JP3556864B2 - Tool holding and conveying chain device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used, for example, in a machine tool such as a machining center for holding a tool to a tool change position for exchanging the tool with another tool, or for holding and transferring a tool from the tool change position. It is related with such a tool holding | maintenance conveyance chain apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional tool holding and conveying chain device, for example, there is a tool holder chain 10 as shown in FIG. A tool holder chain 10 shown in FIG. 1 is spanned between two upper and lower sprocket wheels 12 and 13 that are rotatably driven by a motor on a frame such as a machining center, in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction. It is provided so that it can run.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 9, the tool holder chain 10 has a relative rotation between the ends of the adjacent inner links 15, 15 by outer links 17 arranged alternately with the inner links 15 on the outside thereof. It is designed to be movable.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 8, the outer link 17 is different from a simple oval like the inner link 15, and the tool holder portion 17 a (on the outer side of the sprocket wheel, on the outer side of the sprocket wheel) outside the oval. Tool holding shape part) is formed integrally. A holder recess 25 is formed inside the tool holder portion 17a, and a cylindrical tool pot 20 (tool holding member) for holding a tool (not shown) in the shaft hole is loosely fitted in the holder recess 25. They are held together.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 10, a roller 22 that fits into the groove of the sprocket wheels 12 and 13 is provided between the inner links 15 and 15 facing each other, and a tool holder for the outer links 17 and 17 facing each other. Between the portions 17a and 17a, a rod-shaped distance piece 24 for determining the interval is provided.
[0006]
As shown in FIG. 11, the holder concave portion 25 of the outer link 17 includes two straight portions 25a and 25a in the vertical direction parallel to each other and a horizontal straight portion 25b substantially perpendicular to the straight portions 25a and 25a. A total of three straight portions are formed.
[0007]
Further, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), a total of four linear portions of holder concave portions 25, 25 of a pair of outer links 17, 17 facing each other are provided on both side portions (upper and lower portions in the figure) of the tool pot 20. A total of four plane portions 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d that engage with 25a, 25a, 25a, and 25a are formed.
[0008]
Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the tool pot 20 has a lower surface portion in which both ends engage with the straight portions 25b, 25b of the holder recesses 25, 25 of the pair of outer links 17, 17. One flat portion 20e straight in the length direction of 20 is formed.
[0009]
The five flat portions 20a to 20e of one tool pot 20 as described above are a total of six linear portions 25a, 25a, 25a, 25a, 25b, and holder concave portions 25, 25 of the pair of outer links 17, 17 facing each other. By engaging with 25b, the tool pot 20 is loosely fitted and held in the holder recesses 25, 25 of the pair of outer links 17, 17.
[0010]
Therefore, when the outer link 17 is arranged with the holder recess 25 opened upward as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the tool pot 20 can be securely held in the holder recess 25. However, if the outer link 17 is rotated by the sprocket wheels 12 and 13 and rotated 90 ° or more from the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the tool pot 20 may drop out of the holder recess 25 due to gravity. is there.
[0011]
In order to prevent this, as shown in FIG. 7, a guide rail 28 is provided around the outer link 17 of the tool holder chain 10 so that the tool pot 20 comes into contact when the tool pot 20 is stationary and slides when the tool pot 20 moves.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional tool holder chain 10, the tool pot 20 is inserted into and removed from the holder recess 25 between the flat portions 20 a to 20 d of the tool pot 20 and the straight portions 25 a and 25 a of the holder recess 25 of the outer link 17. In order to facilitate the above, a necessary minimum gap is provided.
[0013]
For this reason, the tool holder chain 10 is driven by the sprocket wheels 12 and 13 so that the tool used for the next machining process is held at the tool change position while the machine tool performs various kinds of processing of the material with the tool. When traveling while moving up and down in the direction, the tool pot 20 vibrates with an amplitude corresponding to the gap in the holder recess 25 of the outer link 17, and the vibration deteriorates the machining accuracy of the machine tool.
[0014]
Accordingly, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a tool holding and conveying chain device that can prevent the machining accuracy of a machine tool from being deteriorated due to vibration generated in a tool holding member during driving traveling. It is to be an issue.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
In a tool holding and conveying chain device in which a tool holding shape portion in which a holder concave portion for holding a tool is formed via a cylindrical tool holding member is integrally formed on an outer link alternately connected to the outside of the inner link. ,
The tool holding member is provided between the tool holding shape portions of the pair of outer links facing each other, and comes into contact with the tool holding member and presses the tool holding member in the cross-sectional direction, thereby making the tool holding member a tool holding shape. An operating pin that can be fixed to the
When the tool holding shape portion of the outer link holds the tool via the tool holding member, the operating pin comes into contact with the tool holding member and presses the tool holding member in the transverse direction. , Fixing the tool holding member to the tool holding shape part,
When the tool holding member is taken in and out of the holder recess formed in the tool holding shape portion of the outer link, the operating pin is separated from the tool holding member, and the tool holding member is moved in the transverse direction. This is characterized in that it is not pressed toward the front.
[0016]
According to the tool holding and conveying chain device having such a configuration, when the tool holding shape portion of the outer link holds the tool via the tool holding member, the operating pin comes into contact with the tool holding member to Since the tool holding member is fixed to the tool holding shape portion by pressing toward the cross section direction, the gap on one side between the tool holding member and the tool holding shape portion is eliminated. A state in which the holding member and the tool holding shape portion are in close contact with each other can be maintained.
[0017]
For this reason, since it can prevent that a tool holding member generate | occur | produces a vibration at the time of drive driving | running | working of a tool holding | maintenance conveyance chain apparatus, it can prevent that the processing accuracy of a machine tool deteriorates by the vibration of a tool holding member. .
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 6 are views referred to for explaining a first embodiment of a tool holding and conveying chain device according to the present invention.
[0019]
A tool holder chain 30 (tool holding / conveying chain device) of the machine tool shown in FIG. 1 is similar to the conventional tool holder chain 10 in that it is vertically mounted on a frame such as a machining center by a motor so as to be rotatable. It spans between the two sprocket wheels 12 and 13, and is provided so that it can drive | work in an up-down direction and a circumferential direction.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tool holder chain 30 has a relative rotation between the ends of the adjacent inner links 15, 15 by outer links 37 arranged alternately with the inner links 15 on the outside thereof. It is designed to be movable.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer link 37 is different from a simple oval like the inner link 15, and the tool holder portion 37 a (on the outer side of the sprocket wheel on the upper side in the drawing) Tool holding shape part) is formed integrally. A holder recess 25 is formed inside the tool holder portion 37a, and a cylindrical tool pot 40 (tool holding member) for holding a tool (not shown) in the shaft hole is loosely fitted in the holder recess 25. They are held together.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the holder recess 25 of the outer link 37, there are two straight portions 25a, 25a in the vertical direction parallel to each other and a horizontal straight portion 25b substantially perpendicular to the straight portions 25a, 25a. A total of three straight portions are formed. A pin hole 39 is formed in the tool holder portion 37a of the outer link 37 in the vicinity of the holder recess 25 to allow a later-described operation pin 50 to be inserted therethrough.
[0023]
Moreover, as shown to Fig.6 (a), in the both sides (upper and lower part in the figure) of the tool pot 40, a total of four linear parts 25a of the holder recessed parts 25 and 25 of a pair of outer links 37 and 37 which oppose each other. , 25a, 25a, 25a, a total of four plane portions 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d are formed.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, both ends of the lower surface portion of the tool pot 40 are engaged with the linear portions 25b, 25b of the holder concave portions 25, 25 of the pair of outer links 37, 37 facing each other. One flat portion 40 e that is straight in the length direction of the tool pot 40 is formed. As shown in the figure, a tapered recess 40f is formed between the flat portion 40c and the flat portion 40d of the tool pot 40.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, both end portions of the operating pin 50 are inserted into the pin holes 39, 39 of the tool holder portions 37a, 37a of the pair of outer links 37, 37 facing each other. A taper portion 50 a (taper convex portion) is formed in the middle of the length direction of 50. A compression spring 52 is provided between the operating portion 50 b of the operating pin 50 and one of the outer links 37, 37 to urge the operating pin 50 so that the tapered portion 50 a contacts the tapered recess 40 f of the tool pot 40. It has been.
[0026]
In FIG. 2, the center axis of the pin hole 39 and the operating pin 50 is located closer to the opening side of the holder recess 25 than the center axis of the tool pot 40 held in the holder recess 25 of the tool holder portion 37a. Therefore, the operating pin 50 is connected to the outer recess 37 such that the tapered portion 50a of the operating pin 50 contacts the tapered recess 40f of the tool pot 40 at a position closer to the opening side than the center axis of the tool pot 40 in the above state. Are provided in the tool holder portion 37a.
[0027]
In the tool holder chain 30 according to the present embodiment, when the tool pot 40 is housed in the holder recess 25 of the outer link 37, the operating portion 50 b of the operating pin 50 is moved against the compression spring 52 to move the operating pin 50. The tool pot 40 is stored after the taper portion 50a of the tool pot 40 is retracted from the position of the tapered recess 40f.
[0028]
When the tool pot 40 is stored, when the force is removed from the operation portion 50b of the operating pin 50, the operating pin 50 is moved back to the original position by the compression spring 52, whereby the tapered portion 50a is tapered. It comes in contact with the recess 40f.
[0029]
For this reason, the pressing force applied to the tapered recess 40f by the tapered portion 50a of the operating pin 50 presses the tool pot 40 in the direction of the transverse section, thereby fixing the tool pot 40 in the holder recess 25 of the outer link 37. Thus, the gap between the flat portions 40a and 40b of the tool pot and one of the straight portions 25a and 25a of the holder recess 25 is eliminated, and the tool pot 40 and the holder recess 25 are kept in close contact with each other. be able to.
[0030]
For this reason, since it can prevent that a vibration generate | occur | produces in the tool pot 40 at the time of drive driving of the tool holder chain 30, it can prevent that the machining accuracy of a machine tool deteriorates by the vibration of the tool pot 40.
[0031]
Further, as described above, the central axis of the operating pin 50 is provided at a position closer to the opening side of the holder concave portion 25 than the central axis of the tool pot 40 in the state of being held in the holder concave portion 25 of the tool holder portion 37a. Therefore, when the tapered portion 50a comes into contact with the tapered concave portion 40f, the flat portion 40e of the tool pot 40 is pressed against the linear portion 25b of the outer link 37, and the tool pot 40 comes out of the holder concave portion 25 of the outer link 37. The component force of the direction which prevents that works.
[0032]
For this reason, even if the guide rail is not provided around the outer link 37 of the tool holder chain 30 as in the prior art, the tool pot 40 is prevented from dropping from the holder recess 25 even when the outer link 37 is disposed in the opposite direction. It can be surely prevented.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the tool pot 40 is taken out from the holder recess 25 of the outer link 37 at the tool change position, a tool changing arm (not shown) presses the operating portion 50b of the operating pin 50, and the operating pin 50 tapers. By retracting the portion 50a from the tapered recess 40f of the tool pot 40, the tool pot 40 can be removed from the holder recess 25, and the tool pot 40 containing another used tool is again inserted into the holder recess of the outer link 37. 25.
[0034]
In the above embodiment, the tool holder chain 30 is stretched between the two sprocket wheels 12 and 13 arranged on the top and bottom, and travels along a vertically long oval traveling locus. The position and number of the sprocket wheels and the shape of the travel locus of the tool holding / conveying chain device need not be limited to those according to the above embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed and selected.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, the operating pin 50 is in contact with the tool pot 40 via the taper portion 50a and the taper recess 40f. However, the operation pin 50 is not limited to such a taper uneven portion and has a similar function. Any other member or material, such as a spring or urethane rubber, may be used between the operating pin 50 and the tool pot 40, for example.
[0036]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. It is possible.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the tool holding shape portion of the outer link holds the tool via the tool holding member, the operating pin comes into contact with the tool holding member to cross the tool holding member. Since the tool holding member is fixed to the tool holding shape portion by pressing toward the surface direction, the tool holding member eliminates a gap on one side between the tool holding member and the tool holding shape portion. And the tool holding shape portion can be kept in close contact with each other.
[0038]
For this reason, since it can prevent that a tool holding member generate | occur | produces a vibration at the time of drive driving | running | working of a tool holding | maintenance conveyance chain apparatus, it can prevent that the processing accuracy of a machine tool deteriorates by the vibration of a tool holding member. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a tool holder chain of a machine tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the tool holder chain of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the tool holder chain of FIG. 2;
4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tool holder chain of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the outer link of FIG. 2;
6 is a view for explaining the tool pot of FIGS. 2 to 4, FIG. 6 (a) is a top view thereof, FIG. 6 (b) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 6 (c) is a front view thereof. It is.
FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram showing a tool holder chain of a conventional machine tool.
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side view of the tool holder chain of FIG.
9 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the tool holder chain of FIG.
10 is a partial cross-sectional view B of the tool holder chain of FIG.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the outer link of FIG.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining the tool pot of FIGS. 8 to 10, in which FIG. 12A is a top view, FIG. 12B is a side view, and FIG. 12C is a front view; It is.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tool holder chain 12, 13 Sprocket wheel 15 Inner link 17 Outer link 17a Tool holder part 20 Tool pot 20a-20e Flat part 22 Roller 24 Distance piece 25 Holder recessed part 25a, 25b Straight part 28 Guide rail 30 Tool holder chain 37 Outer link 37a Tool holder part 39 Pin hole 40 Tool pot 40a-40e Plane part 40f Taper recessed part 50 Actuating pin 50a Taper part 50b Operation part 52 Compression spring

Claims (3)

In a tool holding and conveying chain device in which a tool holding shape portion in which a holder concave portion for holding a tool is formed via a cylindrical tool holding member is integrally formed on an outer link alternately connected to the outside of the inner link. ,
The tool holding member is provided between the tool holding shape portions of the pair of outer links facing each other, and comes into contact with the tool holding member and presses the tool holding member in the cross-sectional direction, thereby making the tool holding member a tool holding shape. An operating pin that can be fixed to the
When the tool holding shape portion of the outer link holds the tool via the tool holding member, the operating pin comes into contact with the tool holding member and presses the tool holding member in the transverse direction. , Fixing the tool holding member to the tool holding shape part,
When the tool holding member is taken in and out of the holder recess formed in the tool holding shape portion of the outer link, the operating pin is separated from the tool holding member, and the tool holding member is moved in the transverse direction. A tool holding and conveying chain device characterized in that it is not pressed toward the end. 2. The tool holding according to claim 1, wherein the operating pin comes into contact with the tool holding member via a tapered protrusion and a tapered recess formed on each of the operating pin and the tool holding member. Conveyor chain device. The operating pin is in contact with the tool holding member at a position closer to the opening side of the holder recess than the central axis of the tool holding member in a state of being held in the holder recess formed in the tool holding shape portion. The tool holding and conveying chain device according to claim 1.

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