Slotting tool body with blade receiving slots connected by flexible recesses and rotary slot cutting tool with slotting tool body

Abstract

A slotting tool body includes a disc-shaped cutter portion including opposite front and rear cutter portion side surfaces and a cutter portion peripheral surface extending therebetween, and a shank portion projecting rearwardly from the rear cutter portion side surface. The cutter portion includes a number N of angularly spaced clamping portions each having a blade receiving slot disposed along the periphery. The cutter portion further includes a flexible recess recessed in the front cutter portion side surface and extending to each of the blade receiving slots. A cutting insert is releasably and resiliently clamped in each blade receiving slot to form a rotary slot cutting tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject of this application relates to a rotary grooving tool having a grooving tool body with a disc-shaped cutting portion having a plurality of circumferentially arranged blade receiving recesses for generally releasably retaining cutting blades therein, and particularly relates to such a grooving tool body wherein the blade receiving recesses resiliently clamp the cutting blades therein. Background Technology

[0002] A rotary grooving tool may have a grooving tool body having a disc-shaped cutting portion and a shank portion extending rearward from the disc-shaped cutting portion. The disc-shaped cutting portion may have a plurality of circumferentially arranged blade receiving recesses for holding cutting blades therein. The cutting blades may be held in the blade receiving recesses by resilient clamping members. An example of such a rotary cutting tool is disclosed, for example, in US2019 / 0160555A1, which discloses a grooving tool body including a disc-shaped cutting portion and a shank portion projecting rearward from the disc-shaped cutting portion. The cutting portion includes a plurality of resilient clamping portions having blade receiving slots arranged along its outer periphery. The disc-shaped cutting portion has a certain degree of flexibility that decreases as the cutting blades are sequentially inserted into their respective blade receiving slots. Particularly in cutting tools with small diameters, this flexibility may be reduced to such an extent that the resilient members(s) cannot be sufficiently displaced to insert the last(s) cutting blade(s). Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the subject matter of this application, a grooving tool body is provided, having a central axis defining opposite forward and rearward directions, and the grooving tool body is rotatable about the central axis in a rotational direction. The grooving tool body includes:

[0004] The disc-shaped cutting blade portion includes:

[0005] The opposing front cutter side surface and rear cutter side surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the cutter portion extending between them;

[0006] N clamping portions spaced at an angle, where N is an integer greater than 1, each clamping portion having a blade receiving groove disposed along its outer periphery, open to the side surfaces of the front and rear cutting portions and the outer peripheral surface of the cutting portion; and

[0007] A resilient clamping member and a lower jaw member, facing each other and spaced apart by a blade receiving groove, the resilient clamping member being configured to resiliently hold the cutting blade in the blade receiving groove; and

[0008] The shank portion protrudes rearward from the side surface of the rear cutter portion, and the shank portion includes an outer circumferential surface extending circumferentially around the central axis of the body; wherein:

[0009] The cutting portion further includes flexible recesses recessed in the side surface of the front cutting portion and extending into each of the blade receiving slots.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the subject matter of this application, a rotary slot cutting tool is provided, comprising:

[0011] The above-described type of slotting tool body; and

[0012] The cutting blade is releasably and resiliently held in each of the blade receiving slots by one of the resilient clamping components.

[0013] It is understood that the above description is an overview, and the features described below may be applied to the subject matter of this application in any combination, for example, any of the following features may be applied to grooving tool bodies and rotary grooving tools:

[0014] The cutting section can be divided into N cutting sub-sections. In the intermediate cutting radial plane passing through both the flexible recess and the outer peripheral surface of the cutting section, the cutting sub-sections can be spaced apart from each other.

[0015] The flexible recess can exhibit N-fold rotational symmetry about the central axis of the body.

[0016] The flexible recess can extend in the rearward direction, past the side surface of the rear cutter portion and into the shank portion.

[0017] The flexible recesses can intersect with the central axis of the body.

[0018] The flexible recess can transition into each blade receiving slot at the corresponding narrowed neck portion.

[0019] The flexible recess can be blind and is only open to the side surface of the front cutter portion.

[0020] Each blade receiving slot may be defined by an elongated slot outer peripheral surface having an end extending to the outer peripheral surface of the cutting portion. A flexible recess may include a recess base surface connecting the blade receiving slots and N recess outer peripheral wall surfaces, each of these N recess outer peripheral wall surfaces extending from the recess base surface to the front cutting portion side surface between the slot outer peripheral surfaces of two circumferentially adjacent blade receiving slots.

[0021] The surface of the recessed base can be oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the body. The surface of the outer peripheral wall of the recess can be oriented parallel to the central axis of the body.

[0022] The base surface of the recess may intersect with each of the outer peripheral wall surfaces of the recess at the intersection that forms a chamfer.

[0023] The grooving tool body may further include an annular groove formed at the intersection of the side surface of the rear cutter portion and the outer peripheral surface of the shank.

[0024] The cutting blade and the handle can be integrated to give the grooving tool body a single, one-piece construction.

[0025] For any given clamping section, the resilient clamping component can be arranged in the rotational direction in front of the lower jaw component.

[0026] The shank portion may include N angledly spaced front shank recesses, the adjacent cutter portions of which are recessed into and open onto the outer peripheral surface of the shank. The radially inward portion of each blade receiving groove may merge with a corresponding front shank recess on one side.

[0027] The resilient clamping component of each clamping part can be axially adjacent to the corresponding front handle recess.

[0028] The shank portion may further include N non-recessed front shank portions that are angularly spaced along the outer periphery, which may alternate circumferentially with the front shank recess and may be axially adjacent to the cutter portion.

[0029] An imaginary radius line extending between the central axis of the body and the outer peripheral surface of the shank can define the radius of an imaginary shank portion circle centered at the central axis of the body and having the diameter of the shank portion. The cutting portion can define an imaginary circumcircle of the cutting portion centered at the central axis of the body and having the diameter of the cutting portion.

[0030] Along the central axis of the body, the imaginary shank circle can intersect with all blade receiving slots.

[0031] Each blade receiving slot may be defined by an elongated slot outer peripheral surface, which includes a slot-adjacent jaw surface located on the lower jaw member. In the direction along the central axis of the body, the imaginary shank portion circle may intersect with the slot-adjacent jaw surface.

[0032] The outer peripheral surface of the slot may further include a slot clamping member abutment surface located on the resilient clamping member. In the direction along the central axis (B) of the body, the slot clamping member abutment surface may be located radially outside the circle of the imaginary shank portion.

[0033] In the end view of the grooving tool body along the central axis of the body, the adjacent surfaces of the grooving jaws and the adjacent surfaces of the grooving clamping components can converge toward each other in the direction toward the flexible recess, defining an acute grooving angle.

[0034] The cutting section can be divided into N cutting sub-sections. Each clamping section may include a stop member located circumferentially between a resilient clamping member and a lower jaw member. The stop member and the resilient clamping member may be located on the same cutting section.

[0035] N can satisfy the condition: 2≤N≤9. The cutting part can be defined as an imaginary circumcircle centered at the central axis of the body and having the diameter of the cutting part. The diameter of the cutting part can be less than or equal to 35mm.

[0036] N can satisfy the condition: N = 3. The diameter of the cutting part can be approximately equal to 20mm.

[0037] The cutting insert is longitudinally elongated in a direction defining its longitudinal axis. The cutting insert includes opposing upper and lower surfaces and an outer peripheral surface extending therebetween. The outer peripheral surface includes two opposing end surfaces connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and two opposing side surfaces also connecting the upper and lower surfaces. The cutting insert may include a longitudinal plane containing the longitudinal axis, passing between the side surfaces and intersecting the upper and lower surfaces, as well as the opposing end surfaces. The cutting insert may include a cutting portion at one end, comprising a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the upper surface and one of the two end surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces may each include an upper abutment surface and a lower abutment surface. A receiving slot may be defined by an elongated peripheral surface including a slotted lower jaw abutment surface on a lower jaw member. The peripheral surface may further include a slotted clamping member abutment surface on a resilient clamping member. The adjacent surface of the slotted clamping component can be adjacent to the adjacent surface on the cutting tool. The adjacent surface of the slotted jaw can be adjacent to the adjacent surface on the cutting tool.

[0038] The blade end surface opposite the cutting portion may further include a blade stop surface, which is closer to the upper surface of the blade than to the lower surface of the blade, and the blade stop surface is planar. Each clamping portion may include a stop component located circumferentially between the resilient clamping component and the lower jaw component. The cutting portion may be divided into N cutting sub-sections. The stop component and the resilient clamping component may be located on the same cutting portion. The outer peripheral surface of the groove may further include a groove radial stop surface located on the stop component. The groove radial stop surface may abut the blade stop surface.

[0039] The cutting insert may include additional cutting portions, such that the cutting insert includes two cutting portions, an active cutting portion and a non-active cutting portion, formed at opposite ends of the cutting insert. The upper surface of the insert may include additional insert abutment surfaces, such that the upper surface includes two insert abutment surfaces, an active insert abutment surface and a non-active insert abutment surface, the active insert abutment surface being positioned further away from the active cutting portion than the non-active insert abutment surface, wherein the groove clamping member abutment surface abuts the active insert abutment surface. The insert end surface at the active cutting portion may include additional insert stop surfaces, such that the cutting insert includes two insert stop surfaces, an active insert stop surface and a non-active insert stop surface, the active insert stop surface being located at the non-active cutting portion, wherein the groove radial stop surface abuts the active insert stop surface. Attached Figure Description

[0040] To better understand this application and to illustrate how it can be implemented, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a rotary slot cutting tool according to the present application, wherein the cutting insert is resiliently held in an insert receiving slot;

[0042] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the rotary slotting tool shown in the image;

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front view of the grooving tool body;

[0044] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A side view of the grooving tool body;

[0045] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Details;

[0046] Figure 6 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the grooving tool body taken by line VI-VI in the diagram;

[0047] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the cutting blade according to this application;

[0048] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The side view of the cutting blade shown in the image;

[0049] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 The top view of the cutting blade shown in the image;

[0050] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 The end view of the cutting blade is shown in the image;

[0051] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the inserted wrench;

[0052] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Details; and

[0053] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A similar view is shown, in which the cutting blade portion is located in the cutting blade portion receiving portion before one of the cutting blades is fully inserted into one of the blade receiving slots.

[0054] It will be appreciated that, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, for clarity, the dimensions of some elements may be enlarged relative to other elements, or several physical components may be included in a single functional block or element. Furthermore, where deemed appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated between figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0055] In the following description, various aspects of the subject matter of this application will be described. Specific constructions and details are elaborated sufficiently for illustrative purposes to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter of this application. However, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter of this application can be practiced without the specific constructions and details set forth herein.

[0056] First, pay attention Figure 1 and Figure 2 These illustrations depict a rotary grooving tool 20, illustrating aspects of this application. The rotary grooving tool 20 has a tool center axis A suitable for grooving operations. The rotary grooving tool 20 may exhibit rotational symmetry about the tool center axis A. The rotary grooving tool 20 has a grooving tool body 22, typically made of steel. The rotary grooving tool 20 has a cutting insert 24, typically made of cemented carbide. The cutting insert 24 is releasably attached to the grooving tool body 22.

[0057] It should be noted that the term "rotary slotting tool" used in this article can be replaced by other terms applicable to this type of cutting tool in the field of metal cutting, such as "grooving cutter", "slot milling cutter", "longitudinal cutting cutter", "grooving cutter", "slotting cutter", "slotting cutter", "side milling cutter", "disc milling cutter", etc.

[0058] Still referencing Figure 3 and Figure 4These illustrate another aspect of the subject matter of this application related to the grooving tool body 22. The grooving tool body 22 has a body central axis B that coincides with the tool central axis A. The body central axis B defines an opposite forward direction D. F and backward direction D R The central axis B of the body forms a rotation axis, and the grooving tool body 22 can rotate around this rotation axis in the rotation direction R.

[0059] It should be recognized that the terms "before" and "after" are used throughout the specification and claims, respectively referring to the period before and after the specification. Figure 4 The relative positions of the body's central axis B downwards and upwards. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the terms "axial" and "radial" are used relative to the tool's central axis B.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the grooving tool body 22 includes a disc-shaped cutting blade portion 26. The cutting blade portion 26 includes opposing front cutting blade side surfaces 28a and rear cutting blade side surfaces 28b, and a cutting blade outer peripheral surface 30 extending between the front and rear cutting blade side surfaces 28a and 28b. (As shown in...) Figure 4 As seen in the side view, the rear cutter portion side surface 28b defines the rear cutter radial plane P', and the front cutter portion side surface 28a defines the front cutter radial plane P'. The outer peripheral surface 30 of the cutter portion extends circumferentially around the central axis B of the body. The central axis B of the body intersects the front cutter portion side surface 28a and the rear cutter portion side surface 28b at their central portions. In the front view of the grooving tool body 22, in the direction along the central axis B of the body (i.e., Figure 3 The cutting part 26 defines the circumcircle CC of the imaginary cutting part, which is centered at the central axis B of the body and has the diameter DC of the cutting part.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, in the axial direction, measured between the front cutter portion side surface 28a and the rear cutter portion side surface 28b, or more specifically, between the corresponding radial planes P', P'', the cutter portion 26 has a cutter portion width WC. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the front cutter portion side surface 28a and the rear cutter portion side surface 28b may be planar and perpendicular to the body central axis B.

[0062] The cutting section 26 includes N clamping sections 32, which are spaced at an angle around the central axis B of the body, where N is an integer greater than 1. The N clamping sections 32 can be arranged at the same axial position along the central axis B of the body in the front-rear direction. For example, in... Figure 3As seen in the diagram, each clamping portion 32 may have a chip groove 33 on the outer peripheral surface 30 of the cutter portion, so that the cutter portion 26 may not be completely circular in the front view.

[0063] Reference Figure 5 Each clamping portion 32 includes a resilient clamping member 34 and a lower jaw member 36 that are opposite to each other and spaced apart by a blade receiving groove 38. That is, the blade receiving groove 38 is formed between the resilient clamping member 34 and the lower jaw member 36. The blade receiving groove 38 extends along the blade receiving groove axis C, such that in a front view of the grooving tool body 22, the resilient clamping member 34 and the lower jaw member 36 are located on opposite sides of the blade receiving groove axis C. The resilient clamping member 34 is arranged in front of the lower jaw member 36 and the blade receiving groove 38 in the rotational direction R. The resilient clamping member 34 is configured to resiliently hold the cutting blade 24 in the blade receiving groove 38. The resilient clamping member 34 is resiliently displaceable relative to the lower jaw member 36. In other words, each clamping portion 32 is resilient. Note that each clamping portion 32 does not have a resilient groove located in front of the resilient clamping member 34 in the direction of rotation, as disclosed in US6,116,823 and US8,388,270. Also note that each blade receiving slot 38 does not have a threaded hole (for releasably attaching the cutting blade to the cutting portion using a threaded clamping screw).

[0064] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, each clamping portion 32 may include a stop 39 that is circumferentially located between the resilient clamping member 34 and the lower jaw member 36. Generally, the stop 39 is radially inward of the resilient clamping member 34 and the lower jaw member 36. The purpose of the stop 39 will be described later in the specification.

[0065] Further reference Figure 5 (This shows a side view of the clamping portion 32 (i.e., perpendicular to the blade receiving groove axis C)), the blade receiving groove 38 opens toward the outer peripheral surface 30 of the cutting portion. Therefore, the blade receiving groove 38 is arranged along the outer periphery. Return to Figure 4 The blade receiving groove 38 is laterally open on both sides to the front cutting portion side surface 28a and the rear cutting portion side surface 28b. It is understood that the context of "laterally open" with respect to the blade receiving groove 38 means perpendicular to the blade receiving groove axis C, and therefore generally in a direction parallel to the body central axis B.

[0066] Each blade receiving slot 38 is defined by an elongated slot outer peripheral surface 40 having an end extending to the outer peripheral surface 30 of the cutting portion. Note that the slot outer peripheral surface 40 is not continuous because a flexible recess extends into the blade receiving slot 38 (so that the slot outer peripheral surface 40 is interrupted) (described later in the specification). The slot outer peripheral surface 40 extends between the front cutting portion side surface 28a and the rear cutting portion side surface 28b. The slot outer peripheral surface 40 includes a slot clamping member abutment surface 42 located on the resilient clamping member 34 for abutting a corresponding surface on the cutting blade 24. The slot outer peripheral surface 40 includes a slot lower jaw abutment surface 44 located on the lower jaw member 36 for abutting a corresponding surface on the cutting blade 24. The slot outer peripheral surface 40 includes a slot radial stop surface 46 for positioning the cutting blade 24 in a precise predetermined radial position. The slot radial stop surface 46 faces radially outward. The slot radial stop surface 46 is located on the stop member 39. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the groove radial stop surface 46 may be located circumferentially between the groove clamping member adjacent surface 42 and the groove lower jaw adjacent surface 44.

[0067] Reference Figure 5 The blade receiving groove 38 includes a slotted wrench portion 50 formed at the radially innermost portion of the blade receiving groove 38. One purpose of the slotted wrench portion 50 is to serve as a stress-relieving groove (as is known in the art). However, the slotted wrench portion 50 has a larger dimension than a normal stress-relieving groove so that it can also be used to receive the displacement tip of the wrench when the cutting blade 24 is pulled out from the blade receiving groove 38 (not shown). Furthermore, if the purpose of the slotted wrench portion 50 is solely as a stress-relieving groove, then the slotted wrench portion 50 is positioned further forward in the rotational direction than would normally be required. For example, a large portion of the blade wrench portion 50 is located above an extension of the abutment surface 44 of the lower jaw. This allows the displacement tip 51a to abut the end of the cutting blade 24 when it is located in the slotted wrench portion 50. The blade receiving groove 38 includes a slotted resilience portion 54 for providing the desired resilience to the resilience clamping member 34. The slotted resilience portion 54 is located forward in the rotational direction of the slotted wrench portion 50.

[0068] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4The grooving tool body 22 includes a shank portion 56 projecting from the rear cutting portion side surface 28b. That is, the shank portion 56 projects rearward from the cutting portion 26. The shank portion 56 includes a shank outer peripheral surface 58 extending circumferentially around the body's central axis B. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the shank portion 56 may be integrally formed with the cutting portion 26 to give the grooving tool body 22 an integral one-piece construction, i.e., the shank portion 56 and the cutting portion 26 are formed from a single continuous piece of material (e.g., machined). The shank portion 56 may have a generally cylindrical basic shape. The shank portion 56 may have external threads 61 for engaging an internal thread of a tool holder (not shown). Figure 4 As best seen in the image, the grooving tool body 22 may include an annular groove 59 formed at the intersection of the rear cutter portion side surface 28b and the outer peripheral surface 58 of the shank.

[0069] Return to Figure 4 and Figure 6 According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the handle portion 56 may include N front handle recesses 60, which are recessed in and open toward the outer peripheral surface 58 of the handle. That is, the front handle recesses 60 may be disposed along the outer periphery and radially recessed in the outer peripheral surface 58 near the front end of the outer peripheral surface 58. Each front handle recess 60 may be axially adjacent to the cutter portion 26. In this non-limiting example shown in the drawings, the front handle recesses 60 are located at a partially annular groove 59. The front handle recesses 60 may be angularly spaced from each other about the central axis B of the body.

[0070] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the shank portion 56 may include N non-recessed front shank portions 62 formed by non-recessed portions of the outer peripheral surface 58 of the shank (although in fact they may be located in an annular groove 59). Similar to the front shank recess 60, the non-recessed front shank portions 62 may be disposed along the outer periphery. The non-recessed front shank portions 62 may be located between two circumferentially adjacent front shank recesses 60 and axially adjacent to the cutter portion 26. The number of non-recessed front shank portions 62 may match the number of front shank recesses 60. Each non-recessed front shank portion 62 may be located between two circumferentially adjacent front shank recesses 60. That is, the front shank recesses 60 and non-recessed front shank portions 62 may alternate in the circumferential direction. The non-recessed front shank portions 62 may be angularly spaced from each other about the central axis B of the body.

[0071] As in Figure 3 As seen in the image, an imaginary radius line extending along the central axis B of the body between the central axis B and the outer peripheral surface 58 of the handle defines the handle radius RS of an imaginary handle circle CS centered at the central axis B and having a handle diameter DS. The imaginary handle circle CS is a circumcircle defined by a plurality of non-recessed front handle portions 62 spaced at an angle.

[0072] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the resilient clamping member 34 of each clamping portion 32 may be axially adjacent to the corresponding front handle recess 60. That is, the free end of the resilient clamping member 34 is not connected to any part of the handle portion 56. Figure 4 As seen in the image, the rearward-facing surface 34a of the clamping member 34 faces the front shank recess 60. At the front shank recess 60, the resilient clamping member 34 is circumferentially suspended relative to the non-recessed front shank portion 62 in the direction of rotation R. Advantageously, this allows the resilient clamping member 34 to bend slightly when the cutting insert 24 (along with the lower jaw member 36 and the cutting insert 24) encounters the workpiece, in order to maintain a strong clamping force on the cutting insert 24. The radially inward portion of the lower jaw member 36 may be connected to one of the non-recessed front shank portions 62.

[0073] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the radially inward portion of each blade receiving groove 38 merges with the corresponding front shank recess 60 on one side (i.e., the side of the blade receiving groove 38 that is open to the rear cutter portion side surface 28b).

[0074] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the imaginary shank portion circle CS may intersect all blade receiving slots 38 in the direction along the central axis B of the body. Specifically, for any given clamping portion (32), the imaginary shank portion circle CS may intersect with the slot-lower jaw abutment surface 44. The slot clamping member abutment surface 42 may be located radially outward of the imaginary shank portion circle CS. The slot radial stop surface 46 may be located radially inward of the imaginary shank portion circle CS. The slot wrench portion 50 and the slot resilience portion 54 may be located radially inward of the shank portion circle CS.

[0075] The cutting blade portion 26 further includes a flexible recess 64 recessed in the front cutting blade portion side surface 28a. In other words, the flexible recess 64 is recessed relative to the front cutting blade radial plane P” and is therefore open to the front cutting blade portion side surface 28a. Advantageously, the flexible recess 64 increases the clamping force applied to the cutting blade 24 by the clamping member 34.

[0076] As in Figure 4 As seen in some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the flexible recess 64 can be in the rearward direction D R It extends upward into the handle portion 56. Therefore, the flexible recess 64 can extend in the rearward direction D. R The upper extension extends beyond (i.e., through) the radial plane P' of the cutter. The flexible recess 64 has a rearward direction D RThe depth D of the recess, measured above, is greater than the width WC of the cutting portion. The flexible recess 64 can be blind; that is, the flexible recess 64 is only open to the front cutting portion side surface 28a. The flexible recess 64 can exhibit N-fold rotational symmetry about the central axis B of the body.

[0077] Reference Figure 5 According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the flexible recess 64 may include a recess base surface 66. The recess base surface 66 may connect to the blade receiving slots 38. That is, the recess base surface 66 may extend to all blade receiving slots 38. The recess base surface 66 may be oriented perpendicular to the body central axis B. The flexible recess 64 may include N recess outer peripheral wall surfaces 68. Each recess outer peripheral wall surface 68 may extend from the recess base surface 66 to the front cutting portion side surface 28a between the slot outer peripheral surfaces 40 of two circumferentially adjacent blade receiving slots 38. The outer peripheral wall surface 68 limits the radially inward extent of the slot outer peripheral surfaces 40. The recess outer peripheral wall surfaces 68 may be oriented parallel to the body central axis B. The recess base surface 66 may intersect each of the recess outer peripheral wall surfaces 68 at an intersection forming a chamfer 69.

[0078] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the flexible recess 64 may be centrally located on the front cutter portion side surface 28a. The flexible recess 64 may intersect with the body central axis B. Specifically, the body central axis B may intersect with the recess base surface 66. The outer peripheral wall surface 68 of the recess may extend around the body central axis B.

[0079] As in Figure 5 As seen in some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, in an end view of the grooving tool body 22 along the central axis B of the body, the groove lower gripper abutment surface 44 and the groove clamping member abutment surface 42 may converge toward each other in the direction toward the flexible recess 64, defining an acute groove abutment angle β.

[0080] The flexible recess 64 extends into (i.e., intersects with) each of the blade receiving slots 38. In other words, the flexible recess 64 connects the blade receiving slots 38 to each other. Thus, the cutting portion 26 is divided into N cutting sub-portions 70. In a cross-sectional view taken along an intermediate cutting radial plane P passing through both the flexible recess 64 and the outer peripheral surface 30 of the cutting portion, the cutting sub-portions 70 are spaced apart from each other. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, two adjacent cutting sub-portions 70 may be spaced apart from each other by portions of the corresponding blade receiving slots 38 and flexible recesses 64. Each cutting sub-portion 70 may be circumferentially defined in a continuous sequence by a portion of the outer peripheral surface 30 of the cutting portion, a portion of the slot outer peripheral surface 40 from the first blade receiving slot 38, one of the outer peripheral wall surfaces 68 of the recess, and a portion of the slot outer peripheral surface 40 from the second blade receiving slot 38, which are adjacent to each other.

[0081] Reference Figure 5 According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the flexible recess 64 may transition into each blade receiving slot 38 at a corresponding narrowing neck portion 72. In an end view of the grooving tool body 22 along the body central axis B, a linear line L extends at the neck portion 72 between two adjacent cutting sections 70 and has a minimum dimension that defines the flexible recess 64 and the blade receiving slot 38 to each other. The grooving wrench portion 50 may be adjacent to the linear line L. As in Figure 3 As best seen in the image, the flexible recess 64 and the slotted wrench portion 50 have a general shape of a star-shaped polygon with N corner vertices.

[0082] As described later in the specification, each cutter portion 70 may include a tip hole 31 for receiving the displacement tip 51a of the insertion wrench 52 when the cutting blade 24 is attached to the cutter portion 26.

[0083] Note that each clamping portion 32 spans two adjacent (i.e., different) cutting portions 70. Specifically, for any given clamping portion 32, the clamping member 34 and the lower jaw member 36 are located on two adjacent cutting portions 70 and face each other circumferentially. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the stop member 39 and the resilient clamping member 34 may be located on the same cutting portion 70.

[0084] Now refer to Figures 7 to 10 These show cutting inserts 24. Cutting insert 24 extends longitudinally in a direction defining the longitudinal axis A of the insert. Cutting insert 24 includes opposing upper and lower surfaces 84 and an outer peripheral surface 88 extending therebetween. The upper and lower surfaces 84 each include an upper abutment surface 84a and a lower abutment surface 86a for abutting corresponding surfaces on the insert receiving groove 38. (See also...) Figure 8 As seen in some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, in a side view of the cutting insert 24 along the insert's lateral axis E, the upper abutment surface 84a and the lower abutment surface 86a converge toward each other in a direction away from the cutting edge 96a, forming an acute insert abutment angle α. The lower surface 86 may include a linear imaginary insert line L1 parallel to the insert's longitudinal axis A. (Refer to...) Figure 9 The upper abutment surface 84a and / or the lower abutment surface 86a of the cutting blade may have a prism shape, which matches the shape of the abutment surface 42 of the slot clamping member and / or the abutment surface 44 of the lower slot jaw, respectively, so as to prevent the cutting blade 24 from being displaced in the lateral direction of the cutting blade 24.

[0085] The outer peripheral surface 88 of the blade includes two opposing blade end surfaces 90 connecting the upper blade surface 84 and the lower blade surface 86. The outer peripheral surface 88 also includes two opposing blade side surfaces 92 connecting the upper blade surface 84 and the lower blade surface 86. The longitudinal axis A of the blade intersects the blade end surfaces 90 and extends between the blade side surfaces 92. Figure 9 ), and also extends between the upper surface 84 and the lower surface 86 of the blade ( ), Figure 8 The lateral axis E of the cutting insert extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the insert between the end surfaces 90 and intersects the two side surfaces 92, defining the lateral direction of the cutting insert 24. The central axis F of the cutting insert extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the insert between the end surfaces 90 and intersects the upper surface 84 and the lower surface 86 of the insert. The intermediate plane M of the cutting insert contains the longitudinal axis A and the lateral axis E.

[0086] As in Figure 9 As seen in the diagram, the longitudinal axis A of the cutting insert lies on the longitudinal plane P1, which includes the central axis F of the cutting insert, passes through the middle between the side surfaces 92 of the cutting insert, and intersects the two end surfaces 90. The central plane P2, perpendicular to both the longitudinal plane P1 and the longitudinal axis A, includes the central axis F and the lateral axis E. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the cutting insert 24 may have 180° rotational symmetry about the central axis F. The cutting insert 24 may not be mirror-symmetric about either the central plane P2 or the longitudinal plane P1.

[0087] The cutting insert 24 includes a cutting portion 94a located at one end of the cutting insert 24. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the cutting insert 24 may further include an additional cutting portion 94b, such that the cutting insert 24 includes two cutting portions 94a, 94b (an active cutting portion 94a (constituting the cutting portion 94a) and a non-active cutting portion 94b). The two cutting portions 94a, 94b are located at opposite ends of the cutting insert 24. In other words, the cutting insert 24 is double-ended and can be rotated 180° about the insert's central axis F (i.e., the active cutting portion 94a becomes the non-active cutting portion 94b, and vice versa). The two cutting portions 94a, 94b may be identical. In the following description, it is understood that any feature relating to a single cutting portion 94a may also relate to the other cutting portion 94b (if present).

[0088] The cutting portion 94a includes a cutting edge 96a located thereon. Specifically, the cutting edge 96a is formed at the intersection of the upper surface 84 of the insert and one of the two end surfaces 90 of the insert. The portion of the end surface 90 of the insert adjacent to the cutting edge 96a serves as a clearance surface. Similarly, the portion of the upper surface 84 of the insert adjacent to the cutting edge 96a serves as a rake surface. When the cutting insert 24 is releasably and resiliently held in the insert receiving groove 38, the cutting edge 96a acting on the cutting portion 94a is positioned beyond the radial projection of the cutting portion 26 (i.e., beyond the imaginary cutting portion circumcircle CC). Preferably, such radial projection is no greater than 1 mm. Figure 9 As seen in the image, the longitudinal plane P1 of the insert intersects with the cutting edge 96a, meaning that the cutting edge 96a extends on both sides of the longitudinal plane P1 of the insert.

[0089] Each insert side surface 92 protrudes outward at the cutting portion 94a. That is, the cutting portion 94a includes two insert lateral extensions 98 that project laterally from opposite sides of the cutting insert 24 in a direction away from the insert longitudinal plane P1 (i.e., perpendicular to the insert longitudinal plane P1). The cutting edge 96a extends onto the two insert lateral extensions 98. When the double-ended cutting insert 24 is held in the insert receiving groove 38, the wide lateral extensions 98 belonging to the non-active cutting portion 94b located in the radially inner portion of the insert receiving groove 38 extend into the shank recess 60. Therefore, one function of the shank recess 60 is to accommodate the deactivated lateral extensions 98 and thus provide clearance for the deactivated lateral extensions 98.

[0090] The blade end surface 90, opposite to the cutting portion 94a, includes a blade recess 100 with a blade wrench surface 102 configured to abut a displacement tip of a wrench (not shown) for pulling the cutting blade 24 out of the blade receiving groove 38. The blade wrench surface 102 is closer to the lower surface 86 of the blade than to the upper surface 84. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the blade wrench surface 102 may be located entirely below the blade midplane M. In a side view of the cutting blade 24, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the blade (i.e., Figure 8 The blade wrench surface 102 can be concave and curved.

[0091] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the blade end surface 90 opposite to the cutting portion 94a may include a blade stop surface 104a for contacting the groove radial stop surface 46. The blade stop surface 104a may be closer to the upper surface 84 of the blade than to the lower surface 86 of the blade. The blade stop surface 104a may be planar. It is understood that in a double-ended cutting blade, as shown in the figure, the two opposite end surfaces 90 are provided with recesses 100 having wrench surfaces 102. Similarly, the blade end surface 90 opposite to the non-operating cutting portion 94b may include a blade stop surface 104b, such that the cutting blade 24 includes two blade stop surfaces 104a, 104b (an operating blade stop surface 104a located at the non-operating cutting portion 94b (forming the blade stop surface 104a), and a non-operating blade stop surface 104b located at the operating cutting portion 94a).

[0092] Furthermore, in the double-ended configuration of the cutting insert 24, the cutting insert 24 includes an additional cutting edge 96b, such that the cutting insert 24 has two cutting edges (an active cutting edge 96a (constituting cutting edge 96a) located at the active cutting portion 96a, and a non-active cutting edge 96b located at the non-active cutting portion 94b). The upper surface 84 of the insert may include an additional upper abutment surface 84b, such that the upper surface 84 of the insert includes two upper abutment surfaces (an active upper abutment surface 84a (constituting upper abutment surface 84a) and a non-active upper abutment surface 84b). The two upper abutment surfaces 84a, 84b may be axially offset from each other along the longitudinal axis A of the insert. The active upper abutment surface 84a may be positioned further away from the active cutting portion 94a than the non-active upper abutment surface 84b. Each upper abutment surface 84a, 84b is inclined toward the longitudinal axis A of the insert in a direction toward its nearest cutting edge 96a, 96b, that is, it is inclined toward the intermediate plane M of the insert. Therefore, the adjacent surfaces 84a and 84b on the two blades are skewed relative to each other (i.e., not parallel).

[0093] Back Figure 1 In the assembled state of the rotary slotting tool 20, the cutting insert 24 is releasably and resiliently held in each of the insert receiving slots 38 by one of the resilient clamping members 34. The slot radial stop surface 46 abuts the insert stop surface 104a. The slot clamping member abutment surface 42 abuts the upper insert abutment surface 84a. The slot lower jaw abutment surface 44 abuts the lower insert abutment surface 86a. As is known, the slot clamping member abutment surface 42 and / or the slot lower jaw abutment surface 44 may comprise two or more spaced-apart abutment sub-surfaces, and therefore are not necessarily single abutment surfaces. In the figures (e.g., Figure 3In the non-limiting example shown in [reference needed], the slotted gripper abutment surface 44 includes two longitudinally spaced abutment sub-surfaces. This is in a configuration where the cutting insert 24 is double-ended. The slotted gripper abutment surface 42 abuts the insert abutment surface 84a furthest from the acting cutting edge 96a.

[0094] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 Inserting the cutting blade 24 into the blade receiving groove 38 can be achieved using an insertion wrench 52. The insertion wrench 52 has a wrench handle 74. The insertion wrench 52 has a wrench head portion 76 connected to the wrench handle 74 and located at opposite ends of the insertion wrench 52. The wrench handle 74 is rotatable relative to the wrench head portion 76 about the wrench rotation axis K. The wrench head portion 76 includes a wrench base surface 78. The insertion wrench 52 has two opposing fixed mounting arms 80 protruding from the wrench base surface 78. The insertion wrench 52 also has a displaceable displacement tip 51a and a fixed insertion arm 51b, which protrude from the wrench base surface 78 and are opposite to each other. The two opposing wrench mounting arms 80, as well as the displacement tip 51a and the insertion arm 51b, are all spaced apart to form a cutting portion receiving portion 82.

[0095] Reference Figure 13 The cutting blade 24 is loosely placed in the blade receiving groove 38. The cutting portion 26 is inserted into the cutting portion receiving portion 82, wherein the insertion arm 51b is located next to the blade end surface 90, which is at the cutting portion 94a to be applied, and the displacement tip 51a is inserted into the tip hole 31, which is located on the cutting sub-section 70 on the far side of the blade receiving groove 38 into which the cutting blade 24 is inserted. The front cutting portion side surface 28a and the wrench base surface 78 face each other. The two retaining arms 80 engage the cutting portion 26 at their outer peripheries. Rotation of the wrench handle 74 about the wrench rotation axis K causes the displacement tip 51a to shift toward the insertion arm 51b, thereby reducing the tip distance PD between the displacement tip 51a and the insertion arm 51b. The insertion arm 51b initially contacts the cutting blade 24 and then advances the cutting blade 24 into the blade receiving groove 38 until it is fully inserted (i.e., until the groove radial stop surface 46 abuts the blade stop surface 104a) and is firmly held by the clamping member 34.

[0096] Note that the flexible recesses 64 advantageously provide sufficient flexibility to the clamping members 34 so that they can be sufficiently displaced to allow insertion of all cutting blades 24 into their respective blade receiving slots 38, while the clamping members 34 are sufficiently rigid to securely hold the cutting blades 24. This advantage is particularly relevant for small-diameter tools (e.g., where the cutting portion diameter DC is less than or equal to 35 mm). In such small-sized cutting tools, the number of blade receiving slots is constrained, and typically N is greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to nine (i.e., N satisfies the condition: 2 ≤ N ≤ 9). In particular, N may be equal to three (i.e., N = 3), and the cutting portion diameter DC may be approximately 20 mm. However, the invention is not limited to such ranges and / or values.

[0097] While the subject matter of this application is described with a certain degree of specificity, it should be understood that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. A grooving tool body (22) having defined opposite forward directions (D) F ) and backward direction (D) R The grooving tool body (22) is oriented around the central axis (B) of the main body and is rotatable about the central axis (B) in a rotational direction (R). The grooving tool body (22) includes: The disc-shaped cutting section (26) includes: Opposite front cutter side surface (28a) and rear cutter side surface (28b) and cutter peripheral surface (30) extending between them; N angled clamping portions (32), where N is an integer greater than 1, each clamping portion (32) has a blade receiving groove (38) arranged along its outer periphery, which is open to the front cutter portion side surface (28a), the rear cutter portion side surface (28b), and the outer peripheral surface (30) of the cutter portion; and A resilient clamping member (34) and a lower jaw member (36) are positioned opposite each other and spaced apart by the blade receiving groove (38). The lower jaw member (36) has a slotted lower jaw abutment surface (44) thereon. The resilient clamping member (34) is configured to resiliently hold the cutting blade (24) in the blade receiving groove (38). A handle portion (56) protrudes rearward from the rear cutter portion side surface (28b), the handle portion (56) including a handle outer peripheral surface (58) extending circumferentially around the central axis (B) of the body; wherein: The cutting blade portion (26) further includes a flexible recess (64) recessed into the side surface (28a) of the front cutting blade portion and extending to each of the blade receiving slots (38); and In the rearward direction (D) R On the groove, the flexible recess (64) extends across the entire range of the adjacent surface (44) of the gripper under the groove.

2. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein: The cutting blade section (26) is divided into N cutting blade sub-sections (70); as well as In the intermediate cutter radial plane (P) passing through both the flexible recess (64) and the outer peripheral surface (30) of the cutter portion, the cutter sub-parts (70) are spaced apart from each other.

3. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible recess (64) exhibits N-fold rotational symmetry about the central axis (B) of the body.

4. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible recess (64) along the rearward direction (D) R It extends through the side surface (28b) of the rear cutter portion and into the handle portion (56).

5. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible recess (64) intersects with the central axis (B) of the body.

6. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible recess (64) transitions into each blade receiving slot (38) at the corresponding narrowed neck portion (72).

7. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, The flexible recess (64) is blind and is only open to the side surface (28a) of the front cutter portion.

8. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein: Each blade receiving slot (38) is defined by an elongated slot outer peripheral surface (40) having an end extending to the outer peripheral surface (30) of the cutter portion; as well as The flexible recess (64) includes: The recessed base surface (66) of the blade receiving groove (38) is connected; as well as There are N recessed outer peripheral wall surfaces (68), each of which extends from the recess base surface (66) to the front cutter portion side surface (28a) between the groove outer peripheral surfaces (40) of two circumferentially adjacent blade receiving grooves (38).

9. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, The cutting blade portion (26) and the handle portion (56) are integrated to give the grooving tool body (22) an integral one-piece construction.

10. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, For any given clamping portion (32), the resilient clamping member (34) is arranged in front of the lower jaw member (36) in the rotational direction (R).

11. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein, In the direction along the central axis (B) of the body: An imaginary radius line extending between the central axis (B) of the body and the outer peripheral surface (58) of the handle defines the handle radius (RS) of an imaginary handle portion circle (CS) centered at the central axis (B) of the body and having a handle portion diameter (DS); and The cutting portion (26) defines an imaginary cutting portion circumcircle (CC) centered at the central axis (B) of the body and having a cutting portion diameter (DC).

12. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 11, wherein: Each blade receiving slot (38) is defined by an elongated slot outer peripheral surface (40), said slot outer peripheral surface (40) including a slot lower jaw abutment surface (44) located on the lower jaw member (36); and In the direction along the central axis (B) of the body, the imaginary handle portion circle (CS) intersects with the adjacent surface (44) of the slotted jaw.

13. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 12, wherein: The outer peripheral surface (40) of the groove further includes a groove clamping member abutment surface (42) located on the resilient clamping member (34); and In the direction along the central axis (B) of the body, the adjacent surface (42) of the slot clamping member is located radially outside the circle (CS) of the imaginary handle portion.

14. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 12, wherein, In an end view of the grooving tool body (22) along the central axis (B) of the body, the adjacent surface (44) of the grooving jaw and the adjacent surface (42) of the grooving clamping member converge toward each other in the direction toward the flexible recess (64), defining an acute grooving angle (β).

15. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein: The cutting blade section (26) is divided into N cutting blade sub-sections (70); Each clamping portion (32) includes a stop (39) located circumferentially between the resilient clamping member (34) and the lower jaw member (36); and The stop member (39) and the resilient clamping member (34) are located on the same cutting part (70).

16. The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1, wherein: N satisfies the condition: 2≤N≤9; The cutting portion (26) defines an imaginary cutting portion circumcircle (CC) centered at the central axis (B) of the body and having a cutting portion diameter (DC); and The diameter (DC) of the cutter portion is less than or equal to 35 mm.

17. A rotary slotting tool (20), comprising: The grooving tool body (22) according to claim 1; as well as The cutting blade (24) is releasably and resiliently held in each of the blade receiving slots (38) by one of the resilient clamping members (34).

18. The rotary slotting tool (20) according to claim 17, wherein: The cutting insert (24) extends longitudinally in the direction defining the longitudinal axis (A) of the insert, and the cutting insert (24) includes: Opposite upper blade surface (84) and lower blade surface (86) and an outer peripheral blade surface (88) extending therebetween, the outer peripheral blade surface (88) including two opposite blade end surfaces (90) connecting the upper blade surface (84) and the lower blade surface (86), and two opposite blade side surfaces (92) also connecting the upper blade surface (84) and the lower blade surface (86); A longitudinal plane (P1) of the blade, which includes the longitudinal axis (A) of the blade, passes between the side surfaces (92) of the blade and intersects the upper surface (84) and the lower surface (86) of the blade, and also intersects the opposite end surface (90) of the blade; and A cutting portion (94a) located at one end of the cutting insert (24), the cutting portion (94a) including a cutting edge (96a) formed at the intersection of the upper surface (84) of the insert and one of the two end surfaces (90) of the insert; wherein: The upper surface (84) and the lower surface (86) of the blade respectively include an upper adjacent surface (84a) and a lower adjacent surface (86a); The blade receiving slot (38) is defined by an elongated slot outer peripheral surface (40), the slot outer peripheral surface (40) including a slot lower jaw abutment surface (44) located on the lower jaw member (36); The outer peripheral surface (40) of the groove further includes a groove clamping member adjacent surface (42) located on the resilient clamping member (34); The slot clamping member's adjacent surface (42) abuts the blade's adjacent surface (84a); and The grooved gripper abutment surface (44) abuts the blade abutment surface (86a).

19. The rotary slot cutting tool (20) according to claim 18, wherein: The blade end surface (90) opposite to the cutting portion (94a) further includes a blade stop surface (104a), which is closer to the upper surface (84) of the blade than to the lower surface (86) of the blade, and the blade stop surface (104a) is planar; Each clamping portion (32) includes a stop (39) located circumferentially between the resilient clamping member (34) and the lower jaw member (36); The cutting blade section (26) is divided into N cutting blade sub-sections (70); The stop member (39) and the resilient clamping member (34) are located on the same cutting part (70); The outer peripheral surface (40) of the groove further includes a groove radial stop surface (46) located on the stop member (39); and The groove radial stop surface (46) is adjacent to the blade stop surface (104a).

20. The rotary slot cutting tool (20) according to claim 18, wherein: The cutting blade (24) includes an additional cutting portion (94b) such that the cutting blade (24) includes two cutting portions, an active cutting portion and a non-active cutting portion, the two cutting portions being formed at opposite ends of the cutting blade (24); The upper surface (84) of the blade includes an additional upper abutment surface (84b) such that the upper surface (84) of the blade includes two upper abutment surfaces, an active upper abutment surface and a non-active upper abutment surface, the active upper abutment surface being positioned further away from the active cutting portion than the non-active upper abutment surface, wherein the groove clamping member abutment surface (42) abuts the active upper abutment surface; as well as The blade end surface (90) at the active cutting portion includes an additional blade stop surface (104b) such that the cutting blade (24) includes two blade stop surfaces, an active blade stop surface and a non-active blade stop surface, the active blade stop surface being located at the non-active cutting portion, wherein the groove radial stop surface (46) is adjacent to the active blade stop surface.

Images