Sliding Headstock Cover Layout for Removable Guide Bush Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding headstock type lathes require the removed protection cover to be kept outside the machine when the guide bush is not used, leading to potential loss or damage and increased machine size due to the need for separate covers for the feed mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a headstock with a main spindle, a driving unit, and a supporting bed with a removable guide bush, utilizing a first cover to protect the feed mechanism when the guide bush is used and a second cover that can be detachably attached to the first cover when the guide bush is not used, eliminating the need for external storage of the removed cover and allowing for size reduction by shortening the first cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate protection cover is provided for the feed mechanism when the guide bush is not used, then the feed mechanism is protected, but the cover needs to be kept outside the machine to prevent loss or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first cover (for when guide bush is used) and the second cover (for when guide bush is not used) into a single integrated cover structure. The second cover can be detachably attached to the first cover, merging two separate protection solutions into one unified component that remains within the machine tool system, eliminating the need to keep the removed cover outside the machine.
2Reliability
If a separate protection cover is provided for the feed mechanism when the guide bush is not used, then the feed mechanism is protected, but the machine tool size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first cover and second cover into a single integrated structure, allowing the second cover to be detachably attached to the first cover. This eliminates the need for a separate standalone second cover, thereby reducing the overall machine tool volume while maintaining protection functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the headstock is shifted toward the front side to match the position of the replacement cover, then the guide bush holder can be replaced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the second cover attachment functionality into the existing first cover structure, allowing the cover system to adapt between guide bush used and not used modes without requiring complex headstock positioning mechanisms. The detachable attachment of the second cover to the first cover provides versatility while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 solution eliminates the need to keep the removed feed-mechanism-protection cover outside the machine, simplifies the cover structure, and reduces the machine tool's size by allowing the second cover to be attached to the first cover, thereby protecting the feed mechanism effectively and optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a ball screw (feed mechanism) mounted in the axial direction, a nut mounted on the headstock to be engaged with the ball screw
Implementation Method 2
the guide bush slidably supporting the workpiece on the front side of the main spindle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention provides a machine tool eliminating the need of keeping the removed feed-mechanism-protection cover outside the machine. The machine tool 1 comprises a headstock 10 provided with a main spindle 12 for gripping a workpiece W1; a driving unit 20 provided with a feed mechanism 22 extended along a main spindle axis AX1 to move the headstock 10 in a main spindle axial direction D1; a supporting bed 30 provided with a guide bush 32 in a removable manner, the guide bush 32 slidably supporting the workpiece W1 on the front side of the main spindle 12; a first cover 40 mounted on the headstock 10 to protect a portion of the feed mechanism 22 with respect to the main spindle axial direction D1; and a second cover 50 removably mounted on the headstock 10 on the front side of the first cover 40 to protect another portion of the feed mechanism 22; wherein, the second cover 50 is detachably attached to the first cover 40 when removed from the headstock 10.