Mandrel Force-Reduction Mechanism for Thin Workpiece Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools' hydraulic systems cause surface deformation in thin or easily deformable workpieces due to excessive jaw closing force, making proper machining challenging, especially with varying workpiece shapes.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel with reduction members and adjustment means, utilizing elastically deformable elements like cup springs, to reduce the closing force exerted on workpieces while maintaining the hydraulic pressure constant, ensuring secure clamping without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydraulic system exerts high closing force on the mandrel jaws, then the workpiece is securely clamped and immobilized for machining, but the workpiece surface deforms due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reduction members as intermediary elements between the hydraulic system and the mandrel jaws. These reduction members include elastically deformable elements (such as springs) that act as mediators to transform the high closing force from the hydraulic system into a reduced, controlled force applied to the workpiece, thereby preventing surface deformation while maintaining secure clamping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force parameter through the reduction members. The elastically deformable elements are designed to deform under the hydraulic pressure, thereby reducing the force transmission ratio. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high hydraulic pressure for reliable operation while delivering a reduced, workpiece-safe closing force to the jaws
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the closing force is reduced to prevent workpiece deformation, then the workpiece surface integrity is maintained, but the workpiece may not be securely clamped for machining
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction members serve as intermediaries that decouple the hydraulic system's high force output from the workpiece clamping requirement. The elastically deformable elements in the reduction members absorb excess force while transmitting sufficient clamping force to securely hold the workpiece, thus maintaining both surface integrity and clamping security
Solution Approach 2:
The reduction members incorporate dynamic elements (elastically deformable components) that adapt to different workpiece requirements. The elastic deformation of these elements allows the system to dynamically adjust the force transmission, providing secure clamping for diverse workpiece shapes and sizes while preventing surface deformation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hydraulic pressure is maintained at high levels for all workpieces, then the system has sufficient clamping capacity for various workpiece shapes, but delicate workpieces undergo deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction members act as universal intermediaries between the hydraulic system and diverse workpieces. The elastically deformable elements in these reduction members automatically adapt to different workpiece geometries and required clamping forces, providing force reduction for delicate workpieces while maintaining adequate clamping for robust workpieces, thus achieving versatility without deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The reduction members enable automatic parameter change of the closing force based on the workpiece characteristics. The elastic deformation of the reduction member elements adjusts the force transmission ratio dynamically, allowing the system to maintain high hydraulic pressure for versatility while delivering appropriate reduced force to prevent deformation of delicate workpieces
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 effectively adapts the mandrel's closing force to prevent workpiece deformation during machining, ensuring proper clamping and machining results without altering the upstream hydraulic pressure, applicable to both OD and ID clamping scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastically deformable elements (13), in this case consisting of cup springs (14), which form packs (14)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mandrel (1) with a device for reducing the closing force exerted by operating end of a hydraulic cylinder of the machine tool on which the mandrel is mounted, comprising a mandrel body (1), connected to the front of the machine tool, a pusher member acting as an interface (4) between the machine tool and the mandrel (1), axially extending from a first end (5), configured to be connected to the operating end of the hydraulic cylinder of the machine tool to a second end (6) which is axially opposite the first end and located in the body of the mandrel and which is coupled to the cone of the clamping jaws. The mandrel (1) is characterized in that the second end (6) of the pusher member acting as an interface (4) between the machine tool and the mandrel comprises a first front portion (7) configured to control a sleeve pusher (8) for actuating jaws (9) for clamping the workpiece to be mounted to the mandrel, and a second front portion (12) facing a plurality of elastically deformable elements (14), said elastically deformable elements being housed within an axial cavity (208) of said sleeve pusher (8) for actuating the jaws (9) and being adapted to be compressed between said second front portion (12) of the interface pusher (4) and an axial stop member (17) which is rigidly connected to said mandrel body (1), said first front portion (7) of the interface pusher (4) coming to engagement with said sleeve pusher (8) for actuating the jaws (9) as a predetermined elastic deformation value is reached in said elastically deformable elements (14).