Four-Jaw Compensating Chuck With Rotatable Force-Balancing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Four-cheek compensation clamping feeds face challenges in achieving improved repeat accuracy and compact design while maintaining efficient power transmission, particularly in handling rotating workpieces with varying geometries.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a compensation element that allows relative rotation and circumferential and radial movement within the housing, enabling synchronous and non-synchronous movements of slide pairs to distribute forces evenly, reducing mass and eliminating the need for comprehensive compensation elements, and utilizing a ring body with inclined sliding surfaces for enhanced power transmission and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional four-cheek compensation chucks are used, then clamping force is distributed over four cheeks, but the design is not compact and power transmission efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic functionality by making the compensation element rotatable relative to the tension axis, allowing the system to adapt its configuration during operation. This rotational capability enables the compensation element to move between circumferential position (for synchronous movement) and radial position (for non-synchronous movement), optimizing power transmission and compactness based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the clamping system into two independent pairs of slides (first pair and second pair) that can move relative to each other in the circumferential direction. This segmentation allows each slide pair to be controlled independently through the rotatable compensation element, enabling flexible power distribution and compact arrangement of components
2Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive compensation elements are used, then repeat accuracy is improved, but the device mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable compensation element provides dynamic compensation capabilities without requiring massive static compensation structures. By allowing movement between circumferential and radial positions, the system achieves repeat accuracy through controlled positional adjustment rather than through mass, reducing overall device weight while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotational movement as an additional degree of freedom for the compensation element. This dimensional change allows compensation functions to be achieved through rotational positioning rather than through radial mass distribution, reducing the mass required for compensation while maintaining or improving repeat accuracy
3Stability of the object's composition
If slides are supported in radial direction, then centrifugal forces are better collected, but power transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable compensation element dynamically adjusts the support configuration of the slides. During rotation, the compensation element can be positioned to provide radial support for centrifugal force collection, while during power transmission phases, it can be positioned to minimize interference with power transmission, thus balancing both requirements through temporal separation
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 enhances repeat accuracy and compactness, improves power transmission efficiency, and effectively manages centrifugal forces during rotation, allowing for precise clamping of rotationally symmetrical workpieces with increased clamping force distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The basic cheeks (7A-D) are coupled with the slides (17A-D) in such a way that the pulling movement of the train rod (13) is transferable via inclined sliding surfaces (19, 21) into a radial movement of the basic cheeks (7A-D)
Implementation Method 2
The compensation element (15) ensures that, in the event of a rotation-free movement of the compensation element, all slides (17A-D) are moved synchronously with regard to the train guidance (13), and that, in the event of a rotation of the compensation element, a relative movement of the slides (17A-D) with regard to one another is caused
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a four-jaw compensating chuck, comprising a housing (3) in which a drive unit (9) with a guide rail (13) movable in the direction of a clamping axis (S) is arranged, and two pairs of diametrically opposed base jaws (7a, c; 7b, d) are arranged, wherein the base jaws (7a - d) are movably guided in the housing essentially perpendicular to the clamping axis (S), preferably radially, wherein the drive unit (9) has two pairs of diametrically opposed slides (17a,c; 17b,d), each slide (17a-d) being coupled to a base jaw (7a-d) for force transmission to the base jaw (7a-d) in order to convert the movement of the guide rail into the movement of the base jaw.It is proposed that the slides are operatively connected to the guide (13) by means of a compensating element (15) rotatable about the clamping axis (S) relative to the guide (13), and are mounted in the housing so as to be movable in the circumferential direction and immovable in the radial direction with respect to the clamping axis (S).