Machine Tool Splash Guard Floor Support Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing splash guards for machine tools cause bed deformation due to their weight, leading to compromised machining accuracy, and require excessive installation space when designed to enclose the entire machine tool.

Innovation Solution

A splash guard design with a rear cover and a front cover, where the upper cover is supported by legs extending to the floor, minimizing the weight on the bed and allowing for adjustable legs to maintain stability without increasing installation space, and incorporating an elastic seal to prevent coolant leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the splash guard is installed on the bed after adjustments, then the splash guard can be properly installed, but the bed is deformed due to the weight of the splash guard and the adjustment is spoiled, resulting in the deterioration of machining accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining accuracyVSAvoidweight of splash guard
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The upper cover is elevated from the bed level to a higher dimension by introducing legs that extend downward to the floor. This vertical dimensionality change transfers the weight support from the horizontal bed surface to the vertical floor, eliminating bed deformation while maintaining splash guard functionality.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the splash guard is designed to enclose the entire machine tool, then better containment of coolant and chips is achieved, but the installation space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant and chips containmentVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of enclosing the entire machine tool, the splash guard is designed to partially surround only the machining area where coolant and chips are generated. This partial enclosure achieves effective containment of harmful factors while minimizing the installation space footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2060360B1Splash guard for machine tool
Publication Date: 2013.11.06 MAKINO MILLING MASCH CO LTD
  • EP2060360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2060360B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2060360B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A splash guard (25) of a machine tool for preventing chips generated when a workpiece is machined by the machine tool or coolant from being scattered includes a rear cover (27) mounted on a rear of a bed (13) of the machine tool installed on the floor surface and defining a partition for a rear side of the machining area, and a front cover (29) defining a partition for a front side and lateral sides of the machining area. The front cover (29) is configured of a lower cover (31) placed on the bed (13) of the machine tool and an upper cover (33) placed above the lower cover (31). The upper cover (33) has a plurality of legs (35) extending downward from the lower end thereof so that the upper cover (33), when arranged above the lower cover (31), is supported on the floor surface by the plurality of legs (35).