Spindle Cover Spacing Using Centrifugal Chip Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adhesion of chips to the gap between the main shaft and the housing in cutting apparatuses interferes with the rotation of the main shaft, causing machining difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A spindle design with a gap located laterally to the main shaft, where the cover is positioned at a distance from the main shaft, reduces chip adhesion by utilizing centrifugal force to move chips away from the rotation axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the gap between the main shaft and the cover is located farther away from the main shaft, then the main shaft can rotate more freely, but chips adhere more to the gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation freedom of main shaftVSAvoidchip adhesion to gap
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the centrifugal force generated by the rotating main shaft to move chips away from the gap between the main shaft and the cover. The rotation of the main shaft creates a centrifugal field that naturally ejects chips outward, converting the rotational motion (which could potentially cause chip adhesion) into a beneficial force that prevents chip accumulation in the critical gap area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the gap between the main shaft and the cover is minimized, then chip adhesion is reduced, but the main shaft rotation is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip adhesion to gapVSAvoidrotation freedom of main shaft
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the gap in a specific spatial dimension - laterally adjacent to the main shaft rather than radially outward from it. This dimensional repositioning allows the gap to be located in a region where centrifugal force effectively removes chips, while maintaining sufficient clearance for the main shaft to rotate without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the cover is positioned close to the main shaft, then structural compactness is improved, but chip adhesion to the gap increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidchip adhesion to gap
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different spatial relationships to different regions of the system. The gap is positioned in a specific location where it can be effectively cleared by centrifugal force, while other portions of the housing maintain compact dimensions. This local optimization of the gap position resolves the conflict between overall compactness and chip adhesion prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively prevents chip adhesion to the gap, ensuring smooth rotation of the main shaft and maintaining machining efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

When the main shaft and the cover rotate together, a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the main shaft causes chips adhering to the cover to move outward.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4049785B1Spindle and cutting apparatus including the same
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 DGSHAPE CORP
  • EP4049785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4049785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4049785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A spindle includes a housing including a first opening, a bearing housed in the housing, a main shaft rotatably supported by the bearing, a collet chuck in a first through hole defined in the main shaft to grip a machining tool and being movable in an axial direction of the main shaft, a draw bar connected to the collet chuck, and a cover covering the first opening and including a second through hole through which the main shaft is disposed. The main shaft and the cover are disposed at a distance from each other.