Universal Tool Coupling Seat for Weldon and Quick Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current coupling and centering systems for tools with spindles, such as those in railway applications, are limited by different standards like 'Weldon' and 'Quick' systems, making it difficult to use tools from various manufacturers due to incompatible designs, particularly in niche sectors where specialized tools are needed.

Innovation Solution

A device with a tubular portion featuring a coupling seat, two transverse threaded holes for tightening dowels, and a tangential hole for a locking pin, allowing both 'Weldon' and 'Quick' tools to be coupled and centered, with adaptations made by inserting or removing the locking pin, ensuring secure locking and cooling liquid conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different coupling systems (Weldon and Quick) are used for tools, then each system provides secure locking and cooling liquid sealing, but it becomes difficult to use tools from various manufacturers due to incompatible designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure locking and sealingVSAvoidcompatibility with tools from various manufacturers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device integrates both Weldon and Quick system features into a single universal coupling mechanism. The coupling seat includes two transverse threaded holes for Weldon-style tightening dowels and a tangential hole for a Quick-style locking pin, allowing the same device to securely mount both coupling types and achieve compatibility with tools from various manufacturers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If radial tightening dowels are used in the Weldon system, then secure locking is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex compared to systems without dowels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure lockingVSAvoidstructure with multiple dowels and threaded holes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the Weldon system's radial tightening dowels with the Quick system's tangential locking pin into a single coupling seat. This combination achieves secure locking through multiple mechanisms while consolidating what would otherwise be separate devices into one integrated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a tangential locking pin is used in the Quick system, then easy operation and single-orientation insertion are achieved, but the structure lacks the redundancy of multiple tightening points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle-orientation insertion and lockingVSAvoidlocking security without multiple dowels
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device segments the locking function into two independent mechanisms: the tangential locking pin for easy single-orientation insertion and operation, and the two transverse threaded holes with tightening dowels for redundant secure locking. This segmentation allows each mechanism to excel at its specific function while working together for overall reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3210704B1Device for coupling and centering tools
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 CEMBRE SPA
  • EP3210704B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3210704B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7
  • EP3210704B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

A device (15) for coupling and centering tools (1, 1') has a tubular portion (17) with a coupling seat (19) laterally delimited by a cylindrical centering surface (21), a first threaded hole (22) with a first tightening dowel (23) projecting into the coupling seat (19), a second threaded hole (25) with a second tightening end (27) projecting into the coupling seat (19), a third hole (30) tangential to the centering surface (21) and a locking pin (34) removably lockable in the third hole (30) in a position interfering with the coupling seat (19), and removable from the third hole (30) to free the coupling seat (19).