Machine Tool Workpiece Holding Units for Rim Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine tools for machining rims, such as car rims, have complex mechanisms that are prone to dirt and wear, take up significant space, and require multiple adjustments for different rim diameters, limiting the processing size and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of workpiece holding units with obliquely angled clamping surfaces that press against the lower rim flange, providing pressure in both the direction of the workpiece support and the central axis for centering and holding, simplifying the mechanical design and reducing exposure to contamination and space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If piston-cylinder units with pivotable and foldable hold-down devices are used to hold the rim, then the rim can be securely clamped and centered, but the mechanism becomes complex and is exposed to chips and coolant causing dirt and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure clamping and centering of rimVSAvoidcomplex mechanism with multiple moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the hold-down function from complex pivotable and foldable mechanisms and integrates it directly into the workpiece support surface. The hold-down devices are simplified to simple pressing elements that move only in the vertical direction, eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity while maintaining secure clamping capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The workpiece support surface is segmented into multiple independent hold-down devices distributed around the rim. Each device operates independently with its own piston-cylinder unit, allowing simplified individual elements to work together to achieve secure and uniform clamping of the entire rim.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If piston-cylinder units are provided on the workpiece support to hold the rim, then the rim can be clamped securely, but the units take up a lot of space in the work area limiting the maximum rim diameter that can be processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure clamping of rimVSAvoidspace occupied in work area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the hold-down function with the workpiece support surface itself. The hold-down devices are integrated into the support surface rather than being separate external units, significantly reducing the space they occupy in the work area and allowing processing of larger diameter rims.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If piston-cylinder units are moved along traversing rails and anchored to adjust positions for different rim diameters, then the machine can process different sized rims, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to process different rim diametersVSAvoidtime for position adjustment and anchoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the hold-down devices dynamically adjustable in their radial positions along the traversing rails. The positions can be easily modified by moving the devices along the rails without requiring anchoring operations, enabling quick adaptation to different rim diameters and reducing setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If hold-down devices are swiveled towards the rim flange and folded down from above, then the rim can be pressed against the workpiece support, but the mechanism becomes more complex and takes up more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing force on rimVSAvoidswivel and fold mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of swiveling hold-down devices from a horizontal position and folding them down from above, the invention inverts the approach by having the pressing elements move directly in the vertical direction from above. This eliminates the swivel and fold mechanisms entirely while achieving the same clamping effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2259888B1Machine tool, in particular for rim machining

Publication Date: 2016.09.28 CHIRON WERKE GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a machine tool (1) for machining workpieces (20), having a workpiece support (19) for chucking the workpiece (20), a tool holder (22), which can be moved at least along one axis, for holding a tool (24) for machining the workpiece (20), and workpiece holding units (30) for fixing the workpiece (20) during the machining, wherein said workpiece holding units (30) are disposed outside the workpiece support surface (34) of said workpiece support (19), which is covered by said workpiece (20) in the chucked state and each have a holding element (31) for fixing said workpiece (20). In order that workpieces of larger diameters can thus also be machined with otherwise identical dimensions of the machine tool, it is provided according to the invention that the holding elements (31) can each be moved substantially parallel to the workpiece support surface (34) in the direction toward the workpiece (20), in particular in the direction toward a central workpiece axis (29), which runs perpendicular to the workpiece support surface (34), to center and fix the workpiece (20).