Machine Tool Line Feed-Through for Rotational Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rotational freedom of a motor spindle in machine tools is restricted due to the provision of an elastic tube for feeding lines, which causes twisting and prevents further rotation when the tube assumes a tensioned state.
Innovation Solution
A device with a line feed-through and a line guiding device that reduces or avoids twisting by guiding lines in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis, allowing the lines to move freely and rotate independently to cancel out twisting effects, enabling greater rotational freedom without external tube constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic tube is used to feed lines to the motor spindle, then the lines are protected and organized, but the rotational freedom of the motor spindle is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the elastic tube from the system and replaces it with a rigid tube combined with a line guiding device. This removes the harmful effect of the elastic tube's tension on rotational freedom while maintaining line protection through the rigid tube structure and guided line routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The line guiding device acts as an intermediary between the rigid tube and the lines. It guides the lines through a curved path that accommodates rotation, mediating between the need for rigid structural support and the need for rotational freedom, preventing twisting while maintaining organization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second unit is rotated to change the orientation of the motor spindle, then the opening can be oriented in different directions, but the elastic tube assumes a tensioned state that prevents further rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic tube that creates tension forces during rotation. The rigid tube combined with the line guiding device eliminates the tension problem while preserving the ability to rotate the second unit to different orientations for positioning the motor spindle opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The line guiding device introduces a spatial dimension to the line routing by creating a curved path in three-dimensional space. This allows the lines to accommodate rotational movement without generating tension forces, enabling free rotation while maintaining line organization.
3Strength
If lines are fed through a rigid structure, then structural support is provided, but twisting of the lines occurs during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The line guiding device serves as an intermediary between the rigid tube and the lines. It provides a guided curved path that allows lines to follow the rotation movement without twisting, while the rigid tube continues to provide structural support. The mediator transfers the rotational movement smoothly without creating twisting forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The line guiding device creates a three-dimensional curved path for the lines, allowing them to accommodate rotational movement in space. This dimensional approach prevents twisting by giving the lines a guided spatial path that naturally accommodates the rotation while the rigid structure maintains its support function.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for employment in a machine tool, including: a first unit; a second unit connected to the first unit, wherein the first unit is rotatable around a rotational axis relative to the second unit; a motor spindle connected to the second unit; a line feed-through extending along the rotational axis from the first to the second unit; lines extending from the interior of the first unit through the line feed-through as well as through the second unit into the motor spindle; and a line guiding device formed in the first unit and serving for guiding a part of the lines disposed in the first unit immediately in front of the line feed-through, wherein the line guiding device is formed in a plane oriented perpendicularly to the rotational axis, and wherein the line guiding device feeds the lines upon rotation of the second unit with respect to the first unit.