Integrated Workpiece Holder Sealing for Cutting Fluid Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workpiece supply devices for machine tools require additional space and components due to separate shutters and opening/closing devices, leading to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece supply device where the cover member integrally moves with the workpiece holder to seal the opening part, using a biasing mechanism like a coil spring to maintain closure, eliminating the need for a separate shutter and driver, thus reducing the number of components and assembly steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate shutter and opening/closing device are provided to seal the opening part, then the cutting fluid scattering is prevented, but the machine tool size and component quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting fluid scatteringVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function with the existing workpiece holder by adding a cover member that integrally moves with the workpiece holder. This eliminates the need for a separate shutter and its opening/closing device, reducing component quantity while maintaining the sealing function to prevent cutting fluid scattering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member integrated with the workpiece holder serves multiple functions: it maintains the workpiece during loading/unloading operations and simultaneously seals the opening part to prevent cutting fluid scattering. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sealing components.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate shutter and opening/closing device are provided to seal the opening part, then the cutting fluid scattering is prevented, but the machine tool size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting fluid scatteringVSAvoidmachine tool size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function with the existing workpiece holder by adding a cover member that integrally moves with the workpiece holder. This eliminates the need for a separate shutter and its opening/closing device, reducing component quantity while maintaining the sealing function to prevent cutting fluid scattering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate shutter and opening/closing device are provided to seal the opening part, then the cutting fluid scattering is prevented, but the assembling steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting fluid scatteringVSAvoidassembling steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function with the existing workpiece holder by adding a cover member that integrally moves with the workpiece holder. This eliminates the need for a separate shutter and its opening/closing device, reducing component quantity while maintaining the sealing function to prevent cutting fluid scattering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively controls the scattering of cutting fluid during machining while simplifying and downsizing the machine tool by integrating the sealing function within the workpiece supply device.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member that biases the cover member in a closing direction of the opening part. The biasing member is configured to press the cover member to the dividing member to close the opening part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3205447B1Workpiece supply device and machine tool
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD
  • EP3205447B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3205447B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3205447B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

To provide a workpiece supply device (30) capable of supplying a workpiece (W) to be machined next in a supplying area of the workpiece (W) outside a machining area while the machining area is closed to control scattering of cutting fluid from the machining area during the machining of the workpiece (W). A machine tool (100) includes a machining room (2) of the workpiece (W), a loader room (3), a dividing wall (4) having an opening part (5), a main spindle (10), a workpiece supply device (30), a delivery device (20), and an ejection device (60). The workpiece supply device (30) includes a workpiece holder (31), a movement mechanism (32), a cover member (33), and a coil spring (40). The coil spring (40) biases the cover member (33) to close the opening part (5) by the cover member (33) such that the workpiece holder (31) holds the workpiece (W) in the loader room (3) during the machining of the workpiece (W) in the machining room (2).