Compact Self-Centring Steady Rest with Guide Groove Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-centring steady rests are bulky due to extended rear sections for leverage, leading to large dimensions in modern workshops and are not securely locked in working position, causing levers to pivot accidentally, making it difficult to re-centre work pieces.
Innovation Solution
A self-centring steady rest design featuring pivoting levers with guide grooves and connection elements, including a guide pin, that allows for a compact structure and secure locking mechanism, enabling easy loading/unloading and preventing accidental pivoting by coupling the slide's linear movement to the levers' pivotal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear section of the upper lever is extended to provide leverage for the yawning function, then the yawning function is achieved, but the overall dimensions of the steady rest become large
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove transforms the lever's movement from simple radial pivoting to a three-dimensional path that combines radial and vertical components. This allows the lever to achieve the yawning function (increased opening) without extending the rear section length, as the vertical dimension provides the additional opening space.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove enables dynamic movement of the lever through a controlled path that adapts to different operational states. The lever can pivot radially during normal operation and simultaneously move vertically along the guide groove during yawning, providing flexible operation without increased dimensions.
2Device complexity
If the levers are not secured in working position, then the structure remains simple, but the levers may pivot accidentally causing loss of time for re-centring
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove and guide pin arrangement creates a self-locking mechanism where the lever's own weight and position automatically secure it in the working state. When the lever is in the correct radial position, the guide pin naturally engages the guide groove, preventing accidental pivoting without requiring additional active locking components.
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 design minimizes the overall dimensions of the steady rest and ensures secure operation by preventing accidental pivoting, allowing for efficient and flexible use in narrow machining environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pivoting lever comprises a first guide groove wherein said at least one pivoting lever is coupled to the slide by a connection means which comprises a guide pin that is guided in said first guide groove
Implementation Method 2
The pivotal levers comprise cams which are in engagement with cam followers in the form of rollers on the slide. In operation, the cams on the pivot levers and the cam followers on the slide couples the displacement of the slide to the pivot movement of the levers
Implementation Method 3
each pivoting lever is divided by a pivot point into a forward portion having a support means for contacting a work piece... so that the support means on said pivoting levers and slide always are at the same radial distance from the centring point B
Data Source
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AI summary
1. A self-centring steady rest (10) comprising: - a first and a second pivoting lever (11, 12) that are arranged in symmetry relative a plane A - A passing through a centring point B, wherein each lever (11, 12) is divided by a pivot point (5) into a forward portion (13) for contacting a work piece and a rear portion (14) comprising a cam (15) having a cam surface (19) - a slide (13) that is linearly displaceable in the plane A - A relative the centring point B, wherein said slide (13) has a forward portion (17) for contacting a work piece and a rear portion (16) comprising cam followers (18); - wherein said cams (15) and said cam followers (18) couples the displacement of the slide (13) to the pivotal movement of the pivot levers (11, 12) between a maximum open working position C and a minimum open working position D so that, the support means on the first and second levers (11, 12) and the slide (13) always are at the same radial distance from the centring point B. According to the invention said at least one lever (10, 60) comprises a first guide groove (40) wherein said at least one lever is coupled to the slide (30) by a connection means (50) which comprises a guide pin (53) that is guided in the guide groove (40), wherein said connection means (50) and said guide grove (40) are designed such that said at least one lever (10, 60) is pivoted from the maximum working position C to a further open release position F when the slide (30) is moved from a rear working position G to a rearmost release position H and such that said at least one lever (10, 60) is pivoted from said further open release position F to said maximum open working position C when said slide (30) is moved from the rearmost release position H to said rear working position G.