Tool Spindle Drain Valve for Coolant Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-part power-operated tool spindles with liquid cooling channels face issues during maintenance, where cooling liquid flows uncontrollably when the spindle head is dismantled, potentially contaminating the working space and sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable outlet opening is introduced in the spindle head or motor housing, allowing controlled drainage of the coolant through gravity, which can be managed with a manual or power-operated drain valve, ensuring safe and controlled coolant collection during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the spindle head is dismantled for maintenance, then the spindle head can be removed for repair, but the cooling liquid flows out uncontrollably and contaminates sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drain valve that allows coolant to be drained from the liquid cooling circuit before the spindle head is dismantled. This preliminary drainage action prevents uncontrolled coolant flow during maintenance, eliminating the contamination risk to sensitive components while preserving the ease of spindle head removal for repair.
2Ease of repair
If the liquid cooling circuit is opened for spindle head maintenance, then the spindle head can be accessed for repair, but coolant flows into the working space and contaminates the machining center lubricant
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve enables preliminary drainage of coolant from the liquid cooling circuit before the spindle head is removed. This ensures that when the cooling circuit is opened for maintenance, no coolant flows into the working space to contaminate the machining center lubricant, while still allowing full access to the spindle head for repair work.
3Ease of operation
If a reclosable outlet opening is added for controlled drainage, then coolant can be drained safely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drainage function from the main liquid cooling circuit by introducing a separate drain valve and outlet opening. This allows controlled coolant drainage through a simple, isolated mechanism that can be operated independently, providing safe coolant removal without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
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 prevents coolant from reaching sensitive components and allows for controlled drainage, enhancing safety and ease of maintenance by containing the coolant, reducing the risk of skin contact and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the coolant in the spindle motor housing and the coolant in the spindle head housing can flow out of the tool spindle due to gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a two-part power-driven tool spindle for machining workpieces in a vertical or horizontal machining center, in particular for milling, drilling and/or turning operations, comprising a spindle motor housing (3) in which a liquid cooling channel (2) runs, and a spindle head housing (5) in which a liquid cooling channel (4) runs, wherein the liquid cooling channels (2, 4) form a liquid cooling circuit for a coolant.In order to create a tool spindle with which the coolant can be drained from the liquid cooling circuit before disassembly of the spindle head begins, and which can be implemented with minimal design and manufacturing effort, the invention provides that a liquid channel (12) branches off from the liquid cooling channel (4) in the spindle head housing (5) or from the liquid cooling channel (2) in the spindle motor housing (3), through which the coolant from the liquid cooling circuit can be directed to at least one resealable outlet opening (13) in the spindle head housing (5) or in the spindle motor housing (3), so that the coolant in the spindle motor housing (3) and the coolant in the spindle head housing (5) can flow out of the tool spindle by gravity.