Wire Electrode Guide Pipe With Gas-Liquid Suction Winding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire electric discharge machining apparatuses face issues with conveyance devices that either cause disconnection, wrapping, or deviation for small diameter wire electrodes using belt transfer methods, or curling and sticking for large diameter wire electrodes using fluid transfer methods, and require complex sealing structures due to the lower arm penetrating the machining tank wall.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance device using a guide pipe with antistatic properties that mixes gas and machining fluid to create a gas-liquid mixed fluid, allowing the wire electrode to be fed through without penetrating the machining tank wall, using suction nozzles and discharge paths to manage the wire electrode movement, and includes a defoaming device to prevent obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a belt conveyor is used to move the wire electrode, then the wire electrode can be conveyed reliably, but the overall size of the conveyance device becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fluid transfer method where a guide pipe is filled with high-pressure fluid to convey the wire electrode. This replaces the mechanical belt conveyor system with a pneumatic/hydraulic conveyance system, significantly reducing the device size while maintaining reliable wire electrode transport
2Speed
If a guide pipe filled with high-pressure fluid is used to convey the wire electrode, then the conveyance speed increases, but the wire electrode may get caught in the guide pipe or stick to the inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the guide pipe by coating the inner surface with a hydrophobic substance. This parameter change reduces the adhesion between the wire electrode and the guide pipe inner surface, preventing sticking and buckling while maintaining high-speed fluid conveyance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based conveyance (where the wire directly contacts the guide pipe wall) with a fluid-based conveyance system. The wire is carried by the high-pressure fluid flow rather than sliding along the pipe wall, eliminating friction and adhesion issues
3Ease of operation
If the lower arm penetrates the machining tank wall to support the lower wire guide unit, then the wire electrode can be guided properly, but a sealing device is required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the lower arm structure by providing a separate sealing member that fits into a sealing groove on the machining tank wall. This separates the structural support function (lower arm) from the sealing function, simplifying the overall design and making the sealing easier to install and maintain
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 solution enables reliable capture and winding of fine wire electrodes without sticking or catching, eliminating the need for sealing devices and allowing the guide pipe to be installed without penetrating the machining tank wall, thus reducing disconnection and buckling risks.
Implementation Method 1
a guide pipe having antistatic properties, provided along a movement path of a wire electrode between the at least one direction change pulley and the winding device, and including therein a first communication path allowing the wire electrode and a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which a gas and a machining fluid are mixed to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a suction device, connected to the first discharge path and discharging the gas-liquid mixed fluid from the first discharge path
Data Source
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AI summary
A guide pipe (14A) provided along a movement path of a wire electrode (WE) between a direction change pulley (10) and a winding device (13A) and guiding the wire electrode (WE) has antistatic properties. A gas-liquid mixed fluid is supplied into the guide pipe (14A). A suction nozzle (14N) passes between a pair of rollers (13D, 13T) of the winding device (13A) and is directly or indirectly connected to an outlet side of the guide pipe (14A). The suction nozzle (14N) suctions the gas-liquid mixed fluid in the guide pipe (14A) and a tip of the wire electrode (WE) by a suction device (14E) and captures the wire electrode (WE). The captured wire electrode (WE) is wound by the winding device (13A).