A tool holder having a vibration damping device and a coolant passage, and a cutting tool equipped with the tool holder.

Abstract

The elongated tool holder (22) includes a mass housing portion (40) having a housing outer periphery surface, an outer sleeve having a sleeve bore wall surface, and a vibration isolator (34). An elongated groove (92) is formed in one of the housing outer periphery surface and the sleeve bore wall surface. In an assembled condition of the tool holder, the groove located at the common interface of the housing outer periphery surface and the sleeve bore wall surface forms a groove coolant passage. The groove coolant passage forms a portion of an overall tool holder coolant passage spaced from the vibration isolator, thus isolating the coolant from the vibration isolator. A cutting tool (20) incorporates the tool holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter of the present application generally relates to tool holders, and more particularly to such tool holders having vibration damping devices, and even more particularly to such tool holders having coolant passages.

Background Art

[0002] A tool holder may include a vibration damping device that suppresses vibration of the tool holder during a metal cutting operation. Typically, the vibration damping device is a spring-mass system that includes a cavity and a vibration absorbing mass suspended within the cavity by an elastic support member. The cavity may be filled with a viscous fluid.

[0003] In some such vibration damping devices, additional coolant passages are provided for supplying coolant fluid to the cutting area. An example of such a tool holding system is disclosed, for example, in US7,681,869B2. US7,681,869B2 discloses, in its Figure 2, a vibration damping body 1 through which an axial bore 6 passes. Inside the bore bar, there is a longitudinally extending tube 3 that generally is adapted to be rigidly fixed to the object to be vibration damped at its outer end or inside the bore bar. The tube 3 is adapted to conduct coolant fluid through itself into communication with a passage that further extends within the bore bar.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One object of the subject matter of the present application is to provide a new and improved tool holder having a vibration damping device and a coolant passage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect of the subject matter of the present application, an elongate tool holder is provided along a holder longitudinal axis defining opposite forward and rearward directions, the tool holder being configured to have a cutting portion fixed to a front end portion of the tool holder, the tool holder It is an outer sleeve, The opposite front sleeve end face and rear sleeve end face, and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve extending between the front sleeve end face and the rear sleeve end face, and Sleeve hole having sleeve hole walls that open to the front sleeve end face and the rear sleeve end face. An outer sleeve equipped with, The mass housing portion, The opposite front housing end face and rear housing end face, and the outer casing of the housing extending between the front housing end face and the rear housing end face, Internal holder cavity with inward-facing cavity walls A mass housing portion comprising, A vibration isolation device, A vibration-absorbing mass having two opposite end faces of a mass body, and an outer surface of a mass body extending between the end faces of a mass body, and Two elastic suspension members Vibration isolation device equipped with Equipped with, The elongated groove is formed in either the outer periphery of the housing or the wall surface of the sleeve hole. The tool holder is adjustable between an unassembled and assembled state, and in the assembled state, The vibration-absorbing mass is disposed within the internal holder cavity and elastically suspended within the internal holder cavity by two suspension members that contact the inward-facing cavity wall. The mass housing portion is at least partially located within the sleeve hole, and at least a portion of the sleeve hole wall surrounds at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the housing around the longitudinal axis of the holder, thereby defining a common interface. The grooves are located on the common interface, thereby forming groove coolant passages. The grooved coolant passage is part of the tool holder coolant passage, having an external coolant inlet and an external coolant outlet that are in fluid communication with each other.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the subject matter of the present application, a cutting tool is provided, the cutting tool is, The above-mentioned types of tool holders, The cutting portion located at the front end of the tool holder and The cutting portion includes at least one cutting insert.

[0007] The above is a summary, and the features described below may be applicable to the subject matter of this application in any combination. For example, please understand that any of the following features may be applicable to a tool holder or a cutting tool: The groove can be formed within the outer surface of the housing. The sleeve hole wall can open to the rear sleeve end face. The groove may extend linearly along the groove axis. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the groove axis may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder. The mass housing portion may comprise a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, the front housing portion being located in front of the rear housing portion and having a larger radial dimension than the rear housing portion. In the assembled state of the tool holder, only the rear housing portion may be located within the sleeve hole. The outer periphery of the housing may include a front housing periphery for the front housing portion, a rear housing periphery for the rear housing portion, and a housing step surface connecting the front housing periphery and the rear housing periphery. The front housing portion may have a front housing coolant passage at its rear end that opens to the housing step surface. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the grooved coolant passage may extend into the front housing coolant passage. The front housing coolant passage may be part of the tool holder coolant passage. The front housing coolant passage can be further opened to the outer circumferential surface of the housing at the front end of the front housing portion to form a coolant outlet. The mass housing portion includes a housing recess, which may have an inward-facing recessed wall surface opening to the rear housing end face. The tool holder may include a cavity axial sealing member. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the cavity axial sealing member can be located within the housing recess, defining the range of the holder cavity in the rearward direction, so that the front portion of the housing recess forms the internal holder cavity. The rear housing portion may include a rear housing coolant passage opening to the recessed wall surface and the outer circumferential surface of the rear housing. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the rear housing coolant passage may be located behind the cavity axial sealing member, and the rear housing coolant passage may be part of the tool holder coolant passage. The outer sleeve may comprise a front outer sleeve component and a rear outer sleeve component. The front outer sleeve component and the rear outer sleeve component can be fixedly engaged with each other, and the front outer sleeve component is located in front of the rear outer sleeve component. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the front sleeve end face and the housing step face can come into contact with each other. The rear housing outer circumferential surface may comprise a front rear housing outer circumferential surface and a rear rear housing outer circumferential surface spaced apart in the axial direction, and an intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface extending between the front rear housing outer circumferential surface and the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface, with the front rear housing outer circumferential surface being closer to the front housing portion than the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface. In the assembled state of the tool holder, at least the front rear housing outer circumferential surface and the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface can abut against the sleeve hole wall surface, respectively. A groove may be formed within the outer circumferential surface of the housing. The groove may have two groove ends. The front rear outer circumferential surface of the housing may intersect the housing step surface. One of the two groove ends may be positioned on the rear outer circumferential surface of the housing. The other of the two groove ends may be positioned on the line of intersection between the front rear outer circumferential surface of the housing and the housing step surface. The outer circumferential surface of the intermediate rear housing can be recessed radially relative to the outer circumferential surfaces of the front and rear rear housings. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate rear housing can be spaced apart from the sleeve hole wall. The mass housing portion includes a housing recess, which may have an inward-facing recessed wall surface opening to the rear housing end face. The tool holder may include a cavity axial sealing member. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the cavity axial sealing member can be positioned within the housing recess, defining the range of the holder cavity in the rearward direction, so that the front portion of the housing recess forms the internal holder cavity. In the assembled state of the tool holder, the recessed wall surface may open to the rear housing end face to form a coolant inlet. A portion of the housing recess extending from the coolant inlet may form part of the tool holder coolant passage. The outer sleeve may include sleeve material. The mass housing portion may include housing body material. The sleeve material may be denser than the housing body material. The sleeve material can be carbide. The cutting portion can be removably mounted to the tool holder. The coolant outlet can be rotationally aligned with the cutting insert about the longitudinal axis of the holder.

[0008] To better understand the present application and to show how the present application can be actually implemented, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a cutting tool according to the present application, showing a vibration damping device. [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1 according to the present application. [Figure 3] An axial cross-sectional view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] A radial cross-sectional view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1 taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] A radial cross-sectional view of the tool holder taken along line V-V of FIG. 3. [Figure 5a] A detailed view of FIG. 5. [Figure 6] A first detailed view of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] A second detailed view of FIG. 3.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] For simplicity and clarity of explanation, it will be understood that the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity, or some physical components may be included within one functional block or element. Further, where appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated between the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements.

[0011] The following description illustrates various aspects of the subject matter of this application. For illustrative purposes, specific configurations and details are shown in sufficient detail to provide a complete understanding of the subject matter of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter of this application can be carried out without the specific configurations and details presented herein.

[0012] First, please turn your attention to Figure 1, which shows a cutting tool 20 for chip removal, illustrating one aspect of the present application. The cutting tool 20 has a longitudinal axis A. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the cutting tool 20 can be a fixed cutting tool; that is, the cutting tool 20 is not designed to rotate around a rotation axis. In the non-limiting example shown, the cutting tool 20 is a bored bar stock. However, the subject matter of the present application is not limited to bored bar stock, but can be applied to turning tools in general, for example, without limitation. The subject matter of the present application can also be applied to rotary cutting tools such as milling cutters and drills. In the case of such rotary cutting tools, the cutting tool 20 is designed to be rotatable in a rotational direction around the longitudinal axis A.

[0013] The cutting tool 20 includes a tool holder 22. The cutting tool 20 also includes a cutting portion 24 which may include at least one cutting insert 26. The at least one cutting insert 26 is designed to perform a metal cutting operation and has a cutting edge for this purpose. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, at least one cutting insert 26 may be releasably mounted on the cutting portion 24. The cutting portion 24 may be formed integrally with the tool holder 22. Alternatively, as shown in the non-limiting examples illustrated, the cutting portion 24 may be releasably mounted on the tool holder 22. The cutting portion 24 may be located at the front end of the tool holder 22. The rear end of the tool holder 22 is configured to be secured by a retaining device.

[0014] Next, please refer to Figure 2, which shows an exploded view of the tool holder 22, illustrating another aspect of the present invention. The tool holder 22 is facing in the opposite forward direction D F and rearward direction D RThe tool holder 22 has a longitudinal axis B that defines the holder. The tool holder 22 is elongated along the longitudinal axis B. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the cutting tool 20 and the tool holder 22 can be coaxial with each other. Note that two elements (for example, the cutting tool 20 and the tool holder 22 in this case) are coaxial with each other if their longitudinal axes coincide (aligned with each other).

[0015] It should be further noted that throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “forward” and “rearward” refer to relative positions to the left and right in Figure 3, respectively, in the direction of the holder's longitudinal axis B. Generally, the forward direction is the direction toward the cutting portion 24.

[0016] Referring to Figure 3, the tool holder 22 includes a tool holder coolant passage 28 having an external coolant inlet 30 and an external coolant outlet 32. The coolant inlet 30 and outlet 32 ​​are in fluid communication with each other. The coolant passes through the tool holder 22 and along the coolant flow path F (indicated by an arrow in the figure) via the tool holder coolant passage 28. It should be noted that throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “external inlet / outlet” refer to openings located on the outer periphery of the tool holder 22. Furthermore, it should be noted that throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “internal inlet / outlet” refer to openings located inside the tool holder 22.

[0017] As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tool holder 22 includes an outer sleeve 74. The outer sleeve 74 includes opposite front sleeve end faces 76a and rear sleeve end faces 76b, and a sleeve outer circumferential surface 78 extending between the front sleeve end face 76a and the rear sleeve end face 76b. The outer sleeve 74 further includes a sleeve hole 80. The sleeve hole 80 has a sleeve hole wall surface 82 that opens into the front sleeve end face 76a. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the sleeve hole wall surface 82 may open into the rear sleeve end face 76b. In such configurations, the sleeve hole 80 forms a through hole. According to some other embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the sleeve hole wall surface 82 may not open into the rear sleeve end face 76. In such configurations, the sleeve hole 80 forms a blind hole. The sleeve hole wall surface 82 may have a cylindrical shape. In the assembled cutting tool 20, the sleeve hole 80 may extend along the tool longitudinal axis A.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the outer sleeve 74 may include a front outer sleeve component 74a and a rear outer sleeve component 74b. The front outer sleeve component 74a and the rear outer sleeve component 74b can be fixedly engaged with each other. The front outer sleeve component 74a is located in front of the rear outer sleeve component 74b. It should be noted that the sleeve hole 80 may be formed from a through hole in the front outer sleeve component 74a and a blind hole in the rear outer sleeve component 74b, or from through holes in both the front outer sleeve component 74a and the rear outer sleeve component 74b. The front outer sleeve component 74a may be longer than the rear outer sleeve component 74b when measured between the front sleeve end face 76a and the rear sleeve end face 76b.

[0019] The outer sleeve 74 includes a sleeve material. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the sleeve material may be carbide.

[0020] The tool holder 22 also includes a mass housing portion 40. The mass housing portion 40 includes opposite front housing end faces 41a and rear housing end faces 41b, and a housing outer peripheral surface 39 extending between the front housing end face 41a and the rear housing end face 41b. In the assembled tool holder 22, the housing outer peripheral surface 39 extends around the longitudinal axis B of the holder.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the mass housing portion 40 may include a housing recess 84. The housing recess 84 may include an inwardly facing recess wall surface 86. The recess wall surface 86 may open to the rear housing end face 41b.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the mass housing portion 40 may include a front housing portion 40a and a rear housing portion 40b. The front housing portion 40a may be located in front of the rear housing portion 40b. The front housing portion 40a may have a larger radial dimension than the rear housing portion 40b. The front housing portion 40a is configured to have a cutting portion 24 fixed to the front housing portion 40a. For this purpose, in this non-limiting example shown, the front housing end face 41a is serrated to engage with the corresponding face of the cutting portion 26.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the housing circumferential surface 39 may include a front housing circumferential surface 39a in the front housing portion 40a and a rear housing circumferential surface 39b in the rear housing portion 40b. The housing circumferential surface 39 may include a housing stepped surface 39s connecting the front housing circumferential surface 39a and the rear housing circumferential surface 39b. The housing stepped surface 39s is preferably oriented perpendicular to the holder longitudinal axis B and in the rear direction D R It may face.

[0024] Referring to Figure 6, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the front housing portion 40a may include a front housing coolant passage 88 at its rear end that opens into the housing stepped surface 39s. The front housing coolant passage 88 may further open at its front end into the housing outer circumferential surface 39 or the front housing outer circumferential surface 39a, or at the intersection of the housing outer circumferential surface 39 and the front housing outer circumferential surface 39a, to form a coolant outlet 32.

[0025] Referring to Figure 7, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the rear housing portion 40b may include a rear housing coolant passage 90 that can open to the recessed wall surface 86 and the rear housing outer peripheral surface 39b.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the rear housing circumferential surface 39b may include a front rear housing circumferential surface 39b-a and a rear rear housing circumferential surface 39b-b that are axially spaced apart from each other along the holder longitudinal axis B. The front rear housing circumferential surface 39b-a is closer to the front housing portion 40a than the rear rear housing circumferential surface 39b-b. The front rear housing circumferential surface 39b-a may intersect the housing step surface 39s. The front rear housing circumferential surface 39b-a and the rear rear housing circumferential surface 39b-b may have a cylindrical shape. The rear housing circumferential surface 39b may include an intermediate rear housing circumferential surface 39b-c that extends between the front rear housing circumferential surface 39b-a and the rear rear housing circumferential surface 39b-b. The intermediate rear housing circumferential surface 39b-c may be radially recessed relative to the front rear housing circumferential surface 39b-a and the rear rear housing circumferential surface 39b-b. That is, the outer circumferential surfaces 39b-c of the intermediate rear housing can form an annular recess. Therefore, the outer circumferential surfaces 39b-c of the intermediate rear housing can have a maximum radial cross-section that is smaller than the maximum radial cross-sections of both the outer circumferential surfaces 39b-a and 39b-b of the front and rear rear housings.

[0027] The mass housing portion 40 includes the housing body material. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the sleeve material may be denser than the housing body material.

[0028] The tool holder 22 includes an elongated groove 92 formed in either the outer circumferential surface 39 of the housing or the sleeve hole wall surface 82. That is, the elongated groove 92 is recessed in either the outer circumferential surface 39 of the housing or the sleeve hole wall surface 82. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the groove 92 may be formed in the outer circumferential surface 39 of the housing.

[0029] The groove 92 has two opposite groove ends 94a, 94b. One of the two groove ends 94a may be located on the rear outer circumferential surface 39b-b of the housing. The other of the two groove ends 94a may be located on the line of intersection between the front outer circumferential surface 39b-a of the housing and the housing step surface 39s. The groove 92 extends along the groove axis G. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the groove 92 may extend linearly along the groove axis G.

[0030] Referring to Figure 5a, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the groove 92 may include two opposite groove sides 95 located on either side of a half-plane HP containing the holder longitudinal axis B and the groove axis G, and a groove base surface 93 extending between the two opposite groove sides 95. The groove base surface 93 may extend along the groove axis G. The groove 92 may have a groove depth GD measured radially inward from the circumferential center of the groove base surface 93. The groove depth GD may be between 1 mm and 2 mm. The groove 92 may have a groove width GW measured in the direction between the two opposite groove sides 95. The groove width GW may be between 3 mm and 4 mm.

[0031] The tool holder 22 includes a vibration damper 34. The tool vibration damper 34 is designed to reduce or eliminate vibrations of the cutting tool 20 when the cutting tool 20 performs a metal cutting operation. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the vibration damper 34 may be positioned at the front end of the cutting tool 20.

[0032] The mass housing portion 40 has an internal holder cavity 36 formed therein. That is, the internal holder cavity 36 is enclosed within the mass housing portion 40. The holder cavity 36 is formed, at least in part, by an inward-facing cavity wall surface 38. The cavity wall surface 38 defines the extent of the holder cavity 36 from the mass housing portion 40. The mass housing portion 40 surrounds the holder cavity 36. The holder cavity 36 has a cavity central axis D. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the holder cavity 36 may be elongated along the cavity central axis D. The holder cavity 36 may be elongated in the same direction as the tool holder 22. In particular, the holder cavity 36 may be coaxial with the tool holder 22. The cavity wall surface 38 may include two opposite cavity wall end faces 42 and a cavity wall outer circumferential surface 44 extending between the cavity wall end faces 42. The outer circumferential surface 44 of the cavity wall may extend around the central axis D of the cavity.

[0033] Referring further to Figure 3, which shows an axial cross-sectional view of the holder cavity 36 passing through the outer circumferential surface 44 of the cavity wall (taken in a plane containing the cavity central axis D), the holder cavity 36 has a cavity cross-section. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the cavity cross-section may be uniform along the cavity central axis D. The outer circumferential surface 44 of the cavity wall may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer circumferential surface 44 of the cavity wall may have a cylindrical shape in the vicinity of two cavity wall end faces 42. The two cavity wall end faces 42 may be flat and oriented transversely to the cavity central axis D. The two cavity wall end faces 42 may be oriented perpendicular to the cavity central axis D.

[0034] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the tool holder 22 of the present invention also includes a vibration isolation device 34 comprising at least one vibration-absorbing mass 54. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 may be rigid. In some embodiments, the mass housing portion 40 may be formed from a first metallic material such as steel, and the vibration-absorbing mass 54 may be formed from a second, denser metallic material such as tungsten.

[0035] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 has a mass central axis E. The vibration-absorbing mass 54 includes two axially opposite mass ends 60a and 60b, a front mass end 60a, and a rear mass end 60b, the front mass end 60a being in front of the rear mass end 60b. The two axially opposite mass ends 60a and 60b are spaced apart from each other along the mass central axis E. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 may include two opposite mass end faces 56 and a mass outer circumferential surface 58 extending between the mass end faces 56. The mass outer circumferential surface 58 may extend around the mass central axis E. The two mass end faces 56 are located at the two mass ends 60a and 60b, respectively. The vibration-absorbing mass 54 may be elongated along the mass central axis E. The vibration-absorbing mass body 54 may have a substantially constant cross-sectional area between the end faces 56 of the mass body in a plane oriented perpendicular to the central axis E of the mass body.

[0036] Referring to Figure 3, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the end face 56 of the mass body may be conical in shape, tapering inward in the direction away from the central portion of the vibration-absorbing mass body 54. The outer circumferential surface 58 of the mass body may have a cylindrical shape.

[0037] The vibration isolation device 34 further includes two elastic suspension members 62. The two suspension members 62 are elastically deformable. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the two suspension members 62 may be formed from a material different from the material of the vibration absorbing mass body 54. In some embodiments, the suspension members 62 are made from rubber having a durometer hardness between 60A and 95A. The two suspension members 62 may be O-rings.

[0038] The tool holder 22 is adjustable between an unassembled state and an assembled state. In the unassembled state of the tool holder 22, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 is positioned outside the internal holder cavity 36, and / or the mass housing portion 40 is not fixed to the outer sleeve 74.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, referring to Figure 3, the tool holder 22 includes a cavity axial sealing member 67, and the cavity axial sealing member 67 is located in the rear direction D R The holder cavity 36 is defined (the range of the holder cavity 36 is determined) and the holder cavity 36 is sealed. That is, the cavity axial sealing member 67 forms one of the cavity wall end faces 38. While the holder cavity 36 is not sealed by the cavity axial sealing member 67 (i.e., while the tool holder 22 is in an unassembled position), the vibration-absorbing mass 54 can be inserted into the holder cavity 36.

[0040] In the assembled state of the tool holder 22, the vibration-absorbing mass body 54 is positioned within the holder cavity 36.

[0041] In the assembly position of the tool holder 22, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 may be elongated in the same direction as the tool holder 22. That is, the central axis E of the mass is parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the holder, together with axes B and E, and the longest main dimensions of the tool holder 22 and the vibration-absorbing mass 54 can be established. In particular, the central axis E of the mass may coincide with the longitudinal axis B of the holder (i.e., the vibration-absorbing mass 54 may be coaxial with the tool holder 22).

[0042] In the assembled position of the tool holder 22, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 is connected to the mass housing portion 40 via two suspension members 62. Thus, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 is elastically suspended within the holder cavity 36 by the two suspension members 62 that contact the inward cavity wall surface 38. Each suspension member 62 may abut against its respective end face 56 of the mass. Note that there is no portion of the outer circumferential surface 58 of the mass that is in direct contact with the inward cavity wall surface 38. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, each of the two suspension members 62 may be under compressive elastic deformation due to contact with the inward cavity wall surface 38 and with one of the end faces 56 of the mass.

[0043] In the assembled state of the tool holder 22, the mass housing portion 40 is at least partially located within the sleeve hole 80. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, only the rear housing portion 40b may be located within the sleeve hole 80. The outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 78 extends around the longitudinal axis B of the holder.

[0044] At least a portion of the sleeve hole wall surface 82 surrounds at least a portion of the mass housing portion 40. More specifically, at least a portion of the sleeve hole wall surface 82 faces a portion of the housing outer peripheral surface 39 along the common interface. More specifically, at the common interface, at least a portion of the sleeve hole wall surface 82 faces the rear housing outer peripheral surface 39b.

[0045] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, at a common interface, the front rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-a, the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-b, and the intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-c can all abut against the sleeve hole wall surface 82. Alternatively, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, at a common interface, some portions of the rear housing outer circumferential surface 39 do not need to abut against the sleeve hole wall surface 82. For example, the front rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-a and the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-b can abut against the sleeve hole wall surface 82, while the intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-c can be spaced apart from the sleeve hole wall surface 82 by a distance d (for example, in a configuration where the intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-c is recessed relative to the front rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-a and the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-b; see Figure 5). This latter configuration is easier to manufacture than the former configuration. The front sleeve end surface 76a and the housing step surface 39s can abut against each other. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, shrink-fit engagements are preferably used to connect the (heated) outer sleeve 74 and the mass housing portion 40. Furthermore, the front sleeve end face 76a and the housing step face 39s can be fixedly brazed together.

[0046] The groove 92 is located on a common interface to form a groove coolant passage 96. The tool holder coolant passage 28 is partially formed by the groove coolant passage 96; that is, the groove coolant passage 96 is part of the tool holder coolant passage 28. The groove coolant passage 96 includes a groove coolant wall 97. The groove coolant wall 97 extends around the groove axis G. The groove coolant passage 96 has a groove coolant inlet 98 and a groove coolant outlet 100. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the groove coolant inlet 98 and / or groove coolant outlet 100 may be internal. The groove coolant inlet 98 may be located at one of the two groove ends 94b, and the groove coolant outlet 100 may be located at the other of the two groove ends 94a. The groove axis G may be parallel to the holder longitudinal axis B.

[0047] In a configuration where the front rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-a, the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-b, and the intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface 39b-c all abut against the sleeve hole wall surface 82, the grooved coolant wall surface 97 is formed by grooves 92 (i.e., groove base surface 93 and two groove side surfaces 95), and no grooves 92 are formed in the opposing portions of either the housing outer circumferential surface 39 or the sleeve hole wall surface 82.

[0048] In a configuration where the intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surfaces 39b-c are spaced apart from the sleeve hole wall surface 82, the groove coolant wall surface 97 is formed as described in a previous paragraph, and is also formed by a thin annular gap AG formed between the spaced-away intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surfaces 39b-c and the sleeve hole wall surface 82, and the thin annular gap AG merges with the groove 92 in the circumferential direction (Figure 5). It should be noted that the volume defined by the thin annular gap AG is negligible. For example, the distance d may have a value that ensures it does not adversely affect the coolant flow along the groove coolant passage 96. For example, even if coolant seeps into the annular gap AG, the flow of high-pressure coolant can still be achieved. The distance d may be 0.07 mm or less. More preferably, the distance d may be 0.05 mm or less.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the grooved coolant passage 96 may extend into the front housing coolant passage 88. Therefore, it should be noted that in a configuration in which the groove 92 is formed within the outer circumferential surface 39 of the housing, the groove 92 extends into the front housing coolant passage 88. The tool holder coolant passage 28 may be further partially formed by the front housing coolant passage 88. That is, the front housing coolant passage 88 is part of the tool holder coolant passage 28.

[0050] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the cavity axial sealing member 67 can be located within the housing recess 84, in the rearward direction D R The extent of the holder cavity 36 is defined. Therefore, the front portion of the housing recess 84 forms the internal holder cavity 36. The rear housing coolant passage 90 may be located behind the cavity axial sealing member 67. The tool holder coolant passage 28 may be further partially formed by the rear housing coolant passage 90. That is, the rear housing coolant passage 90 is part of the tool holder coolant passage 28.

[0051] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the recessed wall surface 86 may open to the rear housing end face 41b to form a coolant inlet 30. The tool holder coolant passage 28 may be further partially formed by a portion of the housing recess 84 extending from the coolant inlet 30. That is, a portion of the housing recess 84 extending from the coolant inlet 30 is part of the tool holder coolant passage 28.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the coolant outlet 32 ​​can be rotationally aligned with the cutting insert 26 about the holder longitudinal axis B. This allows for the guidance of the coolant at the cutting interface between the cutting edge and the workpiece.

[0053] The vibration isolation device 34 includes an oscillation space 68 formed within the holder cavity 36. The oscillation space 68 is located between the vibration-absorbing mass 54 and the mass housing portion 40 (more specifically, between the vibration-absorbing mass 54 and the inward cavity wall surface 38). In other words, the mass housing portion 40 and the vibration-absorbing mass 54 are separated by the oscillation space 68. According to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the oscillation space 68 completely surrounds the vibration-absorbing mass 54 in the circumferential direction. That is, the oscillation space 68 can extend around the entire (360°) angular range of the cavity central axis D. Thus, the oscillation space 68 can be considered as an annular oscillation space surrounding the axial range of the vibration-absorbing mass 54.

[0054] The vibration-absorbing mass 54 is configured to oscillate within the oscillation space 68 under the elastic deformation of the two suspension members 62. In other words, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 oscillates within the oscillation space 68 and is displaceable when the two suspension members 62 undergo elastic deformation.

[0055] The cutting tool 20 is susceptible to vibration when facing a workpiece. Typically, in turning or milling operations, the vibration is lateral. Typically, in drilling operations, the vibration is torsional. The vibration-absorbing mass 54 oscillates at a certain frequency. The vibration isolation device 34 is designed to produce a frequency close to, if not the same as, the natural frequency of the cutting tool 20 in the vibration-absorbing mass 54, thereby reducing or eliminating the vibration of the cutting tool 20.

[0056] Advantageously, the vibration isolation device 34 may be adjustable (so that the frequency of the vibration-absorbing mass 54 matches the natural frequency of the cutting tool (20) without the need to disassemble any separable parts). One or more mechanisms may be used, individually or in combination, to modify the frequency oscillated by the vibration-absorbing mass 54. In a non-limiting example, preloads may be applied to at least two suspension members 62. For example, referring to Figure 3, the vibration isolation device 34 may include an adjustment member 70 protruding into the oscillation space 68. The adjustment member 70 may be a screw having a threaded portion 72 (see Figure 7). The adjustment member 70 may abut against a cavity axial sealing member 67. The adjustment member 70 may be displaceable along the cavity central axis D, thereby displacing the cavity axial sealing member 67 and thereby adjusting the elastic properties of the two suspension members 62. According to some embodiments of the subject of this application, the oscillation space 68 may be empty. For example, the oscillation space 68 may not contain viscous fluid.

[0057] One feature of the present invention is that the tool holder coolant passage 28 is separated from the vibration isolation device 34. In other words, the tool holder coolant passage 28 does not have fluid communication with the vibration absorbing mass 54. Due to this configuration, there is no possibility of coolant leakage from the tool holder coolant passage 28 in the vicinity of the holder cavity 36 where the vibration absorbing mass 54 is located. Therefore, coolant leakage does not interfere with the vibration damping effect of the vibration isolation device 34.

[0058] A further feature of the present invention is that the present invention does not have a tube that interferes with the oscillation of the vibration-absorbing mass 54 (as disclosed in US7,681,869). Furthermore, the vibration-absorbing mass 54 is solid in the sense that it does not have a hollow portion (for example, to receive a tube), thereby reducing the weight of the vibration-absorbing mass 54 itself.

[0059] While the subject matter of this application has been described in some detail, please understand that various forms of modification and alteration can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed below.

[0060] For example, the grooved coolant passage 96 can be formed from grooves formed in both the outer circumferential surface 39 of the housing and the sleeve hole wall surface 82, respectively, and the two grooves face each other within the assembled tool holder.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, the tool holder 22 may include two or more coolant passages 96. Also, for example, the vibration isolation device 34 may include two or more vibration-absorbing masses 54. In this non-limiting example shown, the vibration isolation device 34 includes two vibration-absorbing masses 54a and 54b, which are elastically connected by two central suspension members 63 (e.g., O-rings), while the aforementioned elastic suspension member 62 supports end faces 56 belonging to two different vibration-absorbing masses.

Claims

1. The forward directions (D) are opposite to each other. Ｆ ) and rearward (D Ｒ A tool holder (22) is elongated along the longitudinal axis (B) of the holder that defines the cutting portion (24), and the tool holder (22) is configured such that a cutting portion (24) can be fixed to the front end of the tool holder (22), and the tool holder (22) is Outer sleeve (74), The front sleeve end face (76a) and rear sleeve end face (76b) located opposite each other in the axial direction of the holder's longitudinal axis (B), and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve (78) extending between the front sleeve end face (76a) and the rear sleeve end face (76b), and A sleeve hole (80) having a sleeve hole wall surface (82) that opens to the front sleeve end face (76a) and the rear sleeve end face (76b). An outer sleeve (74) equipped with, The mass body housing portion (40) is, The front housing end face (41a) and rear housing end face (41b) located opposite each other in the axial direction of the holder longitudinal axis (B), and the outer circumferential housing surface (39) extending between the front housing end face (41a) and the rear housing end face (41b), and Internal holder cavity (36) having an inwardly facing cavity wall surface (38) A mass housing portion (40) comprising, Vibration isolation device (34), A vibration-absorbing mass body (54) having two mass body end faces (56) located opposite each other in the axial direction of the holder's longitudinal axis (B), and a mass body outer circumferential surface (58) extending between the two mass body end faces (56). A vibration isolation device (34) equipped with, Two elastic suspension members (62) and Equipped with, An elongated groove (92) is formed in either the outer circumferential surface (39) of the housing or the sleeve hole wall surface (82). The tool holder (22) is adjustable between an unassembled state and an assembled state, and in the assembled state, The vibration-absorbing mass (54) is disposed within the internal holder cavity (36) and is elastically suspended within the internal holder cavity (36) by the two elastic suspension members (62) that contact the inward-facing cavity wall surface (38). The mass housing portion (40) is partially located within the sleeve hole (80), and at least a portion of the sleeve hole wall surface (82) surrounds at least a portion of the housing outer surface (39) around the holder longitudinal axis (B), thereby defining a common interface. Furthermore, the mass housing portion (40) comprises a front housing portion (40a) and a rear housing portion (40b), the front housing portion (40a) is located in front of the rear housing portion (40b) and has a larger radial dimension than the rear housing portion (40b), and in the assembled state of the tool holder (22), only the rear housing portion (40b) is located within the sleeve hole (80). The elongated groove (92) is located on the common interface, thereby forming a groove coolant passage (96). The grooved coolant passage (96) is part of a tool holder coolant passage (28) having an external coolant inlet (30) and an external coolant outlet (32) that are in fluid communication with each other, in the tool holder (22).

2. The tool holder (22) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated groove (92) is formed within the outer peripheral surface (39) of the housing.

3. The tool holder (22) according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve hole wall surface (82) opens to the rear sleeve end surface (76b).

4. The elongated groove (92) extends linearly along the groove axis (G), The tool holder (22) according to claim 1, wherein in the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the groove axis (G) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the holder.

5. The outer peripheral surface (39) of the housing is The front housing portion (40a) has a front housing outer surface (39a), The rear housing portion (40b) has a rear housing outer surface (39b), A housing step surface (39s) connecting the front housing outer peripheral surface (39a) and the rear housing outer peripheral surface (39b) Equipped with, The front housing portion (40a) is provided with a front housing coolant passage (88) at the rear end of the front housing portion (40a) that opens to the housing step surface (39s), In the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the grooved coolant passage (96) extends from the front housing coolant passage (88), The tool holder (22) according to claim 1, wherein the front housing coolant passage (88) is part of the tool holder coolant passage (28).

6. The tool holder (22) according to claim 5, wherein the front housing coolant passage (88) is further opened up to the outer circumferential surface (39) of the housing at the front end of the front housing portion (40a) so as to form the external coolant outlet (32).

7. The mass housing portion (40) is provided with a housing recess (84), and the housing recess (84) is provided with an inward-facing recess wall surface (86) that opens to the rear housing end face (41b). The tool holder (22) is equipped with a cavity axial sealing member (67), In the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the cavity axial sealing member (67) is located within the housing recess (84) and in the rear direction (D Ｒ The extent of the internal holder cavity (36) is defined by the above, and the front portion of the housing recess (84) forms the internal holder cavity (36), The rear housing portion (40b) is provided with a rear housing coolant passage (90) that opens to the recessed wall surface (86) and the rear housing outer peripheral surface (39b), In the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the rear housing coolant passage (90) is located behind the cavity axial sealing member (67), and the rear housing coolant passage (90) is part of the tool holder coolant passage (28), as described in claim 5.

8. The outer sleeve (74) comprises a front outer sleeve component (74a) and a rear outer sleeve component (74b), The tool holder (22) according to claim 7, wherein the front outer sleeve component (74a) and the rear outer sleeve component (74b) are fixedly engaged with each other, and the front outer sleeve component (74a) is located in front of the rear outer sleeve component (74b).

9. In the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the front sleeve end face (76a) and the housing step face (39s) are in contact with each other, as described in claim 5.

10. The rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b) comprises a front rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-a) and a rear rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-b) that are spaced apart in the axial direction, and an intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-c) that extends between the front rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-a) and the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-b), wherein the front rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-a) is closer to the front housing portion (40a) than the rear rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-b), The tool holder (22) according to claim 5, wherein in the assembled state of the tool holder (22), at least the front rear outer circumferential surface (39b-a) and the rear rear outer circumferential surface (39b-b) abut against the sleeve hole wall surface (82), respectively.

11. The elongated groove (92) is formed within the outer circumferential surface (39) of the housing, The elongated groove (92) has two groove ends (94a, 94b), The aforementioned front rear outer circumferential surface (39b-a) intersects with the stepped surface (39s) of the housing. One of the two groove ends (94b) is located on the rear outer circumferential surface (39b-b) of the rear housing, The other of the two groove ends (94a) is located on the line of intersection between the front rear outer circumferential surface (39b-a) and the stepped surface (39s) of the housing, as described in claim 10, for the tool holder (22).

12. The aforementioned intermediate rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-c) is recessed radially with respect to the aforementioned front rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-a) and the aforementioned rear rear housing outer circumferential surface (39b-b), The tool holder (22) according to claim 10, wherein, in the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate rear housing (39b-c) is spaced apart from the sleeve hole wall surface (82).

13. The mass housing portion (40) is provided with a housing recess (84), and the housing recess (84) is provided with an inward-facing recess wall surface (86) that opens to the rear housing end face (41b). The tool holder (22) is equipped with a cavity axial sealing member (67), In the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the cavity axial sealing member (67) is located within the housing recess (84) and in the rear direction (D Ｒ The tool holder (22) according to claim 1, wherein the range of the internal holder cavity (36) is defined by the ) and the front portion of the housing recess (84) forms the internal holder cavity (36).

14. In the assembled state of the tool holder (22), the recessed wall surface (86) opens to the rear housing end surface (41b) to form the external coolant inlet (30), The tool holder (22) according to claim 13, wherein a portion of the housing recess (84) extending from the external coolant inlet (30) is a portion of the tool holder coolant passage (28).

15. The outer sleeve (74) includes a sleeve material, The aforementioned mass housing portion (40) includes the housing body material, The tool holder (22) according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve material is denser than the housing body material.

16. The tool holder (22) according to claim 15, wherein the sleeve material is carbide.

17. The tool holder (22) described in claim 1, The cutting portion (24) located at the front end of the tool holder (22) and A cutting tool (20) comprising, wherein the cutting portion (24) comprises at least one cutting insert (26).

18. The cutting portion (24) is releasably attached to the tool holder (22), as described in claim 17, for the cutting tool (20).

19. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 17, wherein the external coolant outlet (32) is rotationally aligned with the cutting insert (26) around the holder longitudinal axis (B).

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