CLIAMS:(16) into an upper section (16a) and a lower section (16b), the upper section (16a) defining an upper seat (22) and the lower section (16b) defining a lower seat (24) adapted to retain a cutting insert (44) therebetween;
the head portion (16) including a top surface (28) having a second slot (30) formed therein;
a main coolant passage (50) extending from the shank portion (18) to the head portion (16);
a flexible conduit (60) secured to the main coolant passage (50), the flexible conduit (60) spanning one of the first slot (20) and the second slot (30); and
a coolant delivery passage (54) in fluid communication with the main coolant passage (50), the coolant delivery passage (54) having an exit opening (56) for directing coolant to the cutting insert (44).

2. The toolholder according to Claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit (60) includes a first end portion (62), a second end portion (64) opposite the first end portion (62), and a flexible portion (66) therebetween.

3. The toolholder according to Claim 2, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are made of the same or different material than the flexible portion (66).

4. The toolholder according to Claim 2, wherein the flexible portion (66) has a flexible shape.

5. The toolholder according to Claim 4, wherein the flexible shape is a bellows.

6. The toolholder according to Claim 2, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are made of metallic material that are welded to the main coolant passage (50).

7. The toolholder according to Claim 2, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are made of elastomeric material that are glued to the main coolant passage (50).

8. The toolholder according to Claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit (60) spans the first slot (20).

9. The toolholder according to Claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit (60) spans the second slot (30).

10. A toolholder (10), comprising:
an axial forward end (12) and an axial rearward end (14);
a head portion (16) at the axial forward end (12) and a shank portion (18) at the axial rearward end (14);
the head portion (16) including a first slot (20) separating the head portion (16) into an upper section (16a) and a lower section (16b), the upper section (16a) defining an upper seat (22) and the lower section (16b) defining a lower seat (24) adapted to retain a cutting insert (44) therebetween;
the head portion (16) including a top surface (28) having a second slot (30) formed therein;
a main coolant passage (50) extending from the shank portion (18) to the head portion (16) to the upper section (16a) of the head portion (16);
a flexible conduit (60) secured to the main coolant passage (50), the flexible conduit (60) spanning the second slot (30); and
a coolant delivery passage (54) in fluid communication with the main coolant passage (50), the coolant delivery passage (54) having an exit opening (56) for directing coolant to the cutting insert (44).

11. The toolholder according to Claim 10, wherein the flexible conduit (60) includes a first end portion (62), a second end portion (64) opposite the first end portion (62), and a flexible portion (66) therebetween.

12. The toolholder according to Claim 11, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are made of the same or different material than the flexible portion (66).

13. The toolholder according to Claim 12, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are secured to the main coolant passage (50) by welding or glueing.

14. The toolholder according to Claim 11, wherein the flexible portion (66) has a flexible shape.

15. A toolholder (10), comprising:
an axial forward end (12) and an axial rearward end (14);
a head portion (16) at the axial forward end (12) and a shank portion (18) at the axial rearward end (14);
the head portion (16) including a first slot (20) separating the head portion (16) into an upper section (16a) and a lower section (16b), the upper section (16a) defining an upper seat (22) and the lower section (16b) defining a lower seat (24) adapted to retain a cutting insert (44) therebetween;
the head portion (16) including a top surface (28) having a second slot (30) formed therein;
a main coolant passage (50) extending from the shank portion (18) to the head portion (16) to the lower section (16b) of the head portion (16);
a flexible conduit (60) secured to the main coolant passage (50), the flexible conduit (60) spanning the first slot (20); and
a coolant delivery passage (54) in fluid communication with the main coolant passage (50), the coolant delivery passage (54) having an exit opening (56) for directing coolant to the cutting insert (44).

16. The toolholder according to Claim 15, wherein the flexible conduit (60) includes a first end portion (62), a second end portion (64) opposite the first end portion (62), and a flexible portion (66) therebetween.

17. The toolholder according to Claim 16, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are made of the same or different material than the flexible portion (66).

18. The toolholder according to Claim 17, wherein the first end portion (62) and the second end portion (64) are secured to the main coolant passage (50) by welding or glueing.

19. The toolholder according to Claim 15, wherein the flexible portion (66) has a flexible shape.

20. The toolholder according to Claim 19, wherein the flexible shape is a bellows.
,TagSPECI:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a toolholder for removing material from a workpiece. More specifically, the invention pertains to a toolholder, which carries a cutting insert, wherein the toolholder provides the capability to supply coolant to the cutting insert.

In a cutting operation, such as, for example, a grooving operation, a grooving or cutting insert engages a workpiece so as to remove material from the workpiece. In some cutting assemblies, an upper seat and a lower seat retain the cutting insert. Exemplary cutting assemblies wherein an upper seat and a lower seat retain a cutting insert are shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,261,032 and PCT Patent Application Publication WO 2009/141815 A1.

Material removal operations can generate heat at the interface between the cutting insert and the workpiece. Typically, it is advantageous to provide coolant to the vicinity of the interface between the cutting insert and the workpiece. The following patent documents are exemplary of arrangements that delivery coolant to the vicinity of a cutting insert: U.S. Patent No. 5,439,327; U.S. Patent No. 5,775,854; U.S. Patent No. 6,705,805; and U.S. Patent No. 7,641,422.

During the cutting operation, as the depth of the groove increases, the difficulty connected with coolant delivery to the cutting insert-workpiece interface increases. As can be appreciated, it would very beneficial to provide a cutting assembly (and especially a toolholder) that delivers coolant to the cutting insert-workpiece interface even as the depth of the groove increases during the cutting operation.

Even though the arrangements disclosed in some of the above patent documents deliver coolant, it has been observed that conventional designs are complex and require a large amount of precision to manufacture. In addition, the large number of connecting coolant holes and sudden change in the diameters of the holes result in a drop in pressure and volume of the coolant at the exit, and therefore less coolant flow at the interface between the cutting insert and the workpiece. Thus, it remains highly desirable to provide a cutting assembly that delivers in an efficient fashion coolant to the interface between the cutting insert and the workpiece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have solved the problem of delivering coolant to the cutting insert-workpiece interface by providing a flexible conduit secured to a main coolant passage of an internal coolant delivery system. The flexible conduit allows the main coolant passage to have a larger diameter as compared to conventional internal coolant delivery systems, thereby delivering coolant at a higher pressure and flow as compared to conventional internal coolant delivery systems.

In one aspect, the invention is a toolholder comprising an axial forward end, an axial rearward end, a head portion at the axial forward end and a shank portion at the axial rearward end. The head portion includes a first slot separating the head portion into an upper section and a lower section. The upper section defines an upper seat and the lower section defines a lower seat adapted to retain a cutting insert therebetween. The head portion includes a top surface having a second slot formed therein. A main coolant passage extends from the shank portion to the head portion. A flexible conduit secured to the main coolant passage spans one of the first slot and the second slot. A coolant delivery passage is in fluid communication with the main coolant passage. The coolant delivery passage has an exit opening for directing coolant to the cutting insert.

In another aspect, the invention is a toolholder comprising an axial forward end, an axial rearward end, a head portion at the axial forward end and a shank portion at the axial rearward end. The head portion includes a first slot separating the head portion into an upper section and a lower section. The upper section defines an upper seat and the lower section defines a lower seat adapted to retain a cutting insert therebetween. The head portion includes a top surface having a second slot formed therein. A main coolant passage extends from the shank portion to the upper section of the head portion. A flexible conduit secured to the main coolant passage spans the second slot. A coolant delivery passage is in fluid communication with the main coolant passage. The coolant delivery passage has an exit opening for directing coolant to the cutting insert.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a toolholder comprising an axial forward end, an axial rearward end, a head portion at the axial forward end and a shank portion at the axial rearward end. The head portion includes a first slot separating the head portion into an upper section and a lower section. The upper section defines an upper seat and the lower section defines a lower seat adapted to retain a cutting insert therebetween. The head portion includes a top surface having a second slot formed therein. A main coolant passage extends from the shank portion to the lower section of the head portion. A flexible conduit secured to the main coolant passage spans the first slot. A coolant delivery passage is in fluid communication with the main coolant passage. The coolant delivery passage has an exit opening for directing coolant to the cutting insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While various embodiments of the invention are illustrated, the particular embodiments shown should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toolholder with a flexible conduit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the toolholder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the toolholder of FIG. 1 with the internal coolant delivery system and flexible conduit shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the toolholder of FIG. 1 with the internal coolant delivery system and flexible conduit shown in phantom;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the flexible conduit secured to the main coolant passage according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the toolholder with the internal coolant delivery system and flexible conduit shown in phantom according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the toolholder of FIG. 6 with the internal coolant delivery system and flexible conduit shown in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like elements, a toolholder 10 is generally shown in FIGS. 1-5 according to an embodiment of the invention. The specific kind of toolholder 10 illustrated is designed for performing grooving machining operations. However, the illustration of a toolholder for performing grooving machining operations is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention. Further, the mention of the toolholder and cutting insert as a grooving toolholder and grooving insert is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention. The kinds of a toolholder to which the invention relates includes, without limitation, any toolholder design with the capability to internally deliver coolant to the interface between the cutting insert and the workpiece. The true scope and spirit of the invention is indicated by the claims hereof.

In general, the toolholder 10 has an axial forward end 12 and an axial rearward end 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The toolholder 10 has a head portion 16 at the axial forward end 12 and a shank portion 18 at the axial rearward end 14 for mounting the toolholder 10 to a spindle (not shown), and the like. The head portion 16 includes a longitudinally-oriented first slot 20 that divides the head portion 16 into an upper section 16a and a lower section 16b so they are movable relative to one another. The upper section 16a has an upper seat 22 and the lower section 16b has a lower seat 24. The upper seat 22 and the lower seat 24 comprise a seating region, generally designated as 26, to accommodate a cutting insert 44. The head portion 16 has a top surface 28 with a vertically-oriented second slot 30 formed therein. The second slot 30 is substantially perpendicular to the first slot 20 and allows the upper section 16a to move in a cantilever fashion with respect to the lower section 16b. That is, the second slot 30 allows the upper section 16a to move in a direction of the z-axis with respect to the lower section 16b. The depth of the second slot 30 with respect to the top surface 28 determines an amount of flexibility of the upper section 16a. As a result, the amount of flexibility of the upper section 16a can be selected by adjusting the depth of the slot 30 in the direction of the z-axis.

The head portion 16 also includes a fastener bore 32, which has an open end 34 at the top surface 28 and extends into the interior of the head portion 16. In reference to the geometry of the fastener bore 32 and in particular looking at FIG. 2, the fastener bore 32 has a counter bore section 36 adjacent to the open end 34. The fastener bore 32 further has an upper bore section 32a, which extends from the counter bore section 36 to the first slot 20, and a lower bore section 32b that extends from the first slot 20 and terminates in the lower section 16b of the head portion 16 of the toolholder 10.
The fastener bore 32 receives a threaded, elongate fastener 38. The fastener 38 has a top (one) axial end 40 and an opposite bottom (other) axial end 42. The fastener 38 has a head section 38a adjacent to the top axial end 40, a threaded shank section 38b adjacent the bottom axial end 42, and a mediate section 38c between the head section 38a and the shank section 38b. The head section 38a has a larger diameter than both the shank section 38b and the mediate section 38c and is accommodated in the counter bore section 36 of the fastener bore 32. The mediate section 38c is accommodated in the upper section 16a of the head portion 16, while the threaded shank section 38b is accommodated in the lower section 16b of the head portion 16.

The purpose of the fastener 38 is to cause relative movement between the upper section 16a and the lower section 16b of the head portion 16 for securing a cutting insert, shown generally at 44, in the head portion 16 of the toolholder 10. More specifically, the fastener 38 causes the upper section 16a of the head portion 16 to move relative to the lower section 16b and exert a downward (in the z-axis direction) force against the cutting insert 44 to secure the cutting insert 44 in the seating region 26 of the toolholder 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting insert 44 is mounted in the toolholder 10 such that a central, longitudinal axis 44a of the cutting insert 44 is generally perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the toolholder 10 has an internal coolant delivery system to deliver coolant to the vicinity of the cutting insert-workpiece interface. In the illustrated embodiment of the toolholder 10, the internal coolant deliver system is defined by a main coolant passage 50 extending from the shank portion 18 to the head portion 16, and a coolant delivery passage 54 in fluid communication with the main coolant passage 50. More specifically, the main coolant passage 50 extends from the shank portion 18 and terminates in the upper section 16a of the head portion 16. The main coolant passage 50 has an inlet 52 that is in fluid communication with a source of coolant (not shown), which is typically is under pressure. In addition, the coolant delivery passage 54 has an exit opening 56 that discharge the coolant to the interface between the cutting insert 44 and the workpiece (not shown) from a position (or location) that is above the cutting insert-workpiece interface.

It is noted that the main coolant passage 50 of the toolholder 10 of the invention travels through the second slot 30, unlike conventional toolholder with an internal coolant delivery system in which the coolant passage with a relatively smaller diameter travels between the first and second slots 20, 30. In addition, the conventional internal coolant delivery system has a larger number of smaller diameter coolant passages. As a result, the pressure and flow of the coolant in the conventional toolholder is undesirably reduced.

One aspect of the invention is that the toolholder 10 further includes a flexible conduit 60 that is secured to the main coolant passage 50 and spans the second slot 30 formed in the top surface 28 of the upper section 16a of the head portion 16. The flexible conduit 60 can be made of any suitable material for its intended purpose. For example, the flexible conduit 60 can be made of metallic material, such as steel, and the like, and/or elastomeric material, such as rubber, and the like. In addition, the flexible conduit 60 can be secured to the main coolant passage 50 using any well-known means, such as welding, gluing, and the like. For example, if the flexible conduit 60 is made of metallic material, the the flexible conduit 60 can be welded to the main coolant passage 50. In another example, if the flexible conduit 60 is made of elastomeric material, then the flexible conduit 60 can be glued to the main coolant passage 50. One skilled in the art can envision other possible combinations of materials and means for securing the flexible conduit 60 to the main coolant passage 50 depending on the type of material are within the scope of the invention.

The flexible conduit 60 includes a first end portion 62, a second end portion 64 opposite the first end portion 62, and a flexible portion 66 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 5. The first end portion 62 and the second end portion 64 can be made of the same or different material than the flexible portion 66. For example, the first and second end portions 62, 64 can be made of metallic material, such as steel, while the flexible portion 66 can be made of elastomeric material, such as rubber, and the like. In another example, the entire flexible conduit 60 is made of metallic material. In yet another example, the entire flexible conduit 60 can be made of elastomeric material, such as rubber, and the like. The flexible portion 66 has a flexible shape, such as bellows, and the like, that provides a sufficient amount of flexibility to the flexible conduit 60 so as to not affect the relative movement between the upper section 16a and the lower section 16b of the head portion 16. In this manner, the flexible conduit 60 does not affect the securing of the cutting insert 44 in the mounting region 26 of the toolholder 10.

There are certain advantages with the toolholder 10 with the flexible conduit 60 of the invention. One advantage is that the main coolant passage 50 of the invention has a relatively larger diameter as compared to conventional internal coolant delivery systems, and is therefore capable of providing an increased flow of coolant as compared to conventional coolant passages with a relatively smaller diameter. Another advantage is that the toolholder 10 of the invention has a fewer number of coolant passages as compared to a conventional toolholder with an internal coolant delivery system, which also contributes to increased pressure and flow of coolant to the interface of the cutting insert 44 and the workpiece (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited by the location of the main coolant passage 50 within the toolholder 10, and that the invention can be practiced with the main coolant passage 50 located in any desirable location within the toolholder 10. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the toolholder 10 in which the main coolant passage 50 extends from the shank portion 18 and terminates in the head portion 16, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5. In addition, the main coolant passage 50 has an inlet 52 that is in fluid communication with a source of coolant (not shown), which is typically is under pressure. However, unlike the earlier embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, the main coolant passage 50 of the toolholder 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has a first section 50a that travels in a generally transverse direction (i.e. along the y-axis), and a second section 50b that travels in an upward direction (i.e. along the z-axis). The upper section 16a of the head portion 16 includes a coolant delivery passage 54 in fluid communication with the main coolant passage 50 and has an exit opening 56 that discharge the coolant to the interface between the cutting insert 44 and the workpiece (not shown) from a position (or location) that is above the cutting insert-workpiece interface.

In this embodiment, the flexible conduit 60 is secured to the main coolant passage 50 and spans the longitudinally-oriented slot 20 that divides the head portion 16 into an upper section 16a and a lower section 16b, unlike the earlier embodiment in which the flexible conduit 60 spans the slot 30.
Overall, it is apparent from the above description in connection with the drawings that the toolholder 10 with the flexible conduit 60 of the invention enables the larger diameter main coolant passage 50 to deliver coolant in a highly efficient fashion to the vicinity of the interface between the cutting insert and the workpiece.

The patents and other documents identified herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or a practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. The true scope and spirit of the invention is indicated by the following claims.

PARTS LIST

10 toolholder
12 axial forward end
14 axial rearward end
16 head portion
16a upper section
16b lower section
18 shank portion
20 first slot
22 upper seat
24 lower seat
26 seating region
28 top surface
30 second slot
32 fastener bore
32a upper bore section
32b lower bore section
34 open end
36 counter bore section
38 elongate fastener
38a head section
38b threaded shank section
38c mediate section
40 axial end
42 axial end
44 cutting insert
44a central, longitudinal axis
50 main coolant passage
52 inlet
54 coolant delivery passage
56 exit opening
60 flexible conduit
62 first end portion
64 second end portion
66 flexible portion