Machine Tool Spindle Cooling Structure with Radial Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling structures for high-speed machine tool main spindles face challenges such as increased complexity, cost, and reduced cooling efficiency due to the need for high-pressure coolant supply and complex seal structures, especially when the spindle is rotating at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A cooling structure with a coolant supply section and recovery section integrated into the housing, featuring an annular groove on the main spindle's outer circumference and hole-shaped flow paths extending axially, which reduces the influence of centrifugal force and allows coolant to flow efficiently without high pressure, combined with an air seal device to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flows through a hole-shaped flow path extending from the radially outer side to the radially inner side of the main spindle, then the coolant can reach the bearing inner race, but the coolant is subjected to large centrifugal force at high speeds, requiring high pressure and complicating the seal structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional coolant flow direction by supplying coolant from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side, opposite to the centrifugal force direction. This allows coolant to reach the bearing inner race without requiring high pressure to overcome centrifugal force, and eliminates the need for complex seal structures at high-speed rotating parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stationary guide structure (intermediary element) that directs coolant flow into the radially inner side of the main spindle. This guide structure acts as a mediator between the coolant supply system and the rotating spindle, enabling coolant injection without requiring seals on rotating components.
2Temperature
If a nozzle is used to supply coolant from the radially inner side of the main spindle, then coolant can be supplied, but the number of constituent parts increases, leading to cost increase and reduced cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the nozzle component from the coolant supply system. Instead of using a separate nozzle to supply coolant, the system directly forms coolant supply holes in the stationary guide structure, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective coolant delivery to the main spindle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the coolant supply function directly into the guide structure by forming coolant supply holes within it. This integration eliminates the need for separate nozzle components and simplifies the assembly, reducing both the number of parts and manufacturing costs while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
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 simplifies the cooling structure, reduces the number of components, and enhances cooling efficiency by minimizing the impact of centrifugal force, allowing effective cooling of bearings with reduced pressure and cost, while maintaining thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
when the main spindle is rotating at a high speed, the coolant is subjected to a large centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
a flow path extending from the radially outer side of a main spindle to the radially inner side of the main spindle, then extending in the longitudinal direction under a bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant supply section that supplies coolant to a main spindle and a coolant recovery section that recovers the coolant from the main spindle are formed in a housing. A coolant flow path that allows the coolant to flow from the coolant supply section to the coolant recovery section is formed in the main spindle. The coolant flow path in the main spindle includes a coolant receiving portion that receives the coolant supplied from the coolant supply section, and a plurality of hole-shaped flow paths formed to extend in the axial direction of the main spindle from the coolant receiving portion. The coolant receiving portion includes an annular groove that is recessed in the outer circumference of the main spindle. The hole-shaped flow paths are formed to extend generally straight toward the coolant recovery section and with an inclination to the radially outer side of the main spindle.