Self-Actuating Tool Holder With Deformable Clamping Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices on processing machines, such as routers, are cumbersome to operate due to the need for separate hand tools and lack of ease in ensuring concentricity and strong frictional connections, particularly when dealing with tools of different dimensions and orientations.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a deformable clamping element that can be axially loaded to vary the passage width, allowing for tool clamping without the need for additional tools, featuring a conical ring for radial pressure and stacked clamping disks for increased friction, enabling secure and concentric tool holding across various rotational positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a collet chuck is opened and closed using a hand tool, then the clamping force can be sufficiently strong, but the operation becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed to automatically apply clamping force when the tool is inserted into the tool holder. The conical ring deforms under axial pressure to narrow the central passage, creating friction-based clamping without requiring any manual operation or separate hand tool. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the time-consuming process of manually opening and closing collet chucks while maintaining sufficient clamping force.
2Reliability
If a separate hand tool is used to operate the collet chuck, then the clamping can be secured, but the operation becomes cumbersome especially when guide columns are present
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device operates automatically upon tool insertion, eliminating the need for separate hand tools and the cumbersome repositioning operations required when guide columns are present. The conical ring deforms axially to create reliable friction-based clamping without any manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical hand tool operation system with a direct axial deformation mechanism. Instead of requiring rotational operation of a collet chuck with a wrench, the system uses axial pressure on a conical ring to achieve clamping, substituting a simple linear motion for a complex rotational mechanical operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a clamping device ensures adequate concentricity, then the tool holding precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conical ring is designed with a specific geometry where only the central passage area deforms under axial pressure, while the outer structure remains stable. This localized deformation ensures that the narrowing action occurs precisely where needed (at the tool contact surface) to maintain concentricity, without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire device.
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 solution simplifies tool clamping by allowing easy and quick operation without the need for additional tools, ensuring high concentricity and frictional torque transmission, even in non-positive fits, and supports a wide range of tool sizes and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping element is deformable by axial pressure and the width of the passage can be changed by this deformation
Implementation Method 2
a comparatively small axial stroke of the clamping element is sufficient to enable a high frictional torque transmission from the tool holder to the tool
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine tool comprises a shaft driven to rotate about a rotational axis, a tool holder coupled to the shaft for drive purposes or formed integrally with it, and a clamping device for releasably securing a tool in the tool holder. The clamping device comprises a clamping element held on the tool holder, which has a central opening for guiding a tool to be inserted into the tool holder, wherein the clamping element is deformable by axial force and the width of the opening can be changed by this deformation, and a clamping element mounted on the tool holder, which is axially displaceable between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the clamping element can be axially actuated by displacing the clamping element in the direction of the clamping position.