Cutting Machine Spline Coupling Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cutting machines face issues with mechanical strength and precision due to the deformation of long female spline gears, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced cutting precision over time.
Innovation Solution
A cutting machine design featuring a machine body with parallel cylindrical holes, a hollow piston, and shafts with splined end portions that allow axial movement and rotational coupling, enabling precise control and reducing the need for high mechanical strength in spline gears.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long female spline gear is used to engage both male spline gears simultaneously, then the cutting machine can transmit power through a single continuous engagement, but the female spline gear deforms and requires high mechanical strength, increasing manufacturing cost and reducing cutting precision over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission path into two separate engagement segments: the first male spline gear engages with a first portion of the female spline gear, and the second male spline gear engages with a second portion of the female spline gear. This segmentation allows each engagement to be independent, reducing the total engagement length required and thereby reducing deformation of the female spline gear while maintaining reliable power transmission through either path.
Solution Approach 2:
The female spline gear acts as an intermediary element that can engage with either the first male spline gear or the second male spline gear. The piston mediates the selection between the two engagement paths by moving axially to couple or decouple the male spline gears from the female spline gear, allowing flexible power transmission while reducing the mechanical strength requirements of the female spline gear.
2Reliability
If a long female spline gear is used to ensure simultaneous engagement with both male spline gears, then power transmission is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases due to the need for high mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission system into two parallel paths, each with its own male spline gear engagement. This allows the female spline gear to be shorter and engage with only one male spline gear at a time, reducing material requirements and manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable power transmission through the active engagement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for simpler, less expensive spline gears by eliminating the need for an extremely long female spline gear with high mechanical strength. The segmented engagement system uses standard-length spline gears that are easier and cheaper to manufacture while maintaining functional reliability.
3Reliability
If a long female spline gear is used to maintain engagement with both male spline gears, then power transmission is ensured, but cutting precision deteriorates after a period of use due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the engagement system into segmented paths where the female spline gear engages with different male spline gears at different times. This reduces the continuous engagement length, minimizing cumulative deformation over time and preserving cutting precision while maintaining power transmission continuity through path switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two engagement paths using piston-driven axial movement. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the female spline gear to reset its engagement position periodically, preventing cumulative deformation and maintaining cutting precision over extended use while ensuring continuous power transmission.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the first shaft is made rotatable relative to the piston and movable axially, then coupling and decoupling between shafts is enabled for different operations, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines axial movement and rotational functionality into a single shaft design. The first shaft can move axially relative to the piston to enable coupling/decoupling of the male spline gear, and can also rotate to drive the rotary cutter holder. This merging of movement types into one component simplifies the overall mechanism compared to using separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The first shaft serves multiple functions: it transmits power through rotation, enables coupling/decoupling through axial movement, and drives the rotary cutter holder. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the ability to switch between different operations, thereby reducing overall mechanism complexity despite the increased versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting machine includes: a machine body; a hollow piston; a first shaft extending into the piston, co-movable with the piston relative to the machine body along a first axis, and rotatable about the first axis relative to the piston; a second shaft rotatable about a second axis and coupled to the first shaft when the first shaft is disposed at a first axial position; a rotary cutter holder rotatable about the first axis and coupled to the second shaft; a third shaft rotatable about the first axis and coupled to the first shaft when the first shaft is disposed at a second axial position; and a driving unit for driving rotation of the first shaft about the first axis.