WO2007043780A1

WO2007043780A1 - Apparatus for separating chips in coolant oil

Info

Publication number: WO2007043780A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyungseop Youn
Original assignee: Jeon Sung Kuemsok Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2006-10-09
Publication date: 2007-04-19

Abstract

An apparatus for separating chips in coolant oil comprises a chip separation device for separating coarse chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, through a partitioning filter; a chip separation device for separating fine chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet; or a primary chip separation device for separating coarse chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, through a partitioning filter, and a secondary chip separation device for separating fine chips by passing coolant oil from which the coarse chips have been removed by the primary chip separation device, over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING CHIPS IN COOLANT OIL

Technical Field

The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for separating chips in coolant oil, and more particularly, to an apparatus for separating chips in coolant oil, which, unlike the conventional chip separation apparatus having a magnetic drum and a complicated structure, can separate large-sized chips by primarily passing, through a partitioning filter, coolant oil contaminated with various chips in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, and small-sized chips remaining in the coolant oil by secondarily passing the coolant oil over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet, thereby improving chip separation efficiency while having a simple structure.

Background Art

As is generally known in the art, a chip separation apparatus uses a magnet and separates and

removes chips including scraps of iron and impurities which are mixed in coolant oil used in industrial

machines including plastic working machines such as grinding machines, metal cutting machines and

rolling machines, so that the coolant oil can be repeatedly used in a purified state.

A conventional apparatus for separating chips from coolant oil, which is used to remove

chips including scraps of iron and impurities mixed in coolant oil, is shown in FIG. 1.

The chip separation apparatus 1 has a frame body part 2 in which a magnetic drum 3 is

arranged. A ringer roll 4 is installed on the upper part of the frame body part 2 to be brought into

contact with the circumferential outer surface of the magnetic drum 3. A chip separation guide plate 5

is disposed opposite the ringer roll 4. A coolant oil inlet 6 is formed on one side of the frame body part 2, and a coolant oil passage 7 is defined below the magnetic drum 3. Coolant oil is introduced

through the coolant oil inlet 6 into the coolant oil passage 7. A coolant oil outlet 9 is formed below the

coolant oil inlet 6, and a vertical wall 8 is erected between the frame body part 2 and the coolant oil

outlet 9.

In the chip separation apparatus 1 constructed as described above, as coolant oil used in a

grinding machine or a rolling machine flows into the coolant oil passage 7 defined below the magnetic

drum 3, through the coolant oil inlet 6 formed on one side of the frame body part 2, chips are separated

from coolant oil, and are removed while passing through the ringer roll 4 and the chip separation guide

plate 5. The coolant oil from which the chips have been removed flows over the vertical wall 8

erected adjacent to the coolant oil outlet 9, and is then discharged through the coolant oil outlet 9.

However, in the conventional chip separation apparatus 1, a driving device such as a motor is

needed, so the manufacturing cost is high and the structure is complicated. Also, when the chip

separation guide plate 5 made of brass comes into close contact with the magnetic drum 3, it damages

the magnetic drum 3, so that periodic repair or replacement of the magnetic drum 3 is required. Due

to this fact, working efficiency decreases, and economic efficiency is deteriorated. Above all, because

the chip separation apparatus 1 adopts a system in which chips are removed while the magnetic drum 3

rotates, chip separation force is not substantial, which leads to low efficiency. Further, when using non¬

aqueous coolant oil, a serious problem is caused in that, due to the high viscosity of the coolant oil, the

chip separation rate reaches only about 10%.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems

occurring in the current art, and the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for

separating chips in coolant oil, which has a simple structure so as to decrease a manufacturing cost and

avoid breakdowns, which prevents a magnet from being damaged, thus increasing durability and

obtaining high economic efficiency, and which removes about 90% or more of chips from coolant oil.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for separating chips from coolant oil, capable of separating chips including scraps of iron and impurities which are mixed in coolant oil used in industrial machines including plastic working machines such as grinding machines, metal cutting machines and rolling machines. The apparatus comprises a chip separation device for separating coarse chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, through a partitioning filter, a chip separation device for separating fine chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet; or a primary chip separation device for separating coarse chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, through a partitioning filter, and a secondary chip separation device for separating fine chips by passing coolant oil, from which the coarse chips have been removed by the primary chip separation device, over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the primary chip separation device comprises an outer tank which is opened at an upper end thereof, and an inner tank which is opened at an upper end thereof, is less bulky than the outer tank and is removably received in the outer tank; one wall of the inner tank, which faces the inside space of the outer tank which is not occupied by the inner tank, comprises the partitioning filter for separating chips having a predetermined size or larger in coolant oil; and a coolant oil discharge pipe is connected to an upper portion of one side wall of the outer tank, which faces the inside space of the outer tank not occupied by the inner tank. According to another aspect of the present invention, handles are fastened to upper portions of both side walls of the inner tank.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the partitioning filter comprises a filter and a frame which is connected to the edges of the filter to support the filter, and is removably fitted into guides which are formed on both widthwise ends of one wall of the inner tank to support the frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the primary chip separation device is open at an upper end thereof; the partitioning filter for separating chips having a predetermined size or larger from coolant oil is vertically installed in the primary chip separation device to divide the inside space of the primary chip separation device; the coolant oil discharge pipe is connected to the lower end of one wall of the primary chip separation device; and the primary chip separation device is installed in a manner such that coolant oil discharged through the coolant oil discharge pipe is directed onto the chip separation plate of the secondary chip separation device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the partitioning filter comprises a filter and a frame which is connected to the edges of the filter to support the filter, and is removably fitted into guides which are formed on inner surfaces of both side walls of the outer tank to support the frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the secondary chip separation device, an oil introduction part for receiving coolant oil discharged from a centerless grinding machine or the primary chip separation device is defined adjacent to an upper end of the chip separation plate which is installed to be inclined with respect to an opening of a coolant oil tank; at least one magnet for attracting chips comprising scraps of iron is attached to a lower surface of the chip separation plate; and dams for distributing coolant oil introduced onto the chip separation plate over the entire upper surface of the chip separation plate and for increasing the time that the coolant oil remains on the chip separation plate project from the upper surface of the chip separation plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a chip discharge opening is defined adjacent to the upper end of the chip separation plate to be positioned higher than the oil introduction part; and a chip collection box for collecting chips discharged through the chip discharge opening is disposed below the chip discharge opening. According to another aspect of the present invention, blocking walls for preventing the overflow of coolant oil are formed on both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, handles to be grasped when coupling or decoupling the secondary chip separation device around and from the opening of the coolant oil tank are installed on both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate. According to another aspect of the present invention, a cover for preventing foreign substances from being introduced into the coolant oil flowing over the chip separation plate is installed above the chip separation plate and is positioned at a predetermined height from the chip separation plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the secondary chip separation device, a plurality of magnet supports is fastened on the coolant oil tank around the opening; a magnet plate is placed on the magnet supports; a case which is opened at upper and lower ends thereof to permit the passage of coolant oil is arranged on the coolant oil tank in a manner such that the walls of the case are separated from the magnet plate by a predetermined distance and lower ends of the walls of the case are brought into close contact with the upper surface of the coolant oil tank; a funnel is seated on the upper end of the case such that the center opening of the funnel is aligned with the center portion of the magnet plate; and a filter part is installed on the funnel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the chip separation plate, which is formed of a non-magnetic material, is installed to cover the upper and side surfaces of the magnet plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, walls having a predetermined height project from the edges of the chip separation plate to surround the upper surface of the chip separation plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hole is defined through the center portion of the magnet plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the filter part comprises a filter support net which is supported by the upper end of the funnel, and a filter which is placed on the filter support net.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the magnet and the magnet plate comprise a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a circulation pump for circulating purified coolant oil collected in the coolant oil tank to the centerless grinding machine is installed on the coolant oil tank.

Description of Drawings

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become

more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the

drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional apparatus for separating

chips, which is mounted to a grinding machine;

FIG. 2 is a structural view illustrating a centerless grinding machine to which a primary chip separation device and a secondary chip separation device for separating chips from contaminated coolant oil are mounted;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating the primary chip separation device

shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the

primary chip separation device shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the secondary chip separation device shown in FIG.

2;

FIGs. 6 and 7 are a side view and a plan view illustrating the secondary chip separation

device shown in FIG.2;

FIGs. 8 and 9 are a cross-sectional view and a plan view illustrating another embodiment of

the secondary chip separation device shown in FIGs. 5 through 7; and

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the main part of the secondary

chip separation device shown in FIGs. 8 and 9.

10: primary chip separation device

11: wheel

12: outer tank 13: coolant oil discharge pipe

14: inner tank 15, 29: handles 16: guide 17: partitioning filter

18, 52: filters 19: frame

20: secondary chip separation device

21, 48: chip separation plates

22a, 22b: dams 23: chip discharge opening

24: magnet 25 : oil introduction part

26: blocking wall 27: oil outlet space

28 : cover 30: coolant oil tank

31, 32: openings 35: circulation pump

36: chip collection box

37: inward flange

40: workpiece supply hopper

41 : magnet support element

42: magnet plate 43: side wall

44: case 45: funnel

46: hole 47: filter part

49: wall 50: supply conveyor

51 : filter support net 60: blade

70: grinding wheel 80: centerless grindin

90: discharge conveyor

Best Mode Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FlG.2 illustrates the construction of a centerless grinding machine 80 which is equipped with an apparatus for separating chips from coolant oil in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As a workpiece, such as a round bar, is supplied from a workpiece supply hopper 40 onto an input conveyor 50, the workpiece is conveyed on the input conveyor 50 and is placed on a blade 60.

Then, as the workpiece is disposed and grinded between two grinding wheels 70, the workpiece passes over the blade 60. The workpiece having passed through the grinding machine 80 is moved onto a product discharge conveyor 90 to be transferred to a subsequent process.

While the workpiece is grinded, coolant oil is supplied from the top of the grinding machine 80, and the chips produced by grinding the workpiece are discharged in a state in which they are contained in the coolant oil. The coolant oil containing the chips discharged from the grinding machine 80 is supplied to a chip separation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The chip separation apparatus comprises a primary chip separation device 10 for separating coarse chips and a secondary chip separation device 20 for separating fine chips. After the coolant oil is discharged from the grinding machine 80, it sequentially passes through the primary chip separation device 10 and the secondary chip separation device 20, and is introduced into a coolant oil tank 30. The coolant oil collected in the coolant oil tank 30 is circulated to the grinding machine 80 through a circulation pump 35. The primary chip separation device 10 is disposed next to the grinding machine 80. The reason for this is described below. That is, in the case where the coolant oil discharged from the grinding machine 80 is directly supplied to the secondary chip separation device 20, since the filter of the secondary chip separation device 20 is likely to be clogged by the coarse chips, the flow of coolant oil is hindered, and the cycle of the operation for removing the chips separated by the secondary chip separation device 20 and a filter replacement cycle are shortened, whereby work efficiency is deteriorated.

While it was described in the above embodiment that the primary chip separation device 10 and the secondary chip separation device 20 are simultaneously used, it is to be readily understood that the present invention is not limited to this example. Therefore, it can be envisaged that, when the chips can be sufficiently removed using only the primary chip separation device 10, depending upon the kind of machining work, the primary chip separation device 10 can be used alone, and that, when a small amount of chips is discharged or no coarse chips are discharged, the secondary chip separation device 20 can be used alone. Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the primary chip separation device 10 functions to separate various chips containing scraps of iron and impurities, and comprises an outer tank 12 and an inner tank 14 which can accommodate coolant oil therein. The inner tank 14 serves as a component part separated from the outer tank 12 such that it can be removed from the outer tank 12. The volume of the inner tank 14 corresponds to half that of the outer tank 12. Therefore, when the inner tank 14 is received in the outer tank 12 and is positioned at one end inside the outer tank 12, the space inside the outer tank 12 is divided into two spaces, that is, one space which is occupied by the inner tank 14 and the other space which is not occupied by the inner tank 14. The front wall of the inner tank 14, which is positioned at the boundary between the two spaces defined in the outer tank 12, is removed, and a partitioning filter 17 is removably installed in the place from which the front wall of the inner tank 14 was removed. A pair of handles 15 is fastened to the upper portions of the outer surfaces of both side walls of the inner tank 14 so that the inner tank 14 can be easily grasped and lifted as the occasion demands. A coolant oil discharge pipe 13 is connected to the upper portion of the right side wall of the outer tank 12 so that coolant oil can be discharged when the coolant oil is charged in the outer tank 12 to the level of the coolant oil discharge pipe 13.

The partitioning filter 17 comprises a filter 18 which is formed of woven fabric and a rectangular frame 19 which is connected to the edges of the filter 18. The filter 18 is fitted into the frame 19 and is supported in a tensed state. Guides 16, each having a substantially U-shaped cross- section, are respectively secured to the free ends of both side walls of the inner tank 14 between which the partitioning filter 17 is placed, so that the frame 19 of the partitioning filter 17 is fitted into the guides 16 and can be slid upward or downward. FlG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the primary chip separation device 10. M this embodiment, the inner tank is not provided, and instead, the guides 16 are secured to the inner surfaces of both side walls of the outer tank 12. Therefore, the partitioning filter 17 is directly installed in the outer tank 12. Also, wheels 11 are provided on the bottom wall of the outer tank 12 so that the outer tank 12 can be easily moved. In this embodiment, the coolant oil discharge pipe 13 is connected to the lower end of the front wall of the outer tank 12. In this regard, since the coolant oil discharged through the coolant oil discharge pipe 13 must be directed onto the chip separation plate 21 of the secondary chip separation device 20, in view of the configuration of a system, only when the primary chip separation device 10 can be placed in an elevated position can the present embodiment be implemented. Otherwise, the embodiment shown in FlG. 3, in which the height of the coolant oil discharge pipe 13 is ensured, should be adopted.

FlGs. 5 through 7 are a perspective view, a side view and a plan view, respectively, illustrating the coolant oil tank 30 and the secondary chip separation device 20 placed on the coolant oil tank 30. Referring to FlGs. 5 through 7, a conventional oil tank can be used as the coolant oil tank 30 which supports the secondary chip separation device 20. Partitioning walls 53 and 54 are installed in the coolant oil tank 30. Due to this fact, all of the coolant oil introduced into the coolant oil tank 30 through the secondary chip separation device 20 does not directly flow below the circulation pump 35 which is installed around the opening 32 of the coolant oil tank 30. Hence, the foreign substances, which are contained in the coolant oil and have a specific gravity greater than the coolant oil, settle down in the coolant oil tank 30, and the foreign substances, which are contained in the coolant oil and have a specific gravity less than the coolant oil, float on the coolant oil, so that the foreign substances are prevented from flowing into the compartment on which the circulation pump 35 is installed. The opening 31, around which the secondary chip separation device 20 is coupled to the coolant oil tank 30, and the opening 32, around which the circulation pump 35 for circulating the purified coolant oil collected in the coolant oil tank 30 to the centerless grinding machine 80 is coupled to the coolant oil tank 30, are defined through the upper wall of the coolant oil tank 30 to communicate with the inside of the coolant oil tank 30. A horizontal inward flange 37 is formed on the inner surface of the opening 31 to support the secondary chip separation device 20. The opening 31 around which the secondary chip separation device 20 is installed must be positioned higher than the opening 32 around which the circulation pump 35 is installed. The chip separation plate 21 of the secondary chip separation device 20 is formed in the shape of a plate using a non-magnetic material. As shown in the drawings, when the secondary chip separation device 20 is installed around the opening 31 of the coolant oil tank 30, the chip separation plate 21 of the secondary chip separation device 20 is inclined with respect to the upper wall of the coolant oil tank 30.

An oil introduction part 25, onto which contaminated coolant oil is poured, is formed adjacent to one end of the chip separation plate 21 of the second chip separation device 20, which is positioned higher than the other end of the chip separation plate 21 when the chip separation plate 21 is inclined with respect to the upper wall of the coolant oil tank 30. A chip discharge opening 23 for discharging the chips separated by the chip separation plate 21 is defined adjoining the oil introduction part 25. A chip collection box 36, which may be formed integrally with or separately from the coolant oil tank 30, is disposed below the chip discharge opening 23.

Blocking walls 26 are formed on both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate 21 to prevent the coolant oil flowing on the chip separation plate 21 from flowing into the coolant oil tank 30 from both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate 21 in the middle of its journey on the chip separation plate 21. One or more dams 22a and 22b, which are made of a non-magnetic material, are projectedly formed on the upper surface of the chip separation plate 21. Here, the dam 22a, which is positioned adjacent to the upper end of the chip separation plate 21, comprises a non-magnetic body which has a circular or a polygonal sectional shape, and functions to distribute the coolant oil poured onto the oil introduction part 25 from the grinding machine or the primary chip separation device 10 over the entire surface of the chip separation plate 21. The remaining at least one dam 22b, which is positioned on the upper surface of the chip separation plate 21, also comprises a non-magnetic body which has a circular or a polygonal sectional shape, and functions to extend the time that the coolant oil remains on the chip separation plate 21 to ensure reliable separation of the chips comprising scraps of iron.

A plurality of magnets 24 for removing (attracting) the scraps of iron contained in the coolant oil flowing on the chip separation plate 21 is attached to the lower surface of the chip separation plate 21. That is to say, when coolant oil containing chips flows on the chip separation plate 21 with the magnets 24 attached to the lower surface of the chip separation plate 21, only the coolant oil flows along the inclined surface of the chip separation plate 21. The scraps of iron contained in coolant oil do not freely flow downward, and are attracted to the upper surface of the chip separation plate 21 by the magnetic force of the magnets 24, and thus are separated from the coolant oil. Here, the inclination angle of the chip separation plate 21 can be adjusted depending upon the amount and the flow rate of the coolant oil supplied from the primary chip separation device 10 and the desired filtering efficiency of the contaminated coolant oil.

The magnets 24 comprise permanent magnets or electromagnets. Since the magnets 24 are structured to be attached to and detached from the lower surface of the chip separation plate 21, the separated chips can be easily removed in a state in which the magnetic force of the magnets 24 is not applied to the chips.

When the secondary chip separation device 20 is mounted around the opening 31 of the coolant oil tank 30, an oil outlet space 27 of a predetermined interval is defined between the opening 31 and the chip separation plate 21, so that the purified coolant oil from which the chips have been removed while it flows on the chip separation plate 21, can be collected into the coolant oil tank 30 after flowing through the oil outlet space 27.

A cover 28 is installed above the chip separation plate 21 to be positioned at a predetermined height above the chip separation plate 21 to thereby prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the coolant oil flowing on the chip separation plate 21. Handles 29 are provided to both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate 21 to ensure that the secondary chip separation device 20 is easily coupled to or decoupled from the coolant oil tank 30 around the opening 31.

FIGs. 8 and 9 illustrate a coolant oil tank 30 and the secondary chip separation device 20 seated on the coolant oil tank 30 as another embodiment of the secondary chip separation device 20 shown in FIGs. 5 through 7.

In the present embodiment, a conventional oil tank can be used as the coolant oil tank 30.

Two openings 31 and 32 are defined through the upper wall of the coolant oil tank 30. The secondary chip separation device 20 is installed around the opening 31, and a circulation pump which is not illustrated is installed around the opening 32. Therefore, as the coolant oil which contains chips is introduced into the secondary chip separation device 20, the chips are filtered by the secondary chip separation device 20, and the purified coolant oil is introduced into the coolant oil tank 30 through the opening 31. Due to the fact that the circulation pump is installed around the opening 32 of the coolant oil tank 30, coolant oil in the coolant oil tank 30 can be re-supplied to the grinding machine 80 through the opening 32 of the coolant oil tank 30, and in this way, the coolant oil is circulated.

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the main part of the secondary chip separation device 20 shown in FIGs. 8 and 9. Four magnet supports 41 are securely fastened to the upper surface of the upper wall of the coolant oil tank 30 around the opening 31. Each magnet support 41 has the shape of a round bar, and may have different shapes depending upon the use thereof. The magnet support 41 is formed of a non-magnetic material such as rubber.

A magnet plate 42 having the shape of a rectangular hexahedron is placed on the four magnet supports 41. The magnet plate 42 may be formed to have other shapes. The magnet plate 42 is supported by the magnet supports 41 in a manner such that the upper ends of the magnet supports 41 are fitted into grooves which are defined adjacent to the corners of the magnet plate 42. The magnet plate 42 may have a thickness in the range of 20-40 mm.

A chip separation plate 48 is placed on the magnet plate 42 to cover the upper and side surfaces of the magnet plate 42. The chip separation plate 48 is made of stainless steel. Concretely speaking, the chip separation plate 48 is made of a non-magnetic material such as austenite series stainless steel or aluminum. While plastic can be used as the material for the chip separation plate 48, plastic is less preferable because it has low strength and can be easily deformed by cutting oil, etc. Preferably, the chip separation plate 48 has a thickness no greater than 1 mm. When the chip separation plate 48 has about this thickness, the magnetic force of the magnet plate 42 is not blocked by the chip separation plate 48, and the chip separation plate 48 has sufficient strength. Since the magnetic force of the magnet plate 42 is applied through the chip separation plate 48, when the chips contained in the coolant oil come into contact with the chip separation plate 48 which covers the magnet plate 42, the chips contained in the coolant oil are attracted to the chip separation plate 48.

Walls 49 having a predetermined height project from the edges of the chip separation plate 48 to surround the upper surface of the chip separation plate 48 so that coolant oil poured onto the chip separation plate 48 can be accommodated up to the height of the walls 49. The reason for forming the walls 49 is to extend the time for which coolant oil poured onto the upper surface of the chip separation plate 48 remains on the upper surface of the chip separation plate 48, so that sufficient time for the chips contained in the coolant oil to adhere to the chip separation plate 48 can be ensured. A case 44 which has four walls 43 surrounding the magnet plate 42 is placed on the upper surface of the coolant oil tank 30. The upper and lower ends of the case 44 are opened to allow the passage of coolant oil. The walls 43 of the case 44 are separated from the magnet plate 42 by a predetermined distance so that coolant oil can flow through the space defined between the magnet plate 42 and the case 44.

A funnel 45 is seated on the upper end of the case 44. The funnel 45 has the shape of an overturned square pyramid which gradually narrows in a downward direction. The upper and lower ends of the funnel 45 are open. The lower opening of the funnel 45 is positioned to face the center portion of the magnet plate 42 so that coolant oil passing through the funnel 45 can be poured onto the center portion of the magnet plate 42, that is, the chip separation plate 48. As coolant oil is poured onto the center portion of the chip separation plate 48, the time when coolant oil remains on the magnet plate 42 is increased, and the chips in the coolant oil can adhere to the surface of the chip separation plate 48 in a uniformly distributed manner. A hole 86 having a predetermined diameter is defined through the center portion of the magnet plate 42. Due to this fact, because the chips do not adhere to the center portion of the chip separation plate 48 which is positioned directly above the hole 86 of the magnet plate 42, it is possible to prevent chips from accumulating on the center portion of the chip separation plate 48 and hindering the flow of coolant oil. A filter support net 51 is installed on the upper end of the funnel 45, and a filter 52 is placed on the filter support net 51. The filter support net 51 has the shape of a screen having a coarse mesh. The filter 52 may comprise various kinds of filters. The filter 52 has a fine mesh, and may comprise a filter having a desired mesh size.

Industrial Applicability

As is apparent from the above description, when compared to a conventional chip separation apparatus, the apparatus for separating chips from coolant oil according to the present invention has a simple construction so that the manufacturing cost is decreased and the apparatus is prevented from breaking down. Also, because the time for which chips are brought into contact with a magnet is extended, even fine chips can be effectively removed, and the separation of the chips is efficiently conducted through multi-stepwise filtering.

In the drawings and specification, typical preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for the purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating chips in coolant oil, capable of separating chips including scraps of iron and impurities which are mixed in coolant oil used in industrial machines such as grinding machines, metal cutting machines and rolling machines, the apparatus comprising: a chip separation device for separating coarse chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, through a partitioning filter, or a chip separation device for separating fine chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips, produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet; or a primary chip separation device for separating coarse chips by passing coolant oil containing various chips produced in the course of grinding, cutting or rolling, through a partitioning filter, and a secondary chip separation device for separating fine chips by passing coolant oil, from which the coarse chips have been removed by the primary chip separation device, over an inclined or horizontal chip separation plate having a magnet.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the primary chip separation device comprises an outer tank which is open at an upper end thereof, and an inner tank which is open at an upper end thereof, has a volume less than that of the outer tank and is removably received in the outer tank; one wall of the inner tank, which faces an inside space of the outer tank not occupied by the inner tank, has the partitioning filter for separating chips having a predetermined size or larger in coolant oil; and a coolant oil discharge pipe is connected to an upper portion of one side wall of the outer tank, which faces the inside space of the outer tank not occupied by the inner tank.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein handles are fastened to upper portions of both side walls of the inner tank.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the partitioning filter comprises a filter and a frame which is connected to edges of the filter to support the filter, and is removably fitted into guides which are formed on both widthwise ends of the one wall of the inner tank to support the frame.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein the primary chip separation device is opened at an upper end thereof; the partitioning filter for separating chips having a predetermined size or larger in coolant oil is vertically installed in the primary chip separation device to divide a space inside the primary chip separation device; the coolant oil discharge pipe is connected to a lower end of one wall of the primary chip separation device; and the primary chip separation device is installed in a manner such that coolant oil discharged through the coolant oil discharge pipe is directed onto the chip separation plate of the secondary chip separation device.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the partitioning filter comprises a filter and a frame which is connected to edges of the filter to support the filter, and is removably fitted into guides which are formed on inner surfaces of both side walls of the outer tank to support the frame.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in the secondary chip separation device, an oil introduction part for receiving coolant oil discharged from a centerless grinding machine or the primary chip separation device is defined adjacent to an upper end of the chip separation plate which is installed to be inclined with respect to an opening of a coolant oil tank; at least one magnet for attracting chips comprising scraps of iron is attached to a lower surface of the chip separation plate; and dams for distributing coolant oil introduced onto the chip separation plate over an entire upper surface of the chip separation plate and for extending a time when the coolant oil remains on the chip separation plate project from the upper surface of the chip separation plate.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein a chip discharge opening is defined adjacent to the upper end of the chip separation plate to be positioned higher than the oil introduction part; and a chip collection box for collecting chips discharged through the chip discharge opening is disposed below the chip discharge opening.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein blocking walls for preventing overflow of coolant oil are formed on both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein handles to be grasped when coupling or decoupling the secondary chip separation device around and from the opening of the coolant oil tank are installed on both widthwise ends of the chip separation plate.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein a cover for preventing foreign substances from intruding into the coolant oil flowing over the chip separation plate is installed above the chip separation plate and is positioned at a predetermined height from the chip separation plate.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in the secondary chip separation device, a plurality of magnet supports is fastened on the coolant oil tank around the opening; a magnet plate is placed on the magnet supports; a case which is open at upper and lower ends thereof to allow passage of coolant oil is arranged on the coolant oil tank in such a manner that walls of the case are separated from the magnet plate by a predetermined distance and lower ends of the walls of the case are brought into close contact with an upper surface of the coolant oil tank; a funnel is seated on an upper end of the case such that a center opening of the funnel is aligned with a center portion of the magnet plate; and a filter part is installed on the funnel.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the chip separation plate which is formed of a non-magnetic material is installed to cover upper and side surfaces of the magnet plate.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein blocking walls having a predetermined height project from edges of the chip separation plate to surround an upper surface of the chip separation plate.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claims 12 or 13, wherein a hole is defined through the center portion of the magnet plate.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the filter part comprises a filter support net which is supported by an upper end of the funnel, and a filter which is placed on the filter support net.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claims 7 or 12, wherein the magnet and the magnet plate comprise a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

18. The apparatus as set forth in claims 7 or 13, wherein a circulation pump for circulating purified coolant oil collected in the coolant oil tank to the centerless grinding machine is installed on the coolant oil tank.