Rotary Workpiece Support Flow Path Layout for Stable Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece support devices are bulky and heavy due to the need for rotary joints with multiple flow paths, which can lead to reduced reliability in machining as fluid pressure is not consistently maintained, causing potential workpiece displacement during machining.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece support device design featuring a jig with main and sub-flow paths, a rotating shaft with separate flow paths, and a flow path connector that connects with the fluid supply, allowing relative rotation while blocking off sub-flow paths to maintain fluid pressure, eliminating the need for a rotary joint during machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary joint with multiple flow paths is used to supply fluid to the jig during rotation, then the workpiece can be machined from various directions, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is segmented into main flow paths (for clamping devices) and sub flow paths (for posture controllers). During machining, only the main flow paths remain connected to the jig, while sub flow paths are disconnected. This segmentation allows the rotary joint to have fewer active flow paths during rotation, reducing its size and weight while maintaining machining versatility.
2Weight of moving object
If the jig is separated from supply-side connecting portions during machining to eliminate rotary joint, then device size is reduced, but fluid pressure may not be maintained reliably
Solution Approach 1:
Before machining begins, the system preliminarily connects the main flow paths to the jig while preparing to disconnect sub flow paths. This preliminary action ensures that fluid pressure is already established in the main flow paths before the jig separates from supply-side connecting portions, guaranteeing reliable pressure maintenance during subsequent machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The table acts as an intermediary component that maintains fluid pressure during the transition. The table has flow paths that connect to both the rotating shaft and the jig, serving as a pressure reservoir and transmission medium that ensures continuous pressure supply even when the jig separates from direct supply connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths are provided in the rotary joint, then all devices can be supplied with fluid, but the rotary joint diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply configuration is made dynamic rather than static. During positioning operations, all flow paths (main and sub) are connected to supply fluid to multiple devices. During machining operations, the system dynamically switches to connect only main flow paths to the rotating shaft, reducing the required rotary joint diameter while maintaining full functionality when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece support device includes: a jig, a table, a rotating shaft, a support member, a flow path connector, and a supply-side connecting portion. The jig has a main flow path to flow a fluid for machining and a sub-flow path, and fixes the workpiece. The table has a table flow path to communicate with the main flow path and is attached with the jig. The rotating shaft has a rotating shaft flow path to communicate with the table flow path, and is fixed to the table. The support member rotatably supports the rotating shaft. The flow path connector connects the rotating shaft flow path with a fluid-supply path to communicate with a fluid-supply side so as to relatively rotate with each other about an axis of the rotating shaft. The supply-side connecting portion moves relative to the jig to communicate with and block off the sub-flow path.