Adjustable Tool-Holder Head with Screw Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable tool-holder heads for precision applications like boring and reaming have limited precision and require complex, costly adjustment mechanisms, restricting the range of adjustable diameters and necessitating multiple tool sizes to cover various tolerances, with high production and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A tool-holder head featuring a screw element that allows continuous radial movement of a mobile cutter cartridge, constrained along its axis, enabling precise adjustment of the cutting diameter between any desired limits, with elastic means to maintain linear movement and prevent transverse displacements, and a simple, economical design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex adjustment mechanism with predefined steps is used, then the tool can be adjusted to predetermined diameters, but the adjustment precision is limited and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical adjustment mechanism with a laser-based measurement and control system. The laser measures the actual diameter, and a control system calculates the required adjustment, substituting mechanical complexity with optical and electronic systems to achieve higher precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the adjustment from discrete predefined steps to continuous adjustment based on laser measurement feedback. The system measures the actual diameter parameter and adjusts the tool holder position continuously to achieve the target diameter, rather than moving between fixed positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple series of tool-holder heads are produced to cover various diameters, then the range of measurements is expanded, but the production costs and device variety increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of cutting diametersVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single tool-holder head universal by equipping it with a laser measurement system and adjustable mechanism. The same device can measure and adjust to any diameter within its range, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tool-holder head series for different diameter ranges.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses variable parameter adjustment based on laser measurement feedback, allowing the same physical tool-holder head to adapt to different diameter requirements through controlled position changes rather than requiring different physical tools for different size ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a screw element with continuous rotation is used, then the mobile element can be positioned at any value between limits, but the mechanism complexity increases compared to predefined steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting diameter precisionVSAvoidscrew element mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated system where a laser measures the diameter and a control mechanism automatically adjusts the screw element position. This substitutes complex manual precision mechanics with automated optical-mechanical control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise and continuous adjustment of cutting diameters for any value, reducing the need for multiple tool sizes and lowering production and maintenance costs while maintaining high precision, effectively restoring the nominal diameter after accidental variations.

Implementation Method 1

The adjustment mechanism comprises a screw element, which is disposed substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile element. The screw element is able to rotate around its own axis of rotation, it is mounted on the supporting body in a constrained manner with respect to the direction of its own axis of rotation, and is able to determine the controlled movement of the mobile element with respect to the supporting body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

elastic means to maintain linear movement and prevent transverse displacements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic constraint: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2033727B1Adjustable tool-holder head, and relative adjustment method
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 ANTONELLI
  • EP2033727B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2033727B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2033727B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

An adjustable tool-holder head comprises a supporting body (15, 115) able to be attached to a mandrel (11) of a machine tool, at least a mobile element (17, 117) on which a cutter (13) of the tool (12) is attached and mounted sliding in a radial direction with respect to the supporting body (15, 115), in order to adjust the cutting diameter of the tool (12), and at least an adjustment mechanism mounted on the supporting body (15, 115) and able to move the mobile element (17, 117) with respect to the supporting body (15, 115). The adjustment mechanism comprises at least a screw element (22, 122) rotatable around its own axis of rotation, mounted on the supporting body (15, 115) in a constrained manner with respect to the axis of rotation, and able to determine the controlled continuous movement of the mobile element (17, 117) with respect to the supporting body (15, 115) between a maximum limit and a minimum limit.