Multi-Spindle Lathe Drive Layout With Central Through-Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of multi-spindle lathes is restricted by the placement of the spindle drum drive within the spindle drum housing, limiting the freedom in designing the housing for optimal workpiece machining.

Innovation Solution

The spindle drum drive is positioned on a side of the spindle drum housing facing away from the working area and located radially inside, using a drive connection element with a central through-channel to connect to the spindle drum, allowing for a rotationally fixed yet tilting connection, which enables a more flexible and space-efficient arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the spindle drum drive is arranged within the spindle drum housing, then the drive can be positioned close to the spindle drum for direct torque transmission, but the design freedom of the spindle drum housing is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign freedom of spindle drum housingVSAvoiddistance between spindle drum drive and spindle drum
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive connection element extends axially along the spindle drum axis, utilizing the axial dimension to transmit torque over a longer distance without compromising radial space availability in the housing. This dimensional transition allows the drive to be positioned further away while maintaining effective torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive connection element acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the spindle drum drive and the spindle drum, enabling torque transmission across a longer distance while maintaining a simple and precise rotational connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the spindle drum drive is positioned further away from the spindle drum, then spatial restrictions are eliminated and design flexibility is enhanced, but the complexity of the rotational connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of rotary connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational connection functionality is extracted into a separate, dedicated drive connection element that can be optimized independently. This allows the connection mechanism to be simplified while accommodating the increased distance between the drive and the spindle drum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of bringing the drive closer to simplify the connection, the solution inverts the approach by accepting the longer distance and simplifying the connection through the specialized drive connection element with central through-channel, which provides a straightforward rotational interface.

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

3Length of moving object

If a hollow shaft motor is used to drive the spindle drum from a distance, then spatial freedom is improved, but the torque transmission capability is reduced compared to direct coupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance from spindle drum to driveVSAvoidtorque transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The drive connection element replicates the functional characteristics of a direct mechanical coupling by providing a rigid, torsionally stiff connection that efficiently transmits torque, effectively copying the performance of direct coupling while maintaining the benefits of remote positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3381605B1Multiple spindle rotating machine
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 INDEX WERKE GMBH & CO KG HAHN & TESSKY
  • EP3381605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3381605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3381605B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Multiple-spindle turning machine comprising a machine frame (10) with a spindle drum housing (14) and a spindle drum (30) which is mounted in the spindle drum housing (14) so ​​that it can rotate about a spindle drum axis (32) and in which a large number of workpiece spindles (40) are arranged about the spindle drum axis (32). which in turn are rotatable about spindle axes (42) and with workpiece spindle heads (44) face a working space (20) arranged in front of a front side (46) of the spindle drum (30) and in front of a front side (22) of the spindle drum housing (14), and a spindle drum drive (100) for rotating the spindle drum (30) about the spindle drum axis (32), characterized in that the spindle drum drive (100) is on a side of the spindle drum housing (14) facing away from the working space (20) and at a distance from a rear side (48 ) of the spindle drum housing (14) is arranged and that the spindle drum drive (100) for driving the spindle drum (30) on this in a In the inner area (152) lying radially inside the workpiece spindles (40), the spindle drum drive (100) acts via a drive connection element (150) on the inner area (152) of the spindle drum (30) to drive the same, that the drive connection element (150) acts on a a jacket body (170) enclosing a central through-channel (160) and that lines to the spindle drum (30) are routed through the through-channel (160).