Magnet Chuck Centering Jaws Piston Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic chucks are expensive and require complex positioning for accurate workpiece fixation during machining, lacking automation and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic chuck with centering jaws and a wedge bar mechanism, coupled to a piston for radial movement, allows for precise and automated workpiece positioning, with optional safety pins for securing workpieces against displacement during machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional magnetic chucks are used for workpiece fixation, then the workpiece can be clamped on the chuck body, but the positioning is complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece positioningVSAvoidpositioning mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chuck body is divided into functional zones: electromagnetic clamping elements for clamping, centering elements for positioning, and safety elements for securing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall positioning process while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centering elements are activated before the electromagnetic clamping elements to pre-position the workpiece on the chuck body. This preliminary centering action ensures accurate positioning is achieved automatically, eliminating the need for complex manual positioning procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If centering jaws are moved away from the workpiece to machine the centering surface, then the centering surface can be accessed, but the workpiece is no longer secured against displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering surface machiningVSAvoidworkpiece security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Safety elements in the form of pins or protrusions are introduced as intermediary components to secure the workpiece against displacement. These safety elements remain in contact with the workpiece even when centering jaws are retracted, providing continuous security during machining operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety elements are positioned in advance to prevent potential displacement of the workpiece. By having these protective elements in place before machining begins, the system preemptively addresses the risk of workpiece movement that would occur if centering jaws were completely removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the stroke of centering jaws is made large enough to machine the centering surface, then the surface can be accessed, but additional safety measures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering surface accessibilityVSAvoidsafety measures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety elements are integrated into the chuck body structure itself, merging the safety function with the existing chuck components. This integration eliminates the need for separate, additional safety devices, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while still providing the necessary security measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If manual operation of the adjusting mechanism is used, then the structure can be simple, but automation is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjusting mechanismVSAvoidcentering jaw actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjusting mechanism is replaced with an automated actuation system that can be controlled by the machine tool's control system. This substitution maintains the mechanical structure's simplicity while adding automation capability, allowing the centering jaws to be actuated automatically without complex additional mechanisms.

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

Enables simple, automated, and positionally accurate workpiece fixation, reducing the need for additional safety measures and ensuring secure clamping, even with unfavorable workpiece geometries.

Implementation Method 1

the centering jaws are coupled around a piston arranged centrally in the chuck body and adjustable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chuck in such a way that an axial movement of the piston is converted into a radial movement of the centering jaws

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

electromagnetic clamping means for fixing a component on the clamping surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP2105226B2Magnet chuck

Publication Date: 2016.05.25 SCHUNK GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~9

AI summary

The magnetic chuck (1) has a chuck body (2), which has a clamping surface for a construction unit which is to be fixed at its front face, and has an electromagnetic clamping unit (3) for the adjustment of a construction unit in the clamping surface. The centering units are provided at the construction unit relative to a central chuck axle of the magnetic chuck.