Clamp Mechanism Plug Element Concave Portion Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamp mechanisms for cutting tools obstruct chip outflow during grooving cutting work, leading to instability and reduced tool life due to upward projection of clamp and screw members, and inadequate suppression of cutting insert movement, resulting in positional accuracy issues.

Innovation Solution

A clamp mechanism with a plug element and concave portion design, where the plug element and concave portion have swollen and narrow sections to prevent upward projection and ensure stable chip processing, allowing the cutting insert to be securely fixed without obstructing chip outflow, and maintaining positional accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the clamp member and screw member are designed to securely fix the cutting insert, then the cutting insert's positional accuracy is improved, but the clamp member and screw member project upward and block chip outflow, causing chip collision and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting insert positional accuracyVSAvoidchip obstruction and collision
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plug element is inserted into a concave portion formed in the cutting insert, creating a nested structure where the clamp member's plug element fits within the insert's recess. This nesting allows the clamp mechanism to secure the insert without upward projection, as the plug element is contained within the concave portion rather than extending above the insert surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the securing mechanism from a vertical projection approach to a horizontal interference fit approach. The plug element's swollen section creates interference in the horizontal dimension within the concave portion, providing secure fixation without vertical projection that would block chips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the clamp member is designed with sufficient clamping force to prevent insert escape, then the insert's stability is improved, but fine concave and convex portions are required on the sliding face, damaging the abutment surface and reducing positional accuracy over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert stability during cuttingVSAvoidabutment surface integrity and positional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plug element nests within the concave portion, providing clamping force through the interference fit of the swollen section. This eliminates the need for fine concave and convex portions on the sliding face, as the securing function is achieved through the nested plug-concave structure rather than surface features that would damage the abutment surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Force

If the plug element and concave portion are designed with swollen and narrow sections to prevent insert separation, then the insert's resistance to escape movement is improved, but the structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to insert separationVSAvoidplug element and concave portion geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug element and concave portion utilize changes in cross-sectional dimensions along their length. The swollen section has a larger diameter than the narrow section, creating an interference fit that provides strong retention force. This parameter change approach achieves high securing force through simple geometric variation rather than complex multi-component structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2792438B1Clamp mechanism, cutting insert and clamp member
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 TUNGALOY CORP
  • EP2792438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2792438B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2792438B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A clamp mechanism is provided with a plug element (24) extending from a main section of a first member of a clamp member (20) and a cutting insert (1), and a concave portion (5) extending inside a second member. The plug element (24) and the concave portion (5) each include a swollen section (24a, 5a) having a first dimension in a width direction, and a narrow section (24b, 5b) disposed in an area closer to the main section of the first member than the swollen section (24a, 5a) and having a second dimension smaller in the width direction than the swollen section (24a, 5a). The narrow section (5b) of the concave portion (5) interferes with the swollen section (24a) of the plug element (24) to suppress separation of the cutting insert (1) in the guide direction (A) from the clamp member (20).