Adjustable Insert Cartridge Clamping for Repeatable Chamfer Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable cutting tools for chamfering operations lack stability and repeatability in angle adjustments, particularly when dealing with a wide range of chamfer angles and small diameter holes, and often have complex and operator-unfriendly adjustment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable insert cutting angle tool with a clamping member operated by a single fastening member, allowing for easy reorientation of the insert cartridge within a tool holder, featuring visual indicators and mechanical detents for precise angle adjustments, and a design that maintains a fixed pivot axis for rotation, ensuring repeatable and stable clamping across a 60-degree adjustment range without removing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single fastening member operates the clamping member for reorienting the insert cartridge, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of clamping stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidclamping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fastening function and clamping function into a single integrated fastening member (screw 36) that simultaneously performs both operations. This merging of functions improves ease of operation by requiring only one fastening component while maintaining reliability through the unified design that ensures proper clamping force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening member 36 serves multiple functions: it acts as both a fastening element and a clamping element. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both ease of operation and clamping stability through a single component that performs dual roles in securing and positioning the insert cartridge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the insert cartridge is reoriented for different chamfer angles, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision may worsen due to potential instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoidangle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder is pre-configured with a fixed pivot axis and arcuate clamping zones positioned to ensure that when the insert cartridge is rotated to any angle within the 60-degree range, the clamping member can engage at the optimal location. This preliminary positioning ensures both wide adaptability and precise angular positioning without requiring complex adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed pivot axis serves as an intermediary element that enables smooth rotation of the insert cartridge while maintaining a reference point for precise angular positioning. The arcuate clamping zones act as intermediaries that guide the clamping member to the correct engagement position, ensuring repeatable and precise angular settings across the full adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If visual indicators and mechanical detents are added for precise angle adjustments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle measurement precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Visual indicators (such as colored marks or indexed positions) are incorporated on the insert cartridge or tool holder to indicate precise angular positions. These visual cues provide measurement precision without requiring complex mechanical measurement systems, maintaining simplicity while enabling accurate angle setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

Mechanical detents are designed to automatically engage at predetermined angular positions during rotation, providing self-aligning precision without requiring operator intervention or complex control mechanisms. The detent system self-regulates the positioning, ensuring measurement precision through inherent mechanical features rather than added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the tool is designed to chamfer small diameter holes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity may worsen due to additional design constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole size rangeVSAvoidtool design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert cartridge is designed with dynamic rotational capability around a fixed pivot axis, allowing the cutting insert to be positioned at various angles to accommodate different hole sizes and chamfer requirements. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the tool to handle small diameter holes and various chamfer angles without requiring multiple specialized tools, maintaining versatility while managing design complexity through a unified adjustable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3107675B1Cutting tool having adjustable insert cutting angle
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 ISCAR LTD
  • EP3107675B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3107675B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3107675B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An adjustable insert cutting angle cutting tool (20) comprising a tool holder (24) having a cartridge receiving pocket (32), an insert cartridge (22) clamped in the cartridge receiving pocket (32) by a clamping member (26), and a cutting insert (28) removably retained in the insert cartridge (22). The clamping member (26) is operated by a separate fastening member (36). The cutting insert (28) has at least one operative cutting portion (30), and the insert cartridge (22) is oriented in a cartridge receiving pocket (32) of the tool holder (24) so that the operative cutting portion (30) encounters a workpiece (34) at an insert cutting angle (al). The clamping member (26) has a clamping surface (52) with at least one clamping zone (Czl), and the same at least one clamping zone (Czl) makes contact with a nonplanar clamped surface (54) of the insert cartridge (22) for different values of insert cutting angle(al). The insert cutting angle (al) is increased or decreased by reorienting the insert cartridge (22) in the tool holder (24), following release of the fastening member (36).