Toolholder Coolant Switching for Pulsed Cutting-Edge Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tool cooling systems are inadequate in reducing heat load on the cutting edge, leading to a decreased tool lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A toolholder with an internal coolant channel and a switching element that alternates between open and closed states upon coolant flow, creating a pulsed coolant delivery to reduce heat load and improve chip breaking, featuring a lightweight switching element that rotates upon coolant impact, facilitating continuous alternation between open and closed states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If continuous coolant flow is used, then cooling effect is maintained, but chip breaking ability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat load on cutting toolVSAvoidchip breaking ability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using a switching element that alternates between open and closed states to create pulsed coolant flow. This periodic delivery of coolant maintains cooling effectiveness while the intermittent nature of the flow improves chip breaking ability, resolving the contradiction between continuous cooling and chip evacuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Strength

If switching element is made of heavy material, then structural strength is improved, but rotational responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching element strengthVSAvoidswitching element rotation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by constructing the switching element from a lightweight material such as polymer or aluminum alloy. These materials provide sufficient structural strength while maintaining low weight, enabling the switching element to rotate rapidly in response to coolant flow changes, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and rotational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 pulsed coolant delivery effectively reduces heat load on the cutting tool, enhancing its lifetime by improving chip breaking and pressure/temperature conditions during the cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

the switching element is configured to rotate in a rotational direction R around the central axis A upon impact with the coolant flowing through the internal coolant channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4454791A1A toolholder and a cutting tool comprising such a toolholder
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP4454791A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4454791A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4454791A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention is related to a toolholder (100) comprising an internal coolant channel (104) configured to convey a coolant flowing in a flow direction F from at least one coolant inlet (106) to at least one coolant outlet (108,110), wherein the toolholder (100) further comprises a switching element (150), wherein the switching element (150) is arranged in the internal coolant channel (104), wherein the internal coolant channel (104) comprises a first part (112) and a second part (114), wherein the first part (112) is arranged upstream the switching element (150), and wherein the second part (114) is arranged downstream the switching element (150), wherein the switching element (150) is configured to alternate between an open state and a closed state upon impact with the coolant flowing through the internal coolant channel (104), wherein -in the open state, the first part (112) is in fluid communication with the second part (114), -in the closed state, the first part (112) is sealed off from the second part (114). The invention also relates to a cutting tool (600) comprising such a toolholder (100).