Elastic Cone Centering for Lathe Chuck Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chuck centering systems on lathe spindles are geometrically overdetermined, making precise alignment and reliable centering difficult, which hinders the functional and repeatable arrangement of chucks.

Innovation Solution

A locking device with an elastically resilient cone or counter-cone section that allows axial displacement until the chuck rests against a stop, combined with radially moving clamping slides actuated by a rotary member, ensuring defined and complete contact without geometric overdetermination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If rigid cone sections are used for centering, then precise alignment is required, but geometric overdetermination occurs making reliable centering difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcentering reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the cone section from rigid to elastically resilient, allowing it to deform axially under load. This parameter change enables the cone section to accommodate minor misalignments while maintaining reliable centering, eliminating the geometric overdetermination problem that occurs with rigid cones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the centering mechanism by making the cone section elastically resilient. This allows the system to adapt to varying alignment conditions during chuck mounting, transforming from a static rigid connection to a dynamic resilient connection that can self-adjust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If elastic resilience is introduced to the cone section, then geometric overdetermination is eliminated, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering reliabilityVSAvoidcentering device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves the desired reliability by changing the material or structural parameter of the cone section to be elastically resilient rather than rigid. This single parameter change eliminates geometric overdetermination without requiring complex additional components or mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple clamping slides are used for locking, then secure locking is achieved, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlocking operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuation of multiple clamping slides into a single rotary member operation. By coupling the clamping slides to the rotary member, all slides are actuated simultaneously through one rotational motion, achieving secure locking of multiple jaws without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary member serves as a universal actuator for all clamping slides, enabling a single component to control multiple locking actions. This multi-functional design allows one element to perform the work of multiple actuators, simplifying the operating interface while maintaining reliable locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables reliable and repeatable centering of chucks on lathe spindles, providing a suitable pull-in force for secure locking and eliminating geometric overdetermination, allowing for precise alignment and secure attachment over a large area.

Implementation Method 1

the cone section and/or the counter-cone section is designed to be elastically resilient in the axial direction such that after the cone section has come into contact with the counter-cone section, the chuck can an axial force can be further displaced in the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2552642B1Centring device for centring a chuck on a rotating spindle and associated locking device
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 SCHUNK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2552642B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2552642B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5c
  • EP2552642B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8c

AI summary

The invention concerns a centring device for centring a chuck (14) on a securing portion (16) in particular of a rotating spindle (12) of a machine, wherein a tapered portion (33) corresponding to a mating tapered portion (35) on the chuck side is provided on the securing portion (16) in such a way that the tapered portion (33) and/or the mating tapered portion (35) is/are formed so as to yield elastically in the axial direction such that, after the tapered portion (33) comes into contact with the mating tapered portion (35), the chuck (14) can be moved further in the axial direction, at least to a limited extent, as a result of an axial pulling-in force until the chuck (14) comes to lie against a stop on the securing portion side (114; figure 13a). The invention likewise concerns an associated locking device (10).