U-Shaped Toothed Pivot Interface for Machine Tool Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking devices for machine tools require multiple positionings and lockings to access all surfaces for operations like painting, cleaning, and assembly, leading to precision issues, labor dependency, and potential damage due to contact with locking elements, and existing solutions for automatic and manual locking are mechanically diverse and incompatible for use on the same platform.
Innovation Solution
An interface structure featuring a U-shaped toothed pivot with a centering bush and a device for compensating misalignment, allowing for adjustable height and simultaneous manual or automatic locking of pieces and pallets on a machine tool platform, using a combination of mechanical and pneumatic components for adaptable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional locking devices use spacing elements contacting two opposite side faces to achieve stable locking, then locking stability is improved, but the side faces lose free surfaces for tool contact and work execution
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device transitions from contacting side faces (horizontal dimension) to contacting the lower face (vertical dimension). The spacing elements extend downward to contact the lower face of the piece, allowing side faces to remain accessible for tool contact while maintaining stable locking through the new vertical contact interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple successive positionings and lockings are used to access different surfaces, then all surfaces can be treated, but systematic positioning errors accumulate and overall precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed with multiple adjustable spacing elements that can be positioned at different locations and heights. This allows a single locking device configuration to accommodate work on multiple surfaces without requiring repeated repositioning and relocking operations, thereby maintaining precision across all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing elements are made adjustable in position and height, allowing the locking device to adapt dynamically to different work requirements. This adjustability enables the same device to lock the piece in different orientations and positions for working on various surfaces without accumulating positioning errors.
3Measurement precision
If qualified labor performs delicate preliminary operations of positioning and centering the piece, then positioning accuracy is improved, but labor requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device incorporates self-centering and self-positioning features through its adjustable spacing elements and contact surfaces. The device automatically achieves proper positioning and centering when the piece is placed, eliminating the need for qualified labor to perform delicate preliminary operations while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If brackets contact already worked surfaces to enable working of untreated surfaces, then access to new surfaces is achieved, but local deformation and damage occur on previously worked surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing elements act as intermediaries between the locking device and the piece. These elements are positioned to contact only the lower face of the piece, serving as a mediator that enables locking and access to untreated surfaces without the brackets directly contacting and damaging previously worked surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface structure that is constituted by a first, U-shaped toothed pivot, which can be associated in an upper region, by way of a jaw connection, with a fixing element with the interposition of a first bush for centering. The first toothed pivot is rendered axially integral in a lower region with a fastening element that can be associated with an underlying device for compensating the misalignment in automatic locking systems for the mounting of blanks.