Vertical Double Dressing Unit for Collision-Free Gear Tool Dressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gear grinding machines require multiple dressing tools for machining gears with different geometries, leading to inefficiencies due to tool collisions and the need for sequential dressing, which increases processing time and limits flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A dressing unit with independently controlled tool holders arranged vertically, allowing for simultaneous and collision-free engagement of multiple dressing tools with grinding tools, enabling flexible and rapid dressing of both tooth flanks and heads, and accommodating different gear geometries without the need for sequential dressing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dressing tools are used for machining gears with different geometries, then the adaptability to different gear types is improved, but the risk of tool collisions and the complexity of tool management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different gear geometriesVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple tool management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing unit is designed as a universal system that can accommodate multiple dressing tools for different gear geometries. The tool holder can be exchanged or reconfigured to hold different dressing tools, allowing the same basic unit to serve multiple functions for dressing various gear types without requiring completely separate dressing units for each gear geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool holder is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be adjusted to different angles and positions. This enables the dressing tool to adapt to different gear geometries and pressure angles dynamically, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-position tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If sequential dressing of multiple gears is performed, then tool collisions are avoided, but the processing time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavoidance of tool collisionsVSAvoidprocessing time for dressing multiple gears
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing tools are arranged in a vertical stacking configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate multiple tools spatially. This allows multiple dressing operations to be performed simultaneously on different gears without the tools colliding horizontally, effectively adding a vertical dimension to resolve the spatial conflict between multiple tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If dressing tools are arranged close to each other in axial alignment, then the device structure is compact, but the tools influence each other and collisions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompactness of device structureVSAvoidinterference and collisions between tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging dressing tools in axial alignment (horizontal arrangement), the invention stacks the tools vertically one above the other. This vertical stacking maintains a compact overall device structure while eliminating the interference and collision problems that occur when tools are arranged close together in axial alignment, as each tool operates in its own vertical zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2823924B2Double dressing unit
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 LIEBHER VERZAHNTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2823924B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2823924B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2823924B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for dressing gear grinding tools for gear machining of toothed workpieces with at least two disc-shaped dressing tools with which one or more tool areas and/or profile areas of the tool are provided with a defined dressing geometry.