Polishing tool and device for polishing a workpiece

Abstract

A polishing tool and a device for polishing a workpiece with a corresponding polishing tool are proposed, the polishing tool having an elastic intermediate layer with two portions/parts of different hardness, the portion/part close to the processing surface being softer than the portion/part of the intermediate layer remote from the processing surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A polishing tool comprising:
 a base,   an elastic intermediate layer applied to the base,   a polishing foil applied to the intermediate layer,   wherein the intermediate layer has at least two portions of at least one of different hardness or stiffness,   wherein a first portion of the intermediate layer adjoining the base is at least one of harder or stiffer than a second portion of the intermediate layer adjoining the polishing foil.   
     
     
         2 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is a foam carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the first portion is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the first portion is at least one of more than 0.4 N/mm 2  or less than 2 N/mm 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the second portion is at least one of more than 0.05 N/mm 2  or less than 1 N/mm 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is thicker than the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The polishing tool according to  claim 6 , wherein the first portion is at least twice as thick than the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the first portion to the thickness of the second portion of the intermediate layer is at least one of the following: at least 3:2, at least 2:1, at most 1:2, or at most 2:3. 
     
     
         9 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion consists, comprises or is made of a closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         10 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion consists, comprises or is made of an open-, mixed- or closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         11 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the base has a curved front surface, the radius of curvature of the front surface being at least one of at least 50 mm or at most 1000 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , with at least one of the first portion being adhered to the base or the second portion being adhered to the polishing foil. 
     
     
         13 . The polishing tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion has one or more recesses. 
     
     
         14 . A device configured to polish a workpiece, having a rotatably driven tool carrier and a polishing tool,
 wherein the polishing tool is replaceably attached to the tool carrier,   wherein the polishing tool comprises a base, an elastic intermediate layer applied to the base, and a polishing foil applied to the intermediate layer,   wherein the intermediate layer has at least two portions of at least one of different hardness or stiffness,   wherein a first portion of the intermediate layer adjoining the base is at least one of harder or stiffer than a second portion of the intermediate layer adjoining the polishing foil.   
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the tool carrier is at least one of rigid or joint-free. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the tool carrier has an elastic flexure bearing. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion is at least twice as thick than the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the first portion to the thickness of the second portion of the intermediate layer is at least one of the following: at least 3:2, at least 2:1, at most 1:2, or at most 2:3. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion consists, comprises or is made of a closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the second portion consists, comprises or is made of an open-, mixed- or closed-cell foam.