Milling Cutter Toolholder Coupling for Rigid Quick-Change Fixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tool and toolholder coupling systems for milling cutters and shredders are not designed to provide a stable and durable coupling between the tool and the toolholder, leading to unstable and non-rigid connections, which can result in tool displacement, increased wear, and potential breakages due to the application of high workloads and opposing forces.

Innovation Solution

A tool and toolholder system with a cylindrical body and through hole configuration, where the tool's lower face and rear face are placed on the toolholder's corresponding faces, and a screw is inserted through both to secure them, minimizing surface discontinuities and ensuring a stable, rigid connection while allowing easy removal and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single screw is used to couple the tool to the toolholder, then the maintenance and replacement operations are simple and quick, but the coupling is not rigid and stable, causing tool displacement during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidcoupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single screw coupling is segmented into multiple screws (typically two or more) distributed around the tool axis. This segmentation provides multiple fixing points that collectively maintain tool stability during operation while still allowing quick removal by unscrewing all fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple fixing functions are merged into a standardized multi-screw coupling system with integrated features such as inclined planes for tensioning, recesses for screw head reception, and coordinated geometry that provides both stability and ease of maintenance through a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If inclined planes are used to mount the tool under tension, then tool displacement is avoided, but the screw is subject to wear from direct contact with milled material and higher stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidscrew durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The screw acts as an intermediary that creates indirect tensioning through the inclined planes rather than direct contact between the screw and milled material. The inclined planes transmit the tensile force while protecting the screw from direct exposure to abrasive materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined plane geometry is designed to distribute and cushion the tensile forces before they reach the screw, reducing peak stresses and preventing sudden overload failures. The geometry provides a gradual force distribution that protects the screw thread engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the screw is screwed directly into a threaded blind hole in the tool, then the screw is protected from direct contact with material, but the tool is subject to forces that tend to provoke removal of the tool from the toolholder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew protectionVSAvoidtoolholder force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined planes are positioned and oriented to generate counteracting forces that balance the tensile forces trying to remove the tool from the toolholder. The geometry creates a force equilibrium where the inclined plane reaction forces counterweight the extraction forces during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Ease of operation

If through holes or blind holes are formed in the tool and toolholder, then the screw coupling is enabled, but surface discontinuities are created that could give rise to breaking cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling functionalityVSAvoidsurface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The holes are positioned and sized in advance during design to minimize disruption to the structural integrity of the tool and toolholder. The geometry is optimized beforehand to avoid stress concentration zones that would predispose the components to cracking under operational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3170561B1Tool and toolholder for milling cutters and/or shredders
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 FAE SPA
  • EP3170561B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3170561B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3170561B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

The invention concerns a tool (10; 20) and a toolholder (30; 40) comprising coupling means that permit a quick and easy assembly or disassembly of the two elements and ensure, at the same time, a stable and safe fixing during the use of the tool itself.