Selective-Spindle Working Head for Lower Wear and Power Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools with multiple spindles for drilling operations suffer from early wear of components, excessive power dissipation, motor overload, frequent maintenance needs, noise, and temperature issues due to unnecessary spindle rotation and friction, leading to inefficient machining and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A working head design where only the spindles supporting the tools needed for machining rotate, with a motion transmission group and pneumatic moving devices that allow independent spindle positioning and coupling to the motion transmission mechanism only when in use, reducing unnecessary rotation and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all spindles are connected to the motion transmission group and rotate continuously, then all spindles are available for machining operations, but component wear increases, power dissipation increases, and motor overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coupling mechanism where spindles can be selectively connected or disconnected from the motion transmission group based on machining requirements. The coupling device includes movable coupling elements that engage or disengage from the drive shaft, allowing the system to adapt its configuration dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by enabling full spindle availability when needed while reducing power dissipation when fewer spindles are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion transmission group is segmented into independent coupling zones, with each spindle having its own coupling device. This segmentation allows individual spindles to be connected or disconnected without affecting others, enabling selective rotation of only the necessary spindles. The driving gear wheel and driven gear wheels are divided into separate coupling units, each可控 independently.
2Productivity
If all spindles rotate continuously, then all tools can work simultaneously, but component wear increases and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling devices enable dynamic engagement and disengagement of spindles from the motion transmission group. When only certain spindles are needed for machining, only those are connected and rotate, while others remain stationary. This dynamic configuration reduces wear on bearings and gears by eliminating unnecessary rotation, thereby improving reliability and reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining the capacity for simultaneous machining when all spindles are coupled.
3Ease of operation
If all spindles are coupled to the motion transmission group, then the system is simple to operate, but noise increases and temperature issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains ease of operation through automated control of the coupling devices. The control system automatically engages or disengages spindles from the motion transmission group based on the machining program requirements, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This dynamic automation resolves the contradiction by keeping the system simple to operate while reducing noise and temperature issues by rotating only the necessary spindles.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the motion transmission group transmits rotation to all spindles, then all spindles can be used for different machining operations, but the motor is subject to overload
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling devices provide dynamic control over which spindles receive rotational power from the motor. When fewer spindles are needed for machining, only those are coupled to the motion transmission group, reducing the total motor load. The control system manages the coupling state to match the actual machining requirements, maintaining versatility in spindle utilization while preventing motor overload by avoiding unnecessary power transmission to idle spindles.
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 spindle wear, minimizes power dissipation, prevents motor overload, decreases maintenance requirements, lowers noise, and maintains mechanical and lubricant integrity by ensuring only necessary spindles rotate, enhancing machining efficiency and tool longevity.
Implementation Method 1
said moving device comprises a chamber (C) and a piston (P), sliding inside said chamber (C), in a first direction and in a second direction, opposite to said first direction, and said second end portion (PE2) is connected to a piston (P), so that the movement of said piston (P) causes the translation of a spindle (M1, M2... MN) along its longitudinal axis (A1, A2... AN)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention refers to an improved working head (1) for machining pieces. In particular, said working head (1) is provided with a plurality of spindles (M1,M2...MN) which support a respective tool (T1,T2...TN) and designed to rotate only one or more spindles of said plurality of spindles (M1,M2...MN), which support the tools necessary to work a piece, avoiding the rotation of spindles which support tools which are not necessary to work said piece.