Shaft Milling Machine Counter-Rotational Coolant Outlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Milling cutters face issues with wear and thermal stress, leading to reduced service life and compromised machining accuracy and efficiency, as existing cooling systems either inadequately cool the cutting edges or cause resistance when contacting the workpiece.

Innovation Solution

The milling cutter design features a coolant channel with outlets directed counter to the rotation direction to enhance cooling of the cutting edges and includes multiple outlet areas with varying orientations and cross-sectional shapes to optimize coolant flow and pressure, allowing for targeted heat absorption and chip removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coolant outlet is directed in the direction of rotation to avoid resistance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cooling effect on the cutting edges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant flow smoothnessVSAvoidcutting edge temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by directing the coolant outlet counter to the direction of rotation, opposite to the conventional approach. This counter-directional cooling ensures the coolant directly contacts the cutting edges at the point of highest temperature, effectively removing heat despite creating some resistance during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the coolant acts on the workpiece surface first, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cooling effect on the cutting edges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant application simplicityVSAvoidcutting edge temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the coolant outlet to directly target the cutting edges before the workpiece material engages. This ensures the cutting edges are pre-cooled at the moment of contact, preventing excessive heat generation during the cutting process rather than cooling the workpiece afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the coolant channel cross-section varies, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant flow controlVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the coolant channel cross-section at specific locations to optimize coolant distribution. The channel has a larger cross-section near the outlet to maintain high flow velocity and cooling intensity at the cutting edges, and a smaller cross-section in other areas to reduce overall coolant consumption and simplify manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces wear and thermal stress on the milling tool, increases its service life, and ensures precise and efficient machining by effectively cooling the cutting edges and flushing chips, while maintaining dimensional accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the coolant can absorb a large amount of heat at the main cutting edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the coolant guided in the coolant channel is applied in the running direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2298480B1Milling machine with the basic shape of a shaft
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 BAUER JOACHIM
  • EP2298480B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2298480B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2298480B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The shaft shaped milling machine has a coolant channel in an outlet area within region of front side (3) of the milling machine. The outlet area is formed such that an outlet direction of a cooling unit is directed against rotary direction (10) of the milling machine.