Shrink-Fit Chuck Cooling Attachment With Vortex Flow Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for shrink chucks are limited in cooling performance, leading to longer cooling times due to laminar fluid flow and gaps that allow uncontrolled fluid entry, which affects efficiency and noise levels.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device with a cooling attachment that uses guide elements to create a vortex flow, ensuring complete contact with the shrink chuck and utilizing an annular chamber and suction device to enhance fluid distribution and mixing, thereby increasing cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cooling attachment is placed completely on the shrink fit chuck without gaps, then uncontrolled fluid entry is prevented, but cooling performance is limited due to laminar flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of cooling fluid entryVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vortex flow generator that creates rotational motion in the cooling fluid, transforming the flow pattern from laminar to turbulent vortex flow. This curvature in fluid path enhances mixing and heat transfer efficiency, allowing the cooling attachment to maintain complete contact with the chuck while achieving superior cooling performance through controlled turbulent flow rather than laminar flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If upward inlet openings are provided in the insert, then cooling fluid can enter the interior, but additional uncontrolled fluid enters through gaps when the attachment is not fully placed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling fluid supplyVSAvoiduncontrolled fluid entry and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic gap issue by introducing a sealing element that is placed in the gap between the cooling attachment and the shrink fit chuck. This sealing element prevents uncontrolled fluid entry through the gap while maintaining the upward inlet openings for controlled fluid supply, thereby eliminating noise and uncontrolled fluid admission without compromising ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If multiple cooling fluids are used through different inlet openings, then cooling capacity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidnumber of inlet openings and fluid paths
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cooling fluid paths by introducing a mixing chamber where cooling fluids from different inlet openings (upward and downward) converge and mix before being directed toward the shrink fit chuck. This combining approach maintains high cooling capacity through multi-fluid usage while simplifying the overall structure by consolidating fluid paths in a single mixing region rather than requiring separate delivery systems for each fluid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The vortex flow increases cooling performance by up to 50% shorter cooling times and prevents uncontrolled fluid entry, improving efficiency and reducing noise.

Implementation Method 1

guide elements (10), in particular guide vanes, in the region of the lower end (8) of the cooling attachment (6), which are designed such that a first cooling fluid flow (12) of a first cooling fluid (14) can be guided into an interior (18) of the cooling attachment (6) that can accommodate the shrink fit chuck (4), generating a vortex flow (16) that can be effected by the guide elements (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

extraction device - with an extraction pipe arranged on the top of the cooling attachment and an intake line which is connected to at least one extraction unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4295991A1Device for cooling and/or drying a shrink fit chuck and method for cooling and/or drying a tool holder, in particular a shrink fit chuck
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 HAIMER
  • EP4295991A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4295991A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4295991A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for cooling and/or drying a shrink-fit chuck and a method for cooling and/or drying a tool holder, in particular a shrink-fit chuck, especially by means of such a device. The device (2) provides a cooling attachment (6) which can be placed over the shrink-fit chuck (4) at its lower end (8). In the region of the lower end (8) of the cooling attachment (6), guide elements (10), in particular guide vanes (10), are arranged, which are designed such that a first cooling fluid flow (12) can be directed into an interior (18) of the cooling attachment (6) that can receive the shrink-fit chuck (6), thereby generating a vortex flow (16) effected by the guide elements (10).In the process, the tool holder (4) is cooled and/or dried by a first cooling fluid flow (12) from a first cooling fluid (14), wherein the first cooling fluid flow (12) flows axially along the tool holder (4) in the form of a vortex flow (16) in the direction of a tool receiving opening (74) of the tool holder (4).