Machine Tool Support Frame Non-Contact Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine tool systems face challenges in installing machine tools in limited spaces due to the need for large anchor plates and reinforcement frames to prevent vibration transmission, which increases the space requirements and limits installation flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A support frame structure with left and right stands on the floor surface, reinforced by non-contact insertion of transverse reinforcement members through holes in the machine tool bed, connecting vertically halfway portions of the stands without contacting the inner faces, allowing for reduced space installation and minimizing vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the travel rail is supported by stands fixed by anchoring on the floor surface, then the height between the floor surface and the travel rail is increased, but the space required for installation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of standsVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement member is inserted through a throughhole in the bed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stands, transitioning from lateral reinforcement to vertical/depth-direction reinforcement. This allows the stands to achieve sufficient strength without requiring large lateral protrusions, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining structural integrity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member is inserted within the space defined by the throughhole in the bed, utilizing the existing internal space of the bed structure. This nesting approach allows reinforcement without adding external protrusions, keeping the overall footprint compact and reducing installation space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the reinforcement frame protrudes considerably in a direction laterally outwardly of the stands, then the strength of the stands is secured, but the space for installation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of standsVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reinforcing the stands through lateral protrusions, the reinforcement member is inserted through a throughhole in the bed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stands. This dimensional shift moves the reinforcement from the lateral dimension to the vertical/depth dimension, achieving strength without increasing lateral footprint

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement function is extracted from the stand structure itself and relocated to a separate reinforcement member that passes through the bed. This separation allows the bed to provide reinforcement without requiring the stands to protrude laterally, thus reducing installation space while maintaining stand strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If large anchor plates are used to prevent vibration transmission, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the installation space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation function is extracted from the anchor plates and stands and relocated to the reinforcement member passing through the bed. By removing the reinforcement function from the lateral structure, smaller anchor plates can be used while maintaining vibration isolation effectiveness, thereby reducing installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member acts as an intermediary element that provides vibration isolation by passing through the bed structure. This intermediary approach allows vibration control without requiring large anchor plates, as the reinforcement member mediates between the stands and the bed to prevent vibration transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2689889B1Machine tool system
Publication Date: 2015.07.22 MURATA MASCH LTD
  • EP2689889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2689889B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2689889B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The machine tool system includes a machine tool (1), a loader (2) and a support frame structure (20). The machine tool (1) includes a bed (5) and a processing equipment (6) disposed above the bed (5) to process a work piece (W). The loader (2) includes a guide unit (16) disposed above the machine tool (1) and a movable body (16) movable along the guide unit (16) to load and unload the work piece (W) relative to the processing equipment (6). The support frame structure (20) includes left and right stands (22) installed on a floor surface (F) at left and right sides of the bed (5) to support the guide unit (16) from below and a reinforcement member (30A) inserted in a throughhole (31), which is provided in the bed (5) so as to extend in a leftward and rightward direction, in a non-contact fashion without contacting an inner face of the throughhole (31), with left and right ends thereof connected to vertically halfway portions of the associated stands (22).