Floating Pipe Socket for Cutting Tool Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cutting devices in automatic lathes face challenges with complex and time-consuming tool changes, particularly when replacing worn cutting tools, due to inaccuracies in repositioning and the risk of pipe socket jamming or falling during clamping and release.

Innovation Solution

The cutting device features a floating pipe socket with a bearing mount and annular elastomeric sealing elements, allowing radial and tilting movements, ensuring precise alignment and preventing damage by maintaining a secure fit between support and counter-support surfaces, and providing a separate receiving base for easy assembly and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the pipe socket is rigidly fixed in the component, then the alignment precision is improved, but the risk of jamming during clamping and damage during release increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidrisk of jamming and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe socket is designed with floating mounting capability, allowing it to perform radial and tilting movements relative to the component. This dynamic adjustment enables the pipe socket to adapt to misalignments during clamping while maintaining precise alignment in the positioned state, thereby resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and jamming risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bearing means with elastically flexible material that allows the pipe socket to change its positional parameters (radial position and tilt angle) in response to clamping forces. This parameter change capability enables the system to accommodate alignment variations without jamming, while still achieving high alignment precision when positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the cutting tool is replaced frequently, then the productivity is improved, but the time for repositioning and alignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool change frequencyVSAvoidrepositioning and alignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The floating pipe socket with bearing means enables the cutting tool to self-align during the replacement process. The bearing elements automatically compensate for misalignments through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for manual repositioning and alignment operations. This self-service mechanism significantly reduces the time required for tool changes while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the pipe socket is mounted in a floating manner, then the risk of jamming is reduced, but the alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of jammingVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The floating mounting is designed with bearing means that provide controlled movement capability. The pipe socket can dynamically adjust its position and orientation within the bearing elements, allowing it to compensate for misalignments while maintaining precise alignment when in the positioned state. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between reduced jamming risk and maintained alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing elements made of elastically flexible material provide beforehand cushioning by absorbing misalignment forces before they can cause jamming. The elastic deformation of the bearing elements cushions the impact of positional variations, allowing the pipe socket to maintain precise alignment while preventing jamming during the clamping process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 design enables quick and accurate tool changes with high repeatability, minimizing misalignments and preventing pipe socket damage, thus improving the efficiency and precision of cutting tool exchanges.

Implementation Method 1

at least one annular bearing element made of elastically flexible material arranged between an inner wall of the bearing seat and a lateral surface of the pipe socket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3357616B1Cutting device for machining workpieces
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 KARL HEINZ ARNOLD
  • EP3357616B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3357616B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3357616B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

In a cutting device for machining workpieces, comprising at least one cutting tool (13) which has a clamping shank (16) and cutting means (17) which are to be brought into contact with or remain in contact with the workpiece to be machined, wherein the clamping shank (16) has several components, one of which is a support part (18) having the cutting means (17) and another is a position predetermination part (19), which can be clamped independently of each other in an associated tool receptacle (14) of a tool holder (12), wherein a support surface (38) is formed on the position predetermination part (19) and a counter support surface (39) facing the support surface (38) is formed on the support part (18), which bear against each other in a service position (40) in which the support part (18) and the position predetermination part (19) are received in the tool receptacle (14) of the tool holder (12), and wherein the clamping shank (16) is supported by at least one coolant channel (44) is permeated,The pipe stub (45) is partially formed on a pipe stub arranged on one of the components and extends into the other component, and is floatingly mounted to allow radial and tilting movements in all directions relative to the component on which it is arranged.