Combined Tool for Rear Steering Knuckle Center Hole Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing machining process for rear steering knuckle center holes requires multiple tools and frequent tool changes, leading to increased workload, prolonged machining cycles, high tool costs, and resource wastage due to inconvenient procedures and complex tool management.

Innovation Solution

A combined tool with a steplike tool bit and blade assembly that integrates multiple machining functions, allowing for simultaneous machining of various features in a rear steering knuckle center hole, reducing the need for multiple tools and tool changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple single-function tools are used to machine different features, then each feature can be machined with a dedicated tool, but the number of tools increases, tool changing frequency increases, and machining cycle time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature machining precisionVSAvoidmachining cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple single-function tools (boring tools, face milling cutters, chamfer mills) into a single combined tool with a tool body that integrates all machining features. This merging eliminates the need for multiple tool changes and reduces machining cycle time while maintaining the precision of each feature through dedicated blade assemblies for each machining operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combined tool is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform multiple machining operations (boring, face milling, chamfering) simultaneously. The tool body incorporates multiple blade assemblies that can machine different features in one setup, making the tool universal for all center hole machining operations without requiring separate specialized tools.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple tools are used for machining different features, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the tool cost increases and machine tool magazine capacity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature machining capabilityVSAvoidnumber of tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate tools into a single combined tool structure. The tool body integrates all necessary blade assemblies (boring blades, face milling blades, chamfering blades) into one unit, reducing the number of tools from six to one. This maintains the specialized machining capability for each feature while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple separate tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combined tool serves as a universal tool that can perform all machining operations (boring, face milling, chamfering) that previously required separate specialized tools. Each blade assembly within the combined tool is optimized for its specific function, but all are integrated into one multi-functional tool that replaces the entire tool set.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If tools are fed from two directions and the working table is rotated by 180 degrees, then all features can be accessed, but the machining procedure becomes inconvenient and the workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive feature coverageVSAvoidmachining procedure convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The combined tool merges all machining operations into a single tool that can access all features from one direction. The blade assemblies are arranged on the tool body to machine different features (center holes, arc angles, planes, chamfers) simultaneously or sequentially without requiring table rotation or complex tool feeding from multiple directions, greatly simplifying the machining procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3702078A1Combined tool for machining rear steering knuckle center hole and machining method thereof
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 CITIC DICASTAL CO LTD
  • EP3702078A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3702078A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3702078A1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2F

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the field of machining, and provides a combined tool for machining a rear steering knuckle center hole and a machining method thereof. The combined tool for machining a rear steering knuckle center hole includes: a tool body, wherein the tool body includes a shank (1), a tool bar (2) and a step-like tool bit (3); the step-like tool bit (3) is provided with at least two tool teeth (32) uniformly disposed in a circumferential direction; the at least two tool teeth (32) extend along an axial direction of the combined tool for machining a rear steering knuckle center hole, and a chip discharge groove (31) is concavely arranged between any two adjacent tool teeth (31); and a blade assembly (41-44, 45-48), wherein the blade assembly (41-44, 45-48) includes various blades (41-44, 45-48); the blade assembly includes at least two groups of blades corresponding to the at least two tool teeth (31); each group of blades is mounted on a mounting plane (311) of the corresponding tool tooth (31) along the axial direction; and projections of all the blades (41-48) in the axial direction are continuous and cover a machining range of the rear steering knuckle center hole.