Rotary Tool Coupling With Arc Clamping Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool couplings for modular rotary tools, such as drills, face challenges in achieving a reliable and high-clamping-force connection between the cutting head and carrier without additional fastening elements, often relying on elliptical cross-sections which provide only linear contact and require precise dimensional stability.
Innovation Solution
A tool coupling design featuring clamping sections with multiple clamping surfaces of varying diameters that form a press fit over a circular arc, allowing for easy installation and release, with the clamping surfaces extending along a circular arc in cross-section, enabling a high clamping force and tolerance for angular misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elliptical cross section is used for the coupling pin, then a reliable clamping connection is achieved, but only linear contact is effected and high dimensional stability is required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin is designed with a circular cross section instead of an elliptical one, and the clamping surfaces are formed as circular arcs. This curvature design allows for area contact rather than linear contact, distributing the clamping force over a larger surface area and reducing the requirement for high dimensional stability while maintaining reliable clamping connection.
2Ease of operation
If multiple clamping surfaces with varying diameters are used, then easy installation and release is achieved with tolerance for angular misalignment, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping sections are divided into multiple discrete clamping surfaces arranged along a circular arc, with each surface having a different diameter. This segmentation allows the coupling pin to be inserted easily with angular misalignment tolerance, as the varying diameters guide the insertion process, while still achieving a secure clamping connection when fully engaged.
3Force
If clamping surfaces extend along a circular arc, then high clamping force is achieved with tolerance for dimensional variations, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping surfaces are designed as circular arcs rather than flat or linear surfaces. This curved geometry naturally distributes the clamping force over a larger area, achieving high clamping force while being tolerant of dimensional variations. The circular arc geometry can be manufactured using standard arc-milling or grinding processes, making the increased manufacturing complexity manageable.
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 achieves a strong clamping force with easy installation and release, tolerating minor angular misalignment and dimensional variations, ensuring reliable coupling without the need for additional fastening elements.
Implementation Method 1
The mutually corresponding clamping sections of the two coupling parts produce a press fit in the process
Implementation Method 2
The clamping surfaces of the pin receptacle and of the coupling pin that are associated with each other therefore form several press fits per clamping section
Data Source
AI summary
A tool coupling used for a clamping connection between two coupling parts, in particular between a cutting head and a carrier of a rotary tool, in particular of a drill. The coupling parts comprise clamping sections, which respectively correspond to one another and which can be clamped against each other by turning counter to a predefined direction of rotation about an axis of rotation so that a press fit is produced. In order to produce a high clamping force and at the same time allow for a simple installation via screwing in, each clamping section comprises several successive clamping surfaces which—with respect to a cross section viewed orthogonally to the axial direction—respectively travel along a circular arc, wherein the diameter increases for clamping surfaces succeeding one another in the direction of rotation.