DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to the domain of rotary toolholders and more particularly to the domain of toolholders adapted to integrate an electronic identification element.

It is increasingly common to integrate an electronic identification element in different products in order to facilitate the retrieval of information using a suitable device. This electronic identification element can be, for example, an electronic part with a contactless reader or any equivalent type of identification element.

The integration of such an electronic identification element in a toolholder imposes respect of a certain number of standards and a response to several strains so that the functioning and reading of this identification element are operable.

Currently, in the context of toolholders, the integration of this identification element on a newly produced part necessitates, once the identification element is in position, the implementation of a new balancing operation in order to compensate for the imbalance created by the presence of the identification element. This additional operation then usually assumes a new phase of machining and of positioning a suitable counterweight to oppose the identification element.

The particular aim of this invention is to remedy this disadvantage by proposing a toolholder capable of functioning without an identification element and adapted to allow a facilitated integration of an identification element in its structure.

The object of the invention is therefore a toolholder adapted to function in rotation around an axis, characterised in that it includes at least:

- a first housing adapted to receive an electronic identification element,

- at least one second housing adapted to receive and cooperate with a counterweight and placed on the toolholder,

and in that, at least one of the housings possibly being occupied by an electronic identification element or a dedicated counterweight, the centre of gravity of the set of housings formed at least by the first housing and at least the second housing is aligned on the axis X of rotation of the toolholder so as to maintain a balanced rotation of the toolholder.

A further object of the invention relates to a method for integrating an electronic identification element in a toolholder according to the invention, characterised in that the method includes at least:

- a step for inserting an electronic identification element in the first housing,

- a step for selecting at least one counterweight based on the imbalance strains capable of being created by the identification element,

- a step for inserting the selected counterweight(s) in the second housing. The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description that follows, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given as a non-limitative example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section including the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder,

- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the first example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section including the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder accompanied by an identification element and a counterweight positioned next to their respective housings,

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the first example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section including the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder integrating an identification element and a counterweight in dedicated respective housings,

- Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the first example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder integrating an identification element and a counterweight in dedicated respective housings, - Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the first example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder accompanied by an identification element and a counterweight positioned next to their respective housings,

- Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a second example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder and presenting a pair of housings intended to receive counterweights opposite the housing intended to receive the identification element,

- Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a third example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder and presenting a pair of housings intended to receive counterweights placed on either side of the housing intended to receive the identification element,

- Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the third example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool holder integrating a pair of counterweights in respective housings, dedicated to balancing the toolholder in the absence of an identification element,

- Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the third example of the toolholder according to the invention, represented in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting toolholder integrating an identification element, the rotation of the toolholder being balanced by the absence of counterweights in the dedicated respective housings.

This invention relates to a toolholder 1 adapted to function in rotation around an axis X, characterised in that it includes at least:

- a first housing 2 adapted to receive an electronic identification element 3,

- at least one second housing 4 adapted to receive and cooperate with a counterweight 5 and placed on toolholder 1,

and in that, at least one of the housings possibly being occupied by an electronic identification element 3 or a dedicated counterweight 5, the centre of gravity of the set of housings formed at least by first housing 2 and at least second housing 4 is aligned on the axis X of rotation of toolholder 1 so as to maintain a balanced rotation of toolholder 1.

In a complementary manner, it is indicated that toolholder 1 of the invention, including in particular first housing 2 and a least one second housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 possibly integrating a counterweight 5, are positioned on toolholder 1 around axis X of rotation of toolholder 1 so as to maintain a balanced rotation of the toolholder in the absence of an electronic identification element 3.

According to a preferred construction, each housing 2, 4, 4bis, 6, 7 presents a form with dimensions complementary to the element intended to be integrated therein.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, toolholder 1 is characterised in that at least one second housing 4, 4bis is adapted to receive a counterweight 5 capable of compensating for the installation of an electronic identification element 3 in first housing 2. In this embodiment, the different housings 2, 4, 4bis are realised so as to align the centre of gravity on the axis X of rotation of toolholder 1. This alignment of the centre of gravity on axis X is maintained in an absence of or in a simultaneous presence of an identification element 3 and counterweight 5 in these respective housings. Counterweight(s) 5 therefore intervenes/intervene to compensate for the imbalance caused by identification element 3. This embodiment is preferably implemented with at least one housing 4, 4bis placed on a half portion of toolholder 1, the half portion being placed on the side opposite first housing 2 in relation to a plane perpendicular to the plane passing through first housing 2 and axis X of rotation of toolholder 1.

According to a first implementation of this first embodiment, first housing 2 and second housing 4 are positioned on toolholder 1 on either side of axis X of rotation of toolholder 1 so as to maintain a balanced rotation of toolholder 1 in an absence of electronic identification element 3 and/or counterweight 5. In this first implementation, the two housings 2, 4, empty or cooperating with an electronic identification element 3 and a counterweight 5 they integrate, mutually balance each other on either side of axis X of rotation of toolholder 1. According to a preferred construction of this first implementation, first housing 2 and second housing 4 are centred/aligned on a same axis Y placed perpendicular to axis of rotation X of toolholder 1. Such an axis Y contributes to the embodiment of a facilitated construction of a toolholder 1 according to the invention by simplifying the positioning, one relative to the other, of housings 2, 4 on either side of axis of rotation X of toolholder 1. Furthermore, this alignment makes it possible to obtain a positioning of housings 2, 4 that optimises the balancing of toolholder 1 of the invention functioning in rotation, not only when the latter integrates none of the additional elements, which are electronic identification element 3 or counterweight 5, but also when these elements are integrated on the toolholder.

According to a second implementation of this first embodiment, toolholder 1 includes at least one second housing 4 and a third housing 4bis symmetrically positioned on toolholder 1 on either side of a plane passing through first housing 2 and axis X of rotation of toolholder 1 so as to maintain a balanced rotation of toolholder 1 in the absence of an electronic identification element 3 and/or counterweight 5. According to this alternative implementation, the at least one second housing 4 and a third housing 4bis cooperate together to compensate for the imbalance created by first housing 2.

The invention therefore also relates to a method for integrating an electronic identification element 3 in a toolholder 1 according to this first embodiment of the invention, characterised in that the method includes at least:

- a step for inserting an electronic identification element 3 in first housing 2,

- a step for selecting at least one counterweight 5 based on the imbalance strains capable of being created by identification element 3,

- a step for inserting selected counterweight(s) 5 in second housing 4, 4bis. According to a second embodiment of the invention as an alternative to the first embodiment, toolholder 1 is characterised in that at least one second housing 6 and a third housing 7 are embodied in the form of cutouts, symmetrically positioned on toolholder 1 on either side of a plane passing through first housing 2 and axis X of rotation of toolholder 1 so as to compensate for the installation of an electronic identification element 3 in first housing 2, and adapted to receive respective counterweights 5 capable of compensating for the absence of an electronic identification element 3 in first housing 2. In this embodiment, the different housings 2, 6, 7 are embodied so as to align the centre of gravity on axis X of rotation of toolholder 1 when, on one hand, identification element 3, and on the other, counterweight(s) 5 are alternatively present/absent in their respective housings. This alignment of the centre of gravity on axis X is therefore maintained when only identification element 3 is positioned in its housing 2 or when only counterweights 5 are placed in their respective housings 6, 7.

This embodiment is preferably implemented with housings 6, 7 placed on a half portion of toolholder 1, this half portion being placed on the same side as that of first housing 2 in relation to a plane perpendicular to the plane passing through first housing 2 and axis X of rotation of toolholder 1.

When identification element 3 is integrated in first housing 2, counterweights 5 are withdrawn from the at least one second housing 6 and a third housing 7, such that, during a rotation of toolholder 1, the force vector created by empty first housing 2 and the at least one second housing 6 and a third housing 7 integrating counterweights 5 is replaced by an identical force vector created by first housing 2 integrating an electronic identification element 3 and the empty at least one second housing 6 and a third housing 7.

The invention therefore also relates to a method for integrating an electronic identification element 3 in a toolholder 1 according to this second embodiment of the invention, characterised in that the method includes at least:

- a step for inserting an electronic identification element 3 in first housing 2,

- a step for withdrawing at least one counterweight 5 from its respective housing 6, 7.

According to a constructional particularity independent of the embodiment of the invention, toolholder 1 is characterised in that first housing 2 is embodied by a blind hole positioned on at least one of the surfaces of toolholder 1. According to a preferred construction of the invention, this first housing 2 is positioned on a radial surface of toolholder 1. The choice of this radial surface makes it possible to optimise the accessibility of identification element 3 and the ability to read it.

According to a further embodiment particularity, complementary to the preceding particularity, at least one further housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 is embodied by a blind hole positioned on at least one of the surfaces of toolholder 1. According to a preferred construction, this further housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 is also positioned on a radial surface of toolholder 1.

It should be noted that when toolholder 1 presents a circular section, the positioning of first housing 2 and of the further housing or housings 4, 4bis, 6, 7 can be made on the same radial surface at sides situated on either side of toolholder 1.

According to a further constructional particularity, first housing 2 and/or at least one second housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 presents or present a form substantially symmetrical around a respective axis perpendicular to axis of rotation X of toolholder 1. This preferred symmetry of housings 2, 4 with the dimensions complementary to elements 3, 5 intended to be received therein makes it possible to optimise the balancing of toolholder 1 when integrating electronic identification element 3 and counterweight 5 therein.

Housings 2, 4, 4bis, 6, 7 preferably present dimensions complementary to elements 3, 5 intended to be integrated therein. According to a preferred construction of toolholder 1 of the invention, first housing 2 therefore presents a depth corresponding at least to the thickness of an electronic identification element 3 capable of being positioned in housing 2. Such a construction makes it possible to realise a positioning of identification element 3 in housing 2 such that its surface is level with the outer surface of toolholder 1. The positioning authorised by this construction of housing 2 makes it possible to facilitate access to identification element 3 through a reader device, while keeping it integrated in an optimum manner inside toolholder 1.

According to a further particularity of toolholder 1, at least one housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 includes, on at least part of its inside wall, a surface adapted to interact with an interface supported by counterweight 5. According to a first embodiment example of the fastening of counterweight 5 in its housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7, housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 includes a tapping on at least part of its inner wall so as to interact with a screw thread supported by counterweight 5. This counterweight 5 can therefore be embodied, for example, by a screw or a rivet. According to a further embodiment example of the fastening, counterweight 5 is embodied by a swageable insertion system of the Koenig Expander® type supplied by the company KVT-Fastening. The walls of such a system present anchoring means, which are pressed against the inner wall of housing 4, 4bis, 6, 7 during swaging by inserting a dedicated ball. These examples of non-limitative arrangements of the invention make it possible to achieve a facilitated assembly of counterweight 5 in second housing 4.

With regard to the fastening of identification element 3 in its housing 2, this can be achieved, for example, by means of a dot of adhesive or a clip-in interface of a known type.

The invention therefore makes it possible to obtain a toolholder 1 integrating at least one electronic identification element 3 and/or a counterweight 5 in dedicated housings 2, 4, 4bis, 6, 7.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and represented on the attached drawings. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the different elements or by substituting equivalent techniques, without however departing from the scope of protection of the invention.