Coolant Lubricant Flow Control for Precise Tooling Machine Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tooling machine coolant lubricant supply systems often result in reduced precision of drill holes and increased wear of drill bits due to uncontrolled coolant pressure, especially for drill bits with coolant holes.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement that utilize a tank, pump, flowmeter, and flow control unit to precisely adjust the coolant lubricant flow based on specific drill bit requirements, using a flowmeter to receive actual and setpoint values and adjust the flow accordingly, with an optional proportional electromagnetic valve for fine-tuning the flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high pressure coolant lubricant (50-100 bar) is supplied to drill bits with coolant holes, then the cooling and lubrication effect is improved, but the precision of drill holes deteriorates and tool wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoiddrill hole precision
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from pressure to flow rate. By measuring and controlling the flow rate of coolant lubricant according to the specific drill bit diameter and material being drilled, the system achieves optimal cooling without the harmful effects of high pressure on drill hole precision and tool wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If high pressure coolant lubricant is supplied to drill bits with coolant holes, then the cooling and lubrication effect is improved, but tool wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidtool life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from pressure-based control to flow rate-based control. By adjusting the flow rate parameter according to the drill bit specifications and material properties, adequate cooling is maintained while preventing excessive tool wear that occurs with high pressure application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system using a flow meter to measure the actual coolant flow rate and a control unit to adjust the pump or valve accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the optimal flow rate is maintained, preventing tool wear while ensuring proper cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If uncontrolled coolant pressure is used in the supply system, then the system complexity is reduced, but the drilling accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiddrilling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback control system with a flow meter and control unit that automatically adjusts the coolant flow rate based on the drill bit diameter and material being drilled. This automated control achieves high drilling accuracy without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the drill bit diameter information (already available from the machining parameters) to automatically determine the optimal flow rate, eliminating the need for separate pressure adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach enhances the precision of drill holes and reduces drill bit wear by 10-20%, while also lowering energy consumption by optimizing coolant flow over pressure, leading to improved drilling accuracy and tool longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a pump P driven by a motor M which transports the coolant lubricant from the tank T to the tooling machine TM

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a flowmeter FM placed directly in front of the tooling machine TM and the measured flow value is received by a flow control unit FC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow meter measurement:

Implementation Method 3

in order to assure a constant and optimized cooling and lubrication of the tool and the contact surface with the processed material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

in order to assure a constant and optimized cooling and lubrication of the tool and the contact surface with the processed material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4342629A1Method and arrangement for supplying a tooling machine with coolant lubricant
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 IFM ELECTRONIC GMBH
  • EP4342629A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4342629A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4342629A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns an arrangement for supplying a tooling machine with coolant lubricant which includes a pump P driven by a motor M transporting the coolant lubricant to the tooling machine TM in a lubricant circuit LC and a flow meter FM arranged in the lubricant circuit LC directly in front of the tooling machine TM. The flowmeter FM is connected to a control unit FC receiving the measured flow values, which control unit FC is also connected to the pump P and controls the coolant lubricant flow according to the task of the tooling machine TM (Fig. 1).