Screwless Cutting Insert Locking for Stable Small-Diameter Holders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tools face challenges in securely mounting cutting inserts due to the use of small screws, leading to operability issues, screw loss, and instability, especially in small component fabrication, where the holder diameter is limited and screw handling is difficult.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert and holder configuration featuring a concave lock portion and an elastically locking stopper portion, respectively, allow for easy and stable mounting of the insert without screws, providing a click feeling upon completion and increased holding force, while allowing for easy removal through a key hole mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screw is used to clamp the cutting insert, then the cutting insert can be securely mounted, but the holder diameter cannot be reduced and screw loss may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the screw component from the mounting system. Instead of using a screw to clamp the cutting insert, the patent employs a clamp body with elastic deformation capability that directly engages with the cutting insert through elastic locking, removing the need for separate fastening screws and their associated handling issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp body performs self-service by using its own elastic deformation to achieve both the clamping action and the locking function. The elastic portion deforms to engage with the cutting insert and maintains constant pressure, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms or fastening components that would require manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Volume of moving object

If a small screw is used for clamping in small component fabrication, then the holder diameter can be reduced, but screw fall and loss are likely to occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder diameterVSAvoidscrew retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the small screw component entirely from the system, replacing it with an integrated elastic locking mechanism within the clamp body. This eliminates the risk of small screw loss while maintaining the reduced holder diameter necessary for small component fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the clamping function and the locking function into a single integrated clamp body structure. The elastic portion simultaneously provides clamping pressure and mechanical interlocking with the cutting insert, combining multiple functions that would otherwise require separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If a bar-shaped cutting insert is used, then the cutting edge can be positioned, but handling the screw for attachment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting edge positioningVSAvoidscrew handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the screw from the attachment process, replacing it with a screwless mounting mechanism. The clamp body with elastic locking directly secures the bar-shaped cutting insert without requiring separate fastening operations, making the process independent of screw handling difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the cutting insert is pushed into the insert pocket without a screw, then assembly is simple, but the attachment strength becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic elasticity into the clamp body, allowing it to deform and adapt to the cutting insert during assembly. The elastic portion maintains constant contact pressure and provides automatic adjustment, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic adaptive one that ensures stable attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the clamp body from rigid to elastic, utilizing elastic deformation as a key parameter. This allows the clamp to flex during assembly for simple insertion while maintaining strong, stable attachment through elastic recovery and constant pressure on the cutting insert.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances the operability of mounting the cutting insert, prevents screw-related failures, reduces the holder diameter for small component fabrication, and ensures stable cutting performance by eliminating the need for threads and improving the holding force.

Implementation Method 1

a stopper portion that elastically locks the cutting insert to be fitted into the insert pocket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4424444A1Cutting insert, holder, and cutting tool
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 TUNGALOY CORP
  • EP4424444A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4424444A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4424444A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting insert, a holder, and a cutting tool with which the cutting insert can be easily and stably mounted on the holder and a fabrication target object can be excellently fabricated are provided. A cutting tool 100 that is used to fabricate a fabrication target object W by cutting includes a holder 50 and a cutting insert 10 that is mounted on a distal end of the holder 50. The holder 50 includes an insert pocket 53 into which the cutting insert 10 is fitted and a stopper portion 61 that elastically locks the cutting insert 10 to be fitted into the insert pocket 53. The cutting insert 10 includes a cutting portion 11 including a cutting edge 13, a fitting portion 12 that is fitted into the insert pocket 53, and a lock portion 21 that is formed at the fitting portion 12 and is to be locked to the stopper portion 61 of the holder 50.