Protective Bellows Mounting for Compact Machine Tool Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tool protective covers for compact designs face challenges in maintaining dynamics, requiring multiple components, significant installation space, and affecting machine tool efficiency, while failing to effectively shield components from particles and fluids.
Innovation Solution
A protective bellows system with a fabric-based design, mounted on a mounting collar, allows for relative movement between tool spindle and workpiece holder, minimizing component count and installation space, while maintaining machine tool dynamics and providing effective shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of bellows or telescopic plates are used to shield moving machine parts, then the protective cover can accommodate relative movements, but the installation space increases and machine tool dynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single flexible fabric bellows as the protective cover instead of multiple rigid bellows or telescopic plates. This flexible membrane can expand and contract to accommodate the relative movement between the tool spindle and workpiece holder while occupying minimal installation space. The fabric material allows the cover to deform elastically during machining operations without requiring additional clearance volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of bellows or telescopic plates are used to shield moving machine parts, then the protective cover can accommodate relative movements, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protective cover functions into a single fabric bellows component. Instead of using several separate bellows or telescopic plates that would each require individual mounting and adjustment, the invention employs one integrated flexible membrane that performs the entire protective function while accommodating all necessary movements through its elastic deformation capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If moving machine parts are used to move the protective covers, then the cover follows the movement, but the machine tool dynamics are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric bellows passive flexible membrane allows the protective cover to automatically follow the movement of machining components through elastic deformation rather than mechanical coupling. This eliminates the need for additional actuators or mechanical linkages that would slow down the system, while still providing continuous protection during high-speed machining operations.
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 protective bellows system ensures efficient protection of machine kinematics with reduced resource consumption and easy maintenance, while allowing for compact machine tool designs with minimal impact on dynamics and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
The protective bellows is mountable on the mounting collar in a relaxed state of the tension member and is secured on the mounting collar in a tensioned state of the tension member
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool has a frame, a tool spindle with a tool holder, a workpiece holder and a protective bellows. The tool spindle and the workpiece holder are movable relative to one another in at least two translatory axes in a working space. The working space is delimited by at least one partition wall, which has at least one travel opening and, adjacent to the travel opening, a mounting collar, which surrounds the travel opening at least partially. At least the tool spindle or the workpiece holder is coupled to the frame through the travel opening. The protective bellows has a mounting edge adapted to the mounting collar, which is provided with a tension member. The protective bellows is mountable on the mounting collar in a relaxed state of the tension member and is secured to the mounting collar in a tensioned state of the tension member when in a mounted state.