Machining Tool Radial Control via Differential Rotors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining tools for multi-spindle machine tools face challenges in using automatic tool changing systems due to complex structural requirements and high costs associated with electrical systems, making efficient machining of workpieces with recesses or inner contours difficult.

Innovation Solution

A machining tool that controls the cutting element by varying the speeds of inner and outer rotors, eliminating the need for pull rods and electromotive drives, allowing for radial control of the cutting element without complex structural adaptations, enabling use on conventional multi-spindle machine tools with standard tool changing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pull rod is used for radial actuation of the cutting element, then the cutting element can be controlled radially, but the machine tool requires complex structural adaptations and automatic tool changing becomes practically impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial control of cutting elementVSAvoidmachine tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pull rod actuation system with an electromechanical drive system. The drive unit with electric motor is integrated directly into the machining tool, eliminating the need for complex pull rod mechanisms in the machine tool structure. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing radial control capability while maintaining a conventional machine tool structure that is compatible with automatic tool changing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If an electromotive drive with contactless energy transmission is used, then the cutting element can be controlled without pull rods, but the system becomes very expensive and requires specific additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation mechanismVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an electromechanical drive system with electric motor instead of contactless energy transmission systems. This provides a cost-effective solution that achieves the same goal of eliminating pull rods while avoiding the high costs and additional equipment requirements of contactless energy transmission. The electric motor is integrated into the machining tool in a conventional and economically manufacturable way.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automatic tool changing systems are implemented, then machining efficiency increases, but they are incompatible with machining tools requiring complex structural adaptations for pull rod guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidtool changing system compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the pull rod actuation system with an integrated electromechanical drive, the patent makes the machining tool compatible with conventional automatic tool changing systems. The drive unit is self-contained within the tool, eliminating the need for complex external guidance structures that would interfere with tool changing operations. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both high productivity through automatic tool changing and maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enables economical and efficient machining of workpieces with variable inner contours, allowing for simultaneous machining of multiple pieces and reducing the need for costly structural modifications to the machine tool, while maintaining a conventional tool changing system.

Implementation Method 1

The differential speeds of the inner and outer rotors (8, 9) cause a radial movement of the cutting element (16) by means of a mechanical advantage effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2754517B1Machining tool for a multi-spindle machine tool and machine tool with same

Publication Date: 2017.05.03 SCHWABISCHE WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4

AI summary

The machining tool (1) has endowment head (15) that is provided with inner and outer rotor (8,9). A radially projecting cutting element (16) is provided for turning machining workpiece, and screw connections (5,6) are provided for rotational coupling of work spindles (3,4) of machine tool (2). A transmission element (7) is coupled with screw connections for rotation with respective inner and outer rotor. The cutting element is radially driven at different speeds of inner and outer rotors, but not driven at same radial speed. An independent claim is included for a multi-spindle machine tool.