Hydrostatic Clamping Device for Steady Rest Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for steady rests in machining tools face challenges in maintaining precise positioning and alignment, as the prism with a guide groove often shifts during fixation, leading to unreliable support of workpieces during machining.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device featuring a carrier with an annular sliding surface and a concentric ring with radial web extensions, where fluid pressure is used to fix the ring in place, allowing for precise adjustment and secure clamping without altering the ring's position or orientation, utilizing a combination of sliding and fluid pressure to achieve stable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw acts on the fastening pin orthogonally to fix the prism, then the prism can be fixed in position, but the position or alignment of the guide groove changes during clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic pressure through a fluid supply device to expand the ring uniformly, pressing it against the sliding surface to fix the prism. This hydraulic clamping method replaces the mechanical screw action, distributing force evenly to prevent distortion of the guide groove alignment while achieving reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring's inner diameter is designed to change under hydraulic pressure, expanding from a larger diameter when relaxed to a smaller diameter when pressurized. This parameter change allows the ring to be inserted easily in the relaxed state and then clamp the prism securely against the sliding surface when pressurized, maintaining alignment throughout the process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ring is clamped tightly to fix the prism, then positioning stability improves, but adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force is made dynamically controllable through hydraulic pressure. When adjustment is needed, the fluid supply is reduced or stopped, allowing the ring to be moved freely. When fixation is required, hydraulic pressure is applied to create strong clamping force. This dynamic control enables both easy adjustment and stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system provides on-demand clamping force. The fluid supply device can be controlled to apply pressure only when fixation is needed, allowing the operator to adjust the ring position freely during setup and then secure it firmly during operation, achieving both adjustability and stability.
3Reliability
If a fastening pin with linear guide is used, then the prism can be fixed, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring combines multiple functions: it guides the fastening pin through its inner circumference, provides the clamping surface against the sliding surface, and enables hydraulic actuation. This merged design eliminates the need for separate linear guide components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring serves multiple purposes: it acts as a guide for the fastening pin, a clamping element when pressurized, and a structural component connecting to the prism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying the device while achieving reliable fixation.
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 device ensures precise and stable fixation of the steady rest relative to the workpiece, maintaining alignment and preventing movement during machining, while allowing for easy adjustment and assembly, thereby enhancing machining precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one wing (32) can be braced with the sliding surface (20) by increasing the pressure in the cavity (80)
Implementation Method 2
The side of the wing (32) facing the sliding surface (20) of the carrier is formed complementarily to the sliding surface, so that a slide bearing is formed
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for fixing a steady rest (45), said clamping device having a support (10), which has an annular sliding surface (20), and a ring (30) contacting the sliding surface (20) and having a web (35) running in the radial direction, at one end of which web at least one wing (32) is arranged, having a bearing surface complementary to the sliding surface (20). Said clamping device enables a precise fixation of a pin connected to the ring if the clamping device has an abutment (50) which encloses, together with the ring (30), at least one cavity (80) for a fluid on the side of the wing (32) facing away from the sliding surface (20). The cavity (80) can be placed under pressure via a fluid duct (81) that can communicate with the cavity (80), such that the wings (32) are tensioned against the sliding surface (20).