Eccentric Tool Clamping With Pivoting Anti-Rotation Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping systems for cutting tools in machine tools do not provide adequate anti-twist protection against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cutting tool.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with a threaded bore offset eccentrically to the central diameter of the receiving bore, utilizing a swivel joint formed by a ball socket on the clamping screw and a ball head on an intermediate element, which allows the intermediate element to pivot and indirectly apply pressure to the cutting tool, preventing rotation and axial extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the clamping screw presses directly onto the cylindrical surface of the cutting tool, then the structure is simple and direct, but the cutting tool is not secured against rotation around its longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate element with a flattened portion is introduced between the clamping screw and the cutting tool. This intermediate element serves as a mediator that converts the axial clamping force into both axial retention and rotational prevention. The flattened portion on the intermediate element contacts the cutting tool to prevent rotation, while the ball socket and ball head mechanism allows the intermediate element to pivot and apply pressure indirectly, solving the contradiction between structural simplicity and anti-rotation reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the threaded bore is centered on the receiving bore, then the clamping force is symmetric and stable, but the cutting tool can rotate freely around its longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded bore is positioned off-center relative to the receiving bore, creating an asymmetric clamping configuration. This asymmetric positioning, combined with the pivotable intermediate element, ensures that the clamping force is applied at an offset location that prevents rotation. The ball socket and ball head mechanism allows the intermediate element to pivot and adapt to the asymmetric geometry, maintaining stable contact with the cutting tool while preventing rotational movement.
3Device complexity
If the clamping screw directly contacts the cutting tool, then the contact is direct and simple, but the cutting tool surface may be damaged or worn
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate element acts as a protective intermediary between the clamping screw and the cutting tool surface. The flattened portion on the intermediate element provides a distributed contact area that reduces point-load stress on the cutting tool surface. This intermediate contact mechanism prevents direct metal-to-metal contact between the clamping screw and the precision cutting tool, thereby reducing surface damage and wear while maintaining effective clamping force.
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 system effectively secures the cutting tool against both axial pull-out and rotational movement, ensuring reliable clamping by using an intermediate element with a flattening surface that maintains contact with the cutting tool, even when the clamping screw does not directly touch it.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping screw has a ball socket at its free screw-in end. Correspondingly, the intermediate element has a suitably adapted ball head on the side of the clamping screw, which is mounted in the ball socket of the clamping screw, so that the intermediate element is pivotable relative to the clamping screw
Implementation Method 2
the intermediate element preferably has a flattened surface on the side facing the workpiece (e.g., cutting tool). Correspondingly, the workpiece (e.g., cutting tool) also has a corresponding flattened surface on its outer surface. When the workpiece (e.g., cutting tool) is clamped, the flattened surface on the intermediate element rests parallel to the flattened surface on the workpiece
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates relates to a clamping system for clamping an object (1), in particular for clamping a cutting tool in a machine tool, comprising an accommodating bore (4) for accommodating the object (1) to be clamped, a threaded bore, which extends in the wall of the accommodating bore (4) transversely to the longitudinal axis (12) of the accommodating bore (4), and a clamping screw (6), which can be screwed in the threaded bore in order to selectively clamp or release the object (1) in the accommodating bore (4) in accordance with the screwing position of the clamping screw (6). The invention further relates to an intermediate element (9), which is arranged between the clamping screw (6) and the object (1) such that the clamping screw (6) touches the object (1) to be clamped (1) not directly, but rather indirectly by means of the intermediate element (9). According to the invention, the threaded bore is preferably arranged eccentrically in relation to the accommodating bore (4).