Chuck Jaw Keyway Alignment for High Centering Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chucks face challenges in maintaining high centering accuracy after attaching or detaching the top jaw, due to circumferential displacement caused by gaps between the T-nut and keyways, and require complex structures and high manufacturing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A chuck design with a connecting member and keyway system where the key is inclined or twisted to reduce gaps between the first and second keyways, allowing for close contact and minimizing circumferential displacement, maintaining high centering accuracy with a simpler structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a T-nut and keyway system is used to attach the top jaw to the master jaw, then the top jaw can be detachably attached, but gaps between the T-nut and keyways cause circumferential displacement reducing centering accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the master jaw and top jaw. This connecting member includes a key that fits into keyways on both jaws, serving as a mediator to transmit positioning information and prevent circumferential displacement while allowing detachable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyway on the top jaw is designed with a preliminary inclined surface that guides the key into proper alignment during attachment. This preliminary action ensures the key enters the keyway at the correct angle and position, eliminating gaps and preventing circumferential displacement before the final tightening occurs.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional keyways with gaps are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but circumferential displacement occurs reducing centering accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The keyway includes a preliminary inclined surface that guides the key into proper alignment during attachment. This preliminary action ensures the key enters the keyway at the correct angle and position, eliminating gaps and preventing circumferential displacement before the final tightening occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyway geometry is changed from a conventional rectangular cross-section to an inverted T-shaped cross-section with an inclined surface. This parameter change allows the key to be guided into proper alignment while maintaining ease of manufacture, eliminating the need for complex precision machining.
3Manufacturing precision
If the keyway is designed to eliminate gaps through complex structures, then centering accuracy is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The keyway includes a preliminary inclined surface that guides the key into proper alignment during attachment. This preliminary action ensures the key enters the keyway at the correct angle and position, eliminating gaps and preventing circumferential displacement before the final tightening occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyway geometry is changed from a conventional rectangular cross-section to an inverted T-shaped cross-section with an inclined surface. This parameter change allows the key to be guided into proper alignment while maintaining ease of manufacture, eliminating the need for complex precision machining.
Data Source
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AI summary
Each jaw 2 includes a master jaw 20 with serrations 22a and a top jaw 50, with serrations 53a, to be fastened to a T-nut 30. The support groove 23 includes a first keyway 24 into which the key 30b is fitted, whereas the top jaw 50 includes a second keyway 54 into which a tip of the key 30b is fitted. A gap exists between the key 30b and each of the first keyway 24 and the second keyway 54. The key 30b is inclined or twisted with respect to both the first keyway 24 and the second keyway 54.