Compact Spindle Drive Unit for Drilling Quills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling quill linear drives are bulky due to their external dimensions, and alternative hydraulic or pneumatic systems are complex in design and require additional energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A compact drive unit with a spindle drive and electric spindle drive motor, where the spindle is partially or fully housed within the rotor, utilizing a ball screw or roller screw drive mechanism to convert rotary motion into linear motion, and featuring a hollow shaft design to prevent spindle rotation, allowing for a compact tool quill configuration with a servomotor for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a rack and pinion driven by an electric motor is used for linear feed, then the linear drive function is achieved, but the external dimensions become relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the motor rotor with the spindle nut into a single integrated component. The rotor is designed with a hollow shaft that serves as the spindle nut, eliminating the need for separate motor and lead screw assemblies. This integration dramatically reduces the external dimensions while maintaining the linear drive function through the ball screw mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle is positioned inside the hollow shaft of the rotor, creating a nested configuration where the spindle is contained within the motor assembly. This nesting arrangement allows the linear drive components to be compactly arranged within the motor structure, reducing overall volume without compromising functionality.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic or pneumatic linear drives are used, then linear motion is achieved, but the system becomes relatively complex due to additional energy sources and construction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor directly drives the ball screw mechanism through its integrated rotor-spindle nut assembly, eliminating the need for external hydraulic or pneumatic power sources. The system uses its own motor to generate the necessary motion, simplifying the overall construction and removing complex fluid power infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex hydraulic or pneumatic mechanical systems with a direct electric motor-driven ball screw mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic pumps, pneumatic cylinders, or other complex fluid power components, resulting in a simpler, more compact system with fewer moving parts and lower maintenance requirements.
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 solution results in a highly compact and efficient linear drive for drilling quills, enabling precise control and reduced complexity, while maintaining play-free and low-friction movement, suitable for use in drilling applications with interchangeable tools.
Implementation Method 1
For an advantageous and in particular as play-free and low-friction translation of the rotating drive movement of the rotor of the spindle drive drive motor into a linear movement of the spindle, it can preferably be provided that the spindle drive is designed as a ball screw drive or as a roller screw drive
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A drive unit comprising a spindle drive and a spindle drive drive motor, which has a rotor (4), is characterized in that a spindle (6) of the spindle drive is arranged within the rotor (4), which acts as a spindle nut and includes a hollow shaft (5). This allows, in particular, a compact design for the drive unit, which can serve especially as a linear drive for a tool quill.