Machine Tool Hose Routing via Dimensional Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine tools with slant-type beds face challenges in absorbing the expansion and contraction of supplying hoses in the Y-axis direction without increasing the overall machine size, particularly when the second turret is positioned at a higher portion.
Innovation Solution
The machine tool design includes a turret with a base member and slide base that allows the bundle of supplying hoses to be bent in a direction crossing the Y-axis, converting the expansion and contraction into a direction that can be absorbed without increasing the machine's size, using a guide plate to facilitate this conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bundle of supplying hoses is allowed to expand/contraction in the Y-axis direction as it is at the back face side, then the hoses can accommodate the movement of the turret, but the entire machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by redirecting the hose expansion/contraction from the Y-axis direction to the Z-axis direction. The hoses are configured to extend in the Z-axis direction from the turret body, allowing the bundle to absorb movement-induced expansion/contraction along the Z-axis rather than requiring Y-axis space. This resolves the contradiction by accommodating hose adaptability in a different dimensional orientation that does not increase the machine's Y-axis footprint.
2Volume of moving object
If the turret is positioned at a lower portion of the slant face, then the machine size can be reduced, but the hoses cannot be properly routed and protected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hose protection mechanism as an intermediary component. The bundle of supplying hoses is surrounded by a protective structure that facilitates proper routing and protection of the hoses. This intermediary protection layer enables the hoses to be properly managed in the constrained space at the lower portion of the slant face, resolving the contradiction between compact machine size and ease of hose routing/protection.
3Ease of operation
If the bundle of supplying hoses extends in the Y-axis direction, then it can supply the turret body, but it protrudes to the back face side increasing machine size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by reorienting the hose extension from the Y-axis direction to the Z-axis direction. The bundle of supplying hoses extends in the Z-axis direction from the turret body rather than protruding to the back face side in the Y-axis direction. This allows the hoses to perform their supply function while maintaining a compact machine footprint in the Y-axis direction, resolving the contradiction between operational functionality and compact dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool capable of absorbing expansion/contraction of a bundle of supplying hoses caused together with the movement of the ram in the Y-axis direction without increasing the size of the entire machine, is provided, in which a turret 5 includes a base member 8 disposed on a bed 2 in a movable manner in a Z-axis direction, a slide base 9 disposed on the base member 8 in a movable manner in an X-axis direction, a ram 11 disposed on the slide base 9 in a movable manner in a Y-axis direction being orthogonal to a plane including the X-axis and the Z-axis, and a turret body 12 mounted to the ram 11, and in which a bundle of supplying hoses 15 supplying electric power, coolant and oil pressure from the said bed 2 side to the turret body 12 is cabled to extend from the turret body 12 side through the ram 11 in the Y-axis direction by being bent in a direction crossing the Y-axis under the ram 11 to further extend in the crossing direction.