Induction Coil Cooling Channel for Tool Chuck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cooling hot tool chucks are inefficient, requiring extensive time and posing safety risks due to manual handling of hot components, and automation is difficult due to the need for intimate surface contact and separate heating and cooling points.
Innovation Solution
A device that integrates an induction coil with a cooling channel flushed with water or other fluids, sealed to prevent coolant escape and ensure safe handling, allowing for rapid cooling within the tool chuck's housing without direct operator exposure to hot areas, using interchangeable coil modules and flexible sealing mechanisms to accommodate varying tool chuck contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the tool chuck is cooled by immersion in a water bath or sprayed off, then cooling effect is achieved, but the lining gets completely wet and extensive drying is required, increasing cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from the tool chuck itself and integrated into the coil housing structure. The cooling channel is formed between the coil housing and the tool chuck, allowing coolant to flow through a dedicated pathway rather than requiring external water bath immersion or spraying, thus avoiding wetting of the lining and eliminating drying time
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel is nested within the coil housing structure, with the cooling channel extending between the coolant supply line and coolant suction line within the housing. This nested arrangement allows the cooling system to be integrated into the existing device structure without requiring external cooling equipment or separate cooling operations
2Temperature
If fixed heat sinks are used for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but intimate surface contact between chuck and heat sink is required, which is difficult to achieve with cylindrical chucks and requires matching heat sink and chuck contours
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant fluid acts as an intermediary medium for heat transfer between the tool chuck and the cooling system. Instead of requiring direct solid-to-solid contact between the chuck and heat sink, the coolant flows through the cooling channel adjacent to the chuck, transferring heat through the channel walls. This eliminates the need for contour matching and intimate surface contact
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system uses hydraulic flow of coolant through the cooling channel to achieve heat transfer. The coolant is supplied through the coolant supply line and removed through the coolant suction line, using fluid dynamics to efficiently remove heat from the tool chuck without requiring mechanical contact or contour matching
3Temperature
If the tool chuck is cooled by removal and immersion in water bath, then cooling is achieved, but the hot chuck has to be handled again, making automation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and cooling functions are merged into a single integrated system. The induction coil provides heating, and the cooling channel in the same coil housing provides cooling. Both functions operate on the tool chuck in place without removal, allowing for complete automation of the heating and cooling process within the device
4Temperature
If cooling takes place at different points from heating, then separate heating and cooling functions are achieved, but hot feeds have to be handled, increasing safety risks and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating coil and cooling channel are merged into a single integrated assembly where the cooling channel is formed between the coil housing and the tool chuck. This allows heating and cooling to occur at the same location (the tool chuck) simultaneously or sequentially, eliminating the need to handle hot feeds for cooling operations and improving safety and ease of operation
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
Enables rapid, safe, and automated cooling of hot tool chucks within the device, reducing cycle time and eliminating risks of burns, while allowing for flexible adaptation to different tool chuck sizes and minimizing coolant usage and handling hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The induction coil 1 together with the field concentrator 3, the sleeve part 2 of the tool chuck and the field conducting devices 4 form a magnetic circuit which heats the sleeve part 2 of the tool chuck when the coil 1 is activated
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve part forms directly one of the walls of the cooling channel 5 along at least part of this area, which enables excellent heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
This is flushed with water, for example, which i. i. e. R. will be mixed with corrosion inhibitors. Any other suitable fluid can also be used
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has a channel (5) running between the internal peripheral surface of the induction coil (1) and the bush section (2) of the tool chuck. The bush section of the tool chuck is thoroughly rinsed by a coolant. The channel is arranged and led such the coolant comes directly with the bush section, as the bush section forms a wall of the channel in sections. An independent claim is also included for a device for cooling a hot tool chuck.