent the blade from tilting or shifting, eliminating convex edge formation while maintaining ease of operation through simple clamping and support mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3722047B1A grinding jig for a blade tool
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 TORMEK
  • EP3722047B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3722047B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3722047B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A grinding jig (100) for holding a blade tool (200) having an edge (210) in a grinding machine (300), comprising: - a first and a second clamp half (110, 120) arranged to hold between them at least a portion of a blade tool, and; - an elongate support portion (160) for supporting the grinding jig (100) onto a support bar (350) of a grinding machine (300), wherein; - the elongate support portion (160) comprises a front end abutment surface (170) and a rear end abutment surface (180) - the front and rear end abutment surfaces (170, 180) are spaced to receive a portion of a support bar (350) of and such that the grinding jig (100) may be moved back and forth relative the support bar (350), in direction parallel with its longitudinal center axis (Y).