Tool Interface Coding for Error-Proof Machine Tool Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool interface devices for connecting tools to machine tools lack effective mechanisms to prevent incorrect mounting and ensure safe operation, particularly when different tools with varying speed capabilities are used.
Innovation Solution
The tool interface device incorporates a connection interface with locking elements and tool mounting coding elements that follow a key-keyhole principle, ensuring secure and correct attachment to the tool holder, preventing unsuitable tools from being mounted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple connection interface is used for tool mounting, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of incorrect mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface employs asymmetric coding elements (protrusions and recesses) that are geometrically incompatible with incorrect orientations. The coding element on the tool interface device has a specific asymmetric shape that only fits into the corresponding coding element on the tool holder in the correct rotational position, preventing incorrect mounting while maintaining simple operation
Solution Approach 2:
The coding elements act as intermediary features that mediate between the tool and tool holder. These elements engage before the locking mechanism activates, serving as a preliminary check that ensures correct orientation and prevents incorrect tool mounting from proceeding to the locking stage
2Reliability
If coding elements are added to prevent incorrect mounting, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coding elements are merged into the existing connection interface structure rather than being added as separate components. The coding protrusions and recesses are integrated into the tool interface device body and tool holder, combining the coding function with the mounting structure to minimize additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coding elements serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical guidance for correct orientation, prevent incorrect mounting through geometric incompatibility, and potentially encode tool information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms, offsetting the added complexity with functional consolidation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool interface device (10a; 10b; 10c) for an insert tool (12a; 12b; 12c) in order to connect the insert tool (12a; 12b; 12c) to a tool receptacle (14a; 14b; 14c) of a machine tool (16a; 16b; 16c), comprising at least one connection interface (18a; 18b; 18c) for connecting to a rapid-clamping device (20a; 20a'; 20b; 20c) of the tool receptacle (14a; 14b; 14c), wherein the connection interface (18a; 18b; 18c) has a cutout (22a; 22b; 22c) which is at least partly delimited by a delimiting edge (24a; 24b; 24c) of the connection interface (18a; 18b; 18c), and the connection interface (18a; 18b; 18c) has at least one securing element (26a; 26b; 26c) which at least partly forms the delimiting edge (24a; 24b; 24c). According to the invention, the connection interface (18a; 18b; 18c) has at least one tool installation coding element (28a; 28b; 28c) which is arranged at a distance to the at least one securing element (26a; 26b; 26c), at least partly forms the delimiting edge (24a; 24b; 24c) and is designed to interact with at least one installation coding element (90a; 90b; 90c) of the tool receptacle (14a; 14b; 14c) when the connection interface (18a; 18b; 18c) is arranged on the tool receptacle (14a; 14b; 14c).