Coolant Coupling Piston Structure for Leak-Resistant Tool Rest Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolant coupling devices for machine tools suffer from complex structures leading to higher production costs and leakage issues due to coolant flowing out of the outlet, making it difficult to increase pressure in the cylinder chamber.
Innovation Solution
A coolant coupling device with a piston and cylindrical projection where the inlet of the coolant supply flow channel opens on the outer peripheral surface of the projection, ensuring the inlet area is smaller than the outlet area, preventing coolant leakage and maintaining pressure within the cylinder chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the inlet of the coolant supply flow channel opens at the pressure receiving surface toward inside of the cylinder chamber, then the structure is simple, but the coolant readily flows through the flow channel and leaks out, making it difficult to increase pressure in the cylinder chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet opening area is made smaller than the outlet opening area, creating a local quality difference that restricts coolant flow in one direction while allowing free flow in the other direction, thus preventing leakage while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the inlet larger than the outlet (conventional design), the invention inverts the relationship by making the inlet smaller than the outlet, which unexpectedly prevents backflow and leakage while maintaining the simple structural arrangement
2Ease of operation
If a flow channel in the cylinder brings the cylinder chamber into fluid communication with the coolant supply flow channel with a valve member, then the coolant flow can be controlled, but the structure becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member and its control mechanism are completely removed from the system. Instead, the piston itself acts as a passive valve through its movement, which blocks the flow channel when retracted and opens it when advanced, achieving flow control without additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is given a dual function: it both drives the tool rest movement and controls the coolant flow. By moving the piston, both the mechanical drive function and the fluid control function are achieved simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate valve mechanisms
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 device effectively prevents coolant leakage while maintaining a simple structure, allowing for efficient coolant supply to the tool rest without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the piston is advanced by the pressure of the coolant supplied to the cylinder chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant coupling device (20) includes: a cylinder chamber (25) provided for a support member (2) for a tool rest (4) in a machine tool and supplied with coolant; a piston (P) movably arranged in the cylinder chamber (25); and a coolant supply flow channel (30) provided for the piston (P) for passing coolant therethrough. The piston (P) is driven by the coolant supplied to the cylinder chamber (25) so that an outlet (32) of the coolant supply flow channel (30) is connected to a coolant inlet port (10) of the tool rest (4) to supply the coolant to the tool rest (4). The piston (P) comprises a cylindrical projection (29) protruding toward and into the cylinder chamber (25), and the coolant supply flow channel (30) has an inlet (34) that opens at an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical projection (29).