Toolholder Clamp With Fluid Passages for Precise Insert Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting tools face challenges in providing accurate positioning and secure clamping of replaceable cutting inserts while facilitating the introduction of cooling or lubricating fluids, as previous solutions either lack precise positioning or complicate fluid delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A toolholder design with a clamp that includes a post and protrusion forming an angled clamping surface, allowing for secure clamping and precise positioning of the cutting insert, along with a fluid flow passage that directs fluid to the cutting edge without interfering with the clamping mechanism, ensuring accurate positioning and efficient fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivoting clamp with downward clamping force is used to secure the cutting insert, then the cutting insert is clamped to the toolholder, but accurate positioning of the cutting insert relative to the toolholder is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into separate functional elements: a clamp body for downward clamping force, a post for positioning, and a protrusion with an angled clamping surface that provides both positioning and clamping. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion with the angled clamping surface acts as an intermediary between the clamp body and the cutting insert. It translates the downward clamping force into both secure holding and accurate positioning by contacting the insert at a specific angle, thereby achieving both clamping security and positioning accuracy simultaneously.
2Temperature
If fluid conduits are provided to introduce cooling fluid at the cutting point, then cooling is achieved, but the limited space is consumed by structures needed for fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is merged with the existing clamp structure. The clamp body and post, which are necessary for clamping and positioning, are integrated with fluid flow passages that route cooling fluid directly to the cutting insert. This eliminates the need for separate fluid delivery components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp structure serves multiple functions: it provides downward clamping force, ensures accurate positioning through the post and angled protrusion, and delivers cooling fluid to the cutting point. By making the clamp multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving effective cooling.
3Ease of manufacture
If the clamp structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but secure and accurate positioning of the cutting insert may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the clamp body provides downward clamping, the post ensures vertical positioning, and the protrusion with the angled surface provides both lateral positioning and additional clamping force. This multi-functionality allows a single integrated structure to achieve accurate positioning without requiring multiple separate components, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D
Figure 2A~3
AI summary
A tool comprising a toolholder (23) and a cutting insert (25) disposed in the pocket (27), the cutting insert (25) having a hole (39) having a cutting insert clamping surface (41) that is contacted by the clamp clamping surface (55). The clamp clamping surface (55) and the cutting insert clamping surface (41) are formed such that, as a clamp bottom surface (49) is moved toward a bottom surface (65) of the pocket (27) when a post (51) is in a post hole (71) and a fastener (33) is in a clamp hole (35) and a toolholder hole (73), the cutting insert (25) is urged against the bottom surface (65) and a rear wall (67). A tool holder is also disclosed.