JP2004338054A - Pallet exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pallet exchanger capable of performing the turning drive of a pallet exchange body and the turning drive of a pallet indexing set-up base with compact low-cost constitution. <P>SOLUTION: An exchange body turning gear 7 is mounted to a pallet exchange arm 3 connected to a lifting cylinder 6. A set-up base turning gear 10 is mounted to a set-up base turning shaft 9 provided at the pallet indexing set-up base 8. An intermediate shaft 11 connected to a power source is installed between the pallet exchange arm 3 and the pallet indexing set-up base 8, and the intermediate shaft 11 is mounted with a first intermediate gear 12 meshed with the exchange body turning gear 7, and a second intermediate gear 13 meshed with the set-up base turning gear 10. A piston part 6a of the lifting cylinder 6 is lifted to switch over to connection or disconnection between the exchange body turning gear 7 and the first intermediate gear 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pallet changer provided with a pallet changer and a pallet indexer, and more particularly to a drive system for a pallet changer and a pallet indexer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a pallet is relatively small, an operator has manually turned the pallet by using a pallet changing device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. However, in recent years, due to the emergence of a machine tool using a larger pallet or to respond to a demand for reducing the load on the worker, for example, a pallet indexing setup table such as that disclosed in Reference 2 is used. A dedicated power source for turning the indexing setup table may be provided.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-43012 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-57385
Here, with reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of a pallet changing apparatus in which a conventionally used pallet indexing setup table is provided with a dedicated power source. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional pallet changing device. The pallet changing device 50 includes a pallet changing device main body 51, a pallet changing arm 53, and a pallet indexing setup table 57. The pallet exchange arm 53 is provided rotatably with respect to a piston portion 56a of an elevating cylinder 56 provided in the exchanging device main body 51, and can be moved up and down together with the piston portion 56a by the elevating cylinder 56. The pallet exchange arm 53 is connected to an arm turning motor 55 that is a power source for turning. 52 is a pallet on which the work is placed, and 54 is the work.
The pallet indexing setup table 57 is provided with a setup table rotating shaft 58 and is connected to a setup table rotating motor 59. When the setup table rotating motor 59 is driven, the pallet indexing setup table 57 can be rotated together with the setup table rotation shaft 58. Then, the pallet 52 and the work 54 installed on the pallet indexing setup table 57 can also be rotated to index the rotation to an arbitrary angle.
[0005]
Next, a pallet changing operation using the pallet changing device 50 will be described. By supplying a fluid such as oil pressure from the fluid supply device 60 into the rear chamber of the cylinder 56, the pallet exchange arm 53 is raised together with the piston portion 56a, and the pallet 52 is placed on the pallet exchange arm 53. By driving the arm turning motor 55, the pallet exchange arm 53 is turned, and the pallet 52 is moved above the pallet indexing setup table 57. Then, the fluid is supplied from the fluid supply device 60 into the front chamber of the elevating cylinder 56 to lower the piston portion 56a and the pallet exchange arm 53, and the pallet 52 is set on the pallet indexing setup table 57. After that, the setup table turning motor 59 is driven, the pallet indexing setup table 57 is turned around the setup table rotation axis 58, indexed at an arbitrary angle, setup is performed, and then the original setup is performed again. To the position. Then, the pallet exchanging arm 53 is raised, and the pallet is rotated while the pallet is placed on the arm, and the pallet is exchanged, thereby completing the pallet exchanging operation.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the pallet changing device provided with the conventional pallet indexing setup table has two power sources, a power source for turning the pallet changing arm and a power source for turning the pallet indexing setup table. Sources need to be provided separately. Therefore, when the conventional pallet changing device is used, there is a problem that two spaces for the power source are required. In addition, two components such as a power source component, a drive wiring, a control device, and the like are required, which causes an increase in cost.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pallet changing device capable of performing a turning drive of a pallet changing arm and a turning drive of a pallet indexing setup table in a compact and low-cost configuration.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is provided adjacent to a machine tool and supports a pallet to which a pallet on which a workpiece is mounted is movable, and a pallet exchange member which supports and rotates the pallet. A pallet changing device having a pallet indexing setup table capable of indexing, wherein a first power source and a power of the power source are transmitted to the pallet changing body to drive the pallet changing body. A power transmission means, and a second power transmission means for transmitting the power of the power source to the pallet indexing setup table and rotating the pallet indexing setup table, wherein the single power source is used for the pallet changer. And a pallet indexing setup table, each of which can be driven.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect, a pallet is provided which is capable of switching between transmission of power from the power source to at least one power transmission means and its cutoff. In the one in which the exchange body is moved up and down by an elevating device, the switching means is configured to be connected to and separated from a power transmission means when the pallet exchange body is moved up and down.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the second aspect, the first power transmission means is provided on the intermediate shaft rotated by the power source and the intermediate shaft, and the first power transmission means is provided on the pallet exchange body. A second pivotal transmission gear, and a first intermediate gear meshed with the pallet changer at a raised position, wherein a second power transmission means is provided on the intermediate shaft and provided on a pallet indexing setup table. And a second intermediate gear meshing with the table turning gear.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the third aspect, (number of teeth of the setup table turning gear / number of teeth of the second intermediate gear) / (number of teeth of the arm turning gear / the number of teeth) The ratio of the number of teeth of the first intermediate gear) is an even number.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a two-sided turning type pallet changing device provided with a pallet indexing setup table according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a pallet changing device 30. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a pallet 2 and a work 4 are set on a pallet indexing setup table 8 and can be turned and indexed. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the pallet 2 and the work 4 are placed on a pallet exchange arm 3 which is a pallet exchange body, and are pivotable together with the pallet exchange arm 3.
[0011]
The pallet changing device 30 mainly includes a pallet changing device main body 1, a pallet changing arm 3, a pallet indexing setup table 8, and an intermediate shaft 11. An elevating cylinder 6 serving as an elevating device is fixed in the pallet exchanging device main body 1, and a pallet exchanging arm 3 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a piston 6 a of the elevating cylinder 6. Therefore, when a fluid such as a hydraulic pressure is supplied from the fluid supply device 15 to the elevating cylinder 6, the pallet exchange arm 3 moves up and down together with the piston portion 6a. The pallet exchange arm 3 has arms extending in the direction of a central angle of 180 degrees from the axis, and an exchange body turning gear 7 is attached to a lower portion of the pallet exchange arm 3 (near a connection portion with the piston portion 6a). Have been.
[0012]
The pallet indexing setup table 8 is provided on the pallet changing device main body 1 at a position where the arm of the pallet changing arm 3 is turned by 180 degrees from the pallet changing position. At the center of the lower surface of the pallet indexing setup table 8, there is provided a setup table turning axis 9 extending into the pallet changing device main body 1. By rotating the setup table turning axis 9, pallet indexing is performed. The setup table 8 can be turned. Therefore, the pallet 2 and the work 4 installed on the pallet indexing setup table 8 also rotate, and the indexing rotation angle can be arbitrarily determined. A setup table turning gear 10 is attached to a lower portion of the setup table turning shaft 9.
[0013]
An intermediate shaft 11 is provided between the center of the pallet exchange arm 3 and the pallet indexing setup table 8 so as to penetrate the pallet exchange device main body 1. A first intermediate gear 12 that can mesh with the exchange body turning gear 7 is attached to an upper portion of the intermediate shaft 11 and protruding from the pallet exchange device main body 1. A second intermediate gear 13 meshing with the setup table turning gear 10 is attached to a middle part of the intermediate shaft 11 and accommodated in the pallet changing device main body 1. The vertical distance between the first intermediate gear 12 and the second intermediate gear 13 is determined by the distance between the exchange body turning gear 7 and the setup table turning gear 10 when the pallet changing arm 3 is raised to the turning position by hydraulic pressure or the like. It is equal to the vertical distance. Therefore, when the pallet exchange arm 3 is raised and turned, the first intermediate gear 12 meshes with the exchange body rotation gear 7 and the second intermediate gear 13 meshes with the setup table rotation gear 10.
The lower portion of the intermediate shaft 11 is supported by a support 14 provided inside the pallet changing device main body 1. Further, the intermediate shaft 11 is connected to the turning motor 5 as a power source, and the intermediate shaft 11 can rotate by driving the turning motor 5.
The above-mentioned intermediate shaft 11, the first intermediate gear 12, and the exchange body turning gear 7 are first power transmission means, and the intermediate shaft 11, the second intermediate gear 13, and the setup table turning gear are used. 10 is a second power transmission means.
[0014]
Here, the pallet changing operation performed using the pallet changing device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in FIG. 1, while the pallet 2 on which the work 4 to be indexed and set is placed is seated on the pallet exchange arm 3, a fluid such as hydraulic pressure is supplied from the fluid supply device 15 to the front chamber of the lifting / lowering cylinder 6. The piston 6a is lowered. When the pallet exchange arm 3 is lowered to the lowered position, the pallet 2 on the pallet exchange arm 3 is set on the pallet indexing setup table 8. At this time, the second intermediate gear 13 attached to the intermediate shaft 11 is meshed with the setup table slewing gear 10, but the first intermediate gear 12 and the exchange body slewing gear 7 are disengaged. It has become.
[0015]
In this state, when the turning motor 5 is driven to rotate the intermediate shaft 11, the rotation of the intermediate shaft 11 by the turning motor 5 is performed because the second intermediate gear 13 and the setup table turning gear 10 are meshed with each other. The drive is transmitted, and the setup table turning shaft 9 and the pallet indexing setup table 8 are turned. Therefore, the indexing turning angles of the pallet 2 and the work 4 installed on the pallet indexing setup table 8 can be arbitrarily determined. However, in this state, since the first intermediate gear 12 and the interchangeable body turning gear 7 are disengaged from each other, even if the intermediate shaft 11 rotates, its rotation drive is applied to the pallet exchange arm 3. Not transmitted.
[0016]
Next, in FIG. 2, when the setup is completed, a fluid such as hydraulic pressure is supplied from the fluid supply device 15 to the rear chamber of the elevating cylinder 6, and the piston 6a is raised to bring the pallet exchange arm 3 to the turning position. The pallet 2 on which the work 4 is mounted is placed on the pallet exchange arm 3. At this time, the first intermediate gear 12 attached to the intermediate shaft 11 and the exchange body turning gear 7 mesh with each other. In addition, the second intermediate gear 12 and the setup table turning gear 10 remain meshed. In this state, when the turning motor 5 is driven, the first intermediate gear 12 and the interchangeable body turning gear 7 are meshed with each other. 3 and the pallet changing arm 3 turns. Then, the pallet 2 is exchanged after rotating the pallet exchange arm 3 by 180 degrees, and the pallet exchange operation is completed.
[0017]
In the state of FIG. 2, since both the first intermediate gear 12 and the second intermediate gear 13 are meshed with the exchange body turning gear 7 or the setup table turning gear 10, respectively, when the pallet changing arm 3 is turned, At the same time, the pallet indexing setup table 8 also turns. Here, when the pallet changing arm 3 turns and carries the next pallet with the next pallet mounted thereon, the pallet indexing setup table 8 turns together with the pallet changing arm 3 so that the next pallet is moved. There is a possibility that it will be in a state where it cannot be installed. Then, when the turning angle of the pallet indexing setup table 8 when turning simultaneously with the pallet exchange arm 3 is obtained, the turning angle is (number of teeth of the setup table swing gear 10 / number of teeth of the second intermediate gear 13). / (Number of teeth of exchange body turning gear 7 / number of teeth of first intermediate gear 12) × 180 degrees. Therefore, the ratio of (the number of teeth of the setup table turning gear 10 / the number of teeth of the second intermediate gear 13) to the (number of teeth of the exchange body turning gear 7 / the number of teeth of the first intermediate gear 12) is an even number. By doing so, when the pallet changing arm 3 is turned to change the pallets, the pallet indexing and setting table 8 is turned an integral multiple of 360 degrees. That is, the pallet indexing setup table 8 can always wait for the pallet 2 in a state where the pallet 2 can be installed.
[0018]
By using the pallet changing device configured as described above, it is not necessary to separately prepare a motor that is a power source for rotating the pallet changing arm and the pallet indexing setup table, and the pallet is changed by a single power source. Both the exchange arm and the pallet indexing setup table can be turned. Therefore, as compared with a device having a plurality of power sources, the space for the power source can be reduced, and the cost of the power source can be reduced.
Further, the ratio of (the number of teeth of the setup stage slewing gear / the number of teeth of the second intermediate gear) to the (number of teeth of the exchange slewing gear / the number of teeth of the first intermediate gear) is an even multiple. When the first intermediate gear is meshed with the arm turning gear, the pallet indexing and setting table is always in a state where the pallet can be installed, without disengaging the second intermediate gear and the setting table turning gear. You can wait for pallets. Further, when the first intermediate gear and the exchange body turning gear mesh with each other, there is no need to disengage the second intermediate gear, so that there is no need to provide a mechanism or device for disengaging the second intermediate gear, and the device is simplified. Thus, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since the setup table turning gear and the second intermediate gear are constantly meshed with each other, damage to the teeth due to connection or disconnection can be suppressed.
[0019]
Further, the first and second intermediate gears are mounted on the intermediate shaft, the changer turning gear is mounted on the pallet changing arm, the setting table turning gear is mounted on the setting table turning shaft, and the first pallet changing arm is raised and lowered. Since the operation of connecting or disconnecting the intermediate gear and the arm turning gear is performed, a device or the like for performing the operation is not separately required.
[0020]
In addition, the configuration of the pallet changing device according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and the configuration such as the number of teeth of the pallet changing body and the gears may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be changed as appropriate.
For example, there is no problem even if the pallet exchanger is not in the form of an arm but in the form of a disk. Further, even in the case of an arm-shaped one, the central angle of the arm is set to 90 degrees, and the number of teeth of the setup table slewing gear / the number of teeth of the second intermediate gear) / (the number of teeth of the exchange slewing gear / The ratio of (the number of teeth of one intermediate gear) may be 1: 4.
[0021]
In the embodiment, the pallet changer is raised and lowered. However, a pallet changer for raising and lowering the pallet indexing setup table or a device for raising and lowering the intermediate shaft may be used. Further, instead of connecting the turning motor and the intermediate shaft with a belt-shaped member, the intermediate shaft and the first and second intermediate gears may be directly attached to the turning motor. Furthermore, the intermediate shaft may be a gear that rotates orthogonally to the intermediate gear. In addition, the support portion may be provided between the first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear, or the exchange body turning gear and the first intermediate gear may be connected in the pallet exchange device body. Good.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no need to separately prepare a power source for rotating the pallet changer and the pallet indexing setup table, and the pallet changer and the pallet splitter are provided by a single power source. Both the set-up tables can be swiveled. Therefore, as compared with a device having a plurality of power sources, the space for the power source can be reduced, and the cost of the power source can be reduced.
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, the first and second intermediate gears are mounted on the intermediate shaft, and the pallet changer is provided with the pallet changer and the pallet changer. A setup table swing gear is attached to the setup table, and a switching operation such as connection or disconnection of the first intermediate gear and the exchange body swing gear is performed by raising and lowering the pallet exchange body. No additional equipment is required.
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, in addition to the above effects, (number of teeth of the setup stage slewing gear / number of teeth of the second intermediate gear) / (number of teeth of the exchange body slewing gear / first intermediate) (The number of gear teeth) is an even number, so that when the first intermediate gear meshes with the interchangeable slewing gear, the second intermediate gear and the setup table slewing gear do not need to be disengaged. The pallet indexing setup table can always wait for the pallet in a state where the pallet can be installed. Further, when the first intermediate gear and the exchange body turning gear mesh with each other, there is no need to disengage the second intermediate gear, so that there is no need to provide a mechanism or device for disengaging the second intermediate gear, and the device is simplified. Thus, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since the setup table turning gear and the second intermediate gear are constantly meshed with each other, damage to the teeth due to connection or disconnection can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a pallet changing device, showing a state where a pallet changing arm is at a lowered position.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a pallet changing device, showing a state where a pallet changing arm is at a turning position.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a conventional pallet changing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Pallet changer body, 2. Pallet, 3. Pallet change arm, 4. Work, 5. Motor, 6. Elevating cylinder, 6a Piston section, 7. Swivel gear, 8. Pallet indexing setup table, 9 ... Setup table rotation axis, 10 ... Setup table rotation gear, 11 ... Intermediate shaft, 12 ... First intermediate gear, 13 ... Second intermediate Gears, 14 support parts, 15 fluid supply devices, 30 pallet changing devices, 50 pallet changing devices, 51 pallet changing device bodies, 52 pallets, 53 pallet changing arms, 54 ..Workpiece, 55..arm rotating motor, 56..elevating cylinder, 57..pallet indexing setup table, 58..setup table rotation axis, 59..setup table rotation rotation motor, 60 .. -Fluid supply device.

Claims (4)

A pallet changer provided adjacent to a machine tool and provided with a pallet changer that supports and can move a pallet on which a work is mounted, and a pallet indexer that can rotate and index the pallet while supporting the pallet. And
A single power source, first power transmission means for transmitting the power of the power source to the pallet exchanger and driving the pallet exchanger, and transmitting the power of the power source to the pallet indexing setup table; A second power transmission means for rotating the pallet indexing setup table;
A pallet changer, wherein the single power source can drive the pallet changer and the pallet indexer, respectively. Switching means capable of switching between transmission of power from the power source to at least one power transmission means and its cutoff is provided,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the pallet exchange body is moved up and down by an elevating device, the switching means is configured to be coupled to and disengaged from a power transmission means when the pallet exchange body is moved up and down. Pallet changing device as described. A first power transmission means is provided on the intermediate shaft rotated by a power source, and a first intermediate member which is provided on the intermediate shaft and meshes with an exchange turning gear provided on the pallet exchange body at an elevated position of the pallet exchange body. Consisting of gears,
The second power transmission means comprises a second intermediate gear provided on the intermediate shaft and meshing with a setup table turning gear provided on the pallet indexing setup table. Pallet changing device as described. The ratio of (the number of teeth of the setup stage slewing gear / the number of teeth of the second intermediate gear) to (the number of teeth of the replacement slewing gear / the number of teeth of the first intermediate gear) is an even multiple. The pallet changing device according to claim 3, wherein the pallet changing device is provided.

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