US 5,522,605 A · Collet chuck having parpallel force loaded bearing

Abstract

A collet chuck 1 having a chuck body 3, a collet 11 disposed in the body 3, a nose ring 23 for radially compressing the collet 11, and a locknut 30 for axially moving the nose ring 23 into compressive engagement with the collet 11 is provided with a bearing assembly 45 disposed between the nose ring 23 and the collet 11 which loads compressive forces in a direction which is advantageously parallel to the axis of rotation A of the chuck. Both the locknut 30 and the nose ring 23 include flange portions 27, 43 that confront each other with opposing surfaces 47, 49 that are complementary in shape to the spherical profile of the ball bearings 50 and which traverse a line L parallel to the axis of rotation A of the chuck. The collet chuck 1 further includes O-rings 61, 65 disposed between the nose ring 23 and the locknut 30both in front of and behind the ball bearings 50 for sealing the bearing assembly 45 against dust and debris and retaining lubricant. Finally, the portion of the nose ring 23 which wedgingly engages the collet 11 to compress it inwardly is undercut with a groove 72 in order to enhance the compliance between the nose ring 23 and the collet 11, thus providing a more uniform radial compressive force around the collet 11 which in turn results in improved gripping characteristics.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A collet chuck for radially compressing a resilient edge of a collet concentrically disposed in a housing connected and rotatable with a spindle about an axis of rotation, comprising:

(a) a nose ring disposed around said collet having a confronting portion and having cam portion for radially compressing said resilient edge;
(b) a locknut disposed around said nose ring, threadedly engaged with said housing and having a confronting portion facing said confronting portion of said nose ring along the axis of rotation of said housing for applying an axially directed compressive force to said nose ring so that said cam portion of said nose ring radially compresses said resilient edge, and
(c) a bearing means for transmitting said compressive force between said axially confronting portions throughout an area in a direction parallel to said axis of rotation, including first and second opposing grooves on said confronting locknut and nose ring portions, respectively, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed directly against said groves, wherein each groove has in cross section, an arcuate portion complementary in shape to said ball bearings that transverses a line that is parallel to said axis and passes through the center of each ball bearing.

A collet chuck for radially compressing a resilient edge of a collet disposed in a housing rotatable about an axis of rotation, comprising:

(a) a nose ring disposed around said collet and having a cam portion with a tapered surface for wedgingly and radially compressing said resilient edge;
(b) a locknut disposed around said nose ring and including a portion that captures and axially confronts a portion of said nose ring, said locknut being threadedly engaged to said housing for applying an axially directed compressive force to said nose ring when rotated relative to said housing so that said cam portion radially compresses said resilient collet edge;
(c) a bearing means for transmitting said compressive force between said axially confronting portions throughout an area in a direction parallel to said axis of rotation, including first and second opposing grooves on said confronting locknut and nose ring portions, respectively, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between said grooves, wherein each groove has in cross section, an arcuate portion complementary in shape to said ball bearings that traverses a line that is parallel to said axis, and passes through the center of each ball bearing, and
(d) means circumscribing an outer edge of said nose ring for affording compliant resiliency to said cam portion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Collet chuck having parpallel force loaded bearing

Life of this patent

Collet chuck having parpallel force loaded bearing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21