Woodworking Machine Tool Pre-alignment Housing for Elastic Element Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Woodworking machine tools face inefficiencies and operational challenges due to the buckling of elastic elements and increased wear caused by machining chips, which affect the precision and longevity of the tools.

Innovation Solution

A woodworking machine tool device with a pre-alignment unit featuring a housing unit that encloses an elastic element, providing a stable and secure environment for the elastic element, and a clamping unit with a receiving element for efficient tool positioning and alignment, utilizing a spring plunger or ball plunger design for cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If elastic elements are used in pre-alignment units, then tool positioning and alignment are improved, but buckling and wear from machining chips reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool positioning precisionVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-alignment unit is divided into separate functional components: the elastic element (spring plunger or ball plunger) is separated from the clamping function, allowing each component to be optimized independently. The elastic element focuses solely on positioning and alignment, while separate clamping elements handle securing the tool, preventing interference between functions that would cause buckling and wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate structural elements such as housing units that enclose and protect the elastic elements from machining chips. These housing units act as intermediaries between the elastic elements and the harsh machining environment, preventing direct contact with chips that would cause wear and buckling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If elastic elements are exposed for functionality, then ease of operation is improved, but wear from machining chips increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of tool alignmentVSAvoidwear from machining chips
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs housing units with openings or flexible covers that allow the elastic elements to perform their alignment function while protecting them from machining chips. The housing may include chip-resistant materials or designs that let the elastic element move freely for alignment purposes while blocking harmful chips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If clamping force is increased to secure tools, then holding stability is improved, but elastic element buckling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool holding stabilityVSAvoidelastic element straightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is separated from the pre-alignment function. Independent clamping elements apply securing force to the tool, while the elastic elements in the pre-alignment unit are relieved from bearing clamping loads, preventing buckling while maintaining tool holding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent distributes clamping forces across multiple dimensions and contact points using separate clamping elements, rather than concentrating all clamping force on the elastic elements. This multi-point clamping approach provides stable tool holding without overloading any single elastic element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances operational reliability, flexibility, and service life by reducing elastic element buckling and wear, allowing for secure accommodation of various machining tools and improving assembly efficiency and tool alignment.

Implementation Method 1

which has at least a partial area and/or at least a part that, in a normal operating state, is elastically deformable in its position by at least 0.5 mm, advantageously by at least 1 mm, preferably by at least 2 mm, and particularly preferably by at least 3 mm, and which, in particular, generates a counterforce that is dependent on a change in position and preferably proportional to the change, and which, in particular, counteracts the change

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3219454B1Machine tool apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3219454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3219454B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine tool device, in particular a woodworking machine tool device, with at least one clamping unit (10a; 10b; 10c) designed to at least partially fix at least one position of at least one machining tool (12a; 12b; 12c), and which has at least one pre-alignment unit (14a; 14b; 14c, 15c) with at least one elastic element (16a; 16b; 16c). It is proposed that the pre-alignment unit (14a; 14b; 14c; 15c) has at least one housing unit (18a; 18b; 18c) which, in an assembled state, encloses at least a large part of the elastic element (16a; 16b; 16c).