US20020005228A1 - Coolant passage connecting apparatus for a machine tool - Google Patents
Coolant passage connecting apparatus for a machine tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020005228A1 US20020005228A1 US09/801,660 US80166001A US2002005228A1 US 20020005228 A1 US20020005228 A1 US 20020005228A1 US 80166001 A US80166001 A US 80166001A US 2002005228 A1 US2002005228 A1 US 2002005228A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- coolant
- coolant passage
- nozzle
- main shaft
- tool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 262
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 claims 6
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23Q1/00—Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of machine, particularly relatively large fixed members
- B23Q1/0009—Energy-transferring means or control lines for movable machine parts; Control panels or boxes; Control parts
- B23Q1/0018—Energy-transferring means or control lines for movable machine parts; Control panels or boxes; Control parts comprising hydraulic means
- B23Q1/0027—Energy-transferring means or control lines for movable machine parts; Control panels or boxes; Control parts comprising hydraulic means between moving parts between which an uninterrupted energy-transfer connection is maintained
- B23Q1/0036—Energy-transferring means or control lines for movable machine parts; Control panels or boxes; Control parts comprising hydraulic means between moving parts between which an uninterrupted energy-transfer connection is maintained one of those parts being a tool
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23B—TURNING; BORING
- B23B31/00—Chucks; Expansion mandrels; Adaptations thereof for remote control
- B23B31/02—Chucks
- B23B31/24—Chucks characterised by features relating primarily to remote control of the gripping means
- B23B31/26—Chucks characterised by features relating primarily to remote control of the gripping means using mechanical transmission through the working-spindle
- B23B31/261—Chucks characterised by features relating primarily to remote control of the gripping means using mechanical transmission through the working-spindle clamping the end of the toolholder shank
- B23B31/263—Chucks characterised by features relating primarily to remote control of the gripping means using mechanical transmission through the working-spindle clamping the end of the toolholder shank by means of balls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23Q11/00—Accessories fitted to machine tools for keeping tools or parts of the machine in good working condition or for cooling work; Safety devices specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools
- B23Q11/10—Arrangements for cooling or lubricating tools or work
- B23Q11/1015—Arrangements for cooling or lubricating tools or work by supplying a cutting liquid through the spindle
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T409/00—Gear cutting, milling, or planing
- Y10T409/30—Milling
- Y10T409/303976—Milling with means to control temperature or lubricate
- Y10T409/304032—Cutter or work
Definitions
- the invention relates to a coolant passage connecting apparatus in a machine tool that connects coolant passages for supplying coolant fluid to a tool. More particularly, the invention relates to the coolant passage connecting apparatus that fluid-tightly connects a shaft's coolant passage formed on a main shaft, and a tool's coolant passage formed on a tool at an end of the main shaft.
- a known machine tool is structured to eject pressurized coolant fluid from a tip of a tool, which is attached to a main shaft, for cooling and lubricating a workpiece, as well as for removing cutting chips.
- a fluid-tight connection needs to be established between a shaft's coolant passage formed on the main shaft and the tool's coolant passage formed on the tool at an end of the main shaft, wherein the tool's coolant passage includes a coolant passage formed on a tool holder that fixedly holds the tool and is removably mounted on the main shaft.
- a known machine tool For the fluid-tight connection between the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage, a known machine tool has an O-ring or packing/stuffing on the main shaft.
- the O-ring or packing/stuffing presses around the periphery of an opening of the coolant passage in the tool holder.
- the coolant passages in the main shaft and the tool holder are fluid-tightly connected using the O-ring or packing/stuffing provided at the main shaft.
- a sealing member such as the O-ring and packing/stuffing, which is used for a long period, may sometimes allow coolant fluid to leak out, due to the wear and tear thereof. In this case, the sealing member needs to be replaced.
- Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-155783 discloses the replacement of the O-ring fitted on the inner surface of a coolant supply member at an end thereof, including a coolant passage formed on the main shaft, by removing a detachable member screwed on an end of the coolant supply member.
- the end of the coolant supply member, where the O-ring is fitted is disposed fairly inward from an end of a housing for the main shaft. Therefore, the replacement of the O-ring at the remote position is difficult and troublesome.
- a coolant passage connecting apparatus is provided in a machine tool.
- the machine tool has a main shaft formed with a shaft's coolant passage for supplying coolant fluid for a tool attached to a distal end of the main shaft.
- the shaft's coolant passage fluid-tightly connects to a tool's coolant passage formed on the tool.
- the coolant passage connecting apparatus may include a sealing member that prevents coolant fluid from leaking outwardly from a connecting portion between the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage, and a coolant nozzle detachably attached to the distal end of the main shaft.
- the coolant nozzle is formed with a hollow to be connected to the shaft's coolant passage and to the tool's coolant passage while the tool is mounted on the main shaft.
- the coolant nozzle detachably attaches the sealing member to the periphery of an opening to the shaft's coolant passage.
- the sealing member is pressed against a periphery of an opening of the coolant passage of the tool by the coolant nozzle.
- the sealing member is pressed against the periphery of the opening to the tool's coolant passage when the tool is attached to the main shaft, preventing coolant fluid from leaking outwardly from the connecting portion between the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage.
- the sealing member is attached to the coolant nozzle.
- the coolant nozzle is detachable from the distal end of the main shaft. This structure enables the sealing member and the coolant nozzle to be easily removed together.
- the hollow is formed in the coolant nozzle.
- the hollow is connected to the shaft's coolant passage and to the tool's coolant passage while the tool is mounted on the main shaft.
- the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage may be fluid-tightly connected with the aid of the sealing member.
- the sealing member is removed from the main shaft together with the coolant nozzle, as described above. This enables a user to replace the sealing member with a new one close at hand. If the coolant passage connecting apparatus is applied to a machine tool, coolant fluid leakage may be prevented in the main shaft, and the ease of maintenance improves.
- the coolant passage connecting apparatus may further include an urging member that urges the coolant nozzle toward a distal end of the main shaft, and a stopper member that is removably fixed to the main shaft and that stops the coolant nozzle on a side of the distal end of the main shaft by engagement therewith, so that the coolant nozzle is prevented from coming out toward the distal end of the main shaft.
- the proximal end of the coolant nozzle is fluid-tightly and slidably inserted into the shaft's coolant passage.
- the coolant nozzle inserted into the shaft's coolant passage is urged by the urging member toward the distal end of the main shaft, so that the sealing member is favorably pressed against the periphery of the opening to the tool's coolant passage, by an urging force of the urging member, especially when the sealing member is provided at the distal end of the coolant nozzle.
- coolant fluid leakage may be effectively prevented.
- the stopper member is removably fixed to the main shaft against the urging force, stopping the coolant nozzle on a side of the distal end of the main shaft.
- the coolant nozzle is prevented from coming out by the urging force toward the distal end of the main shaft.
- the coolant nozzle may easily be removed therefrom. In this structure, coolant fluid leakage may be effectively prevented and the sealing member, which is attached to the coolant nozzle, may be easily replaced.
- the coolant nozzle and the urging member can be removed together from the main shaft on a side of the distal end thereof.
- the coolant nozzle and the urging member can be removed together from the main shaft on the side of the distal end thereof, upon the removal of the stopper member from the main shaft, the urging member, such as a spring, may be replaced easily, in the cases where the urging member needs to be replaced due to the deterioration thereof with time.
- This structure enables the urging member to be easily replaced, leading to the improvement in the ease of maintenance for a machine tool.
- the urging member is disposed outside of the coolant nozzle.
- the urging member such as a spring
- the urging member may be subjected to corrosion by the coolant fluid.
- the urging member is disposed outside of the coolant nozzle, so that the urging member will not be subjected to corrosion by the coolant fluid.
- the spring conventionally needs to be made of a material having an excellent corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel (SUS), to prevent the corrosion of the spring by coolant fluid.
- a spring made of widely-used low-cost materials such as steel, can be used in the coolant passage connecting apparatus of the invention, because the spring will not be subjected to corrosion by the coolant fluid.
- the manufacturing cost is reduced while the corrosion of the urging member is prevented.
- the proximal end of the coolant nozzle is fluid-tightly and slidably inserted into the shaft's coolant passage.
- the coolant passage connecting apparatus may further include a second sealing member provided in a vicinity of the proximal end of the coolant nozzle. The second sealing member retains a fluid-tightness between an inner wall of the shaft's coolant passage and an outer periphery of the coolant nozzle.
- a sealing member is provided to retain the fluid-tightness between the inner wall of the shaft's coolant passage and the outer periphery of the coolant nozzle.
- a sealing member may prevent coolant fluid from leaking out at the proximal end of the coolant nozzle, so that the second sealing member is provided in the coolant passage connecting apparatus.
- the second sealing member may be removed from the main shaft together with the coolant nozzle when the coolant nozzle is removed from the main shaft.
- the second sealing member By removing the second sealing member from the main shaft together with the coolant nozzle, the second sealing member may be replaced with new one close at hand, similarly as the sealing member is replaced.
- coolant fluid leakage may be effectively prevented and the ease of maintenance in a machine tool improves.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main shaft near one end thereof to which a coolant passage connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main shaft near one end thereof in a modification of the embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the main shaft near one end thereof in another modification of the embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the main shaft near one end thereof in a further modification of the embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a main shaft 1 near one end thereof to which a coolant passage connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is applied.
- a housing (not shown) for the main shaft 1 is provided with a spindle 5 that is rotatably supported through a bearing 3 .
- the spindle 5 has a shaft through hole 5 A extending along the central axis of the spindle 5 .
- the spindle 5 On the side of the distal end (lower side in FIG. 1) of the shaft through hole 5 A, the spindle 5 has a tool attachment hole 5 B, the longitudinal cross section as shown in FIG. 1 having a trapezoidal shape.
- the tool attachment hole 5 B is structured so as to mount therein a tool holder 90 fixedly holding a tool (not shown).
- a pull stud 91 of the tool holder 90 which is seated in the tool attachment hole 5 B, is fixed to the spindle 5 by a known collet (not shown), so as to integrally rotate with the spindle 5 .
- a coolant supply member 7 is provided, so as to pass through a substantially central portion of the shaft through hole 5 A.
- a shaft's coolant passage 7 A is formed in the coolant supply member 7 .
- a supporting member 9 is provided between the outer surface of the coolant supply member 7 at the distal end thereof, and the inner wall of the shaft through hole 5 A.
- the supporting member 9 is connected by a screw with the coolant supply member 7 .
- the supporting member 9 can slide together with the coolant supply member 7 relative to the spindle 5 in the thrust (axial) directions.
- a large-diameter portion 7 B into which a proximal end portion 1 I A (upper end portion in FIG. 1) of a coolant nozzle 11 can be inserted.
- a distal end portion 11 B of the coolant nozzle 11 is larger in diameter than the proximal end portion 11 A of the nozzle 11 , and smaller in diameter than the proximal end face of the pull stud 91 .
- a coil spring 15 as an urging member, is compressingly provided between the flanged portion 11 C and a washer 13 , provided at the distal end face of the coolant supply member 7 .
- the coolant nozzle 11 is engaged with a stopper screw 17 , as a stopper member, which prevents the coolant nozzle 11 from coming out in the direction of the distal end of the spindle 5 (to the lower side in FIG. 1).
- the outer surface of the stopper screw 17 is screwed on the inner wall of the supporting member 9 near the distal end thereof.
- the stopper screw 17 has a hole 17 A in the substantially central portion thereof.
- the distal end portion 11 B of the coolant nozzle 11 is slidably inserted into the hole 17 A.
- the diameter of the hole 17 A is smaller than that of the flange portion 11 C.
- the stopper screw 17 engaged with the supporting member 9 , prevents the coolant nozzle 11 from coming out, as described above, against an urging force of the coil spring 15 .
- the distal end face of the coolant nozzle 11 makes contact with the proximal end face of the pull stud 91 , by the above-described urging force of the coil spring 15 .
- a ring-shaped groove 11 D is formed in the distal end face of the coolant nozzle 11 .
- the ring-shaped groove 11 D surrounds the outer circumference of an opening of a coolant passage 90 A in the tool holder 90 .
- An O-ring 19 is fitted within the ring-shaped groove 11 D.
- a hollow 11 E that connects the coolant passage 90 A of the tool holder 90 and the shaft's coolant passage 7 A.
- a recess 11 F is formed on the outer surface of the coolant nozzle 11 at the proximal end thereof.
- Fitted within the recess 11 F is an O-ring 21 , as a second sealing member, that retains fluid-tightness between the large-diameter portion 7 B of the shaft's coolant passage 7 A and the outer surface of the coolant nozzle 11 .
- Fitted over the outer surface of the coolant supply member 7 is an O-ring 23 that retains the fluid-tightness between the outer surface of the coolant supply member 7 and the supporting member 9 .
- Fitted over the outer surface of the supporting member 9 is an O-ring 25 that retains the fluid-tightness between the outer surface of the supporting member 9 and the shaft through hole 5 A.
- the tool holder 90 is inserted into the tool attachment hole 5 B and fixed by the above-described collet.
- the O-ring 19 is pressed against the proximal surface of the pull stud 91 , adjacent the opening to the coolant passage 90 A of the tool holder 90 , by the urging force of the coil spring 15 .
- the O-ring 19 prevents coolant fluid from leaking outwardly from the opening.
- the shaft's coolant passage 7 A and the coolant passage 90 A of the tool holder 90 are fluid-tightly connected, through the hollow 11 E of the coolant nozzle 11 .
- coolant fluid fed through the shaft's coolant passage 7 A can be effectively ejected from a tip of the tool without leaking.
- leakage of coolant fluid can be prevented more effectively by the O-ring 21 provided between the outer surface of the coolant nozzle 11 and the large-diameter portion 7 B of the shaft's coolant passage 7 A.
- the coolant nozzle 11 can be removed together with the O-ring 19 , the coil spring 15 , the washer 13 , and the O-ring 21 .
- a user can easily replace the O-rings 19 , 21 and the coil spring 15 with new ones close at hand.
- the O-rings 19 , 21 are removed from the coolant nozzle 11 , using a needle or pin. Then, new O-rings 19 , 21 are fitted within the ring-shaped groove 11 D and the recess 11 F, respectively. Thereafter, a new coil spring 15 is inserted over the coolant nozzle 11 .
- the coolant nozzle 11 with new O-rings 19 , 21 and the coil spring 15 mounted, may be set in the supporting member 9 .
- the stopper screw 17 is engaged with the supporting member 9 to prevent the coolant nozzle 11 from coming out.
- the replacement of the O-rings 19 , 21 and the coil spring 15 is completed.
- the operations of attaching or removing the coolant nozzle 11 and the stopper screw 17 become easier, if the supporting member 9 and the coolant supply member 7 are slid to the side of the distal end of the main shaft 1 , as much as possible.
- the ease of maintenance is greatly improved.
- the coil spring 15 is not subjected to corrosion by coolant fluid, because the coil spring 15 is inserted over the outer surface of the coolant nozzle 11 . Therefore, widely-used low-cost materials, such as steel, can be used for the coil spring 15 , leading to a manufacturing cost reduction while corrosion of the coil spring 15 is prevented.
- Machine tools are generally provided with a plurality of the tool holders for each tool.
- the sealing member is not necessarily provided for each of the tool holders, so that system costs will not increase.
- FIGS. 2 to 4 Modifications of the main shaft 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .
- the reference numerals in FIG. 1 designate similar components shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , and a detailed explanation thereof with respect to FIGS. 2 to 4 is omitted.
- the reference numerals in FIG. 2 also designate similar components shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and, so again, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.
- a screw hole 11 G is formed in the inner surface of the ring-shaped groove 11 D at the distal end portion 11 B of the coolant nozzle 11 .
- a detachable member 33 is screwed into the screw hole 11 G.
- the detachable member 33 is provided with a hollow 33 A having the same diameter as that of the hollow 11 E, so as to connect the hollow 11 E of the coolant nozzle 11 and the coolant passage 90 A of the tool holder 90 .
- Fitted on the inner wall of the screw hole 11 G is an O-ring 35 that retains the fluid-tightness between the outer surface of the detachable member 33 and the coolant nozzle 11 .
- the ring-shaped groove 11 D is formed on the detachable member 33 .
- the O-ring 35 is fixed to the detachable member 33 .
- the stopper screw 17 is not employed for the main shaft 51 . Instead, a stopper portion 9 A, which has substantially the same cross-sectional profile as the stopper screw 17 , is integrally formed with the supporting member 9 near the distal end thereof.
- the replacement of the coil spring 15 requires the disassembly of the shaft 51 from the proximal end thereof.
- the O-rings 19 , 35 are removed together with the detachable member 33 when the tool holder 90 is removed from the tool attachment hole 5 B and then the detachable member 33 is removed from the coolant nozzle 11 . Therefore, the O-rings 19 , 35 may be easily replaced, as described above in the embodiments employing the main shaft 31 .
- the coil spring 15 is inserted over the outer surface of the coolant nozzle 11 , so that the coil spring 15 will not be subjected to corrosion with coolant fluid, as described above in the embodiments employing the main shafts 1 , 31 .
- the O-ring 19 contacts the proximal end face of the pull stud 91 .
- the O-ring 19 may contact the inner wall of a coolant passage 190 A of a tool holder 190 .
- the coolant passage 190 a of the tool holder 190 has a large-diameter portion 190 B at the proximal end thereof.
- the coolant nozzle 11 of the main shaft 71 has a protrusion 11 H at the distal end thereof.
- the protrusion 11 H is engaged with the large-diameter portion 190 B.
- the O-ring 19 is fitted over the outer surface of the protrusion 11 H.
- the O-ring 19 may be provided so as to contact the proximal end face of the pull stud 91 , or so as to contact the inner wall of the coolant passage 190 A of the tool holder 190 .
- the effect of urging the coolant nozzle 11 by the coil spring 15 is more noticeable in the former case, that is, when the O-ring 19 is provided at the distal end of the coolant nozzle 11 , so as to press against the proximal end face of the pull stud 91 .
- a packing or stuffing may be used.
- a coil spring is used as an urging member.
- a rubber or elastic material, or a plate spring may also be used.
- the urging member may not be necessarily provided.
- a member similar to the detachable member 33 shown in FIG. 3 may be directly provided at the end of the coolant supply member 7 .
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of Invention
- The invention relates to a coolant passage connecting apparatus in a machine tool that connects coolant passages for supplying coolant fluid to a tool. More particularly, the invention relates to the coolant passage connecting apparatus that fluid-tightly connects a shaft's coolant passage formed on a main shaft, and a tool's coolant passage formed on a tool at an end of the main shaft.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- A known machine tool is structured to eject pressurized coolant fluid from a tip of a tool, which is attached to a main shaft, for cooling and lubricating a workpiece, as well as for removing cutting chips. To eject coolant fluid to a workpiece from an end of a coolant passage formed on a tool, a fluid-tight connection needs to be established between a shaft's coolant passage formed on the main shaft and the tool's coolant passage formed on the tool at an end of the main shaft, wherein the tool's coolant passage includes a coolant passage formed on a tool holder that fixedly holds the tool and is removably mounted on the main shaft.
- For the fluid-tight connection between the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage, a known machine tool has an O-ring or packing/stuffing on the main shaft. For example, when the tool holder is mounted on the main shaft, the O-ring or packing/stuffing presses around the periphery of an opening of the coolant passage in the tool holder. Thus, the coolant passages in the main shaft and the tool holder are fluid-tightly connected using the O-ring or packing/stuffing provided at the main shaft.
- However, a sealing member, such as the O-ring and packing/stuffing, which is used for a long period, may sometimes allow coolant fluid to leak out, due to the wear and tear thereof. In this case, the sealing member needs to be replaced. However, in the above-described tool machine it is very difficult to replace the sealing member. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-155783 discloses the replacement of the O-ring fitted on the inner surface of a coolant supply member at an end thereof, including a coolant passage formed on the main shaft, by removing a detachable member screwed on an end of the coolant supply member. However, the end of the coolant supply member, where the O-ring is fitted, is disposed fairly inward from an end of a housing for the main shaft. Therefore, the replacement of the O-ring at the remote position is difficult and troublesome.
- One aspect of the invention is to provide a coolant passage connecting apparatus in a machine tool, the machine tool having a main shaft formed with a shaft's coolant passage for supplying coolant fluid for a tool attached to a distal end of the main shaft, the shaft's coolant passage fluid-tightly connecting to a coolant passage formed on the tool, wherein a sealing member prevents coolant fluid leakage by pressing a periphery of an opening to the tool's coolant passage, that is easily replaced.
- According to one aspect of the invention, a coolant passage connecting apparatus is provided in a machine tool. The machine tool has a main shaft formed with a shaft's coolant passage for supplying coolant fluid for a tool attached to a distal end of the main shaft. The shaft's coolant passage fluid-tightly connects to a tool's coolant passage formed on the tool. The coolant passage connecting apparatus may include a sealing member that prevents coolant fluid from leaking outwardly from a connecting portion between the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage, and a coolant nozzle detachably attached to the distal end of the main shaft. The coolant nozzle is formed with a hollow to be connected to the shaft's coolant passage and to the tool's coolant passage while the tool is mounted on the main shaft. The coolant nozzle detachably attaches the sealing member to the periphery of an opening to the shaft's coolant passage. The sealing member is pressed against a periphery of an opening of the coolant passage of the tool by the coolant nozzle.
- In the coolant passage connecting apparatus of the invention, the sealing member is pressed against the periphery of the opening to the tool's coolant passage when the tool is attached to the main shaft, preventing coolant fluid from leaking outwardly from the connecting portion between the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage. The sealing member is attached to the coolant nozzle. The coolant nozzle is detachable from the distal end of the main shaft. This structure enables the sealing member and the coolant nozzle to be easily removed together.
- The hollow is formed in the coolant nozzle. The hollow is connected to the shaft's coolant passage and to the tool's coolant passage while the tool is mounted on the main shaft. In the coolant passage connecting apparatus, the shaft's coolant passage and the tool's coolant passage may be fluid-tightly connected with the aid of the sealing member. In addition, the sealing member is removed from the main shaft together with the coolant nozzle, as described above. This enables a user to replace the sealing member with a new one close at hand. If the coolant passage connecting apparatus is applied to a machine tool, coolant fluid leakage may be prevented in the main shaft, and the ease of maintenance improves.
- A proximal end of the coolant nozzle is fluid-tightly and slidably inserted into the shaft's coolant passage. The coolant passage connecting apparatus may further include an urging member that urges the coolant nozzle toward a distal end of the main shaft, and a stopper member that is removably fixed to the main shaft and that stops the coolant nozzle on a side of the distal end of the main shaft by engagement therewith, so that the coolant nozzle is prevented from coming out toward the distal end of the main shaft.
- In the coolant passage connecting apparatus, the proximal end of the coolant nozzle is fluid-tightly and slidably inserted into the shaft's coolant passage. The coolant nozzle inserted into the shaft's coolant passage is urged by the urging member toward the distal end of the main shaft, so that the sealing member is favorably pressed against the periphery of the opening to the tool's coolant passage, by an urging force of the urging member, especially when the sealing member is provided at the distal end of the coolant nozzle. Thus, coolant fluid leakage may be effectively prevented.
- The stopper member is removably fixed to the main shaft against the urging force, stopping the coolant nozzle on a side of the distal end of the main shaft. When the stopper member is engaged with the main shaft, the coolant nozzle is prevented from coming out by the urging force toward the distal end of the main shaft. As the stopper member is removed from the main shaft, the coolant nozzle may easily be removed therefrom. In this structure, coolant fluid leakage may be effectively prevented and the sealing member, which is attached to the coolant nozzle, may be easily replaced.
- When the stopper member is removed from the main shaft, the coolant nozzle and the urging member can be removed together from the main shaft on a side of the distal end thereof.
- Because the coolant nozzle and the urging member can be removed together from the main shaft on the side of the distal end thereof, upon the removal of the stopper member from the main shaft, the urging member, such as a spring, may be replaced easily, in the cases where the urging member needs to be replaced due to the deterioration thereof with time. This structure enables the urging member to be easily replaced, leading to the improvement in the ease of maintenance for a machine tool.
- The urging member is disposed outside of the coolant nozzle. When the urging member, such as a spring, is disposed inside of the coolant passage, the urging member may be subjected to corrosion by the coolant fluid. In the coolant passage connecting apparatus of the invention, the urging member is disposed outside of the coolant nozzle, so that the urging member will not be subjected to corrosion by the coolant fluid. For example, when a spring is used as the urging member, the spring conventionally needs to be made of a material having an excellent corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel (SUS), to prevent the corrosion of the spring by coolant fluid. However, a spring made of widely-used low-cost materials, such as steel, can be used in the coolant passage connecting apparatus of the invention, because the spring will not be subjected to corrosion by the coolant fluid. Thus, the manufacturing cost is reduced while the corrosion of the urging member is prevented.
- The proximal end of the coolant nozzle is fluid-tightly and slidably inserted into the shaft's coolant passage. The coolant passage connecting apparatus may further include a second sealing member provided in a vicinity of the proximal end of the coolant nozzle. The second sealing member retains a fluid-tightness between an inner wall of the shaft's coolant passage and an outer periphery of the coolant nozzle.
- When the proximal end of the coolant nozzle is fluid-tightly and slidably inserted into the shaft's coolant passage, it is preferable that a sealing member is provided to retain the fluid-tightness between the inner wall of the shaft's coolant passage and the outer periphery of the coolant nozzle. Such a sealing member may prevent coolant fluid from leaking out at the proximal end of the coolant nozzle, so that the second sealing member is provided in the coolant passage connecting apparatus. The second sealing member may be removed from the main shaft together with the coolant nozzle when the coolant nozzle is removed from the main shaft.
- By removing the second sealing member from the main shaft together with the coolant nozzle, the second sealing member may be replaced with new one close at hand, similarly as the sealing member is replaced. In the coolant passage connecting apparatus of the invention, coolant fluid leakage may be effectively prevented and the ease of maintenance in a machine tool improves.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main shaft near one end thereof to which a coolant passage connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main shaft near one end thereof in a modification of the embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the main shaft near one end thereof in another modification of the embodiment; and
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the main shaft near one end thereof in a further modification of the embodiment.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures. FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a
main shaft 1 near one end thereof to which a coolant passage connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. A housing (not shown) for themain shaft 1 is provided with aspindle 5 that is rotatably supported through abearing 3. Thespindle 5 has a shaft throughhole 5A extending along the central axis of thespindle 5. On the side of the distal end (lower side in FIG. 1) of the shaft throughhole 5A, thespindle 5 has atool attachment hole 5B, the longitudinal cross section as shown in FIG. 1 having a trapezoidal shape. Thetool attachment hole 5B, is structured so as to mount therein atool holder 90 fixedly holding a tool (not shown). Apull stud 91 of thetool holder 90, which is seated in thetool attachment hole 5B, is fixed to thespindle 5 by a known collet (not shown), so as to integrally rotate with thespindle 5. - A
coolant supply member 7 is provided, so as to pass through a substantially central portion of the shaft throughhole 5A. In thecoolant supply member 7, a shaft'scoolant passage 7A is formed. A supportingmember 9 is provided between the outer surface of thecoolant supply member 7 at the distal end thereof, and the inner wall of the shaft throughhole 5A. The supportingmember 9 is connected by a screw with thecoolant supply member 7. The supportingmember 9 can slide together with thecoolant supply member 7 relative to thespindle 5 in the thrust (axial) directions. - Formed at the end of the shaft's
coolant passage 7A is a large-diameter portion 7B into which a proximal end portion 1I A (upper end portion in FIG. 1) of acoolant nozzle 11 can be inserted. Adistal end portion 11B of thecoolant nozzle 11 is larger in diameter than theproximal end portion 11A of thenozzle 11, and smaller in diameter than the proximal end face of thepull stud 91. Formed on thedistal end portion 11B, on the side of the proximal end thereof, is aflanged portion 11C which is larger in diameter than thedistal end portion 11B. Acoil spring 15, as an urging member, is compressingly provided between theflanged portion 11C and awasher 13, provided at the distal end face of thecoolant supply member 7. Thecoolant nozzle 11 is engaged with astopper screw 17, as a stopper member, which prevents thecoolant nozzle 11 from coming out in the direction of the distal end of the spindle 5 (to the lower side in FIG. 1). - The outer surface of the
stopper screw 17 is screwed on the inner wall of the supportingmember 9 near the distal end thereof. Thestopper screw 17 has ahole 17A in the substantially central portion thereof. Thedistal end portion 11B of thecoolant nozzle 11 is slidably inserted into thehole 17A. The diameter of thehole 17A is smaller than that of theflange portion 11C. Thestopper screw 17, engaged with the supportingmember 9, prevents thecoolant nozzle 11 from coming out, as described above, against an urging force of thecoil spring 15. The distal end face of thecoolant nozzle 11 makes contact with the proximal end face of thepull stud 91, by the above-described urging force of thecoil spring 15. In the distal end face of thecoolant nozzle 11, a ring-shapedgroove 11D is formed. The ring-shapedgroove 11D surrounds the outer circumference of an opening of acoolant passage 90A in thetool holder 90. An O-ring 19, as a sealing member, is fitted within the ring-shapedgroove 11D. - Formed in the substantially central portion of the
coolant nozzle 11 is a hollow 11E that connects thecoolant passage 90A of thetool holder 90 and the shaft'scoolant passage 7A. Arecess 11F is formed on the outer surface of thecoolant nozzle 11 at the proximal end thereof. Fitted within therecess 11F is an O-ring 21, as a second sealing member, that retains fluid-tightness between the large-diameter portion 7B of the shaft'scoolant passage 7A and the outer surface of thecoolant nozzle 11. Fitted over the outer surface of thecoolant supply member 7 is an O-ring 23 that retains the fluid-tightness between the outer surface of thecoolant supply member 7 and the supportingmember 9. Fitted over the outer surface of the supportingmember 9 is an O-ring 25 that retains the fluid-tightness between the outer surface of the supportingmember 9 and the shaft throughhole 5A. - The
tool holder 90 is inserted into thetool attachment hole 5B and fixed by the above-described collet. The O-ring 19 is pressed against the proximal surface of thepull stud 91, adjacent the opening to thecoolant passage 90A of thetool holder 90, by the urging force of thecoil spring 15. The O-ring 19 prevents coolant fluid from leaking outwardly from the opening. The shaft'scoolant passage 7A and thecoolant passage 90A of thetool holder 90 are fluid-tightly connected, through the hollow 11E of thecoolant nozzle 11. - Thus, coolant fluid fed through the shaft's
coolant passage 7A can be effectively ejected from a tip of the tool without leaking. In addition, leakage of coolant fluid can be prevented more effectively by the O-ring 21 provided between the outer surface of thecoolant nozzle 11 and the large-diameter portion 7B of the shaft'scoolant passage 7A. - When the
tool holder 90 is removed from thetool attachment hole 5B and, then, thestopper screw 17 is removed from the supportingmember 9 using a specific tool, thecoolant nozzle 11 can be removed together with the O-ring 19, thecoil spring 15, thewasher 13, and the O-ring 21. A user can easily replace the O-rings coil spring 15 with new ones close at hand. For example, the O-rings coolant nozzle 11, using a needle or pin. Then, new O-rings groove 11D and therecess 11F, respectively. Thereafter, anew coil spring 15 is inserted over thecoolant nozzle 11. Thecoolant nozzle 11 with new O-rings coil spring 15 mounted, may be set in the supportingmember 9. - Thereafter, the
stopper screw 17 is engaged with the supportingmember 9 to prevent thecoolant nozzle 11 from coming out. Thus, the replacement of the O-rings coil spring 15 is completed. The operations of attaching or removing thecoolant nozzle 11 and thestopper screw 17 become easier, if the supportingmember 9 and thecoolant supply member 7 are slid to the side of the distal end of themain shaft 1, as much as possible. In such a machine tool that includes themain shaft 1 of the embodiment, the ease of maintenance is greatly improved. In addition, thecoil spring 15 is not subjected to corrosion by coolant fluid, because thecoil spring 15 is inserted over the outer surface of thecoolant nozzle 11. Therefore, widely-used low-cost materials, such as steel, can be used for thecoil spring 15, leading to a manufacturing cost reduction while corrosion of thecoil spring 15 is prevented. - Machine tools are generally provided with a plurality of the tool holders for each tool. In the above-described embodiment, the sealing member is not necessarily provided for each of the tool holders, so that system costs will not increase.
- Modifications of the
main shaft 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. It is to be noted that the reference numerals in FIG. 1 designate similar components shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and a detailed explanation thereof with respect to FIGS. 2 to 4 is omitted. The reference numerals in FIG. 2 also designate similar components shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and, so again, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted. - In a
main shaft 31 shown in FIG. 2, ascrew hole 11G is formed in the inner surface of the ring-shapedgroove 11D at thedistal end portion 11B of thecoolant nozzle 11. Adetachable member 33 is screwed into thescrew hole 11G. Thedetachable member 33 is provided with a hollow 33A having the same diameter as that of the hollow 11E, so as to connect the hollow 11E of thecoolant nozzle 11 and thecoolant passage 90A of thetool holder 90. Fitted on the inner wall of thescrew hole 11G is an O-ring 35 that retains the fluid-tightness between the outer surface of thedetachable member 33 and thecoolant nozzle 11. - In the thus structured
main shaft 31, when the O-ring 19 is replaced with new one, thecoolant nozzle 11 is first removed, as described above. Then, thedetachable member 33 is removed from thecoolant nozzle 11. The O-ring 19 is fitted between the outer surface of thedetachable member 33 and the ring-shapedgroove 11D. Thus, the O-ring 19 is easily replaced. - Differences between the
coolant nozzle 11 of themain shaft 51 shown in FIG. 3 and thecoolant nozzle 11 of themain shaft 31 in FIG. 2, will be described below. In theshaft 51, the ring-shapedgroove 11D is formed on thedetachable member 33. The O-ring 35 is fixed to thedetachable member 33. Thestopper screw 17 is not employed for themain shaft 51. Instead, astopper portion 9A, which has substantially the same cross-sectional profile as thestopper screw 17, is integrally formed with the supportingmember 9 near the distal end thereof. - In the above-described
main shaft 51, the replacement of thecoil spring 15 requires the disassembly of theshaft 51 from the proximal end thereof. The O-rings detachable member 33 when thetool holder 90 is removed from thetool attachment hole 5B and then thedetachable member 33 is removed from thecoolant nozzle 11. Therefore, the O-rings main shaft 31. Thecoil spring 15 is inserted over the outer surface of thecoolant nozzle 11, so that thecoil spring 15 will not be subjected to corrosion with coolant fluid, as described above in the embodiments employing themain shafts - In above-described embodiments, the O-
ring 19 contacts the proximal end face of thepull stud 91. However, the O-ring 19, as provided in amain shaft 71 shown in FIG. 4, may contact the inner wall of acoolant passage 190A of atool holder 190. As shown in FIG. 4, the coolant passage 190 a of thetool holder 190 has a large-diameter portion 190B at the proximal end thereof. Thecoolant nozzle 11 of themain shaft 71 has aprotrusion 11H at the distal end thereof. Theprotrusion 11H is engaged with the large-diameter portion 190B. The O-ring 19 is fitted over the outer surface of theprotrusion 11H. - As described above, the O-
ring 19 may be provided so as to contact the proximal end face of thepull stud 91, or so as to contact the inner wall of thecoolant passage 190A of thetool holder 190. However, the effect of urging thecoolant nozzle 11 by thecoil spring 15 is more noticeable in the former case, that is, when the O-ring 19 is provided at the distal end of thecoolant nozzle 11, so as to press against the proximal end face of thepull stud 91. - While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular forms shown in the foregoing embodiments. Various modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
- For example, although the foregoing embodiments employ an O-ring as a sealing member, a packing or stuffing may be used. In the above-described embodiments, a coil spring is used as an urging member. However, a rubber or elastic material, or a plate spring may also be used. Further, the urging member may not be necessarily provided. For example, a member similar to the
detachable member 33 shown in FIG. 3 may be directly provided at the end of thecoolant supply member 7.
Claims (22)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000-212971 | 2000-07-13 | ||
JP2000212971A JP4882138B2 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2000-07-13 | Coolant flow path connection mechanism |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020005228A1 true US20020005228A1 (en) | 2002-01-17 |
US6435232B2 US6435232B2 (en) | 2002-08-20 |
Family
ID=18708804
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/801,660 Expired - Lifetime US6435232B2 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2001-03-09 | Coolant passage connecting apparatus for a machine tool |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6435232B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4882138B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10113533B4 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1402999A1 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2004-03-31 | Horkos Corp | Main shaft device for machine tools |
EP2719489A1 (en) * | 2012-10-11 | 2014-04-16 | Seco Tools Ab | Toolholder with moving ball clamping arrangement and cutting tool having a toolholder and a replaceable cutting head |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3261578B2 (en) * | 1999-07-09 | 2002-03-04 | ホーコス株式会社 | Spindle device of machine tool |
DE60326836D1 (en) * | 2002-05-23 | 2009-05-07 | Bekaert Sa Nv | METAL ROPE |
DE102004021082A1 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-17 | Bilz Werkzeugfabrik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Quick-change insert for tools, especially for taps |
WO2006029064A2 (en) * | 2004-09-07 | 2006-03-16 | Unist, Inc. | Rotary coupler with bearing lubrication |
DE102010013430A1 (en) * | 2010-01-14 | 2011-07-21 | Bilz Werkzeugfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, 73760 | Chuck for tools |
JP6616581B2 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2019-12-04 | 株式会社アルプスツール | Clamping device |
CN111195829B (en) * | 2020-01-09 | 2021-08-24 | 重庆川普机械有限公司 | Blowing nozzle for cleaning slag of motorcycle cylinder cover |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3889983A (en) * | 1974-04-15 | 1975-06-17 | Duff Norton Co | Rotary fluid joint |
DD204648A1 (en) * | 1981-12-28 | 1983-12-07 | Dieter Guenther | FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR GAS AND LIQUID MEDIA IN A TOOL MACHINE WORKING SPINDLE |
DD244936A1 (en) * | 1985-12-23 | 1987-04-22 | Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Union | DEVICE FOR LOCKING THE COUNTERFLOW DIRECTION IN A TOOL MACHINE WORKING SPINDLE |
DE8703268U1 (en) * | 1987-03-04 | 1988-07-07 | A. Ott Gmbh, 8960 Kempten, De | |
JPH0192345A (en) * | 1987-06-17 | 1989-04-11 | Mazda Motor Corp | Heat treatment of al alloy castings |
JPH08155783A (en) | 1994-12-06 | 1996-06-18 | Hitachi Seiki Co Ltd | Holding structure for coolant leakage preventing member |
JPH106161A (en) * | 1996-06-18 | 1998-01-13 | Fuji Seiko Kk | Tool holder |
-
2000
- 2000-07-13 JP JP2000212971A patent/JP4882138B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-03-09 US US09/801,660 patent/US6435232B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-20 DE DE10113533A patent/DE10113533B4/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1402999A1 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2004-03-31 | Horkos Corp | Main shaft device for machine tools |
EP1402999A4 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2005-04-13 | Horkos Corp | Main shaft device for machine tools |
EP2719489A1 (en) * | 2012-10-11 | 2014-04-16 | Seco Tools Ab | Toolholder with moving ball clamping arrangement and cutting tool having a toolholder and a replaceable cutting head |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP4882138B2 (en) | 2012-02-22 |
DE10113533B4 (en) | 2008-05-29 |
DE10113533A1 (en) | 2002-01-24 |
JP2002028837A (en) | 2002-01-29 |
US6435232B2 (en) | 2002-08-20 |
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