Tool Rest Airflow Detection for Missing Tool Holder Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In turret-type tool rests, the absence of a tool holder from attachment portions can lead to the entry of chips or coolant into the tool rest, and hydraulic oil may spill due to the lack of a clamp mechanism, causing operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A tool rest with a base portion and attachment portions, equipped with a clamp mechanism and air channels to detect the presence of tool holders, preventing the attachment of no tool holders and controlling the airflow to prevent spills and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a variety of tool holders are prepared and detachably attached to multiple attachment portions, then the adaptability and versatility of the tool rest is improved, but the risk of user error (forgetting to attach a tool holder) increases, leading to harmful effects such as chip/coolant intrusion and hydraulic oil spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an air channel system that provides feedback about the attachment state of tool holders. Air is supplied through a first air channel and distributed through multiple second air channels to seat surfaces. When a tool holder is properly attached, it blocks the air channel, creating a detectable airflow state change. This feedback mechanism alerts the operator to missing tool holders, preventing the harmful effects of chip/coolant intrusion and hydraulic oil spilling while maintaining the adaptability of having multiple attachment portions.
2Productivity
If multiple attachment portions are provided on the tool rest, then the productivity and ease of operation are improved by allowing quick tool changes, but the complexity of ensuring proper attachment at each portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel system provides automatic feedback for each attachment portion through a centralized detection mechanism. Rather than requiring complex verification procedures for each of the multiple attachment portions, the system uses air flow detection to automatically indicate the attachment status, simplifying the verification process while maintaining high productivity through quick tool changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The air channel system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides attachment verification, prevents harmful effects, and works across all attachment portions uniformly. This universal approach simplifies the overall system complexity while supporting efficient tool changes at multiple positions.
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 the attachment of no tool holders, thereby preventing hydraulic oil spills and intrusion of chips or coolant into the tool rest, ensuring a more reliable and controlled machining environment.
Implementation Method 1
a first air channel to which air is supplied; a plurality of second air channels branched off from the first air channel and respectively extending toward the plurality of attachment portions... and a detector that is provided on a path of the first air channel and detects a state of an airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A tool rest includes a plurality of attachment portions to which a plurality of tool holders are detachably attached respectively. Each of the tool holders includes a clamp mechanism for clamping a tool. The attachment portion includes a seat surface on which the tool holder is seated. The tool rest further includes: a first air channel to which air is supplied; a plurality of second air channels branched off from the first air channel and respectively extending toward the plurality of attachment portions, each of the plurality of second air channels being open to the seat surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of attachment portions; and a detector that is provided on a path of the first air channel and detects a state of an airflow.