Quick-Change Tool Locking Pin Groove for Wear-Resistant Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quick change tools are susceptible to clearance and wear, leading to unreliable locking mechanisms that hinder efficient machining and production processes.
Innovation Solution
A quick change tool design featuring a spring-mounted locking pin and a pin guiding groove, allowing for a snap-lock mechanism that ensures precise alignment and secure attachment without requiring precise steering, enhancing reliability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism is used in quick change tools, then the tool element can be locked onto the body, but the mechanism is susceptible to clearance and wear leading to unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a locking pin mounted on the body and a locking hole in the receiving element. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and robust, with the locking pin being spring-mounted for resilient operation and the locking hole providing a clear engagement point. The separation eliminates complex integrated locking structures that are prone to wear and clearance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates automatically through spring force. The spring-mounted locking pin is automatically pushed into the locking hole when the receiving element is attached to the body, requiring no manual intervention or complex actuation mechanisms. The spring continuously applies force to maintain reliable locking, compensating for any wear or clearance that develops during operation.
2Productivity
If a complex steering mechanism is required for precise alignment of locking components, then accurate locking can be achieved, but the tool change process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hole is positioned radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the body, creating a geometric relationship that naturally guides the locking pin into place during the attachment process. This spatial arrangement in a different dimension (radial direction) provides self-alignment, eliminating the need for complex steering mechanisms while ensuring precise locking engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
A pin guiding groove is introduced as an intermediary element that guides the locking pin from its initial position to the locking hole. This groove acts as a mediator that provides the necessary guidance and alignment during the attachment process, ensuring precise engagement without requiring complex external steering mechanisms or manual alignment procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If the locking pin is positioned close to the tool element for compact design, then the overall size is reduced, but the receiving element must be precisely steered to engage the locking pin
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hole is positioned radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the body, creating a geometric relationship that naturally guides the locking pin into place during the attachment process. This spatial arrangement in a different dimension (radial direction) provides self-alignment, eliminating the need for complex steering mechanisms while ensuring precise locking engagement.
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 solution provides a reliable, wear-resistant locking mechanism that speeds up tool changes, reduces throughput times, and lowers work costs by enabling quick and efficient locking and unlocking of tool elements, even in applications like hole saws, where material removal is necessary between operations.
Implementation Method 1
the locking pin is arranged spring-mounted in the body and which is resiliently movable between a rest position, wherein the locking pin protrudes radially outward from the body
Implementation Method 2
a pin guiding groove extending between a receiving opening of the through-hole and the locking hole for guiding the locking pin from the receiving opening to the locking hole
Data Source
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AI summary
Quick change tool (100) comprising a tool element (101), an elongate body (102) comprising a drive shaft (103) and attaching means (105) for attaching the tool element (101) to the body (102), and a receiving element (106) for attaching to the tool element (101), having a through-hole (108) for receiving the body (102) by sliding through the receiving element (106) in the longitudinal direction of the body (102), wherein the receiving element (106) is configured to co-act with the attaching means (105) in order to lock the tool element (101) relative to the body (102) at least in axial direction of the drive shaft (103), wherein the attaching means comprise a resiliently movable locking pin (105) which is arranged spring-mounted in the body (102) and wherein the receiving element (106) comprises a locking hole (107) which is configured to receive the locking pin (105) therein in snapping manner, and a pin guiding groove extending between a receiving opening (109) of the through-hole (108) and the locking hole (107) for guiding the locking pin (105) from the receiving opening (109) to the locking hole (107).