Self-centering steady rest electric drive clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-centering steady rests for clamping workpieces on turning machines rely on hydraulic drives, which are inefficient and lack precise control over clamping and advance movements.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering steady rest with a drive unit powered by an electric motor, converting rotational movements into axial advance and clamping movements using a clutch with constrained action, allowing for precise control and measurement of the holding elements' position and force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hydraulic pressure piston is used to drive the middle piece, then the steady rest can perform clamping and unlocking movements, but the system lacks precise control and monitoring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hydraulic pressure piston system with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor provides precise rotational position control that can be directly measured and monitored, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic pressure control while enabling accurate position measurement through the motor's encoder or other sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor system provides self-measurement capability through its inherent position sensing (encoders, resolvers, or other feedback mechanisms). The motor's rotational position automatically provides the measurement data needed for control, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic drive system is used, then clamping movements can be performed, but the system cannot be precisely controlled or monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the hydraulic drive system with an electric motor-driven system that offers superior controllability. Electric motors provide precise speed and position control through electronic regulation, enabling accurate control of the clamping movements while reducing mechanical complexity compared to hydraulic systems with pressure control valves and flow regulators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electric motor is used for both advance and clamping movements, then unified control is achieved, but different speed requirements must be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic transmission system that can adapt its gear ratio or transmission characteristics during operation. The clutch with constrained action allows the drive unit to automatically change between two different axial advance speeds, enabling the electric motor to meet different speed requirements for advance and clamping movements through dynamic transmission ratio adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameters (axial advance speed) based on the operational phase. The clutch with constrained action automatically adjusts the transmission ratio to provide high speed during the advance movement and lower speed during the clamping movement, allowing a single electric motor to satisfy different speed requirements by changing transmission parameters.
4Productivity
If the holding elements move quickly to the workpiece, then productivity is improved, but the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the position measurement capability of the electric motor system to detect when the holding elements are approaching the workpiece. Before contact occurs, the control system automatically reduces the motor speed or applies braking, ensuring a gentle approach that prevents damage while maintaining high productivity during the non-contact advance phase.
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
Enables fast and precise advance and clamping movements without interruptions, ensuring reliable workpiece holding and protection against damage, with compact installation dimensions and reduced noise emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the rotational movements of the electric motor, which are converted by the drive unit into at least two different axial advance speeds of the middle piece
Implementation Method 2
a clutch with a constrained action is used, by means of which the drive unit is changed over automatically into two different shift positions
Implementation Method 3
the rotational movements of the electric motor are converted by the drive unit into at least two different axial advance speeds of the middle piece with resulting force components vectored onto the workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A self-centering steady rest (1) for clamping a workpiece (4) on a turning machine, with three holding elements (5, 6, 7) mounted in a housing (2) and held adjustably in a common plane, the two outer holding elements (5, 7) being configured as swivelling angled levers supported in the housing (2) and in a mirror-image arrangement with one another, and the middle holding element (6) is guided in the housing (2) by means of middle piece (8) in a driveable connection with a drive unit (61) to be axially moveable in the direction of the workpiece (4), with control surfaces (9) being provided on the middle piece (8) wherein the two outer holding elements (5, 7) interact with the control surfaces (9) to achieve clamping movements of the three holding elements (5, 6, 7) and are performed by means of a drive device (21, 61) which is operated electrically, and which performs rotational movement that is converted into an axial advance and return movement performed by the middle piece (8).