Grooving Cutting Tool Coolant Branching for Stable Chip Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cutting tools with small diameters face challenges in supplying coolant directly to the cutting edge during grooving, as the coolant flow is often disrupted by chip discharge and the coolant tends to impede chip discharge, leading to inadequate coolant supply and flow instability.
Innovation Solution
A cutting tool design featuring a first flow path with a second branching flow path and a guide member that directs coolant from the second jetting port to the cutting edge, ensuring reliable coolant supply by setting specific angles and lengths for the flow paths and utilizing the cutting insert as a guide member to maintain a constant speed component in the forward direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If coolant is supplied through a conventional coolant flow path in the body, then coolant can be supplied to the cutting edge, but the coolant flow is disrupted by chips and the coolant pushes against chips, impeding chip dischargeability
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant flow path is divided into multiple separate paths (first coolant flow path and second coolant flow path) that branch off from the main path at different locations. This segmentation allows coolant to reach the cutting edge through multiple routes, ensuring that even if one path is blocked by chips, coolant can still flow through alternative paths, thereby maintaining both coolant supply and chip dischargeability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide member as an intermediary component that directs coolant flow from the second jetting port toward the cutting edge. This guide member mediates between the coolant flow and the cutting edge, ensuring that coolant is delivered effectively without directly pushing against chips in the chip discharge path, thus resolving the conflict between coolant supply and chip dischargeability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coolant flow path is sealed (excluding inflow and jetting ports), then laminar flow is maintained, but coolant cannot be supplied directly toward the flank of the cutting edge in small diameter tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by inclining the second coolant flow path at a specific angle (30° to 85°) relative to the first coolant flow path. This angular deviation allows coolant to be directed toward the flank of the cutting edge while maintaining laminar flow conditions in the sealed paths, effectively adding a directional component that enables targeted coolant delivery without disrupting flow stability
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the coolant flow path are given different characteristics: the first coolant flow path is substantially straight with specific length ratios to maintain laminar flow, while the second coolant flow path is inclined to provide localized directional control. This local differentiation of flow path properties allows simultaneous achievement of laminar flow stability and targeted coolant delivery to the cutting edge flank
3Reliability
If the upstream-of-branch flow path is made sufficiently long (not less than twice the downstream length), then coolant flow stability is improved, but the overall flow path length and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire coolant flow path extremely long to ensure stability, the patent applies partial action by specifically designing the upstream-of-branch flow path to be not less than twice as long as the downstream portion, while keeping the second coolant flow path relatively short and inclined. This selective application of length requirements to specific path segments achieves the necessary flow stability (excessive action where needed) without proportionally increasing overall device 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
This design effectively supplies coolant to the cutting edge while maintaining chip dischargeability, even in small-bore machining, by diverting the coolant in a desired direction and utilizing the cutting insert as a guide, ensuring consistent coolant flow and preventing oil shortages during the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
a structure in which portions of the coolant flow path excluding a coolant inflow port and a jetting port are sealed is generally adopted... Such a structure can be said to be premised on the coolant, which flows through the coolant flow path, being a laminar flow
Implementation Method 2
The second flow path is inclined at an angle of not less than 30° and not more than 85° to the substantially straight upstream-of-branch flow path
Implementation Method 3
a guide member having a guide surface disposed away from the second jetting port and at least forming a space for the coolant to flow out to the cutting edge from the second jetting port
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting tool able to sufficiently supply coolant toward a cutting edge of a cutting insert during a cutting process involving grooving a workpiece face includes a first flow path through which coolant is supplied toward a body leading end side, a first jetting port, a second flow path branching at a branch point along the first flow path, a second jetting port, and a guide member having a guide surface distanced from the second jetting port and forming a space for coolant to flow to the cutting edge from the second jetting port. In the first flow path, a substantially straight upstream-of-branch flow path on further toward a base end side than the branch point is at least twice as long as a downstream-of-branch flow path from the first jetting port to the branch point. The second flow path inclines at a 30° to 85° angle to the upstream-of-branch flow path.