Funnel-Shaped Spindle Sprayer With Integrated Cooling Ducts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spindle protection systems for dental milling cutters fail to prevent dust and machining residues from reaching the spindle and bearings during machine shutdown and do not allow adequate lubrication and cooling of the milling cutter without separate nozzles or devices, leading to wear and potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A sprayer with a funnel-shaped body containing convergent passage ducts for lubricating/cooling fluids, which directs jets of fluid onto the milling cutter, providing protection from dust and residues while allowing for integrated lubrication and cooling without separate nozzles, and is made using 3D printing or metallic materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a cap is used to protect the spindle and bearings region, then protection from dust and machining residues is improved, but adequate lubrication and cooling of the milling cutter cannot be achieved without separate nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from dust and machining residuesVSAvoidneed for separate nozzles for lubrication and cooling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the protective cap function with lubrication and cooling functions into a single integrated device. The cap includes internal channels that deliver lubricating/cooling fluid directly to the milling cutter cutting edges, eliminating the need for separate nozzles and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the spindle and bearings from dust, delivers lubricating/cooling fluid to the cutting edges, and directs air jets to remove machining residues. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If pneumatic blowers and suction means are used to remove machining residues, then removal during machining is improved, but prevention of dust deposition during machine shutdown is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval of machining residues during machiningVSAvoidprevention of dust deposition during machine shutdown
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cap includes air jets that can be activated before machining operations begin to prevent dust and machining residues from depositing on the spindle and bearings during machine shutdown periods. This preliminary action maintains cleanliness without interfering with the primary machining removal function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If separate nozzles are used for lubrication and cooling, then adequate lubrication and cooling are achieved, but construction complexity and overall cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadequate lubrication and cooling of milling cutterVSAvoidconstruction complexity and overall cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication and cooling functions are merged into the cap structure itself through internal channels that deliver fluid directly to the cutting edges. This integration maintains adequate lubrication and cooling effectiveness while significantly reducing construction complexity and eliminating separate nozzle components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap serves itself by incorporating the lubrication and cooling delivery system within its own structure. The cap does not require external separate nozzles to perform its protective function, as it independently delivers the necessary lubricating/cooling fluid through its integrated channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 sprayer effectively protects the spindle and bearings from dust and residues, ensures adequate lubrication and cooling of the milling cutter, reduces construction complexity and cost, and is highly reliable and easy to implement.

Implementation Method 1

such jets being directed onto such tool by the sprayer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray cooling: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

pl passage ducts for a lubricating/cooling fluid inside said body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4357074A1Sprayer for spindle, particularly for a dental milling cutter
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 WORLDMEC
  • EP4357074A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357074A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4357074A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A sprayer (10) for a tool holding spindle (11), the sprayer (10) comprising a substantially funnel-shaped body (13) having, along its axis of extension (X): - a first annular end (14), - a second annular end (15) with a smaller diameter than the first annular end (14), at the second annular end (15) there being an outlet (16) for the exit of the spindle (11). The sprayer (10) comprises a plurality of passage ducts (17, 24) for a lubricating/cooling fluid within the body (13), the ducts (17, 24) being inside the material that constitutes the walls of the body (13) and having a course that is at least partially convergent toward the axis of extension (X).