JPH0437695Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] The present invention is a tool holding device inserted into a pot of a tool magazine, and is particularly suitable for a tool replacement tool having a ball engagement groove inside the tool shank. Relating to a holding device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a tool inserted into a pot of a tool magazine is removably attached to the pot via a ball by a pull stud provided at the rear of the tool holder.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, in the conventional means for removably attaching the tool holder to the pot using a pull stud provided at the rear thereof, the length of the pot and the tool shank must necessarily be long, and a complicated mechanism is required.

Therefore, at present, no means has been devised to shorten the holding portion of the tool shank to allow the tool to be inserted into and removed from the pot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention was proposed in order to solve the problem in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool holding device that allows a replacement tool having a short tool shank portion to be held in a pot.

[Means and actions for solving problems]

The present invention is a tool holding device for holding a replacement tool in a tool pot, and its specific means is to insert or remove a replacement tool into a tool insertion hole drilled in the axial direction of the tool pot. A ball holder that is removably fitted and fixed and has a protrusion that has a hole radially bored in the radial direction and that can be inserted into a replacement tool, and a ball holder that is provided on the protrusion of the ball holder and has a diameter of a tool pot. a plurality of balls that are held so as to be movable in the axial direction of the tool pot and that engage with the engagement grooves of the replacement tool; and a plurality of balls that are movable within the ball holder in the axial direction of the tool pot and that engage with the plurality of balls at the tip end thereof. a ball pusher having an engaging surface that engages the ball pusher; a spring that always urges the ball pusher toward the ball in the axial direction and presses the plurality of balls toward the replacement tool; and a spring that is provided in the tool pot and has one end that directly engages the ball pusher. The tool holding device comprises a fixing means that forcibly pushes the ball pusher of the lever in the axial direction and clamps and fixes the exchange tool between the tool pot and the tool pot via the plurality of balls.

In such a configuration, when the replacement tool is inserted into the tool pot, the inner diameter part of the replacement tool advances while pushing the plurality of balls and the ball pusher, and finally the ball engagement groove of the inner diameter part of the replacement tool and the plurality of balls are connected. Upon engagement, the replacement tool is clamped to the tool pot. Since the ball pusher is fixed at one end by a fixing means, stable clamping is achieved. When removing the replacement tool, simply loosen the fixing means and pull out the replacement tool.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

Example 1 Example 1 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tool pot to which the tool holding device of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow I in FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a shaft 3 is inserted into a hole 2 drilled at the rear of a tool pot 1. As shown in FIGS. U-shaped support plates 4 are provided at both ends of the shaft 3.
is inserted and supports the tool pot 1. Bolts 5a and 5b are attached to the bottom plate 4a of the U-shaped support plate 4.
The brackets 6a and 6b are fixed. Chains 8a, 8b are attached to the brackets 6a, 6b via shafts 7. The chain 8
A, 8b are chained together in a direction perpendicular to the paper plane of FIG.

A roller 9 is mounted between roller support members 1a and 1b extending rearward of the tool pot 1 via a shaft 10 so as to be able to roll thereon.

A replacement tool T is inserted into the front of the tool pot 1. The tool pot 1 is designed to rotate 90 degrees clockwise around the shaft 3 as a fulcrum. The state where the tool pot 1' is rotated by 90 degrees and indicated by the chain double-dashed line is the position where the tool pot 1' is replaced by the automatic tool changer. Next, the replacement tool T
The state in which the tool is held in the tool pot will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tool pot of FIG. 1 rotated by 90 degrees. In FIG. 3, a sleeve 12 is fitted into a groove 11 bored in the rear of the tool pot 1. A snap ring 14 is fitted into a groove 13 in the tool pot 1 slightly above the sleeve 12 fitted therein. Further, a ball holder 16 is fitted into the large diameter hole 15 in the tool pot 1, and the ball holder 16 is fitted with a set screw screwed into a hole 1c bored in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tool pot 1. It is fixed at 22. Furthermore, a ball pusher 18 is fitted into the ball holder 16 via a spring 17. Ball holder 16
Three first balls 20 are fitted into grooves 19 bored at the tip of the ball 20 so as to be movable in the radial direction. A spring 17 interposed between the ball holder 16 and the ball pusher 18 is always urged forward. The tip tapered portion 18a of the ball pusher 18 is pressed against the three first balls 20 by the biasing force of the spring 17.
is constantly pressed outward in the radial direction. A ball engagement groove Tc into which the three first balls 20 fit is formed in a part of the cylindrical groove Tb formed in the taper shank portion Ta of the replacement tool T.

When the taper shank portion Ta of the replacement tool T is inserted into the taper hole 21 bored forward of the large diameter hole 15 in the tool pot 1, the inner wall chamfered portion at the lower end of the cylindrical groove Tb The outer diameter of the ball 20 is pressed in the radial direction. The three first balls 20 press the tip tapered portion 18a of the ball pusher 18 backward against the biasing force of the spring 14, and the ball engaging groove Tc engages with the three first balls 20. To engage and disengage the replacement tool T from inside the tool pot 1, the replacement tool T is pulled out forward, and the three first balls 20 are pressed radially inward and the tip tapered portion 18a of the ball pusher 18 is pressed. It is pushed downward against the urging force of the spring 17 and moves slightly. As a result, the three first balls 20 move radially inward and the exchange tool T is easily engaged and disengaged.

Note that if the replacement tool T is simply engaged in the pot 1, there is a risk that it will come out when the tool pot 1 is turned 90 degrees, so it is necessary to completely lock the replacement tool T in the tool pot. When the replacement tool T is connected to and removed from the tool pot 1, it is performed in an unlocked state. The state of locking and unlocking the replacement tool T in the tool pot 1 will be explained. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views taken along the line 3 in FIG. 3, in which the replacement tool T is locked in the tool pot 1 in FIG.
It shows the unlocked state within. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, a groove 1d is formed at one end of the tool pot 1 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tool pot 1 at the rear part of the ball pusher 18.
A groove 11a having the same diameter is bored in the sleeve 12. A groove 1e of the same phase as the groove 1d of the tool pot 1 is bored in a direction perpendicular to the groove 1d. The second ball 23 is fitted into the groove 11a from the outside of the groove 1d. Further groove 1
A pin 25 is fitted into e via a spring 24. And this spring 24 and pin 25
and the second ball 23, the ball pusher 1
A fixing means for fixing 8 is constructed. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the replacement tool T is mechanically locked in the tool pot 1, that is, the spring 24 is always urged upward, and the pin 25 moves the second ball 23 radially inward due to the urging force. He was pushed into a mechanical lock.

FIG. 4B shows a state in which the replacement tool T is unlocked in the tool pot 1, that is, by moving the piston rod 26 provided externally downward with a cylinder (not shown), the piston rod 26 is removed.
presses the pin 25 downward. The pin 25 is pushed down against the biasing force of the spring 24, and the second ball 23 is inserted into the groove 27 formed in the pin 25.
is moved back radially outward to be engaged and unlocked.

Next, the operation of exchanging the exchange tool T inserted into the tool pot 1 will be explained.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, the replacement tool T is mounted and held in the tool pot 1. When replacing the replacement tool T, the oval-shaped tool magazine rotates and is indexed to a predetermined replacement position. When the replacement tool is indexed, the roller 9 attached to the rear of the tool pot 1 is rotated clockwise as shown by the arrow with the shaft 3 as a fulcrum by an actuator (not shown), which is attached to the rear of the tool pot 1.
The tool is rotated 90 degrees, and the replacement tool T as shown in FIG. 3 is oriented vertically. In this state, the replacement tool T is still mechanically locked in the tool pot 1. After the tool pot 1 completes turning 90 degrees, a cylinder (not shown) is activated to push the piston rod 26 downward. By moving the piston rod 26 downward, the pin 2
5 is pushed down against the biasing force of the spring 23. The groove 27 formed in the piston rod 26 reaches the position of the second ball 23, and the second ball 23 moves radially outward and engages with the groove 27, resulting in an unlocked state. After unlocking,
By gripping the replacement tool T with an automatic tool changer (not shown) and pulling it forward, the taper shank portion Ta of the replacement tool T moves the first ball 20 slightly inward in the radial direction. When the first ball 20 pushes the ball pusher 18 backward against the urging force of the spring 17, the replacement tool T is removed from the tool pot 1. In addition, when inserting another replacement tool T into the tool pot 1, insert another replacement tool T into the tool pot 1.
When the taper shank portion Ta is gripped by an automatic tool changer (not shown) and inserted into the taper hole 21, the first ball 20 is pushed radially inward while the taper shank portion Ta is inserted. move slightly. The ball pusher 18 is pushed down against the biasing force of the spring 17 due to the radially inward movement of the first ball 20, and the taper shank portion
The first ball 20 is engaged and inserted into the ball engagement groove Tc of Ta. After that, the fourth operation is performed in reverse of the above-mentioned operation.
By operating the piston rod 26 upward from the unlocked state shown in Figure B, the spring 23
The pin 25 moves upward due to the urging force of the second ball 2.
3 is pressed radially inward and mechanically locked.

Furthermore, when the tool pot 1 is mechanically locked, the roller 9 of the tool pot 1 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise using the shaft 3 as a fulcrum by an unillustrated actuator, and the tool pot 1 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise using the shaft 3 as a fulcrum.
is returned to the position shown in FIG.

Example 2 Example 2 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another tool pot to which the tool holding device of the present invention is applied. Figure 5 is the third
The structure is almost the same as the one shown in the figure. In FIG. 5, a hole 1f is drilled at the rear of the tool pot 1, and a hole 15 having a larger diameter than the hole 1f is bored. A tapered hole 21 is bored in front of the hole 15. A ball holder 16 is inserted into the hole 15, and a snap ring 14 is fitted into the rear portion of the ball holder 16. The ball holder 16 is fixed by a set screw 22 screwed into a hole 1C bored in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tool pot 1. Moreover, the ball holder 16
A spring 17 is interposed therein, and a ball pusher 18 is fitted therein. Three first balls 20 are fitted into grooves 19 formed at the tip of the ball holder 16 so as to be movable in the radial direction. Ball holder 1
A spring 17 interposed between the ball pusher 6 and the ball pusher 18 is always urged forward. The tip tapered portion 18a of the ball pusher 18 is connected to the spring 17.
The three first balls 20 are constantly pressed in the radial direction by the urging force. A ball engagement groove Tc is bored in the taper shank portion Ta of the replacement tool T.

Grooves 1g and 1 are bored in the rear part of the tool pot 1 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tool pot 1.
A pin 25 is fitted into h through a spring 24. The pin 25 is always urged forward by the urging force of the spring 24, and the tapered portion 25a of the pin 25
is in contact with the rear end tapered portion 18b of the ball pusher 18 and is mechanically locked.

When inserting the replacement tool T into the tool pot 1, press the tip of the pin 25 downward with a cylinder (not shown) so that the tapered part 25a of the pin 25 is inserted.
is removed from the rear end tapered portion 18b of the ball pusher 18 and unlocked. When the replacement tool T is inserted into the tool pot 1 in the unlocked state, the chamfered portion of the rear end of the replacement tool T will open the first ball 2.
It is inserted while pressing 0. 1st ball 20
moves slightly inward in the radial direction, and this movement causes the ball pusher 18 to move against the biasing force of the spring 17. Then, the taper portion Ta of the replacement tool T is inserted into the taper hole 21 of the tool pot 1 in complete tight contact.

When removing the replacement tool T from inside the tool pot 1, pull the replacement tool T forward to remove the taper part Ta.
By pressing the first ball 20 inward in the radial direction, the ball pusher 18 moves slightly rearward and is removed. To insert the replacement tool T and lock it in that state, remove a cylinder (not shown) from the tip of the pin 25, and the pin 25 will move slightly forward due to the biasing force of the spring 24, and the taper part of the pin 25 will move forward. 25a comes into contact with the rear end tapered portion 18b of the ball pusher 18 and is locked.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view when a small diameter replacement tool T is inserted in place of the large diameter replacement tool T shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, a shank-shaped ball holder 16 that fits into the tapered hole 21 is engaged in the tool pot 1 and fixed by a set screw 22 screwed into the groove 1c. A groove 1i is formed in the tip of the tool pot 1 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tool pot 1.
A groove 28 having the same diameter as the ball holder 16 is bored in the ball holder 16, and a third ball 29 is fitted into the groove 28. Further groove 2
A spring 30 is interposed between 8 and 1i and fixed with a screw 31. The spring 30 is always biased inward in the radial direction. When the small diameter exchange tool T is inserted into the tool pot 1, the third
By pressing the ball 29, the third ball 29 moves radially outward against the biasing force of the spring 30, and the V groove of the small diameter exchange tool T engages with the third ball 29 and locks. be done.

When removing the small diameter replacement tool T, by pulling the small diameter replacement tool T forward, the tapered part 32a of the V groove 32 of the small diameter replacement tool T pushes the third ball 29, and the third ball 29 pushes the spring 30. It resists the urging force of , moves slightly outward, and separates.

Therefore, when replacing a large-diameter replacement tool with a small-diameter replacement tool, this can be easily done by replacing the ball holder.

〔effect〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it produces the following effects. That is, in the present invention, the taper shank portion of the replacement tool is inserted into the taper hole of the tool pot, and the cylindrical wall portion of the taper shank portion is pressed by a plurality of balls from inside the replacement tool.
Since the tool is clamped between a plurality of balls and the tapered hole of the tool pot, the tool can be clamped strongly and reliably.

Further, the taper shank portion of the replacement tool can be shortened, and therefore the tool pot can also be shortened, and the overall weight of the device can also be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tool pot to which the tool holding device of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow in FIG. Figure 3 shows that the tool pot in Figure 1 is 90.
FIG. Figures 4A and 4B are sectional views taken along the - line in Figure 3, and Figure 4A is a state in which the replacement tool is locked in the tool pot;
Figure B shows the exchange tool unlocked in the tool pot. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another tool pot to which the tool holding device of the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 is a sectional view when a small diameter replacement tool is inserted in place of the large diameter replacement tool shown in FIG. 1... Tool pot, 3... Shaft, 4... Support plate, 8a, 8b... Chain, 9... Roller,
12...Sleeve, 15...Large diameter hole, 16...Ball holder, 17...Spring, 18...Ball pusher, 20...First ball, 23...Second
Ball (fixing means), 24... Spring (fixing means), 25... Pin (fixing means), 28... Groove,
29...Third ball.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a tool pot of a tool magazine into which a replacement tool is inserted and removed, the tool pot is removably fitted and fixed into a tool insertion hole drilled in the axial direction of the tool pot, and holes are drilled radially in the radial direction to insert and remove the tool into the tool pot. a ball holder having a protrusion that can be inserted into the tool pot; and a plurality of balls that are provided on the protrusion of the ball holder and are movably held in the radial direction of the tool pot and that engage with the engagement grooves of the replacement tool. a ball pusher that is movable in the axial direction of the tool pot within the ball holder and has an engaging surface at its tip that engages with the plurality of balls; and a ball pusher that is always biased toward the balls in the axial direction. a spring that presses the plurality of balls toward the replacement tool; and a spring that is provided in the tool pot and has one end that directly engages with the ball pusher to forcibly push the ball pusher in the axial direction, and presses the ball pusher toward the replacement tool through the plurality of balls. A tool holding device comprising a fixing means for clamping and fixing the tool between the tool pot and the tool pot.