Self-Contained Steady Rest Hydraulic Pump for CNC Lathes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steady rests for numerical control lathes require specialized and expensive tool-holder turrets with rotating distributors, limiting their versatility and performance due to the need for prearranged systems, which also restrict the use of dynamic tools.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained steady rest that can be mounted on any driven tool-holder turret, utilizing a hydraulic and reversible pump driven by the turret's rotating shaft, eliminating the need for a prearranged turret with a rotating distributor, and featuring adjustable clamping force and speed through valve control and sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steady rest is equipped with a self-contained hydraulic pump driven by the turret rotating shaft, then the steady rest can be mounted on any motorized turret without prearranged systems, but the device complexity increases due to the added pump and hydraulic components
Solution Approach 1:
The steady rest incorporates a self-contained hydraulic pump that is directly driven by the turret's rotating shaft through a driving shaft and coupling. This self-service approach allows the steady rest to generate its own hydraulic power without requiring external prearranged systems, enabling installation on any motorized turret while maintaining operational independence
Solution Approach 2:
The steady rest design with a universal hydraulic pump system driven by the turret shaft enables compatibility across different motorized turret configurations. The pump serves multiple functions: generating hydraulic pressure, actuating the piston for jaw movement, and enabling the steady rest to operate on various turret types without customization, thus achieving multi-functionality and broad adaptability
2Reliability
If a rotating distributor is included in the tool-holder turret to convey oil to the steady rest, then the steady rest can be supplied with pressurised oil, but the turret becomes expensive and complex to manufacture with frequent maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hydraulic pump from the turret structure and relocates it to the steady rest itself. The pump is directly coupled to the turret's rotating shaft, eliminating the need for a rotating distributor within the turret. This extraction simplifies the turret design while maintaining reliable oil supply to the steady rest through the self-contained pump system
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic pump acts as an intermediary between the turret's rotational motion and the oil supply system. By coupling the pump to the turret shaft, the rotational energy is converted into hydraulic pressure without requiring a rotating distributor. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system while ensuring reliable oil delivery to the steady rest components
3Reliability
If a rotating distributor is integrated into the tool-holder turret, then the steady rest receives pressurised oil, but the simultaneous presence of the motor for rotating drivable tools is prevented, limiting tool versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating distributor is extracted from the turret and replaced by a self-contained hydraulic pump mounted on the steady rest. This pump is driven by the turret's rotating shaft through a coupling, eliminating the space and mechanical conflict that would prevent the simultaneous presence of tool rotation motors. This extraction enables full tool versatility while maintaining reliable oil supply
4Ease of operation
If the steady rest uses a self-contained hydraulic pump driven by the turret shaft, then the clamping force and speed can be adjusted through valve control, but the loss of energy increases due to the additional hydraulic components
Solution Approach 1:
The steady rest incorporates controllable valves that enable adjustment of hydraulic flow parameters, including clamping force magnitude and actuation speed. These parameter changes are achieved through the existing hydraulic pump system, allowing operational flexibility without requiring additional energy-intensive components. The valves regulate oil flow to optimize performance while minimizing energy loss
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
Enhances the performance and versatility of lathes by allowing the steady rest to be used on any motorized turret, increasing productivity and enabling adjustable clamping forces and speeds according to machining needs, without the need for complex and costly prearranged turrets.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (30) driven by the rotating shaft of the tool-holder turret (11) for conveying the pressurised oil
Implementation Method 2
a piston (59) slidable in a cylinder (17) and actuable by the pressurised oil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A steady rest (10), mountable on a tool-holder turret of a numerical control lathe for supporting a workpiece to be machined, comprises abutments (13, 14, 15), for abutting on an external surface of the workpiece to be machined, and a piston (59) that is drivable by a driving fluid to move the abutments (13, 14, 15) between a closed position in which they clamp the workpiece and an open position in which they release the workpiece. In order to increase the performances and the versatility of the lathe in which the steady rest is used compared with known steady rests, the steady rest (10) comprises a driving system (24, 30) acting on the driving fluid for moving the aforesaid piston (59), this driving system being connectable to and drivable by a drive of the tool-holder turret.