Rotary Guide-Bush Spindle for Slender Workpiece Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spindle apparatuses for machine tools, such as lathes, require complex and large-sized driving mechanisms for driven rotary guide-bushes to support lengthy and slender workpieces, which are not cost-effective or compact.
Innovation Solution
A spindle apparatus with a rotary guide-bush assembly that includes a torque transferring connection and a clamping portion with two states, allowing for synchronized rotation with the workpiece spindle while enabling movement in the Z-direction, using a pneumatically, hydraulically, electronically, or electromagnetically actuated collet and an extensible joint structure for efficient torque transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a driven rotary guide-bush is used to support lengthy and slender workpieces, then the workpiece support function is improved, but the device complexity and size increase due to complex driving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the driving mechanism from the rotary guide-bush assembly, allowing the guide-bush to rotate passively through torque transfer from the workpiece itself during spindle acceleration and deceleration. This eliminates complex motors and drive systems while maintaining the workpiece support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece serves its own dual function: it is both the object being machined and the torque transmission medium that drives the rotary guide-bush during acceleration and deceleration phases. The guide-bush rotates passively through friction contact with the workpiece, requiring no external power source.
2Reliability
If a driven rotary guide-bush is used to support lengthy and slender workpieces, then the workpiece support function is improved, but the device size increases due to large-sized driving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bulky motors, gearboxes, and other driving components from the guide-bush assembly. The guide-bush rotates passively through direct torque transfer from the workpiece during spindle acceleration and deceleration, dramatically reducing the assembly volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible coupling mechanism that allows torque transfer through the workpiece-contact interface without rigid mechanical connections. This flexible approach enables compact design while maintaining functional integrity.
3Power
If the rotary guide-bush is rigidly clamped to transfer torque during acceleration, then the torque transfer efficiency is improved, but the movement capability of the workpiece in the Z-direction is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic clamping system that adjusts the clamping force of the guide-bush collet based on operational requirements. During acceleration and deceleration, the collet maintains sufficient friction for torque transfer; during machining operations, it releases to allow workpiece movement in the Z-direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism operates periodically, alternating between a clamped state for torque transfer during acceleration/deceleration and a released state for workpiece movement during machining. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between torque transfer and movement capability.
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 cost-effective, simple, and compact mechanism for supporting lengthy and slender workpieces by allowing for synchronized spindle and rotary guide-bush rotation with reduced complexity, enabling efficient machining operations.
Implementation Method 1
the spindle assembly and the rotary guide-bush assembly are configured to connect to each other by a torque transferring connection arranged between the spindle assembly and the rotary guide-bush assembly along the spindle axis, preferably so as to transfer driving torque during acceleration or deceleration of the spindle rotation driven by the spindle motor to the rotary guide-bush synchronized with the driven acceleration or deceleration of the rotation of the workpiece spindle
Implementation Method 2
the extensible joint structure being configured to transfer driving torque during acceleration or deceleration of the spindle rotation and being further configured to elastically elongate and/or shorten in the direction of the spindle axis
Data Source
AI summary
A spindle apparatus for use at a machine tool, having: an assembly including a workpiece spindle to receive an elongated workpiece and a motor for driving spindle rotation of the workpiece spindle about a spindle axis; a rotary guide-bush assembly being axially arranged with the workpiece spindle with respect to the spindle axis, the rotary guide-bush assembly receiving the elongated workpiece supported at the rotary guide-bush assembly to rotate about the spindle axis enabling movement of the elongated workpiece; wherein the rotary guide-bush assembly includes a portion to clamp the elongated workpiece, received in the rotary guide-bush and in the workpiece spindle, to transfer driving torque applied from the spindle motor during a driven acceleration of the rotation through the clamped elongated workpiece for rotation of the rotary guide-bush synchronized with the driven acceleration of the rotation of the workpiece spindle.