Rotary Joint Hydraulic Layout for Compact Machine Tool Chucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of fluid ports for hydraulic supply to workpiece holders in machine tools has resulted in larger rotary joints, making it difficult to secure space and increasing sliding resistance.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design that includes a smaller-sized flow path connecting portion, utilizing a movable and fixed portion within a rotary joint to connect fluid paths between the fixing and turning sides, with valves positioned downstream to reduce the number of axial flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of fluid ports for hydraulic supply to workpiece holder is increased, then the adaptability for hydraulic supply is improved, but the size of rotary joint increases and space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions valves downstream of the flow path connecting portion rather than within the rotary joint axial direction. This spatial reconfiguration moves valve installation to a different dimensional plane (radial/circumferential direction around the axis), allowing multiple fluid ports without increasing the rotary joint's axial length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of fluid ports for hydraulic supply to workpiece holder is increased, then the adaptability for hydraulic supply is improved, but sliding resistance in rotary joint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the valves from the rotary joint structure and positions them downstream. This separation removes the valves (and their associated flow path requirements) from the rotary joint, thereby reducing the sliding resistance within the rotary joint while preserving the hydraulic supply capability through the remaining flow paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths are provided side by side axially in flow path connecting portion, then hydraulic supply capability is improved, but the length of flow path connecting portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging multiple flow paths side by side in the axial direction (one dimension), the patent positions valves and their flow paths in the radial/circumferential direction around the predetermined axis (another dimension). This dimensional change allows multiple fluid ports without increasing the axial length of the flow path connecting portion.
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
This design reduces the size of the flow path connecting portion, eases maintenance, and minimizes imbalance and sliding resistance, while accommodating increased fluid ports without space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid pressure generation portion that generates a fluid pressure; a first flow path that supplies the fluid from the fluid pressure generation portion
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of valves that are provided on the second flow path and control a fluid flow toward the workpiece holder
Implementation Method 3
a turning portion pivotably supported by the support portion around a predetermined axis extending in a horizontal direction or obliquely to the horizontal direction to turn about the predetermined axis
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool includes a support portion, a turning portion that includes a workpiece holder and turns about a turning center axis, and a rotary joint disposed on the turning center axis. The rotary joint includes a movable portion that is fixed to the turning portion and turns together with the turning portion, and a fixed portion fixed to the support portion and combined with the movable portion. The machine tool further includes a hydraulic pump, a first flow path that supplies oil from the hydraulic pump toward the fixed portion, a second flow path that is in communication with the first flow path in the rotary joint and supplies the oil from the movable portion toward the workpiece holder, and a plurality of hydraulic valves that are provided on the second flow path and control an oil flow toward the workpiece holder.