Pneumatic Boring Head Locking for Compact Wood Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boring heads for processing wood components are complex and expensive due to their operating devices, which complicate the movement of locking and release mechanisms, resulting in large-sized equipment.

Innovation Solution

A simplified and cost-effective boring head design featuring removable boring units with a fluid-pressure actuated locking mechanism, utilizing a spring for retraction and a gear transmission with an electric motor for spindle rotation, and a coupling device with elastically deformable teeth or balls for locking, allowing for compact and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional operating device is used to move the coupling device between locking and release positions, then reliable locking is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the boring head size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidoperating device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex operating device from the system by implementing a spring-loaded coupling device that automatically locks and releases without requiring a separate operating mechanism. The coupling device is taken out of the manual operation chain and replaced with an automatic spring-based system that engages and disengages based on pneumatic pressure alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device performs self-service through its spring-loaded design, where the spring automatically engages the locking position when pneumatic pressure is applied and automatically releases when pressure is removed. This eliminates the need for an external operating device to move the coupling between positions, as the system serves itself through the spring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a traditional operating device is used to move the coupling device, then locking function is maintained, but the boring head becomes expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the expensive traditional operating device from the design and replaces it with a simple spring-loaded coupling mechanism. This extraction of the complex operating device significantly reduces manufacturing costs while preserving the essential locking function through the spring-based automatic engagement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is designed as a simple, inexpensive spring-loaded mechanism that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The spring and coupling components are basic mechanical elements that are much cheaper than complex operating devices, making the overall system more cost-effective despite potentially shorter service life of individual spring components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If a traditional operating device is used, then the coupling device can be moved between positions, but the boring head size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling device movementVSAvoidboring head size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bulky operating device from the boring head design and replaces it with a compact spring-loaded coupling mechanism. This removal of the large operating device significantly reduces the overall size of the boring head while the coupling device's movement between locking and release positions is achieved through the compact spring mechanism actuated by pneumatic pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design enables a compact, economical, and efficient boring head with simplified maintenance and replacement of units, maintaining reliable locking and operation, while reducing the size and complexity of the equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid under pressure fed into said variable-volume chamber to move said assembly to said extracted operating position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a spring which is interposed between said outer shell and said assembly in order to move said assembly to - and normally hold it in - its retracted rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring elastic force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

said coupling device comprising a plurality of elastically deformable teeth or balls arranged around said axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4026639B1Boring head
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 BIESSE SPA
  • EP4026639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4026639B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4026639B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A boring head has at least one boring unit (5) provided with an outer shell (6), with a tool-holding spindle (21) coupled to the outer shell (6) in a rotary and axially sliding manner so as to rotate around a longitudinal axis (10) of its and move from a retracted rest position to an extracted operating position due to the thrust of a fluid under pressure supplied to a first chamber (25) obtained in the outer shell (6), and with a coupling device (31) movable to a locking position locking the tool-holding spindle (21) in its extracted operating position due to the thrust of the fluid under pressure supplied to a second chamber (39) obtained in the outer shell (6) and designed to be connected to the first chamber (25) when the tool-holding spindle (21) is arranged in its extracted operating position.