Workpiece Recovery Cover with Step-like Transport Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional workpiece recovery units allow swarf and cutting oil to enter the recovery section due to an open upper side, compromising the recovery process.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece recovery unit with a cover that covers both the upper and lateral sides of the recovery opening, featuring a step-like transport path and a spindle-based holder that moves in multiple directions to prevent swarf and cutting oil entry, with the recovery opening positioned higher than the shaft center of opposing spindles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the recovery section has an opening in the upper side for workpiece recovery, then the workpiece can be recovered through the opening, but swarf and cutting oil easily enter the recovery section through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
A cover is provided that covers the upper side and lateral side of the recovery opening, forming a protective enclosure while allowing controlled access for workpiece recovery through the entrance opening in the cover
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented with a specific opening configuration - an entrance opening in the lateral side and an exit opening in the upper side - allowing separate control of workpiece entry and exit paths to prevent contamination
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is added to cover the upper side and lateral side of the recovery opening, then swarf and cutting oil entry is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is merged with the existing recovery section, integrating the protective function into the existing design rather than adding separate protective components
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the recovery opening from contamination, guides the workpiece through the transport path, and integrates with the holder movement mechanism
3Device complexity
If the holder is made from one of the two opposing spindles, then no additional holder is needed, but the recovery opening must be positioned higher than the shaft center of the spindles
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle is given a dual function: it serves both as the machining tool holder and as the workpiece holder for recovery, eliminating the need for a separate holder component
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery opening is repositioned in the vertical dimension (higher than the shaft center) to accommodate the spindle-based holder mechanism, utilizing vertical space to resolve the functional conflict
Data Source
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AI summary
To prevent entrance of swarf or cutting oil from a workpiece recovery opening, in a workpiece recovery unit, a cover 21 which covers an upper side and a lateral side of a workpiece recovery opening 19 opening in an upper side of a workpiece recovery section 18 disposed lateral to a holder 13 which holds a processed workpiece 1', a workpiece transport path 23 from an entrance 22 opening in a lower side provided in the cover 21 to the recovery opening 19 is formed in a step-like shape, the holder 13 is supported so as to be movable in an up-and-down direction and a right-and-left direction, the workpiece 1' is moved along the transport path 23 by the holder 13, and is transported to the upper side of the recovery opening 19 from the entrance 22 so as to be recovered in the recovery opening 19.