Tapered Cutting Tool Assembly to Prevent Heat-Induced Loosening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cutting tools, such as end mills, face challenges in maintaining rigidity due to frictional heat generated between the blade and workpiece, leading to potential loosening of the tool's attachment structure, which compromises the tool's accuracy and stability during processing.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring a shank with a male screw and tapered outer surface, and a head with a female screw and tapered inner surface, along with a spacer, which allows for surface contact and increased surface pressure through plastic deformation, eliminating the need for thermal deformation-based attachment methods like shrink fitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If shrink fitting is used to attach the head to the shank, then the tool can be assembled, but the attachment becomes loose due to heat expansion during processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly methodVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from thermal deformation (shrink fitting) to mechanical deformation. The tapered surfaces are pressed together through plastic deformation using a pressing device, creating a firm mechanical interlock that is not affected by subsequent thermal expansion during processing. This parameter change from thermal to mechanical deformation resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and attachment stability under heat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the head is required to have high rigidity for rotation during processing, then cutting performance is improved, but thermal expansion from frictional heat causes loosening of the attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead rigidityVSAvoidattachment firmness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical attachment system (shrink fitting relying on thermal contraction) with a direct mechanical deformation system. The tapered surfaces are mechanically pressed together to create plastic deformation and firm contact, establishing a rigid connection that maintains attachment firmness even when the head undergoes thermal expansion during high-rigidity rotation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If thermal deformation methods are used for attachment, then assembly is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates due to loosening and rattling from heat input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment processVSAvoidtool accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the deformation parameter from thermal to mechanical, pressing the tapered surfaces together to create permanent plastic deformation. This mechanical deformation method establishes precise surface contact and firm attachment that maintains manufacturing precision throughout processing, eliminating the accuracy deterioration caused by thermal expansion and contraction cycles in traditional shrink fitting methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration ensures a firm coupling of the shank and head, enhancing the tool's rigidity and preventing loosening or rattling due to heat input, thereby maintaining accuracy and stability during processing.

Implementation Method 1

a tapered outer circumferential surface which gradually decreases in diameter from the other side toward the one side in the direction of the axis is formed in a region on the other side in the direction of the axis with respect to the male screw portion... a tapered inner circumferential surface which gradually decreases in diameter from the other side toward the one side in the direction of the axis and comes into surface contact with the tapered outer circumferential surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

The insertion portion has a male screw portion in which a male screw is formed on an outer circumferential surface in a distal end portion including an end portion on the one side in the direction of the axis, and a tapered outer circumferential portion... The insertion hole has a female screw meshing with the male screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew threading: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS11325193B2Cutting tool and method of assembling cutting tool
Publication Date: 2022.05.10 MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTIES COMPRESSOR CORP
  • US11325193B2 patent drawing
  • US11325193B2 patent drawing
  • US11325193B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cutting tool comprises a shank having an insertion portion protruding from a shank main body, a head in which an insertion hole into which the insertion portion is inserted is formed, and a spacer disposed in a gap between the shank main body and the head. The insertion portion has a tapered outer circumferential surface which gradually decreases in diameter from the other side toward one side in the axial direction. The insertion hole has a tapered inner circumferential surface coming into surface contact with the tapered outer circumferential surface. A head end surface of the head which faces the other side in the axial direction comes into surface contact with a surface facing one side in the axial direction of the spacer.