Tailstock Centering Unit Coupling for Vibration-Safe Automatic Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centering devices in machine tools face issues with rotation centers falling off during conveyance due to inertial forces and vibrations, leading to potential loss of the centering unit.

Innovation Solution

A tailstock unit design featuring a centering unit with a groove portion and an object to be conveyed with a protruding portion, engaged to restrict movement in both axial and circumferential directions, ensuring secure coupling and preventing detachment during conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the rotation center is conveyed by the tool changer, then automatic replacement is enabled, but inertial force and vibrations may cause the rotation center to fall off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic replacementVSAvoidcentering unit retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The centering unit is nested within the object to be conveyed, with the protruding portion of the centering unit engaged into the groove portion of the object to be conveyed. This nesting structure allows the centering unit to be securely held during conveyance while enabling automatic replacement through the tool changer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement structure uses a groove portion extending in the axial direction and a protruding portion that fits into it, adding a dimensional constraint that prevents the centering unit from falling off during conveyance. This dimensional engagement ensures reliability while maintaining automation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the centering unit is securely held during conveyance, then falling off is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering unit retentionVSAvoidcoupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is segmented into a groove portion provided on one component and a protruding portion provided on the other component. This segmentation allows for a simple yet effective engagement mechanism that prevents falling off without requiring complex fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a protruding feature on the centering unit that actively engages, the design uses a groove portion on the object to be conveyed that passively receives and retains the protruding portion of the centering unit. This inverted approach simplifies the overall structure while ensuring reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4574315A1Tailstock unit and machine tool

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 DMG MORI CO LTD

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AI summary

A tailstock unit (50) includes: a centering unit (51) having a center pin (70) extending about a prescribed axis (160) and used for centering and holding a workpiece in the machine tool (100); and an object to be conveyed (56) detachably coupled to the centering unit (51) and conveyed together with the centering unit (51). One of the centering unit (51) and the object to be conveyed (56) is provided with a groove portion (80). The other of the centering unit (51) and the object to be conveyed (56) has a protruding portion (90), the protruding portion (90) being, when the centering unit (51) and the object to be conveyed (56) are coupled to each other, engaged with the groove portion (80) to be restricted in movement in an axial direction of the prescribed axis (160) and in a circumferential direction of the prescribed axis (160).