Face Grooving Tool Body Slit Geometry for Stronger Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Face grooving tool bodies with spring clamping mechanisms face limitations in service life due to risk of plastic deformation and reduced clamping efficiency for deep grooves, while screw clamping can lead to deformation of the blade portion and incorrect groove diameters.

Innovation Solution

The design of a face grooving tool body with a slit portion that reduces the risk of plastic deformation by increasing the distance from the bottom surface to the slit rear end, enhancing mechanical strength and reducing the force needed to open the insert seat, thereby increasing service life and maintaining groove accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spring clamping mechanism is used, then clamping efficiency is maintained for narrow and deep grooves, but service life is reduced due to risk of plastic deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping efficiencyVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the blade portion by increasing the distance from the bottom surface to the rear slit end. This parameter change enhances the mechanical strength and stiffness of the blade, preventing plastic deformation of the upper clamping jaw while maintaining the spring clamping mechanism's effectiveness for narrow and deep grooves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If screw clamping is used, then clamping force is sufficient for short grooves, but blade portion deforms leading to incorrect groove diameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidgroove diameter accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the blade portion by extending the distance from the bottom surface to the rear slit end. This increases the blade's stiffness and resistance to deformation, allowing sufficient clamping force to be applied without causing blade portion deformation that would lead to incorrect groove diameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If distance from bottom surface to slit rear end is increased, then mechanical strength is enhanced, but force needed to open insert seat increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidforce to open insert seat
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing the lower support surface extends a greater distance from the rear end than the upper clamping surface. This creates a localized structural feature that enhances overall mechanical strength while the slit geometry is optimized to maintain ease of opening. The asymmetric extension provides structural reinforcement without proportionally increasing the opening force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If upper clamping jaw is made elastically deformable, then clamping adapts to groove dimensions, but plastic deformation reduces clamping efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping adaptabilityVSAvoidclamping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the geometric parameter of the blade portion by increasing the distance from the bottom surface to the rear slit end. This parameter change increases the stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the blade, allowing the elastically deformable upper clamping jaw to adapt to different groove dimensions without undergoing plastic deformation, thereby maintaining clamping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhanced design improves the service life of the blade portion by reducing deformation risks and maintaining groove diameter accuracy, while also reducing the clamping force required, thus increasing the mechanical strength and efficiency of the tool.

Implementation Method 1

The second side surface of the lower blade portion is curved around a second side surface axis of curvature extending parallel to the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCurvature: Geometry

Implementation Method 2

The upper clamping jaw is therefore elastically deformable, or resiliently moveable, and is pivotable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3231541B1A face grooving tool body for metal cutting
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
  • EP3231541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3231541B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3231541B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A face grooving tool body (51), comprising a blade portion (52) comprising a top surface (53), an opposite bottom surface (54), a first side surface (55) and an opposite second side surface (56), a front end (57) and an opposite rear end (58), a longitudinal axis (A1) of the blade portion (52) coinciding with a primary cutting feed direction (F1) of the blade portion (52), an upper blade portion (61) associated with the top surface (53) and a lower blade portion (62) associated with the bottom surface (54), wherein the upper and lower blade portions (61, 62) are separated by a slit (59). The second side surface (56) of the lower blade portion (62) is curved around a second side surface axis of curvature (A4) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A1), wherein a key hole (66) is formed in the blade portion (52). The slit (59) comprises a slit portion (68). A distance (71) from the bottom surface (54) to the slit portion rear end (70) is greater than a distance (72) from the bottom surface (54) to the rear slit end (60). The slit portion (68) is concave or substantially concave in a side view.