Steady Rest Coupling for Flexible Workpiece Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic actuators in steady rests for machine tools limit flexibility in supporting a wide variety of workpieces due to reduced travel and inflexibility in adapting support member directions, compared to mechanical actuators of similar size.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism with adjustable hydraulic actuators and mechanically operated support members allows for flexible adaptation to workpiece requirements, incorporating a flange coupling for enhanced flexibility and rigidity, and a lever design to increase force absorption and reduce size, while maintaining a compact and simple design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If hydraulic actuators are used in steady rests, then the steady rest design becomes compact, but the travel is reduced and flexibility in supporting various workpieces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support members adjustable in direction and position. The support members can be repositioned along the workpiece surface and oriented at different angles, transforming a static compact structure into a dynamically adaptable system that maintains versatility despite reduced size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing support members that can perform multiple functions: they can be positioned at different locations, oriented at various angles, and adjusted to support different workpiece diameters and shapes. This multi-functionality allows a single compact steady rest to handle diverse workpiece requirements
2Device complexity
If hydraulic actuators are used, then the number of components is reduced, but the direction of action of support elements cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing their direction of action to be changed while maintaining the compact hydraulic actuator structure. This enables adaptation to different workpiece geometries without increasing component count
3Strength
If purely mechanical support members are used, then high mechanical stiffness is achieved, but the travel and flexibility are reduced compared to hydraulic actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The steady rest uses a segmented approach with multiple support members that can be independently positioned and oriented. This segmentation allows each support element to provide localized stiffness while the collective system achieves overall flexibility through coordinated positioning of individual segments
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 enhances the flexibility and rigidity of the steady rest, enabling precise support of various workpieces with improved force absorption and reduced size, maintaining a compact and structurally simple design.
Implementation Method 1
an assembly (17) with a first support member (7) and a hydraulically actuated actuator (15), wherein the first support member (7) is adjustable by the actuator (15)
Implementation Method 2
If the support element has a roller or shell
Implementation Method 3
The support element has a roller or shell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A steady rest (1, 100) for supporting a workpiece (4) of a machine tool (3) is shown, comprising a steady rest carrier (8) for preferably mounting on the machine bed (2) of the machine tool (3), with at least one hydraulic actuator (15) and with several support members (5, 6, 7) attached to the steady rest carrier (8), which terminate in support elements (9, 10, 11) arranged at an angle to each other for contact with the workpiece (4) and of which a first support member (7) supporting the workpiece (4) laterally with its support element (11) is adjustable on the steady rest carrier (8) by means of the hydraulic actuator (15).In order to achieve a high degree of flexibility of the steady rest (1, 100) in supporting a wide variety of workpieces, it is proposed that the steady rest (1, 100) has a coupling (16) and an assembly (17, 29) with the first support member (7) and with the hydraulic actuator (15) adjustable thereto, wherein this assembly (17, 29) is interchangeably connected to the steady rest support (8) via the coupling (16).