JP2015020251A - Switching mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of operation failure, even when processed chips are included much in a processing liquid, in a switching mechanism for switching a passage for making a used processing liquid flow.SOLUTION: A switching mechanism 12 is provided for switching the passage for flowing the processing liquid discharged from a processing device 11 for processing a workpiece by using a processing tool while supplying the processing liquid to the workpiece, to a branch passage selected from among a plurality of branch passages 23 and 24, and comprises an introduction passage 21 for making the processing liquid flow in, the plurality of branch passages 23 and 24 connected to the introduction passage 21 and height difference forming means 25 for lowering one branch passage selected from the plurality of branch passages 23 and 24 more than the other branch passage, and switches the processing liquid-flowing passage without providing a structure for preventing a flow of the processing liquid such as a valve by forming the branch passage lowered more than the other branch passage as the processing liquid-flowing passage, to thereby prevent the occurrence of the operation failure such as the failure in which passage cannot be switched since the processing chips are sandwiched in the valve.

Description

  The present invention relates to a switching mechanism that switches a path through which a machining fluid used in a machining apparatus flows.

  In a processing apparatus such as a cutting apparatus or a grinding apparatus, processing heat is cooled by supplying a processing liquid to a processing tool such as a cutting blade or a grinding wheel or a workpiece. The used machining fluid contains machining waste and the like, but since a large amount of machining fluid is used during machining, it is uneconomical to discharge all used machining fluid. In view of this, an apparatus that filters and reuses a used machining fluid has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-230527

  Not only during the processing of the workpiece, but before the processing of one workpiece is finished and before the processing of the next workpiece is started (during warm-up), the temperature control of the processing tool and the processing tool The machining fluid is supplied for the purpose of adapting to the machining fluid. Since the machining fluid used during such warming up does not include machining waste, it can be reused without filtration. Therefore, a switching mechanism is provided for switching between a path through which the machining fluid flows during machining and a path through which the machining fluid flows during warm-up, so that the machining liquid containing machining waste and the machining liquid not containing machining waste are different paths. If it is set as the structure which flows through, only the process liquid containing a process waste can be filtered.

  However, when a valve is used as the switching mechanism, there may be a case where an operation failure occurs such as switching cannot be performed due to processing waste caught in the valve.

  The present invention has been considered in view of such circumstances, and in the switching mechanism that switches the path through which the used machining fluid flows, even if the machining fluid contains a large amount of machining waste, an operation failure occurs. The purpose is to prevent.

  The switching mechanism according to the present invention provides a path through which the machining fluid discharged from a machining apparatus that processes the workpiece using the machining tool while supplying the machining fluid to the workpiece held on the holding table. In the switching mechanism for switching to a branch path selected from among the plurality of branch paths, the introduction path into which the machining liquid flows, the plurality of branch paths connected to the introduction path, and one selected from the plurality of branch paths And a height difference forming means for lowering the other branch path than other branch paths, and a branch path lower than the other branch paths is defined as a path through which the machining liquid flows.

  According to the switching mechanism according to the present invention, the branch path serving as the path through which the machining fluid flows is switched by the height difference formed by the height difference forming means, so there is no need to use a valve. For this reason, even when a large amount of machining waste is contained in the machining fluid, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of operation troubles such as the machining waste being caught in the valve and being unable to be switched.

The front view which shows 1st Embodiment of the switching mechanism. The front view which shows operation | movement of the switching mechanism of 1st Embodiment. The front view which shows 2nd Embodiment of a switching mechanism. The front view which shows operation | movement of the switching mechanism of 2nd Embodiment. The front view which shows 3rd Embodiment of a switching mechanism. The front view which shows operation | movement of the switching mechanism of 3rd Embodiment. The front view which shows 4th Embodiment of a switching mechanism. The front view which shows operation | movement of the switching mechanism of 4th Embodiment.

(1) 1st Embodiment The switching mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 1 has a function which supplies the used process liquid discharged | emitted from the processing apparatus 11 to any one of the reuse apparatus 13 and the waste liquid processing apparatus 14. FIG. doing.

  For example, the processing device 11 is a device that holds a workpiece on a holding table and performs processing such as grinding or cutting using a processing tool such as a grinding wheel or a cutting blade. At the time of processing, the processing heat is cooled by supplying a processing liquid such as pure water to the contact portion between the processing tool and the workpiece. The processing liquid that has been used and contains processing waste is supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14 by the switching mechanism 12. The waste liquid processing apparatus 14 has a function of performing processing such as filtering of processing waste contained in the processing liquid.

  On the other hand, in the processing apparatus 11, for the purpose of controlling the temperature of the processing tool and adapting the processing tool even in the interval between the end of processing on the workpiece and the start of processing on the next workpiece. The machining fluid is supplied to the machining tool, but the machining fluid used for such warming up does not include machining waste. Therefore, the machining fluid that does not include machining waste is supplied to the reuse device 13 by the switching mechanism 12, and the reuse device 13 reuses the supplied machining fluid by returning it to the machining device 11.

  The switching mechanism 12 is connected to a discharge port 111 through which the processing apparatus 11 discharges the used machining fluid, and the introduction path 21 into which the used machining fluid flows, the bifurcated branch portion 22, and the machining fluid flows out. Two branch paths 23, 24 to be changed, and a height difference forming means for making one branch path selected from the plurality of branch paths 23, 24 lower than the other branch paths by changing the height of the branch paths 23, 24 25, and has a function of switching the path through which the machining fluid flows to a branch path selected from among the plurality of branch paths 23 and 24.

  The branch part 22 is formed by opening a pipe projecting upward from the central part of the pipe that is open at both ends and extending in the horizontal direction, and has a T-shaped shape as a whole. The branch part 22 is positioned at the upper inlet 221 connected to the inlet path 21, the first outlet 222 connected to the first branch path 23 located on one side, and the other side. And a second discharge port 223 connected to the second branch path 24. The first branch path 23 and the second branch path 24 can be flexibly deformed, and are formed of, for example, flexible piping. The first branch path 23 is connected to an intake 131 through which the reuse device 13 takes in the machining liquid. The second branch path 24 is connected to an inlet 141 through which the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14 takes in the machining liquid.

  There is no structure such as a valve that obstructs the flow of the machining fluid in the introduction path 21, the branch portion 22, and the two branch paths 23 and 24. The discharge port 111 of the processing device 11 and the intake port 131 of the reuse device 13 communicate with each other via an introduction path 21, a branching portion 22, and a first branching path 23. In addition, the discharge port 111 of the processing apparatus 11 and the intake port 141 of the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14 communicate with each other via an introduction path 21, a branching part 22, and a second branching path 24.

  The height difference forming means 25 includes a first holding part 251 that holds an intermediate portion of the first branch path 23, a first lifting part 252 that lifts and lowers the first holding part 251, and a second branch path 24. A second holding portion 253 that holds the intermediate portion of the first holding portion, a second raising / lowering portion 254 that raises and lowers the second holding portion 253, and a control portion 255 that controls the two raising and lowering portions 252 and 254. .

  For example, an air cylinder can be used as the first elevating unit 252 and the second elevating unit 254. When the first elevating part 252 raises the first holding part 251, the middle part of the first branch path 23 held by the first holding part 251 is the highest in the first branch path 23. Located in position. As shown in FIG. 2, when the second lifting unit 254 raises the second holding unit 253, the intermediate portion of the second branch path 24 held by the second holding unit 253 is the second It is located in the highest position in the branching path 24 of.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the first elevating unit 252 raises the first holding unit 251 and the second elevating unit 254 lowers the second holding unit 253, the second holding unit 253 The intermediate portion of the held second branch path 24 is located at a lower position than the intermediate portion of the first branch path 23 held by the first holding portion 251. For this reason, the machining fluid that has flowed in from the processing apparatus 11 via the introduction path 21 flows through the second branch path 24 and is discharged by gravity, and does not flow to the first branch path 23. That is, when the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14, the control unit 255 controls the first elevating unit 252 to raise the first holding unit 251 and the second holding unit 251. The second holding unit 253 is lowered by controlling the elevating unit 254. As a result, the second branch path 24 of the two branch paths 23 and 24 becomes a path through which the processing liquid flows, and the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14 and is reused by the recycling apparatus 13. Is not supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the first lifting unit 252 lowers the first holding unit 251 and the second lifting unit 254 raises the second holding unit 253, the first holding unit 251 holds the first holding unit 251. The intermediate portion of the first branch path 23 is positioned lower than the intermediate portion of the second branch path 24 held by the second holding portion 253. For this reason, the machining fluid that has flowed in from the processing apparatus 11 via the introduction path 21 flows through the first branch path 23 due to gravity and is discharged, but does not flow to the second branch path 24. That is, when the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the reuse apparatus 13, the control unit 255 controls the first elevating unit 252 to lower the first holding unit 251 and The raising / lowering unit 254 is controlled to raise the second holding unit 253. As a result, the first branch path 23 of the two branch paths 23 and 24 becomes a path through which the processing liquid flows, and the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is supplied to the reuse apparatus 13 and the waste liquid processing apparatus 14. Is not supplied.

  As described above, the two branch paths 23 and 24 are provided with a height difference, and the lower branch path is made a path through which the machining fluid flows by using gravity, so that a structure such as a valve that blocks the flow of the machining liquid is provided. It is possible to switch the path through which the machining fluid flows. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an operation failure such as the switching of the route due to the processing dust being caught between the valves. Further, since the path through which the machining fluid flows can be easily switched, for example, the machining fluid containing a large amount of machining waste is processed by the waste liquid treatment device 14, and the machining fluid that does not contain much machining waste is reused by the reuse device 13. can do.

(2) Second Embodiment A switching mechanism 12A shown in FIG. 3 is different from the switching mechanism 12 described in FIG. 1 in a first branch path 23A and a second branch path 24A. The first branch path 23A includes a pipe 231 connected to the branch section 22, a U-shaped pipe 233 that is held in the first holding section 251 and formed in an inverted U shape, and the reuse device 13. A pipe 235 connected; a telescopic pipe 232 connected between the pipe 231 and the U-shaped pipe 233; and a telescopic pipe 234 connected between the U-shaped pipe 233 and the pipe 235. Yes.

  The second branch path 24 </ b> A includes a pipe 241 connected to the branch section 22, a U-shaped pipe 243 formed in an upside-down shape held by the second holding section 253, and the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14. A pipe 245 connected to the pipe; a telescopic pipe 242 connected between the pipe 241 and the U-shaped pipe 243; and a telescopic pipe 244 connected between the U-shaped pipe 243 and the pipe 245. Yes.

  The telescopic tubes 232, 234, 242, and 244 have, for example, a bellows structure and are formed to be telescopic. The branch portion 22 and the reuse device 13 communicate with each other via a pipe 231, a telescopic pipe 232, a U-shaped pipe 233, a telescopic pipe 234 and a pipe 235.

  The branch portion 22 and the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14 communicate with each other via a pipe 241, a telescopic pipe 242, a U-shaped pipe 243, a telescopic pipe 244 and a pipe 245. If the 1st raising / lowering part 252 raises / lowers the 1st holding | maintenance part 251, the U-shaped pipe | tube 233 hold | maintained at the holding | maintenance part 251 will raise / lower accordingly. At this time, the expansion and contraction of the telescopic tubes 232 and 234 keeps the communication between the branch portion 22 and the reuse device 13. Similarly, when the second lifting unit 254 moves the second holding unit 253 up and down, the U-shaped tube 243 held by the holding unit 251 moves up and down accordingly. At this time, the telescopic tubes 242 and 244 expand and contract to maintain communication between the branch portion 22 and the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the first elevating unit 252 lowers the first holding unit 251 and the second elevating unit 254 raises the second holding unit 253, the telescopic tubes 232 and 234 are moved. While contracting, the telescopic tubes 242 and 244 extend, so that the U-shaped tube 233 is positioned at a lower position than the U-shaped tube 243. For this reason, the machining liquid that has flowed into the branch portion 22 from the processing apparatus 11 via the introduction path 21 flows and is discharged by the gravity through the first branch path 23A and does not flow into the second branch path 24A. That is, when the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the reuse apparatus 13, the control unit 255 controls the first elevating unit 252 to lower the first holding unit 251 and The raising / lowering unit 254 is controlled to raise the second holding unit 253. As a result, the first branch path 23 becomes a path through which the processing liquid flows, and the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is supplied to the reuse apparatus 13 and is not supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the first elevating part 252 raises the first holding part 251 and the second elevating part 254 lowers the second holding part 253, the telescopic tubes 232 and 234 are moved. The U-shaped tube 243 is positioned at a lower position than the U-shaped tube 233 because the expandable tubes 242 and 244 contract. For this reason, the machining fluid that has flowed in from the processing apparatus 11 via the introduction path 21 flows and is discharged through the second branch path 24A due to gravity, and does not flow to the first branch path 23A. That is, when the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14, the control unit 255 controls the first elevating unit 252 to raise the first holding unit 251 and the second holding unit 251. The second holding unit 253 is lowered by controlling the elevating unit 254. Thereby, the second branch path 24 becomes a path through which the machining liquid flows, and the machining liquid discharged from the machining apparatus 11 is supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14 and not supplied to the reuse apparatus 13.

  In this way, the telescopic tubes 232, 234, 242, and 244 are expanded and contracted to provide height differences in the U-shaped tubes 233 and 243 of the two branch channels 23A and 24A, and the lower branch channel is processed using gravity. Since the liquid flows through the path, the path through which the machining liquid flows can be switched without providing a structure such as a valve that obstructs the flow of the machining liquid. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an operation failure such as the switching of the route due to the processing dust being caught between the valves. Further, since the path through which the machining fluid flows can be easily switched, for example, the machining fluid containing a large amount of machining waste is processed by the waste liquid treatment device 14, and the machining fluid that does not contain much machining waste is reused by the reuse device 13. can do. Furthermore, the space occupied by the switching mechanism 12A can be reduced by configuring the branch paths 23A and 24A using the telescopic tubes 232, 234, 242, and 244.

(3) Third Embodiment A switching mechanism 12B shown in FIG. 5 is different from the switching mechanism 12 described in FIG. 1 in a branch path 23B and a height difference forming means 25B. The branch path 23B is a fixed pipe that does not deform, and the intermediate portion 236 is disposed at the highest position. The height difference forming means 25B includes a holding portion 253 that holds an intermediate portion of the branch path 24 that can be flexibly deformed, a lifting portion 254 that lifts and lowers the holding portion 253, and a control portion 255 that controls the lifting portion 254. When the lifting unit 254 raises the holding unit 253, the intermediate part of the branch path 24 held by the holding part 253 is positioned higher than the intermediate part 236 of the branch path 23. On the other hand, when the elevating unit 254 lowers the holding unit 253, the intermediate portion of the branch path 24 held by the holding unit 253 is positioned at a position lower than the intermediate portion 236 of the branch path 23.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the lifting part 254 lowers the holding part 253 and the intermediate part of the branch path 24 held by the holding part 253 is positioned lower than the intermediate part 236 of the branch path 23, the processing is performed. The machining fluid that has flowed in from the device 11 via the introduction path 21 flows through the second branch path 24 due to gravity and is discharged, and does not flow to the first branch path 23B. That is, when it is desired to flow the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14, the control unit 255 controls the elevating unit 254 to lower the holding unit 253. Thereby, the second branch path 24 becomes a path through which the machining liquid flows, and the machining liquid discharged from the machining apparatus 11 is supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14 and not supplied to the reuse apparatus 13.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lifting unit 254 raises the holding unit 253 and the intermediate part of the branch path 24 held by the holding part 253 is positioned higher than the intermediate part 236 of the branch path 23, The machining fluid that has flowed in from the processing apparatus 11 via the introduction path 21 flows through the first branch path 23 </ b> B and is discharged by gravity, and does not flow to the second branch path 24. That is, when the machining liquid discharged from the machining apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the reuse apparatus 13, the control unit 255 controls the elevating unit 254 to raise the holding unit 253. As a result, the first branch path 23 becomes a path through which the processing liquid flows, and the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is supplied to the reuse apparatus 13 and is not supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14.

  In this way, the second branch path 24 is moved up and down to provide a difference in height between the two branch paths 23B and 24A, and the lower branch path is used as a path through which the machining fluid flows using gravity. The path through which the machining fluid flows can be switched without providing a structure that obstructs the flow of the machining fluid. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an operation failure such as the switching of the route due to the processing dust being caught between the valves. Further, since the path through which the machining fluid flows can be easily switched, for example, the machining fluid containing a large amount of machining waste is processed by the waste liquid treatment device 14, and the machining fluid that does not contain much machining waste is reused by the reuse device 13. can do. Furthermore, by fixing the first branch path 23B and making only the second branch path 24 movable, the switching mechanism 12B can be simply configured, and the cost of the switching mechanism 12B can be suppressed.

(4) Fourth Embodiment A switching mechanism 12C shown in FIG. 7 is different from the switching mechanism 12 described in FIG. 1 in the introduction path 21C and the elevation difference forming means 25C. The introduction path 21C can be flexibly deformed, and is formed of, for example, flexible piping. The elevation difference forming means 25 </ b> C includes a rotation unit 256 that rotates the branching unit 22 using a motor, and a control unit 255 that controls the rotation unit 256.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the rotating unit 256 rotates the branch unit 22 counterclockwise so that the first discharge port 222 faces downward and the second discharge port 223 faces upward, The intermediate portion of the second branch path 24 connected to the second outlet 223 is higher than the first branch path 23 connected to the outlet 222. As a result, the machining fluid that has flowed in from the processing device 11 via the introduction path 21 flows through the first branch path 23 due to gravity and is discharged, but does not flow to the second branch path 24. That is, when the machining fluid discharged from the machining apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the reuse apparatus 13, the control unit 255 controls the rotation unit 256 to rotate the branch unit 22 counterclockwise. As a result, the first branch path 23 becomes a path through which the processing liquid flows, and the processing liquid discharged from the processing apparatus 11 is supplied to the reuse apparatus 13 and is not supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the rotation unit 256 rotates the branch unit 22 clockwise, the first discharge port 222 faces upward and the second discharge port 223 faces downward, The intermediate portion of the first branch path 23 connected to the first outlet 222 is higher than the second branch path 24 connected to the outlet 223. As a result, the machining fluid that has flowed in from the processing apparatus 11 via the introduction path 21 flows through the second branch path 24 due to gravity and is discharged, but does not flow to the first branch path 23. That is, when the machining liquid discharged from the machining apparatus 11 is desired to flow to the waste liquid treatment apparatus 14, the control unit 255 controls the rotation unit 256 to rotate the branch unit 22 clockwise. Thereby, the second branch path 24 becomes a path through which the machining liquid flows, and the machining liquid discharged from the machining apparatus 11 is supplied to the waste liquid processing apparatus 14 and not supplied to the reuse apparatus 13.

  In this way, by rotating the branch portion 22, a difference in height is provided between the two branch paths 23 and 24, and the lower branch path is used as a path through which the working fluid flows using gravity, so that it is like a valve. The path through which the machining fluid flows can be switched without providing a structure that obstructs the flow of the machining fluid. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an operation failure such as the switching of the route due to the processing dust being caught between the valves. Further, since the path through which the machining fluid flows can be easily switched, for example, the machining fluid containing a large amount of machining waste is processed by the waste liquid treatment device 14, and the machining fluid that does not contain much machining waste is reused by the reuse device 13. can do. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the branch portion 22 is rotated, the movable portion of the switching mechanism 12C can be reduced, and the cost of the switching mechanism 12C can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the four embodiments described above. For example, the elevating unit may be configured to be lifted by supporting the holding unit from below like the switching mechanism 12, or may be configured to be lifted by supporting the holding unit from above like the switching mechanism 12A. There may be.

  Further, the number of branch paths is not limited to two and may be three or more. When there are three or more branch paths, the configuration may be such that all the branch paths ascend and descend like the switching mechanism 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or the switching mechanism 12B shown in FIGS. As described above, one branch path may be fixed, and other branch paths may be movable.

  The branching portion is not limited to the T shape, and may be a Y shape, or may have a configuration in which the discharge ports are provided in the same direction. However, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the case of a configuration in which the rotating unit rotates the branching unit and switches the path through which the machining liquid flows, the plurality of discharge ports are located in directions as far as possible from each other. It is preferable. For example, when there are two branches, the outlet is preferably in the opposite direction 180 degrees apart, and when there are three branches, the outlet is in directions 120 degrees apart. preferable. In addition, since the opening direction of the introduction port is irrelevant to the switching of the path, for example, the rotation unit may be in a direction parallel to the rotation axis that rotates the branching unit.

  The height difference forming means is not limited to the configuration in which the branching path is raised and lowered by the elevating part and the structure in which the branching part is rotated by the rotating part, but the height of any one of the branching paths is changed by changing the height of the branching path. Any configuration may be used as long as the point is lower than other branch paths.

11 processing equipment, 111 outlet,
12, 12A, 12B, 12C switching mechanism,
21, 21C introduction path, 22 branching section, 221 introduction port, 222, 223 discharge port,
23, 23A, 23B, 24, 24A branch,
231, 235, 241, 245 piping,
232, 234, 242, 244 telescopic tube,
233, 243 U-shaped tube, 236 Middle part, 25, 25B, 25C Height difference forming means, 251, 253 Holding part, 252, 254 Lifting part, 255 Control part, 256 Rotating part 13 Reuse device, 131, 141 entrance,
14 Waste liquid treatment equipment,

Claims (1)

A path through which the machining liquid discharged from the machining apparatus that processes the workpiece using the machining tool while supplying the machining liquid to the workpiece held on the holding table flows from among the plurality of branch paths. A switching mechanism for switching to a selected branch path,
An introduction path through which the machining fluid flows;
A plurality of branch paths connected to the introduction path;
A height difference forming means for making one branch path selected from the plurality of branch paths lower than other branch paths, and
A switching mechanism in which a branch path that is lower than other branch paths is a path through which the machining fluid flows.

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