Floating center device and use method

Abstract

Some of embodiments of the present application provides a floating center device and a use method. The device is mounted on a lathe tailstock, and comprises a center body, a center head, and a ball-ended rod. The center body serves as a mounting base and is connected to the center head. An end chamfer of the center head is in line contact with a spherical surface of a product to be processed. The ball-ended rod is internally arranged in the center body and can adapt to different directions, so that the gap between the ball-ended rod and the center head is controlled to fluctuate within the range of ≤1°. The center body is fittingly mounted on the lathe tailstock, and a rotary Morse tailstock may be selected. The center body is designed with a conical section and a cylindrical section. The cylindrical section is provided with a spherical recess to mount the ball-ended rod. A pressing plate assists in fixing the ball-ended rod so that the ball-ended rod moves to a small extent. The contact surface is filled with lubricating liquid.

Description

Floating top device and its usage

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application incorporates Chinese Patent Application No. 202411993193.5, filed on December 31, 2024, entitled “Floating Top Device and Method of Use”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of machining equipment technology, and in particular to a floating center device and a method of using the floating center device. Background Technology

[0004] In modern machinery manufacturing, the end-face outer star wheel structure, as an innovative lightweight design, is gradually becoming a focus of the industry due to its superior transmission performance, flexible structural installation characteristics, and efficient utilization of raw materials. However, the complexity and precision of this structure also pose unprecedented challenges to the processing technology, especially in ensuring the key indicator of product concentricity, where traditional processing technologies and equipment are proving inadequate.

[0005] Traditional centering devices, limited by their fixed or limitedly adjustable designs, are ill-suited for the complex and varied shapes of spherical cavities in end-face star-wheel structures. These devices often cannot precisely adapt to the curvature of the product's inner surface, leading to unstable contact between the center and the spherical cavity during machining, significantly reducing positioning accuracy. This poor contact and inaccurate positioning not only directly affect machining precision but also drastically reduce product yield, increase production costs, and complicate quality control.

[0006] With the increasingly widespread application of end-face stellar wheel structures, the requirements for their machining accuracy are also constantly increasing. Traditional centering devices can no longer meet these high-precision and high-efficiency machining needs, becoming a major bottleneck restricting the widespread application of end-face stellar wheel structures.

[0007] Therefore, in response to the special processing requirements of end-face outer star wheel structure products, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of dedicated center device that can be processed using an adaptive spherical positioning structure. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of some embodiments of this application is to provide a floating center device, installed on the tailstock of a machine tool, comprising: a center body, serving as a mounting base for mounting a center head; a center head, connected to the center body, wherein the chamfer at the end of the center head is in line contact with the spherical surface of the product to be processed; and a ball joint, built into the center body, with one end connected to the center body and the other end connected to the center head, capable of omnidirectional adjustment in different directions, so that the gap between the ball joint and the center head is controlled to float within a range of ≤1°.

[0009] In addition, the tip body is matched and installed with the machine tool tailstock, and the machine tool tailstock is a self-rotating Morse tailstock.

[0010] In addition, the tip body includes a conical section and a cylindrical section; the outer diameter of the cylindrical section of the tip body is larger than the outer diameter of the conical section; one end of the conical section of the tip body adopts a Morse taper structure, while one end of the cylindrical section is provided with a spherical groove.

[0011] In addition, the ball joint includes a ball joint connecting part and a columnar connecting part; the shape of the ball joint connecting part is adapted to the shape of the spherical groove at one end of the columnar section of the tip body, and is installed in the spherical groove.

[0012] In addition, a pressure plate is provided between the tip body and the tip head. The pressure plate is fixed to one end of the cylindrical section of the tip body by bolts to help fix the ball head rod, so that the ball head rod floats slightly within the spherical groove of the tip body.

[0013] In addition, a gap is provided between the contact surfaces of the tip body and the ball joint of the ball head, and the gap is filled with lubricant.

[0014] In addition, the floating tip device is also provided with a connecting assembly, which includes a disassembly nut, an internal hex bolt, a stop bolt, and an internally threaded pin.

[0015] In addition, the disassembly nut is threaded onto the center body and is used to connect the center body to the machine tool tailstock; the internal hex bolt, the stop bolt and the internal threaded pin cooperate with each other to connect the center body to the center head and the ball head rod, so that the center body, the center head and the ball head rod are combined into a whole structure.

[0016] This application also provides a method for using a floating center device, which includes the following steps: a) installing the floating center device on the tailstock of a machine tool, ensuring that the center body matches and is fixed to the tailstock; b) starting the machine tool, adjusting the tailstock, and driving the center body to move downward in a set direction; c) when the center head contacts the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed, continuing to apply pressure through the tailstock; d) under the downward pressure of the tailstock, the ball joint adjusts its angle adaptively, so that the center head fits tightly against the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed; e) through the tight fit between the center head and the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed, the product to be processed is clamped and positioned for subsequent processing operations.

[0017] In step d, the gap between the ball head and the tip is controlled within ≤1° by adaptive adjustment of the ball head angle, thereby ensuring a tight fit between the tip and the inner cavity of the spherical surface of the product to be processed. Attached Figure Description

[0018] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a floating tip device according to this application;

[0020] Figure 2 is a front view of a floating tip device according to this application;

[0021] Figure 3 is a side view of a floating tip device according to this application;

[0022] Figure 4 is a sectional view along line AA of Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 5 is a sectional view along the BB direction of Figure 3.

[0024] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Center body; 1a. Conical section; 1b. Cylindrical section; 1c. Spherical groove; 2. Center head; 3. Ball head rod; 3a. Ball head connection; 3b. Cylindrical connection; 4. Pressure plate; 5. Connecting assembly; 5a. Removal nut; 5b. Socket head bolt; 5c. Locking bolt; 5d. Internal threaded pin. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, some embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0026] In some cases, the complex and varied shapes of spherical inner cavities pose significant challenges to machining processes. Traditional centering devices, due to their fixed or limitedly adjustable designs, often cannot accurately adapt to the surface curvature of the product's inner cavity during machining, leading to unstable contact between the center and the cavity and a substantial reduction in positioning accuracy. This inaccurate positioning directly affects machining precision, significantly reducing product yield and increasing production costs and quality control difficulties. Traditional centering devices are inefficient when handling complex shapes and cannot meet the high-efficiency machining requirements of end-face star wheel structures.

[0027] The first embodiment of this application relates to a floating tip device, which is installed on the tailstock of a machine tool and is mainly used for clamping and positioning the product to be processed. The tip of the device has a universal adjustment function, which can adapt to different directions and angles of the spherical inner cavity according to different processing requirements, ensuring that the tip fits tightly with the spherical inner cavity of the product, thereby improving processing accuracy and yield.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the device includes a top body 1, a top head 2, and a ball head rod 3.

[0029] The center body 1 serves as the mounting base for mounting the center head 2. The center body 1 includes a tapered section 1a and a cylindrical section 1b. One end of the tapered section 1a adopts a Morse taper structure to match and install with the machine tool tailstock, ensuring the stability of the installation. The outer diameter of the cylindrical section 1b is larger than that of the tapered section 1a, and one end of the cylindrical section 1b is provided with a spherical groove 1c for mounting the ball head rod 3.

[0030] The tip 2 is connected to the tip body 1, and its end chamfer is in line contact with the spherical surface of the product to be processed to ensure a tight fit and precise positioning.

[0031] The ball head 3 is built into the tip body 1, with one end connected to the spherical groove 1c of the tip body 1 and the other end connected to the tip head 2.

[0032] The ball joint 3 includes a ball joint connecting part 3a and a columnar connecting part 3b. The shape of the ball joint connecting part 3a is adapted to the shape of the spherical groove 1c at one end of the columnar section 1b of the tip body 1, and is installed in the spherical groove 1c.

[0033] The ball head rod 3 can be adjusted in different directions to make the gap between the ball head rod 3 and the tip 2 fluctuate within the range of ≤1°, thereby ensuring that the tip 2 can fit tightly into the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed.

[0034] In addition, to assist in fixing the ball head rod 3 and allow it to float slightly within the spherical groove 1c, a pressure plate 4 is provided between the tip body 1 and the tip 2. The pressure plate 4 is fixed to one end of the cylindrical section 1b of the tip body 1 by bolts, thereby providing auxiliary fixation for the ball head rod 3.

[0035] Meanwhile, a gap is provided between the contact surfaces of the tip body 1 and the ball joint 3a of the ball head 3, and the gap is filled with lubricant (such as lubricating oil) to reduce friction and promote the flexible adjustment of the ball head 3.

[0036] In addition, this embodiment also includes a connecting component 5 for connecting the tip body 1, the tip head 2, and the ball head 3.

[0037] Specifically, the connecting assembly 5 includes a disassembly nut 5a, a hex socket head cap screw 5b, a locking bolt 5c, and a threaded pin 5d. The disassembly nut 5a is threaded onto the center body 1 and is used to connect the center body 1 to the machine tool tailstock. The hex socket head cap screw 5b, the locking bolt 5c, and the threaded pin 5d cooperate with each other to tightly connect the center body 1, the center head 2, and the ball head rod 3 into a single structure, ensuring the stability and reliability of the entire floating center device.

[0038] Based on the above description of the floating top device structure, in order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this embodiment, the specific working principle of the floating top device is explained below:

[0039] The device is installed on the machine tool tailstock by matching the tapered section 1a of the tip body 1 with a Morse taper structure, ensuring the stability of the entire device on the machine tool. The cylindrical section 1b of the tip body 1 is used to install the ball head 3, and its spherical groove 1c is adapted to the ball head connection part 3a of the ball head 3, so that the ball head 3 can float flexibly within the spherical groove 1c.

[0040] When the product to be processed needs to be pressed and positioned, the tip 2 makes line contact with the spherical surface of the product. A chamfer is designed at the end of the tip 2, which ensures a tight fit between the tip 2 and the spherical surface of the product, thereby achieving precise positioning.

[0041] The floating characteristic of the ball joint 3 within the spherical groove 1c is key to this device. The ball joint 3 can adaptively adjust in different directions, which allows the gap between the ball joint 3 and the tip 2 to be controlled within a floating range of ≤1°.

[0042] In this embodiment, the tip adopts a floating design to ensure that the tip 2 can fit tightly against the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed. Even if the product to be processed undergoes slight displacement during processing, the tip 2 can adjust accordingly to maintain a tight fit.

[0043] To assist in fixing the ball joint 3 and allow it to float slightly within the spherical groove 1c, the pressure plate 4 is fixed to one end of the cylindrical section 1b of the tip body 1 by bolts. The pressure plate 4 provides auxiliary fixation for the ball joint 3 while allowing it to float within a certain range.

[0044] Furthermore, the gap between the contact surfaces of the tip body 1 and the ball joint 3a of the ball joint 3 is filled with lubricant, such as lubricating oil. The presence of lubricant reduces friction, promotes flexible adjustment of the ball joint 3, and makes the entire device operate more smoothly.

[0045] Finally, the connecting assembly 5 includes a disassembly nut 5a, an internal hex bolt 5b, a stop bolt 5c, and an internally threaded pin 5d, which work together to tightly connect the tip body 1, the tip head 2, and the ball head rod 3 into a single structure.

[0046] The above connection method ensures the stability and reliability of the entire floating tip device, enabling the device to work stably during processing and improving processing accuracy and efficiency.

[0047] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of this application have at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0048] 1. Significantly Improved Machining Accuracy and Product Yield: The chamfered end design of the center tip achieves line contact with the spherical surface of the product being machined, greatly improving positioning accuracy and ensuring the stability of the machining process. This design significantly reduces the runout between the outer diameter of the product and the end face tooth reference, thereby improving the overall product yield. The built-in ball joint design allows it to adapt to different angles of product sway, achieving universal adjustment. Even on complex curved surfaces or with minor deviations, it ensures high-precision positioning and clamping, further improving machining accuracy.

[0049] 2. Enhanced Processing Flexibility and Adaptability: The adaptive rotation angle function allows the center head to automatically adjust its angle as the machine tool rotates. This minute fluctuation range enables the device to adapt to subtle changes in the surface of the workpiece, greatly improving processing flexibility and adaptability. The device's omnidirectional adjustment capability allows it to adapt to various shapes and sizes of workpieces without frequent changes or adjustments, significantly improving processing flexibility and efficiency while reducing production costs.

[0050] 3. Extended device lifespan and improved user experience: The lubricating oil filling the contact area between the tip body and the ball joint effectively reduces friction during processing, lowers wear, and thus extends the device's lifespan. Reducing friction also significantly reduces heat and noise generated by friction, improving overall work efficiency and user experience, making the processing environment more comfortable.

[0051] 4. High stability resulting from structural optimization: The tapered and cylindrical sections of the center body not only facilitate matching and installation with the machine tool tailstock, but also greatly improve the overall structural stability, ensuring stability and safety during machining. The pressure plate design further assists in fixing the ball joint rod, allowing it to float slightly within the spherical groove without falling off or shaking, enhancing the stability of the device and reducing machining errors caused by shaking.

[0052] 5. Easy installation, disassembly, and maintenance: The design of the connecting components makes the installation and disassembly of the floating top device simple and quick, greatly improving work efficiency and reducing time costs during installation and disassembly. The use of connecting parts such as disassembly nuts and hex bolts ensures that the various components of the device can be firmly assembled into a single structure, while also facilitating quick disassembly and maintenance when needed, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0053] In summary, the floating tip device of this application has significant advantages in the machining end face outer star wheel structure. It not only improves machining accuracy and product yield, but also extends the service life of the device and enhances the flexibility and versatility of machining. This makes the floating tip device of this invention have broad application prospects and market value in related fields.

[0054] The second embodiment of this application relates to a method of using a floating center device, specifically including the following steps: a) installing the floating center device on the tailstock of a machine tool, ensuring that the center body 1 matches and is securely connected to the tailstock; b) adjusting the position of the tailstock so that the center body 1 is aligned with the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed; c) starting the power device of the tailstock to drive the center body 1 downward until the chamfer at the end of the center tip 2 makes line contact with the spherical surface of the product to be processed; d) continuing to drive the tailstock downward, utilizing the universal joint of the ball head rod 3... e) The center tip 2 can adaptively adjust its angle to fit tightly against the spherical cavity of the product to be processed; f) After the center tip 2 fits tightly against the spherical cavity of the product to be processed, the product to be processed is pressed by the pressure provided by the tailstock of the machine tool to facilitate subsequent processing operations; g) After processing is completed, the power unit of the tailstock of the machine tool is reversed to move the center tip body 1 upward and disengage it from the spherical cavity of the product to be processed; finally, the power unit of the tailstock of the machine tool is turned off, and the floating center tip device is removed from the tailstock of the machine tool to complete the entire process.

[0055] In addition, in step d, the gap between the ball head rod 3 and the tip 2 is controlled to fluctuate within the range of ≤1° by adaptive adjustment of the angle of the ball head rod 3, thereby ensuring that the tip 2 fits tightly with the inner cavity of the spherical surface of the product to be processed.

[0056] In addition, the method of using the floating tip device of this application further includes the following steps:

[0057] a1. Before installing the floating tip device, check whether the connection between the tip body 1, tip head 2 and ball head rod 3 is secure, and ensure that the gap between each component is controlled within the specified range.

[0058] b1. During use, regularly check and replenish the lubricant to the gap between the contact surfaces of the tip body 1 and the ball head 3 to maintain good lubrication.

[0059] c1. After machining is completed, the floating center device is removed from the machine tool tailstock by disassembling the connecting components 5, such as nut 5a, socket head cap screw 5b, stop bolt 5c and internal threaded pin 5d, and then cleaned and maintained.

[0060] This embodiment is a method embodiment corresponding to the first embodiment. The relevant technical details mentioned in the first embodiment remain valid in this embodiment, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition. Correspondingly, the relevant technical details mentioned in this embodiment can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0061] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for implementing this application, and in practical applications, various changes can be made to them in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of this application.

Claims

1. A floating center device, mounted on the tailstock of a machine tool, wherein, include: The tip body (1) serves as the mounting base for mounting the tip head (2); The tip (2) is connected to the tip body (1), and the chamfer at the end of the tip (2) is in line contact with the spherical surface of the product to be processed; the ball head rod (3) is built into the tip body (1), one end of which is connected to the tip body (1) and the other end is connected to the tip (2). It can be adjusted in all directions to adapt to different directions, so that the gap between the ball head rod (3) and the tip (2) can be controlled to float within the range of ≤1°.

2. The floating tip device as described in claim 1, wherein, The top body (1) is matched and installed with the tailstock of the machine tool, and the tailstock of the machine tool is a self-rotating Morse tailstock.

3. The floating tip device as described in claim 1, wherein, The tip body (1) includes a conical section (1a) and a cylindrical section (1b); the outer diameter of the cylindrical section (1b) of the tip body (1) is larger than the outer diameter of the conical section (1a); one end of the conical section (1a) of the tip body (1) adopts a Morse taper structure, while one end of the cylindrical section (1b) is provided with a spherical groove (1c).

4. The floating tip device as described in claim 1, wherein, The ball head rod (3) includes a ball head connecting part (3a) and a columnar connecting part (3b); the shape of the ball head connecting part (3a) is adapted to the shape of the spherical groove (1c) at one end of the columnar section (1b) of the tip body (1), and is installed in the spherical groove (1c).

5. The floating tip device as described in claim 3, wherein, A pressure plate (4) is provided between the tip body (1) and the tip head (2). The pressure plate (4) is fixed to one end of the cylindrical section (1b) of the tip body (1) to help fix the ball head rod (3), so that the ball head rod (3) floats slightly within the spherical groove (1c) of the tip body (1).

6. The floating tip device as described in claim 4, wherein, A gap is provided between the contact surfaces of the tip body (1) and the ball head connection part (3a) of the ball head rod (3), and the gap is filled with lubricating fluid.

7. The floating tip device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, It is also provided with a connecting assembly (5), which includes a disassembly nut (5a), an internal hex bolt (5b), a stop bolt (5c), and an internal threaded pin (5d).

8. The floating tip device as described in claim 7, wherein, The disassembly nut (5a) is threaded onto the center body (1) and is used to connect the center body (1) to the machine tool tailstock; the internal hex bolt (5b), the stop bolt (5c) and the internal threaded pin (5d) cooperate with each other to connect the center body (1) to the center head (2) and the ball head rod (3), so that the center body (1), the center head (2) and the ball head rod (3) are combined into an integral structure.

9. A method of using a floating tip device, employing the floating tip device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, Includes the following steps: a) Install the floating center device on the tailstock of the machine tool, and ensure that the center body (1) matches and is fixed to the tailstock of the machine tool; b) Start the machine tool, adjust the tailstock, and drive the center body (1) to move downwards along the set direction; c) When the center head (2) contacts the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed, continue to apply pressure through the tailstock; d) Under the downward pressure of the tailstock, the ball head rod (3) performs angle adaptive adjustment so that the center head (2) fits tightly against the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed; e) Through the tight fit between the center head (2) and the spherical inner cavity of the product to be processed, the product to be processed is clamped and positioned so as to carry out subsequent processing operations.

10. The method of using the floating tip device as described in claim 9, wherein, In step d), the gap between the ball head rod (3) and the tip (2) is controlled to float within the range of ≤1° by adaptive adjustment of the angle of the ball head rod (3), thereby ensuring that the tip (2) fits tightly with the inner cavity of the spherical surface of the product to be processed.

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