Shrink-Fit Chuck Cooling with Contact Switch Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shrink clamping cooling devices lack efficient and automated methods for detecting tool holder presence and controlling cooling processes, leading to potential inaccuracies in tool measurements and reduced operational reliability due to inconsistent cooling times.
Innovation Solution
A shrink clamping cooling device equipped with a contact switch that automatically detects the presence and removal of tool holders, integrated with a control unit to manage cooling times and a light display for user feedback, ensuring optimal cooling processes without manual confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual confirmation of tool holder insertion is required, then the cooling process can be activated, but user-friendliness deteriorates and operational reliability worsens due to potential delays or forgotten activation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device automatically detects tool holder insertion via a contact switch and activates the cooling process without requiring manual confirmation. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state through the contact switch signal and autonomously controlling the cooling element activation, thereby improving both ease of operation and operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact switch provides real-time feedback about tool holder presence to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic activation of the cooling process when the tool holder is inserted and automatic deactivation when removed, ensuring consistent and reliable operation without manual intervention
2Measurement precision
If cooling time is not precisely controlled, then the cooling process is simple to operate, but measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal expansion and distortion from over- or under-cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback from the contact switch regarding tool holder presence and automatically controls the cooling element's operation duration. The system measures and controls the cooling time based on the actual insertion and removal events, ensuring precise temperature control for accurate measurements while managing complexity through automated timing control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual timing and temperature monitoring with an automated control system that uses electrical signals from the contact switch to control the cooling process duration. This substitution of mechanical/manual control with automated electronic control achieves precise measurement conditions while managing system complexity through integrated control logic
3Reliability
If automated detection of tool holder presence is implemented, then operational reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional detection components
Solution Approach 1:
A contact switch is integrated into the cooling device to detect tool holder presence and provide feedback signals to the control unit. This simple feedback mechanism automatically triggers cooling activation and deactivation, significantly improving operational reliability while adding minimal complexity through a single, straightforward detection component
Solution Approach 2:
The contact switch serves multiple functions: detecting tool holder insertion, triggering cooling activation, and enabling automated timing control. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent improves operational reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one component performs several critical detection and control tasks
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 solution enhances user-friendliness, operational reliability, and measurement accuracy by automating the cooling process, preventing over- or under-cooling, and optimizing cycle times and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling element (12) which forms a cooling area (14) to create a thermally conductive contact with the tool holder (10) to be cooled
Implementation Method 2
The contact switch (16) is designed to detect at least the insertion, and in particular the presence and/or removal, of the tool holder (10) to be cooled into the cooling area (14)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a shrink-fit cooling device (36) for cooling, in particular previously heated, tool holders (10), with at least one cooling element (12) which forms a cooling area (14) to establish a thermally conductive contact with the tool holder (10) to be cooled. It is proposed that the cooling element (12) has a contact switch (16) which is designed to detect at least one insertion, and in particular the presence and/or removal, of the tool holder (10) to be cooled into the cooling area (14).