Spindle Positioning Mechanism with Eccentric Spherical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Grinding machines used for rolling mills struggle to maintain the grinding wheel in a tangent position to non-straight cylinder profiles, leading to gouging phenomena, increased processing times, and reduced surface quality due to the lack of adequate control over the grinding wheel's angle and position, especially in machines with limited degrees of freedom.
Innovation Solution
A spindle positioning mechanism with micrometric forwarding and tilting capabilities, utilizing spherical elements with eccentric holes to allow for independent rotation and translation, enabling precise control over the grinding wheel's position and angle through a system with two degrees of freedom, reducing the number of bearings and improving rigidity and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the grinding wheel is positioned using traditional machines with limited degrees of freedom, then the structure is simpler, but the grinding wheel cannot maintain tangent position to non-straight cylinder profiles, causing gouging and reduced surface quality
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle positioning mechanism is segmented into two independent rotational degrees of freedom: first rotation around a vertical axis and second rotation around a horizontal axis. This segmentation allows independent control of the grinding wheel's angular position and tilt angle, enabling precise adaptation to non-straight cylinder profiles while maintaining tangent contact without gouging.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle positioning mechanism is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing real-time modification of the grinding wheel's position and orientation during the grinding process. The two rotational degrees of freedom enable the system to dynamically adapt to varying profile geometries, maintaining optimal tangent contact throughout the operation.
2Productivity
If traditional spindle positioning is used, then the device is simpler, but processing time increases due to gouging phenomena and the need for repeated adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning system with two rotational degrees of freedom allows continuous adjustment of the grinding wheel's orientation during processing, preventing gouging phenomena and eliminating the need for repeated stops and adjustments, thereby reducing total processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle positioning mechanism enables continuous grinding operation by maintaining constant tangent contact between the grinding wheel and the cylinder profile through real-time angular adjustments, preventing interruptions caused by gouging and ensuring uninterrupted material removal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the grinding wheel angle is fixed, then the mechanism is simpler, but it cannot follow non-straight profiles, leading to increased processing time and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle positioning mechanism replaces the fixed angle configuration with dynamic rotational joints, allowing the grinding wheel to adapt its orientation to follow non-straight cylinder profiles. The two rotational degrees of freedom provide the necessary adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
4Measurement precision
If more bearings are used to support the spindle, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the rigidity decreases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate bearings from the spindle support system. By using a direct spherical joint connection between the spindle and the positioning mechanism, the patent achieves positioning accuracy through the controlled rotational degrees of freedom rather than through multiple bearing supports, thereby maintaining high rigidity and reducing maintenance requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A positioning of a spindle with micrometric forwarding control and tilting of its rotation axis, comprising a spindle shaft (11) rotatingly supported inside at least a pair of rotatable supports, wherein the at least pair of rotatable supports consists of two spherical elements (13,14) provided with respective housings (12), eccentric with respect to the axis (99), joining the centres of the same spheres, wherein the at least two spherical elements (13,14) are in turn positioned in a cylindrical housing composed of at least two parts (17,17'; 19, 20), two rotation means (23,24), connected to the two spherical elements (13,14) being envisaged, for determining their independent rotation.