Ventilated Spindle Support Structure for Compact Machine Tool Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine tools with vertically movable spindles face challenges in integrating a cooling structure without increasing the machine's size, as space is limited for installing cooling devices.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design featuring a spindle supported on a support surface with a ventilation hole extending through the support body between surfaces, allowing air to flow towards the spindle for cooling, and a blower to forcibly direct air through this hole, enabling effective cooling without enlarging the machine tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling structure is provided for the spindle, then the spindle cooling effect is improved, but the machine tool size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation hole is nested within the support body structure itself, utilizing the existing support body volume to accommodate the cooling passage. This allows the cooling function to be integrated without adding external cooling devices that would increase the overall machine tool size.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body serves dual functions: it provides structural support for the movable spindle and simultaneously acts as the cooling structure through the integrated ventilation hole. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling devices, maintaining compact machine tool dimensions.
2Temperature
If a cooling structure is provided for the spindle, then the spindle cooling effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support body performs both structural support and cooling functions through the integrated ventilation hole, eliminating the need for separate cooling devices and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body itself provides the cooling function through its integrated ventilation hole, making the structure self-sufficient for both support and cooling purposes without requiring additional independent cooling systems.
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
This configuration allows for efficient spindle cooling without increasing the machine tool's size, maintaining processing accuracy by preventing thermal displacement and positioning errors.
Implementation Method 1
the support body is provided with a ventilation hole extending through the support body between the support surface and a surface facing in the direction opposite to the support surface, to open toward the spindle
Implementation Method 2
a blower for forcibly flowing air through the ventilation hole
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool (1) includes a spindle (32) supported on a support surface (37a) of a support body (37) with such an orientation that the longitudinal axis of the spindle extends along the support surface (37a). The spindle (32) is movable in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle (32). The support body (37) is provided with a ventilation hole (80) extending through the support body (37) between the support surface (37a) and a surface (37b) facing in the direction opposite to the support surface (37a), to open toward the spindle (32).