Workpiece Clamp Slider Sealing With Vacuum-Retracted Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Machining centers face challenges in protecting guide and motion transmission elements from machining fluids and chips, which can lead to corrosion and reduced operational efficiency, and existing sealing solutions generate friction that shortens the lifespan of moving parts.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with variable shape seals that can expand for sealing and retract without friction, using suction means to allow slider movement, ensuring protection from fluids and chips while minimizing wear on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing means are arranged to protect inner zone components from machining fluid and chips, then protection reliability is improved, but friction between seal and slider increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with a variable shape cavity that can dynamically change its configuration between expanded (sealing) and retracted (movement) states. This dynamic transformation allows the seal to adapt its shape and position based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable sealing and minimizing friction during slider movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state and geometry of the seal are changed by varying the pressure differential across its membrane. By controlling the suction pressure applied to the variable shape cavity, the seal transitions between different configurations - expanded for sealing and retracted for movement - thereby changing its physical parameters to resolve the friction-protection contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If seal is in contact with slider to provide sealing, then protection from fluids and chips is improved, but movement smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal operates in periodic cycles, alternating between an expanded sealing configuration during machining operations and a retracted non-contact configuration during slider positioning. This periodic transformation ensures that the seal provides protection only when needed, while allowing smooth movement during retraction, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and movement smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic reconfiguration of the seal between contact and non-contact states with the slider enables the system to switch between protection mode and movement mode. When the seal expands, it contacts the slider to provide sealing; when it retracts, it separates from the slider to allow frictionless movement, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If variable shape seal is used to reduce friction during movement, then component lifespan is improved, but sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal's physical parameters (shape, volume, pressure) are dynamically adjusted based on operational phase. During movement, the seal is in a retracted state with reduced contact pressure, minimizing friction and extending component lifespan. During machining, the seal transitions to an expanded state with increased contact pressure, ensuring effective sealing. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between lifespan and sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable shape cavity seal dynamically transforms its geometry and contact characteristics based on operational requirements. The membrane structure allows the seal to expand for effective sealing during machining while retracting to minimize friction during slider movement, thereby extending component lifespan without compromising sealing effectiveness when needed.
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 effectively seals against machining fluids and chips, reduces friction between seals and sliders, extending the lifespan of components and maintaining operational efficiency by allowing smooth movement of sliders during machining.
Implementation Method 1
suction means for generating a depression in said cavity so that the seal assumes said retracted configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus for positioning workpiece clamping elements (1), said apparatus comprising: - at least one support (2) extending at least along one longitudinal direction (L) and defining at least one inner zone (C) to be protected from external elements, in particular against the entry of solid objects or liquids during machining of the workpiece; - at least one slider (3) which is configured to carry at least one workpiece clamping element and which is movable on said support (2) along said longitudinal direction (L) for the positioning of said at least one workpiece clamping element; - at least one seal (4) which comprises a variable shape cavity (8) and which is capable of assuming an expanded configuration (A), in which said at least one seal (4) is in contact with said at least one slider (3) and provides a sealing to protect said at least one inner zone (C), and at least one retracted configuration (B), in which said seal (4) allows said at least one slider (3) to move on said support (2) along said longitudinal direction (L) without generating friction between said slider (3) and said seal (4); - suction means (7) for generating a depression in said cavity (8) so that said at least one seal (4) assumes said retracted configuration (B).