Rotary Spindle Coupling for Automatic Power and Air Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction numerical control machines require manual connection of high-speed electrospindles using electrical, hydraulic connectors, and pneumatic systems, leading to time wastage and increased processing costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with first and second connection elements, configured for automatic electrical and pneumatic connection of a high-speed spindle to a multifunction numerical control machine, allowing the spindle to connect automatically as the rotating spindle-holder head positions it for machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual connection of electrical, hydraulic connectors and pneumatic systems is used for high-speed spindles, then connection reliability is improved, but processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the high-speed spindle in a standby location adjacent to the work station before it is needed. The spindle is pre-connected to utility systems (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic) through a rotating coupling device that maintains continuous connections. When the spindle is needed, it is already in position and connected, eliminating the time-consuming manual connection process while maintaining reliability through pre-established connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotating coupling device as an intermediary between the stationary utility systems and the moving high-speed spindle. This intermediary maintains continuous electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic connections through rotation, allowing the spindle to be rapidly positioned and connected without manual intervention. The coupling device acts as a mediator that enables automatic connection while preserving connection reliability through continuous utility supply.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual connection procedures are used for spindles, then connection stability is improved, but labor costs and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the high-speed spindle to automatically position itself and connect to the work station without manual intervention. The rotating coupling device automatically maintains utility connections during the spindle's movement and positioning. This self-service capability ensures connection stability through automated, consistent positioning and connection procedures while reducing labor costs by eliminating manual connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the spindle and pre-establishing utility connections before the spindle is needed for machining. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the spindle enters the work station, the connection is already stable and ready for operation, reducing processing costs by eliminating the need for manual connection procedures during the machining cycle.
3Speed
If high-speed electrospindle is positioned next to work station, then connection speed is improved, but automatic connection requires complex positioning mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating coupling device serves multiple functions: it maintains electrical connections, pneumatic connections, and hydraulic connections simultaneously while accommodating the high-speed spindle's movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms for each utility connection, simplifying the overall system while enabling fast automatic connection of the spindle to the work station.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating coupling device acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of maintaining multiple utility connections during spindle movement. By centralizing the connection management in this single intermediary component, the patent simplifies the positioning mechanism while achieving fast automatic connection speeds through continuous utility supply during rotation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (10) is described for the automatic connection of a high-speed spindle (40) to a numerically controlled machine, comprising a first connection element (11) to an electrical power supply network and to a power supply network of the pressurized air, and a second connecting element (31) to be fixed to the rotating spindle-holding head of a multifunction numerical control machine and to be connected to the high-speed spindle (40), the first (11) and the second (31) connecting elements being rotatably connected with respect to each other to automatically perform the electrical and pneumatic connection of the high-speed spindle (40).