Tool Holder Coupling Sealing with Compressed Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holders experience leaks at the coupling point between the tool holder and tool, leading to separation of oil mist and contamination, which reduces cooling and lubrication effectiveness during machining.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply line, specifically compressed air, is directed to the coupling point to create a sealing effect by counteracting the escape of coolant and lubricant, ensuring a pressurized seal around the outer surfaces of the tool holder and tool line section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the line is attached to the line section in an axially abutting manner to supply coolant and/or lubricant, then the machining point can be supplied with oil mist even when the tool is exchangeable, but leaks at the coupling point cause oil mist separation and contamination of the tool holder
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the line and line section at the coupling point. This sealing ring mediates the connection, providing a reliable seal that prevents coolant/lubricant leakage while maintaining the axial abutting attachment method that enables tool exchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sealing ring (likely made of elastomeric material) is used to create a flexible seal at the coupling point. The sealing ring can deform to accommodate slight misalignments and maintain sealing pressure, preventing leakage while allowing the rigid axial abutting connection to remain in place for tool exchangeability.
2Reliability
If compressed air is directed to the coupling point to create a sealing effect, then coolant and lubricant escape is prevented, but additional gas supply infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed air supply line is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the sealing air pressure at the coupling point to prevent coolant/lubricant leakage, and can also be used for cleaning the coupling surfaces or drying the tool holder. This multi-functionality justifies the added infrastructure by providing several benefits from a single system.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air system is integrated with the existing tool holder operations, using the same compressed air source that is already available in the machine tool for other purposes (such as actuating pneumatic components or cleaning). This self-service approach minimizes additional infrastructure requirements by utilizing existing resources.
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 solution effectively prevents coolant and lubricant from escaping, maintaining a consistent supply and preventing contamination, thus enhancing the machining process by ensuring efficient sealing at the coupling point.
Implementation Method 1
a gas supply line, in particular an air supply line, which directs a pressurized compressed gas, in particular compressed air, from a compressed gas source, in particular compressed air source, into the area of the coupling point in such a way that the compressed gas, in particular the compressed air, acts there on the outer surfaces (or: outer peripheral surfaces) of the line of the tool holder and the line section of the tool and counteracts the escape of coolant and/or lubricant at the coupling point
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool holder (1) for use in a machine tool, which has a first receiving part (2) for insertion into a receptacle in the machine tool and a second receiving part (3) for receiving a tool (4), wherein the tool holder (1) has a line (5) for conveying a coolant and/or lubricant from a coolant and/or lubricant source to the tool (4), wherein the tool (4) has a line section (6) for conveying the coolant and/or lubricant to a machining point (7) and wherein, in the mounted state of the tool (4) in the tool holder (1), the line (5) contacts the line section (6) at a coupling point (8).To prevent the separation of the oil-air coolant and/or lubricant due to leaks, the invention provides for an air supply line (9) that directs compressed air from a compressed air source into the area of the coupling point (8) in such a way that the compressed air acts on the outer circumferential surface of the line (5) and the line section (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a tool holder.