Electric Tool Changer Linkage for Leak-Free Machining Centers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems used in machining centers for tool changing mechanisms suffer from hydraulic oil leakage and environmental concerns due to unfriendly treatment of hydraulic oil, and are limited by temperature constraints, necessitating an alternative power source for efficient tool exchange.
Innovation Solution
A robotic tool changer utilizing electric control with a drive mechanism comprising a first motor, rotating shafts, swing arms, and cam indexers to achieve high torque output, replacing hydraulic cylinders and enabling smooth reciprocating movement between fixed positions without hydraulic oil leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a hydraulic cylinder is used to drive the rotary seat to rotate, then the output power is sufficient, but hydraulic oil leakage and environmental pollution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic cylinder with an electric motor (first motor) to drive the rotary seat. This substitution eliminates hydraulic oil leakage and environmental pollution while maintaining sufficient driving power for the tool changing assembly's reciprocating motion between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic system is used to drive the rotating shaft, then the tool changing mechanism can operate, but the system is limited by temperature constraints and hydraulic oil maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic system with an electric motor-driven mechanism comprising a first rotating shaft, second rotating shaft, swing arms, and linkage members. This electric drive system eliminates temperature constraints associated with hydraulic oil and simplifies maintenance while enabling smooth reciprocating motion of the tool changing assembly.
3Productivity
If the tool changing assembly reciprocates between two fixed positions at 0 and 90 degrees, then tool exchange is achieved, but a complex hydraulic system is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electric motor connected to a first rotating shaft that drives a first swing arm, which through a linkage member connects to a second swing arm on a second rotating shaft. This mechanical linkage system achieves the reciprocating motion between 0 and 90 degrees with simpler components compared to hydraulic systems, maintaining high tool exchange efficiency while reducing system complexity.
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 electric drive mechanism provides efficient and environmentally friendly tool exchange with high torque output, effectively addressing the limitations of hydraulic systems by reducing hydraulic oil leakage and environmental impact while enabling precise tool changing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The first motor is for driving the first rotating shaft to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic tool changer for machining center includes a drive mechanism, a first motor, and a rotary seat which are mounted on a body. The drive mechanism includes a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a first swing arm, a second swing arm, and a linkage member. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are arranged in parallel. The first swing arm is connected to the first rotating shaft while the second swing arm is connected to the second rotating shaft. Two ends of the linkage member are pivotally connected to the first swing arm and the second swing arm respectively. An end of the second rotating shaft is fixed to the rotary seat. Thereby, when the first motor drives the first rotating shaft to rotate, the rotary seat is driven to turn over. Thereby, with the configuration of the first motor and the drive mechanism, the hydraulic oil leakage and the environmentally unfriendly subsequent treatment of the hydraulic oil when the hydraulic cylinder is used as a power source can be improved.