Removable Underwater Tool Hub Locking for Quick Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater processing machines face challenges in quick tool changing and assembly, especially when tools get stuck, due to high closure forces and difficult access, making manual unlocking and repair cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder with an unlocking piston and spring-loaded locking mechanism that allows for easy detachment and reassembly of the interchangeable hub, utilizing a piston/cylinder unit and cam design to generate high locking forces while enabling simple tool exchange and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual unlocking mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult access underwater and high closure forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically engages and disengages without requiring manual intervention. The spring element automatically pushes the locking pin into the locked position, and pressurizing the cylinder chamber automatically pushes the piston to disengage the locking pin, enabling self-servicing operation underwater
Solution Approach 2:
A cylinder chamber is introduced into the tool holder that can be pressurized with gas or liquid to push the piston and disengage the locking pin. This pneumatic or hydraulic system enables remote operation underwater without requiring manual access to the locking mechanism
2Reliability
If high closure forces are generated, then reliability is improved for secure locking, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in manual unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element automatically generates and maintains high closure forces to ensure secure locking, while the piston mechanism automatically overcomes these forces when pressurized to enable tool removal. Both locking and unlocking occur automatically without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder chamber pressurized with gas or liquid generates sufficient force to overcome the high closure forces of the spring element and disengage the locking pin. This allows reliable locking to be overcome remotely underwater for tool changing
3Productivity
If quick tool changing is enabled, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional locking and unlocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder is segmented into distinct functional components: a carrier body, an interchangeable hub, a locking pin with spring element, and a piston/cylinder unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling quick tool changing through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin and spring element are combined into a single integrated component, as are the piston and cylinder chamber. These merged components work together as unified systems to provide both locking and unlocking functions, reducing the number of separate parts needed
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
Enables quick and easy tool changing and assembly, with high locking forces, allowing for secure operation underwater and facilitating tool removal and replacement, even at great depths, by using a spring-loaded locking bolt mechanism that automatically resets.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pin can be preloaded on its end facing away from the piston, preferably by a spring element
Implementation Method 2
which can be disengaged in the direction of the tool hub with respect to the tool holder when the cylinder chamber, which is preferably located on the inside of the tool holder piston, is appropriately pressurized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an underwater machine tool comprising a tool holder (2) and a removable hub (6). The removable hub is designed so as to receive at least one rotating tool, e.g. mill, saw, borer. The tool holder (2) comprises a carrier body (4) for receiving the removable hub (6). The removable hub (6) comprises a hub flange (8) and a hub ring (10). The hub ring (10) of the removable hub (6) can be arranged on the carrier body (4) of the tool holder (2) and is detachably and lockably connected to the tool holder (2) by means of at least one locking device. The locking device comprises an unlocking bolt (16) received in a pressurised chamber (18) of the carrier body (4), and a locking bolt (20) arranged in the hub ring (10). The locking bolt (20) is aligned with the unlocking bolt (16) and comprises a locking pin (34) which engages in a locking embodiment (38) on the carrier body (4) in the locking position. When the unlocking piston (16) is withdrawn under pressure, the locking bolt (20) is pressed into the hub ring (10) and the locking pin (34) is disengaged from the locking embodiment (38) by means of a cam (32), such that the removable hub (6) can be detached from the tool holder (2).