Machine Tool Tool Post Coupling for Smooth Mid-Stroke Disengagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tool posts for machine tools face difficulties in smoothly detaching engaging members when they are biased to an engaging posture during movement to a predetermined position, leading to challenges in easy disengagement and rotational driving.

Innovation Solution

The tool post design includes a mechanism where the engaging member biased to the engaging posture is released mid-movement, allowing for smooth detachment and easy rotational driving by pressing the engaging member into a disengaging state, enabling both engaging members to engage smoothly at the predetermined position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engaging member is biased to the engaging posture, then the engagement reliability is improved, but the ease of detaching the engaging member deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement reliabilityVSAvoidease of detaching engaging member
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging member is divided into two distinct members: a first engaging member (tenon-shaped protrusion) and a second engaging member (groove). This segmentation allows each member to have independent biasing mechanisms, enabling the first engaging member to be easily detached while the second engaging member maintains reliable engagement through its own biasing force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different biasing characteristics are applied to different engaging members. The first engaging member has a biasing force that allows easy detachment, while the second engaging member has a biasing force optimized for reliable engagement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each member's properties for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the engaging member is biased to the engaging posture during movement, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the smoothness of detachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsmoothness of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and detachment functions are separated between two engaging members. The first engaging member handles the detachment operation with reduced biasing, while the second engaging member maintains positioning accuracy with its biasing force, allowing smooth detachment without compromising positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first engaging member is designed to be detachable before the second engaging member engages. This preliminary action allows the tool to be positioned accurately while avoiding the detachment problem, as the first member can be easily detached when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single engaging member is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of engagement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of engaging membersVSAvoidengagement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement system is segmented into two members working in coordination. This segmentation increases reliability by providing redundant engagement mechanisms, where both members must be properly engaged for complete locking, reducing the risk of failure compared to a single engaging member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first engaging member engages in advance during the movement of the tool, providing preliminary engagement that guides and stabilizes the subsequent engagement of the second member. This preliminary action ensures reliable final engagement while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design ensures that the engaging members can be easily detached and the tool positioned for rotational driving, reducing the risk of rattle and wear, and facilitating efficient operation by allowing for precise engagement and disengagement of the tenon-shaped protrusion and groove.

Implementation Method 1

a spring member that biases the engaging member to the engaging posture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3278910B1Tool post for machine tool
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD
  • EP3278910B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3278910B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3278910B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a tool post for a machine tool that can smoothly detach an engaging member in a side of a supporting member and an engaging member in a side of tool, the engaging members engaging in accordance with the movement of the tool. A first driving force transmission part (51) is disposed between an attachment part turning transmission shaft (90) located in a side of a tool post body (11) and a tool attachment part (15) located in a side of a first turning driving force transmission shaft (81). The first driving force transmission part (51) transmits rotary driving force from a side of the attachment part turning transmission shaft (90) to the side of the first turning driving force transmission shaft (81). The first driving force transmission part (51) includes a groove (97a), a tenon shaped protrusion (92), and protrusions (93a, 93b). The groove (97a) is formed on a tip of a slide shaft (97) of the attachment part turning transmission shaft (90). The tenon shaped protrusion (92) is formed in the first turning driving force transmission shaft (81) and detachably engages with the groove (97a). The protrusions (93a, 93b) once releases an engaging posture by pressing the groove (97a) that is biased to the engaging posture in an disengaging state when the tool is in the middle of the movement to a predetermined position.