Bellows Sealing for Spindle Carrier in Gear Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear machining machines face challenges with complex structures, high maintenance costs, and difficulty in sealing the working space between moving parts, leading to contamination and increased expenses due to the spread of machining sludge and mist.
Innovation Solution
A gear processing machine design incorporating a bellows that connects to the spindle carriage and the machine frame, allowing for relative movement while providing a reliable and robust seal, reducing the need for additional sealing measures and minimizing the exposure of machine components to processing liquids and mist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed work chamber is used to prevent escape of machining fluid and mist, then containment of machining fluids is improved, but complexity of sealing moving parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a bellows structure as a flexible sealing element that accommodates the reciprocating motion of the spindle slide while maintaining a sealed work chamber. The bellows expands and contracts with the movement, providing continuous sealing without complex rigid sealing mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between effective containment and sealing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the workpiece spindle is positioned directly above the recess with vertical sliding motion, then ease of operation is improved, but wear on shaft seal increases due to constant movement
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows replaces the traditional shaft seal with a flexible membrane that can accommodate vertical sliding motion without the same wear mechanisms. The bellows material distributes stress across its surface and can elastically deform to handle reciprocating motion, significantly reducing wear compared to rigid lip seals while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows is designed as a replaceable component with a service life longer than traditional shaft seals but ultimately disposable. After extended use, the bellows can be replaced without complex repair procedures, making maintenance simpler and more cost-effective while providing reliable sealing during its service life.
3Productivity
If machining fluid is sprayed under high pressure for high-speed processes, then productivity is improved, but spread of machining sludge and mist increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows creates a flexible barrier that contains high-pressure machining fluid spray within the work chamber during high-speed machining operations. The flexible membrane can deform to accommodate the dynamic pressure variations and fluid spray patterns, preventing mist and sludge from escaping into the machine housing while allowing high-pressure fluid delivery for productive machining.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If extraction systems are made large and powerful to remove machining mist, then containment of harmful factors is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows extracts the sealing function from the extraction system, containing mist and sludge at the source within the work chamber. This prevents the need for large, complex extraction systems by eliminating the harmful factors before they can spread throughout the machine housing, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective mist removal capability.
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
The solution results in a more service-friendly, cost-effective, and compact machine design with reduced maintenance requirements, as it effectively contains machining fluids and mist within the working space, minimizing wear on seals and allowing for smaller extraction systems.
Implementation Method 1
The bellows is capable of accommodating relative movement in the direction of the first spindle axis between the spindle slide and the machine frame by extending and contracting
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a toothing processing machine comprising a machine frame and a spindle carrier having a first spindle. The spindle comprises a first spindle housing and a first spindle shaft, which is arranged in the first spindle housing such that it can rotate about a first spindle axis, and a free end for receiving a work piece or a tool. A second spindle is also provided having a second spindle housing and a second spindle shaft for receiving a tool or work piece, wherein the second spindle shaft is mounted in the second spindle housing such that it can rotate about a second spindle axis. In addition, at least one wall of the machine frame forms a part of the casing of a closable working chamber, in which the work piece can be processed and which can be closed in order to prevent the release of a material removal, a processing liquid and/or a processing mist from the working chamber into other machine regions or to the outside. The spindle carrier is also arranged on the machine frame such that it can move in the direction of the first spindle axis. In addition, the closable working chamber includes the free end of the first spindle shaft and at least sections of the second spindle shaft. According to the invention, the toothing processing machine comprises a bellows, securely connected to the spindle carrier on a first side and to the at least one wall of the machine frame on a second side, wherein the bellows borders the closable working chamber at at least one point in such a way that a part of the spindle carrier is permanently positioned outside of the working chamber. In this way, the bellows is able to commence a relative movement in the direction of the first spindle axis between the spindle carrier and the machine frame, via a moving apart and together.