EP1986822A1

EP1986822A1 - A brush module

Info

Publication number: EP1986822A1
Application number: EP07702499A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nina Himmer
Original assignee: Amanda Patent and Licensing SIA
Current assignee: Amanda Patent and Licensing SIA
Priority date: 2006-02-22
Filing date: 2007-02-21
Publication date: 2008-11-05
Also published as: CN101421076A; WO2007095947A1; DK200600255A; RU2428300C2; RU2008137591A

Abstract

The invention relates to a brush module (1) for a rotating grinding brush for abrading essentially plane elements, said brush module (1) comprising: an elongate body part (10) with two opposed side edges (14,15) and a plurality of bristles that protrude from the body part (10) and are configured with at least one abrading cloth (8) with an abrasive side (9) that protrudes from the body part (10) essentially in the same direction as the bristles. The invention is characterised in that, at each of said side edges (14,15) , an abrading cloth (8) is configured in such a way that the abrasive sides (9) of the abrading cloths (8) face in directions away from each other, whereby the abrasive side on each of said abrading cloths (8) will face in a direction towards the essentially flat element, irrespective of the direction of rotation of the grinding brush.

Description

A brush module

The invention relates to a brush module for a rotating grinding brush for abrading essentially plane elements, said brush module comprising: an elongate body part with two opposed side edges, and a plurality of bristles that protrude from the body part, and being configured with at least one abrading cloth that protrudes from the body part in essentially the same direction as the bristles.

Today, rotating grinding brushes for abrading essentially plane, wooden elements are constructed from a plurality of such grinding modules that are mounted to protrude radially from the centre of an abrading plate. Each of such brush modules comprises a body part with a securely mounted grinding brush and an abrading cloth that can be replaced when the abrading cloth is worn down. The grinding module is configured with a longitudinally protruding bead configured for being mounted on a complementary undercut groove on the abrading plate. Such type of brush modules is known from eg US 6 869 349 B2.

Such brush modules are widely used in connection with the known types of grinding apparatuses for abrading essentially plane, wooden elements such as eg cupboard doors. The grinding apparatus comprises a conveyor belt or conveyor rolls for conveying plane, wooden elements through the apparatus. Often, the grinding apparatus comprises both grinding brushes that are transverse relative to the direction of conveyance and the so-called plate grinding brushes. The plate grinding brushes are particular in that the grinding brushes extend radially from the centre on one side of the plate opposite a rotation shaft that extends centrally in relation there to, said rotation shaft being configured vertically and at right angles to the direction of conveyance and thus abrades the element with a circular grinding pattern. Preferably several transverse rows of plate grinding brushes are configured in a grinding apparatus since a particularly good grinding effect is hereby obtained. Such grinding apparatus is known eg from EP 1 175 961 A2.

However, it is a drawback of these plate grinding brushes that, in connection with the replacement of the abrading cloth, it is necessary to exchange the comparatively large number of abrading cloths individually. In situations where, during the execution of a production order in respect of one type of elements, it is necessary to exchange the abrading cloths, eg when it is desirable to switch to abrading cloths of another grain size, or where, due to wear, the abrading cloth has to be changed, such exchange involves an unnecessarily large waste of production time, the grinding apparatus having necessarily to be at a standstill during the time it takes to perform the exchange, which increases the production costs of the order in question and, from an overall point of view, reduces the profitability of the production order as such.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a brush module for a grinding brush, by which it is possible to quickly switch to another abrading cloth to the effect that the non-productive time of the grinding apparatus is minimised or entirely obviated in connection with the switching to another abrading cloth during the production of an order.

In accordance with the invention, this is accomplished in that, at each of said side edges, an abrading cloth is configured in such a manner that the abrasive sides of the abrading cloths face in directions away from each other, whereby the abrasive sides of each of said abrading cloths face in the direction of the essentially flat element, irrespective of direction of rotation, and such that it abrades the essentially flat element.

Thereby it is possible, without further ado, by changing the direction of rotation of the grinding brushes of the grinding apparatus, to quickly switch to another abrading cloth and hence minimise or entirely obviate protracted down (standstill) periods on the grinding apparatus due to exchange of abrading cloth during the production of the order. Hereby non-planned exchange of abrading cloth on the brush module can be avoided and the profitability of the grinding apparatus as a whole can be increased. When the processing of an order is then finished, it is subsequently possible to exchange the abrading cloth on the brush module / or the entire brush module as a whole without thereby influencing the production as such of the order.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body part is configured with mechanical coupling means that are adapted to cooperate with complementary, mechanical coupling means on the abrading cloth such that the abrading cloth is releasably mounted on the body part. Further advantageously, said mechanical coupling means on the body part is an undercut, longitudinally extending groove, said abrading cloth being, at an edge, provided with a protruding bead which is complementary with the undercut groove. Hereby a particularly advantageous embodiment is accomplished since it is now possible to exchange the abrading cloth separately without having to simultaneously exchange the grinding bristles which are, in the vast majority of cases, not worn to the same extent as the abrading cloth.

Advantageously the abrading cloth is provided with a protruding bead provided on a holder means that comprises two flaps between which the abrading cloth is mounted, since hereby particularly advantageous coupling means are provided in connection with the abrading cloth being exchanged by being shifted into the undercut groove in the body part.

Preferably the bristles are securely mounted on the body part and have essentially the same distance to each of said longitudinally extending grooves. Hereby it is ensured that, essentially, the brushes impart a uniform contact pressure onto the rear side of the abrading cloth irrespective of the direction of rotation of the grinding brush.

Preferably the grinding brush is configured with a circular abrading plate with a centre of rotation and a first and a second side, and from which a rotation shaft extends at right angles to the first side from said centre of rotation; and wherein the abrading plate comprises a plurality of undercut grooves extending radially from said centre of rotation in which brush modules are mounted. Hereby a particularly advantageous combination of a grinding brush with a brush module according to the invention is accomplished.

Other advantageous embodiments of the invention will appear from the dependent claims.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, wherein

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a brush module according to the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a holder means for abrading cloth, in a perspective view; and

Figure 3 is a sketch outlining a first abrading plate for mounting of a row of brush modules; and

Figure 4 is a sketch outlining a second abrading plate for mounting of a number of brush modules.

Thus, Figure 1 shows a brush module 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the figure the brush module 1 is shown in a view, inwards from the side, it being understood that the brush module has a longitudinal direction extending into the plane of the paper.

The brush module comprises a body part 10 with a bottom face 16 being, in the longitudinal direction (ie in the plane of the paper), delimited by two side edges 14, 15. In connection with each of said side edges 14, 15, the body part is configured with an undercut, longitudinally extending groove 11 , 12 for receiving a holder means 30 with an abrading cloth. Alternatively the abrading cloth can be received directly in the groove. The abrading cloth 8 can be of any configuration whatsoever, of eg canvas or paper, comprising at least one abrasive side 9 with sanding grains, and, opposite this, a rear side which is most often not provided with sanding grains. The abrading cloth 8 is preferably sliced into thin strips in order to thereby provide an abrading cloth 8 which is particularly suitable for abrading essentially plane elements. Preferably abrading cloths will be provided that have sizes of sanding grains, ie different grinding characteristics/roughness, in each longitudinally extending groove 11 , 12.

In figure 2 the holder means 30 is shown. The holder means 30 is configured with a protruding bead 31 configured to cooperate with the groove 11 , 12 in the body part 10 of the brush module; it being understood that the holder means 30 has a longitudinal expanse corresponding to the longitudinally extending groove 11 , 12. Opposite the bead 31 , the holder means is configured with two flaps 32, 33 that extend at an angle relative to each other. Between these two flaps 32, 33 the abrading cloth 8 is arranged, following which flaps 32, 33 are pressed towards each other and thus firmly squeeze around the abrading cloth 8.

In figure 1 , reference numeral 7 indicates one of a number of bores configured side-by-side in the longitudinal direction of the brush module 1 between said longitudinally extending grooves 11 , 12 and which are configured for receiving bristles (not shown). These bristles extend essentially at right angles from the bottom face 16 and serve, during grinding, to provide a contact pressure on the rear side of the abrading cloth and will preferably be slightly shorter than the abrading cloth as such.

Opposite the body part 10, the brushing module is provided with a coupling part 13 which extends from the body part 10 in the direction opposite the bristles/abrading cloth and serves to secure the brush module 1 , said coupling part 13 being configured to fit into an axially configured keyway guide on a hub for a horizontally configured abrading drum or a radially extending keyway on an abrading plate as described below.

Thus, figures 3 and 4 show, in sketch-form, two plane depictions of an abrading plate 20 seen from the bottom face 22, ie from the side on which the brush modules 1 are configured, and which are furthermore intended for facing down towards the element to be grinded. Preferably the abrading plate is configured above a plane in parallel with the essentially plane elements to be grinded.

As indicated in the figure, the abrading plates 20 are configured with a plane bottom face 22 and a top face configured opposite in relation thereto (not shown), and from which bottom face 22 the brush modules 1 extend essentially at right angles. At right angles from the top face a rotation shaft (not shown) extends which is intended for cooperating with drive means in order to thereby apply a rotating movement to the abrading plate 20. Preferably the rotation shaft coincides with the centre of the circular abrading plate 20, but the rotation axis may also be configured excentrically.

In its bottom face, the abrading plate 20 shown in figure 3 is provided with a plurality of undercut, extending grooves 23 in which brush modules 10 are provided and that combine to form a star. The abrading plate shown in figure 4 is configured with undercut grooves 25 that extend radially from said rotation shaft (centre of rotation) 21.

An advantageous method of abrading an essentially plane element by means of a brush module (1 ) for a rotating grinding brush in accordance with the invention will now be explained in further detail. The method comprises the following features.

First, the essentially plane element is introduced onto the conveyor in an operator position by an operator, following which the element is conveyed on the conveyor in a direction of conveyance away from the operator position to another position after the grinding brush. Simultaneously with this conveyance, one surface of the element is abraded by the rotating grinding brush with abrading cloths (8) that are configured in connection with and preferably above said conveyance means, said element being abraded by first abrading cloths by the rotation of the grinding brush in a first direction of rotation.

Then, by means of particular sensor means configured at said second position, it is detected that the element is now conveyed past the grinding brush, whereby a signal is emitted to a computer unit to change the direction of rotation on the grinding brush and the conveyor, respectively. This preferably takes place by, based on a signal (A), reporting to control means arranged for controlling the directions of rotation of the grinding brush and the conveyor, respectively, to change the direction of rotation of the grinding brush and the conveyor. Advantageously the control means are means that are configured for changing the current on the electromotors that drive the grinding brush and the conveyor, respectively, whereby the direction of rotation of those motors are also changed in that the directions of rotation of the grinding brush and the conveyor, respectively, are now opposite said first direction of rotation, whereby the element is conveyed on the conveyor back to the operator position while simultaneously the element is abraded by means of (other) abrading cloths (8) that are configured for abrading the element by the rotation of the grinding brush in said second direction of rotation and which are different from said first abrading cloths (8). Hereby it is accomplished that, without cumbersome adjustment of the apparatus, it is possible to abrade the element with two types of abrading cloth (8).

The invention was described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the brush module; it being possible, however, to vary it such that the body part of the brush module can be configured to engage directly with the undercut, longitudinally extending grooves in an abrading plate or an abrading drum, respectively. Moreover the abrading cloth can be attached directly on the brush module, eg by use of clips or gluing directly onto the sides of the body part.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A brush module (1) for a rotating grinding brush for abrading essentially plane elements, said brush module (1 ) comprising: an elongate body part (10) with two opposed side edges (14, 15) and a plurality of bristles that protrude from the body part (10) and are configured with at least one abrading cloth (8) with an abrasive side (9) that protrudes from the body part (10) essentially in the same direction as the bristles, characterised in that, at each of said side edges (14, 15), an abrading cloth (8) is configured in such a way that the abrasive sides (9) of the abrading cloths (8) face in directions away from each other, whereby the abrasive side (9) on each of said abrading cloths (8) face in a direction towards the essentially flat element, irrespective of the direction of rotation on the grinding brush.

2. A brush module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the body part (10) is configured with mechanical coupling means that are adapted to cooperate with complementary, mechanical coupling means on the abrading cloth (8) to the effect that the abrading cloth (8) is releasably mounted on the body part (10).

3. A brush module according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said mechanical coupling means on the body part (10) comprises an undercut, longitudinally extending groove (11 , 12), and that the abrading cloth (8) is, at an edge, provided with a protruding bead (31) which is complementary with the undercut groove (11 , 12).

4. A brush module according to claim 3, characterised in that the said protruding bead (31 ) is provided on a holder means (30) that comprises two flaps (32, 33) between which the abrading cloth (8) is mounted.

5. A brush module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the bristles are securely mounted in the body part (10) and at essentially the same distance to each of said longitudinally extending grooves (11 , 12).

6. A brush module according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in comprising a coupling part (13) for being coupled to complementary coupling parts on a grinding brush, said coupling part (13) protruding from the body part (10) in a direction opposite the abrading cloth (8) and the bristles.

7. A brush module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the abrading cloth (8) in the groove (11 ) has grinding characteristics different from those of the abrading cloth (8) in the groove (12).

8. An abrading plate for a brush module according to claims 1-7, characterised in that the abrading plate is circular and has a centre of rotation (21) and a first (22) and a second side, and from which a shaft of rotation extends at right angles to the first side from said centre of rotation (21 ), and wherein the abrading plate (20) comprises a plurality of undercut grooves (23) that extend radially from said centre of rotation and in which brush modules (1 ) according to any one of claims 1-5 are mounted.

9. A method of grinding an essentially plane element by means of a brush module (1) for a rotating grinding brush according to any one of claims 1-8 in a grinding apparatus comprising a conveyor and a rotating grinding brush, said method comprising the following features:

- introducing the essentially plane element onto the conveyor in an operator position; - conveying the element on the conveyor in a direction of conveyance away from the operator position to another position after the grinding brush;

- grinding a surface on the element by means of the rotating grinding brush with abrading cloths (8) that are configured in connection with said conveyance means for abrading the element by the rotation of the grinding brush in a first direction of rotation

characterised in comprising the further step of:

- changing the rotation of the grinding brush to another direction of rotation opposite said first direction of rotation; and

- changing the direction of conveyance on the conveyor for conveying the element from said second position to said operator position, whereby the element is thus abraded by abrading cloths that are configured for abrading the element by the rotation of the grinding brush in said second direction of rotation;

- discharging the essentially plane element on the conveyor in said operator position.

10. A method according to claim 9, characterised in comprising detecting said element by sensor means configured at said second position, said sensor means being connected to a computer unit which, based on said signal (A), reports to control means configured for controlling the directions of rotation on the grinding brush and the conveyor, respectively, to change the directions of rotation of the grinding brush and the conveyor.