WO2013143917A1

WO2013143917A1 - Tool carrier for a tool retainer

Info

Publication number: WO2013143917A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/055663
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Prust; Markus Kohler
Original assignee: Chiron-Werke Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2012-03-26
Filing date: 2013-03-19
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: DE102012102571A1; EP2663425A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool carrier (27) for a tool retainer (14) having a longitudinal axis (30), which tool retainer has a collar (32) provided with a gripping groove (36), to which collar a machining tool can be fastened on a lower side in the longitudinal axis (30), and on which collar a connecting part (31) for clamping the tool retainer (14) into a tool receptacle (89) of a tool spindle (12) is provided on an upper side in the longitudinal axis (30), wherein the tool carrier (27) is provided with at least one retaining arm (51) that grasps a tool retainer (14) inserted into the tool carrier (27) on an outer surface in a form-closed manner by means of a retaining section (54) of the at least one retaining arm in a retaining position of the at least one retaining arm and which enables movement of the tool retainer (14) relative to the tool carrier (27) in an insertion direction (90) in a release position of the at least one retaining arm. The at least one retaining arm (51) lies at the height of the gripping groove (36) of a tool retainer inserted into the tool carrier (27) at the retaining section (54) of the at least one retaining arm in the release position of the at least one retaining arm.

Description

Tool carrier for a tool holder

The present invention relates to a tool holder for a longitudinal axis having a tool holder having a gripping groove provided with a collar on which a machining tool is fastened on a lower side in the longitudinal axis, and on the one on the upper side in the longitudinal axis Connecting part for clamping the tool holder is provided in a tool holder of a tool spindle, wherein the tool carrier is provided with at least one support arm which engages in its holding position by means of its holding portion a tool holder used in the tool holder form-fitting manner on an outer surface, and in its release position, a movement of the tool holder relative to the tool carrier in an insertion direction allows.

Such a tool carrier is known from DE 10 2004 029 045 A1. In the known tool carrier two fixed jaws are provided which hold the tool holder in the longitudinal direction positively, wherein two pivotable, spring-loaded jaws are provided which abut in its holding position on an outer surface of the tool holder and hold this form-fitting. When the tool spindle and the tool carrier are moved toward one another, the tool spindle comes with its end face into contact with the pivoting jaws and pivots them so that the tool holder can be removed transversely to its longitudinal direction from the fixed jaws.

Such tool carriers are also known elsewhere from the prior art. They can be designed either as a gripper hand on a tool changer or as a magazine location in a tool magazine. They serve to quickly move a tool holder, which is usually a standard steep taper tool holder (SK) or hollow shaft taper tool holder (HSK) and carries a machining tool on its lower shaft, to and from a tool spindle.

The standardized tool holder have at their upper end a conical portion, with which they are used in a corresponding tool holder on the front side of a tool spindle. The conical upper portion is followed by a thickened cylindrical collar, which is provided with a circumferential gripper groove, at which the tool holders are gripped by the tool carriers. At the bottom of the cylindrical collar, the shaft connects, in which the machining tool is held.

In the tool carrier known from DE 10 2004 029 045 A1, the fixed jaws engage in the gripper groove, while the pivotable jaws engage the peripheral surface of the collar.

There are machine tools are known in which a tool changer is provided with a gripper hand, so that first a tool holder with a hitherto in use machining tool from the tool holder is removed and placed in an empty space in the tool magazine before a new tool holder is removed from the tool magazine and inserted into the tool holder. In other known machine tools, two tool changers are provided, which operate in push-pull, so that one gripper hand already moves a tool holder removed from the tool magazine to the tool spindle, while the other gripper hand removes the previously clamped tool holder on the tool holder and transported to the tool magazine.

In addition, machine tools are known in which the tool change takes place in the pick-up process, in which the tool spindle anfährt immediately a change position on the tool magazine and there first deposits the clamped tool holder in an empty space, whereupon the tool magazine then shares, ie moves a new tool holder to the change position, where it is "picked up" by the tool spindle.

Both the gripper hands described so far as well as the magazine locations in the tool magazine are each formed by the tool carrier mentioned in the introduction, in which the tool holder are held in a form-fitting manner.

This positive holding the tool holder in the tool carriers is important not only for the reliability of the known machine tools, but also for the speed with which a tool change can be done. Namely, the faster the magazine positions can be moved in a tool magazine and / or the faster a gripper hand can be moved between the tool magazine and the tool holder on the tool spindle, the faster an in-use machining tool can be exchanged for a new machining tool.

Because of the occurring during the sharing of the tool magazine and / or in the process of the gripper hand high accelerations, it is incessant that the tool holder can be taken safely in the tool carriers. One from a factory tool holder falling out not only leads to a standstill in the machining process, it can also cause considerable damage to the machine tool and in the worst case even lead to personal injury.

But not only falling out of the tool holder leads to the mentioned damage, even a partially out of the tool carrier herauslösender tool holder usually leads to the fact that the machining process must be canceled, because the tool holder is no longer in the correct position in the tool spindle inserted or placed in the magazine.

For this purpose, most known tool carrier on two movable jaws, which are biased by tension or compression springs in their closed position. The spring force determines the force with which the tool holder are held in the tool carrier, because the positive connection is not self-locking, with appropriate accelerations of the tool holder presses the movable jaws in the direction of its spread, which is prevented only by the force of the tension or compression springs , If the springs break or age, this will result in the toolholders no longer being held securely in the known tool carriers.

From DE 37 17 201 A1 a tool carrier in the form of a gripper hand with two fixed jaws is known, which detect a tool holder on its gripper groove and hold in the axial direction. On the two fixed jaws, two movable jaws are pivotally arranged, which are opened and closed about axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool holder via a positively controlled transmission. The transmission is driven by the axial movement of an actuator and biased by a compression spring in its closed position. In the spread position of the movable jaws of the tool holder can be pulled laterally transversely to its longitudinal direction from the fixed jaws.

Even with this tool carrier, it is disadvantageous that at a lessening of the clamping force of the spring, the closing force and thus the holding force go back, or completely lost at a fraction of the spring. What the closing of With regard to movable jaws, the known tool carrier relies on the reliability of the compression spring.

In addition, the spring force is often not sufficient to close the movable jaws. This is especially true when the transmission is jammed by shavings passed into the gripper hand. When moving the gripper hand in these cases, the tool can fall out of the gripper hand and cause the mentioned damage to the machine tool.

A known from DE 40 36 915 A1 tool carrier avoids these disadvantages in a tool carrier, as he is known from DE 37 17 201 A1, characterized in that the transmission is not actuated by a compression spring but via a clutch mechanism, the Claw hand temporarily connects with a space-tight stop. By moving the coupled gripper hand relative to the stationary stop, the transmission is actuated, whereby the movable jaws between its spread and its closed position are pivoted.

Although this tool carrier avoids the disadvantages associated with springs biased jaws, it is structurally very complicated structure, which goes very slowly because of the Ankuppeins and the associated measures the tool change.

DE 195 37 071 A1 describes a tool carrier in the form of a gripper hand, which is arranged on a tool changer, the tool holder transferred between a tool holder on a tool spindle and a tool magazine. This tool carrier has two movable jaws, which are pivotable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool holder pivot axis between a spread and a closed position. Instead of the two fixed jaws described above, a clamping block is provided which fixes the tool holder in the axial direction after a complicated tool change process when it is already used with its cone in a tool holder. The two movable jaws are pivoted via a pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical drive.

In this tool carrier has the disadvantage that it is structurally very expensive and on the other hand has a high weight, so that it allows only a slow tool change because of the heavy mass to be moved. Furthermore, the method is relatively complicated because of the interaction of clamping block and tool holder and must be checked by sensors, so that also thereby the tool change can be done slowly.

DE 199 19 446 A1 describes a tool carrier, which is designed as a magazine location in a tool magazine. In this known tool carrier, the tool holder is introduced transversely between two fixed jaws and then lowered into a recess provided on the jaws, where it is held by its own weight. The tool change takes place here in the pick-up process, the tool spindle moves a tool holder to be replaced laterally transversely into the tool carrier, which engages with its fixed jaws on opposite sides in the gripper groove of the tool holder. When the tool holder is fully inserted transversely, it is lowered so that it comes to lie in the recess.

Although this construction is very simple, but does not allow a fast process of the tool carrier, since the tool holder is held only by its own weight.

In the known from DE 100 39 525 A1 tool carrier two fixed jaws are also provided, in which a tool holder can be inserted transversely. Further, a C-shaped claw is provided, which is pivoted about a perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pivot axis from the top of the tool carrier to engage around the tool holder on the tool carrier to a larger diameter having tool holder. To open the tool carrier, the claw is actively pivoted upwards via a working cylinder, the closing is done by spring tension. Again, in addition to the design effort of disadvantage that the claw is pressed at high acceleration against the spring force by the upwardly tapering tool holder upwards, so that the tool holder can release the tool holder unintentionally.

The aforementioned DE 10 2004 029 045 A1 avoids disadvantages to be found in the prior art in a tool carrier in that the two pivotable jaws rest in their holding position under spring force on the peripheral surface of the collar of the tool holder. To open the pivoting jaws, the tool spindle is moved from the top of the tool carrier, wherein it presses with its end face on the pivoting jaws, whereby they are pressed against the spring force in its release position.

The arrangement of the pivot axes is made such that the pivoting jaws are no longer moved in the plane of the positive connection, but are pivoted to open out of the plane and to close again in the plane.

The holding force does not depend on a spring force or an optionally self-locking gear, but only from the positive fit. The holding force can not be "overpressed", because at a rapid movement of the tool carrier of the tool holder presses the pivoting jaws due to the centrifugal force not around their pivot axes around but charged transversely to the pivot axis, where the pivoting jaws but can not escape.

Although this construction has proven itself in use, it is associated with certain disadvantages.

The design is on the one hand voluminous and heavy, which can cause problems with fast movements. In addition, in unfavorable geometrical conditions or with adhering shavings, it may happen that the pivoting jaws are subjected to a force component which acts around the pivot axis, so that heavy and quickly accelerated tool holding but lead to an unwanted opening of the tool carrier.

On the other hand, the known tool carrier is complex in the production and adjustment of the pivot axes, which leads to overall cost disadvantages.

DE 10 2008 051 137 A1 describes a tool changer with double gripper. Each gripper has a U-shaped jaw which engages the gripper groove of a tool holder, and a wedge-shaped slider which is moved against the force of a spring via control rods transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool holder. When recorded in the baking tool holder, the slider is pushed into the then still free circumference of the gripper groove to hold the Werkzughalter positive fit in the gripper.

This gripper is controlled by external force and structurally complex.

From DE 35 31 160 A1 another tool changer for a machine tool is known, which has a gripping hand with two fixed fingers, which are formed on a rigid sheet and engage in the gripper groove of a tool holder. Thus, the tool holder can not fall out of the gripping hand, a U-shaped lever is pivotally mounted on the gripping hand, which is moved by a link on the spindle head.

The lever has on its two legs depending on an upwardly projecting block, which rests externally on the gripper collar of a tool holder received in the gripping hand when the lever is in its biased by a compression spring rest position.

The two legs are bent at its front free end upwards. These bent ends, after insertion of the tool holder accommodated in the gripping hand, come from below into the tool holder of a machine tool. generating spindle during lateral movement of the gripping hand to the tool spindle in abutment with the backdrop and is pressed down so that the blocks are pressed down from the gripper collar.

Here is a disadvantage that the tool holder is locked so long in the gripping hand until the gripping hand is moved away from the side of the tool spindle, which can lead to jamming between gripping hand, tool holder and tool spindle and affects the reliability.

Against this background, the present invention has the object, the above-mentioned tool holder so educate that it has a structurally simple structure, where overall the reliability further improved and a quick tool change is possible.

In the tool carrier mentioned above, this object is achieved in that the at least one support arm is in its release position with its holding portion at the level of the gripper groove of a tool holder used in the tool holder.

The object underlying the invention is completely solved in this way.

Namely, the inventor of the present application has recognized that it is not necessary to pivot the holding arm away from the outer surface into an open position, but that it can be moved into the region of the gripper groove where there is a free space in the contour of the tool holder is available, in which the holding arm forms no positive connection with the tool holder more.

By transferring the holding arm from the holding into the release position, the tool holder thus comes out of the form-fitting in the insertion direction, so that the tool holder can be pulled laterally out of the tool carrier. The tool carrier is thus opposite the tool holder and thus also the tool spindle, laterally freely movable when the tool holder is inserted into the tool spindle. As a result, jamming between the tool carrier, tool holder and tool spindle is excluded in a structurally simple manner, which also increases the reliability because the release of the tool holder already takes place while it is inserted into the tool holder and not only in a subsequent lateral movement of the tool carrier relative to the tool spindle.

Also, the support arm does not have to be moved in the plane of the positive connection, as is partially provided in the prior art, but the support arm is moved to open out of the plane and to close again in the plane.

The holding force does not depend on a spring force or an optionally self-locking gear, but only from the positive fit. The holding force can not be "overpressed", because at a rapid movement of the tool carrier of the tool holder does not push the arm due to the centrifugal force around its pivot axis around but charged him across the pivot axis, where the arm can not but avoid.

The new tool carrier can therefore be moved very quickly, wherein it has a very simple construction. The operation of the support arm can be done in any way.

It is preferred in this case if, when the tool holder is inserted into the tool carrier, the holding arm bears in its holding position with its holding section above the gripper groove against the peripheral surface of the collar of the tool holder.

The advantage here is that the holding arm only needs to be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool holder in order to be transferred from the holding position to the release position. For this, the arm only has to travel a short distance to to get rid of the peripheral surface of the federal, so to get into the area of the gripper groove.

As a result, the reliability of a machine tool equipped with the new tool carrier is further increased, because overpressing of the closure mechanism thus formed is not possible for geometric reasons. In addition, no space is required above the support arm, in which he would have to move, so that the new tool holder is space-saving and structurally simple.

Further, it is preferred if the support arm is flexible, preferably made of spring steel.

This measure is structurally advantageous because when the support arm itself is flexible, so yielding, it does not have to be pivoted, but can be bent in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the gripper groove. This leads to a simple way of operation and contributes to a low height of the new tool carrier.

When the holding arm is bent down to the height of the gripper groove, a tool holder can be moved transversely into or out of the tool carrier. If the bending force is then removed, the holding arm springs back into its holding position.

It is preferred if the holding arm is associated with an actuating device, which preferably comprises either at least one pivotally mounted on the tool carrier lever which acts on the holding portion, or at least comprises a spring tongue which acts on the holding portion, wherein the Spring tongue is further preferably fixed with its rear end to the tool carrier and is connected at its front end to the holding portion. About the actuator, the support arm can be bent either only from the holding in the release position or supported in the return position in the holding position.

If the actuation - as in the known from the aforementioned DE 10 2004 029 045 A1 tool carrier - via contact with the front side of the tool spindle, the actuating device so to speak establishes the interface to the holding arms and ensures that the operating force optimally is directed to the front holding sections.

It is further preferred if the spring tongue is angled between its front and rear ends, wherein preferably the spring tongue on the holding portion exerts a tensile stress, which biases the holding portion in the holding position.

The advantage here is that the spring tongue stretches when bending down the holding arm, so that an additional restoring force is generated, with which the holding arm is withdrawn in case of elimination of the operating force in the holding position.

This leads to a fast, safe, yet structurally simple spring-back, which can not be hindered by chips or other impurities, because no pivoting or rotational movements take place.

In addition, the upturned kink between the angled ends is the point of attack for the front side of the tool spindle, over which the spring tongue can be stretched and bent downwards.

Overall, it is preferred if two U-shaped arranged retaining arms are provided, which are associated with each advantageously a lever or a respective spring tongue.

This measure increases the holding safety once again. It is preferred if the two support arms are connected to each other via a web, which is mounted on a support region of the tool carrier, wherein the two support arms and the web are preferably formed as a flat spring plate.

This measure is of constructive advantage, because the spring plate can be, for example. produce as a simple stamped part and has a very low height. But not only the production of the support arms, their assembly and precise alignment with the tool carrier is solved so easily and inexpensively.

Further, it is preferred if two spring tongues are provided, which are connected to one another via a web, which is fastened on a support region of the tool carrier, wherein the two spring tongues and the web are preferably formed as a spring plate.

This measure is constructively advantageous because the spring plate can be, for. produce as a simple stamped part and has a very low height. But not only the production of the spring tongues, their assembly and precise alignment with the tool carrier is solved so easily and inexpensively.

In general, it is preferred if a carrier plate is provided by which a tool holder inserted into the tool holder is held in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction, wherein the carrier plate defines the insertion direction for the tool holder, which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of a tool holder inserted into the tool holder is.

This measure is constructively advantageous.

It is particularly preferred if the support area extends at an angle to the insertion direction, and preferably the support area is provided on the support plate. Here, it is advantageous that the subsequent position of the spring plates is already defined during production of the carrier plate, so that no adjustment work is required after assembly.

Finally, it is still preferred if the support plate has two jaws opening an opening, of which a tool holder inserted into the tool holder is held in a form-fitting manner on its rifling groove in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Here it is advantageous that the positive fixing of the tool holder in the direction of its longitudinal axis is realized technically simple.

On the support plate or on the jaws pins or nuts may be provided which engage in accordance with standard recesses provided on the tool holder and allow full insertion only in a desired circumferential orientation of the tool holder in the tool carrier, as is well known in the art. The tool holder is then always inserted in the correct position in a tool magazine and a tool spindle.

Further advantages will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a machine tool in which the new tool carrier is used; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a tool holder which can be held in the new tool carrier;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the new tool carrier, with schematically indicated tool holder, but without actuator for the support arms.

4 shows a front view of the tool holder from FIG. 3, with a schematically indicated holding position and release position of the holding arms;

Fig. 5 shows a first embodiment of an actuating device for the

Tool carrier of Figure 3, in perspective view.

Fig. 6 in a representation like Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the

Actuator; and

7 is an enlarged schematic side view of the holder of FIG.

3, which is provided with the actuator of Fig. 6.

In Fig. 1, a machine tool 10 is shown in a schematic side view, which has a spindle head 1 1, in which a tool spindle 12 is rotatably provided, in the end face 13, a tool holder 14 is clamped with a machining tool 15.

The machining tool 15 serves to machine a workpiece 16 which is clamped on a workpiece table 18 by means of clamping devices 17.

Schematically next to spindle head 1 1 and workpiece table 18, a tool magazine 19 is provided in which an empty magazine slot 21 and two magazine slots 22 and 23 are provided, in which tool holder 14 are mounted with processing tools 15. The magazine locations 21, 22, 23 are connected to each other via a chain 24, so that the magazine locations 21, 22, 23 can be moved relative to the workpiece table 18 or the tool spindle 11.

Of course, the tool magazine 19 contains more than three magazine locations 21, 22, 23, only three magazine locations 21, 22, 23 are shown here by way of example. Furthermore, other embodiments of the tool magazine 19 are possible. Instead of the chain magazine shown by way of example in FIG. 1, a plate magazine or a shelf magazine can also be provided.

After the workpiece 16 has been processed with the machining tool 15, the tool holder 14 is exchanged, for which spindle head 1 1 and tool magazine 19 are moved relative to each other so that the previously clamped in the tool spindle 12 tool holder can be stored in the empty magazine slot 21 , Then, from one of the other magazine locations 22, 23, a tool holder 14 is clamped into the tool spindle 12 with the processing tool 15 next used.

This type of tool change is also referred to as a pick-up method.

Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a tool changer 25, which has a gripper hand 26, with the tool holder 14 between the tool spindle 12 and the magazine locations 21, 22, 23 can be replaced.

Both in the gripper hand and in the magazine locations 21, 22, 23, the tool holder 14 is held over a new tool carrier 27, as will be described in detail below.

On the one hand, this tool carrier 27 must be able to move during the movement of the gripper hand 26 or the method of the magazine places 21, 22, 23 On the other hand, it must be possible to insert the tool holder 14 safely and quickly into the tool spindle 12.

Only for the sake of completeness it should be mentioned that in Fig. 1, a so-called. Fahrständermaschine is shown, in which the spindle head 1 1 is moved in three coordinate directions relative to the workpiece table 18. Alternatively, it is also possible to realize at least one or even two of the movements in the coordinate directions, the so-called driving axes, by moving the workpiece table 12 relative to the spindle head 11.

Furthermore, it is not necessary that the tool spindle is vertically aligned, as shown in Fig. 1, it can also be horizontal, ie lying.

In addition, the spindle head 1 1 may be designed as a multi-spindle head, in which not only a tool spindle 12, but two or four tool spindles are arranged, which are moved relative to each other relative to the workpiece table 18 at the same time, on which several workpieces 16 spanned can be processed at the same time or at different times.

In Fig. 2, a tool holder 14 is shown schematically, as it can be held in the tool carrier 27.

The tool holder 14 has a symmetrical longitudinal axis 30, which also represents the longitudinal axis of the machining tool 15.

At its upper end in FIG. 2, the tool holder 14 has a hollow shaft taper 31, as is usually used for clamping the tool holder 14 into the tool spindle 12. Alternatively, a steep taper may also be used as the connecting part to the tool spindle 12; the HSK tool holder 14 merely serves for the exemplary description of the action of the tool carrier 27. Below the hollow shaft cone 31, the tool holder 14 has a thickened collar 32, on the upper side 33 of the hollow shaft taper 31 is arranged.

On its upper side 33 opposite lower side 34 of the tool holder 14 is provided with a shaft 35, in which in a conventional manner processing tools 15 are clamped.

Between the upper side 33 and the lower side 34, a circumferential groove 36 is provided on the collar 32, which is opposite to an outer surface forming, cylindrical peripheral surface 37 of the collar 32 is set back inside.

This tool holder 14 can now be clamped in a tool carrier 27, as it can be used in the machine tool 10 of FIG. 1 either as a gripper 26 or as a magazine place 21, 22, 23.

In Fig. 3, such a tool carrier 27 is shown in plan view, wherein the tool holder 14 is indicated schematically.

In the plan view of FIG. 3, the hollow shaft taper 31 is cut away and the gripper groove 36 is shown by a dashed circle.

The tool holder 27 has a support plate 41, on the two in Fig. 3 downwardly projecting mutually parallel jaws 42 and 43 are provided, which form with their inner arc sections 44 and 45, a semicircular opening 46 into which the tool holder 14 is laterally inserted so that the arc sections 44 and 45 at least partially engage in the gripper groove 36.

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that the semi-circular opening 46 receives the tool holder 14 about half of its circumference, so that the other half of the peripheral surface 37 in Fig. 3 downwardly protrudes from the opening 46. The two jaws 42 and 43 are integrally formed on a rear web of the support plate 41, on which a support portion 47 is formed for a flat spring plate 48.

This flat spring plate 48 has a rear web 49, which is integrally connected to two lateral support arms 51 and 52, so that there is a U-shaped arrangement.

The support arms 51 and 52 are flexible in the direction of the longitudinal axis 30 of a recorded tool holder 14 and have compared to their transverse dimensions in the plane of Fig. 3 only a small thickness perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 3.

On the web 49 screw holes 53 are arranged, with which the spring plate 48 is screwed onto the holding portion 47, as will be explained below.

In order to prevent now that during the process of the tool carrier 27, the tool holder 14 is ejected forward out of the opening 46, the support arms 51, 52 with respect to the support arms 54, 55 widened front holding portions 54, 55 provided on the outside of the opening 46 lying region of the peripheral surface 37 of the collar 32 abut and include these only to a small extent.

In this way, the tool holder 14 is positively held both in the direction of its longitudinal axis 30 through the inner arc sections 44 and 45 and transversely to its longitudinal axis 30 through the holding portions 54 and 55.

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the tool carrier 27 from FIG. 3 in a front view, wherein the tool holder 14 is shown only schematically and partially. Can be seen that the holding portions 54 and 55, the peripheral surface 37 partially overlap, so that the tool holder 14 is held captive in the tool carrier.

The width B of the holding portions 54, 55 is indicated in Fig. 3, their much lower thickness D in Fig. 4. This configuration makes it possible for the holding portions 54, 55 in FIG. 4 to be bent downwards.

Now, if an actuating force 56 is exerted on the front holding portions 54 and 55, which runs approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 30, the holding portions 54, 55 are bent in Fig. 3 along an arrow 57 so far down until it on the height of the gripper groove 36 are.

In its upper position, the holding portions 54, 55 are in their holding position 58, in which the tool holder 14 is held positively and thus captive in the tool carrier 27.

When they have been pressed down along the arrow 57 in its lower release position 59, however, the tool holder 14 can be pulled out of the tool carrier 27 transversely to the longitudinal axis 30, because the holding portions 54, 55 then lie at the level of the gripper groove 36 and their Holding power can no longer exercise.

As the operation of the holding portions 54, 55 takes place, will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

For this actuation, an actuating device 62 is provided for which a first exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG.

The actuating device 62 comprises two L-shaped levers 63, 64 which are provided at their rear transverse webs 65, 66, each with a through hole 67, which can be seen only for the front lever 64 in Fig. 5. Through the through holes 67 extends a pivot axis 68 about which the levers 63, 64 are pivotally mounted on the support plate 41 of FIG. 4.

With their front tips 69, 70 press the levers 63, 64 on the holding portions 54, 55, so that they press the holding portions 54, 55 during pivoting of the levers 63, 64 counterclockwise about the pivot axis 68, so that these are pivoted from their holding position 58 in their release division 59.

The actuation of the levers 63, 64 may be motor or hydraulic, wherein it is preferred if on the front side 13 of the tool spindle 12 from above an actuating force 56 is exerted on the lever 63, 64, as in principle from the above-mentioned DE 10 2004 029 045 A1 is known.

Because the retaining arms 51, 52 are made flexible spring steel plate, they bias the lever 63, 64 upwards into the holding position 58 before. As soon as the tool spindle 12 with its front side 13 is released again from the levers 63, 64, they are pushed upwards again by the spring plate 48.

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the holding device 62, which is formed here by a further spring plate 71.

The spring plate 71 comprises two mutually parallel spring tongues 72 and 73, which are integrally formed with their rear ends 74 and 75 with a web 76. In the web 76 screw holes 77 are provided, which correspond to the screw holes 53 in the web 49 of the spring plate 48. In this way, assembly and accurate alignment of the two spring plates 48, 71 are solved on the tool carrier 27 easy and inexpensive.

At their front ends 78, 79, the spring tongues 72, 73 act in a manner to be described on the holding portions 54, 55 a. Between their front ends 78, 79 and their rear ends 74, 75, the spring tongues 72, 73 are bent so that upturned kinks 81, 82 form, on which an actuating force can be exerted.

At their front portions 78, 79, the spring tongues 72, 73 are provided with tabs 83, 84, which are inserted into slots 85, 86, which are provided on the holding portions 54, 55.

When the tabs 83, 84 are inserted into the slots 85, 86, the spring tongues 72, 73 exert on the holding portions 54, 55 a tensile stress 87 which lift the holding portions 54, 55 in their holding position 58.

Compared to the actuator 62 of FIG. 5 is in the actuator 62 of FIG. 6 is advantageous that in addition to the spring force of the flexible retaining arms 51, 52, the spring force of the spring tongues 72, 73, the holding portions 54, 55 in its holding position 58th pulls up.

Furthermore, the construction of Fig. 6 is technically simple and inexpensive, with an adjustment after mounting on the support plate 41 is not required.

If now an actuating force 88 in the region of the kinks 81, 82 is exerted on the spring tongues 72, 73, the holding portions 54, 55 are pressed in Fig. 6 down, which is also in Fig. 6 by the already shown in FIG. 4 known arrow 57 is indicated. In this case, the spring tongues 72, 73, which causes in them an even stronger restoring force, with which they support the retaining arms 51, 52 during spring back in the holding position on.

FIG. 7 shows, in a schematic side view, the tool carrier 27 from FIG. 3 with the actuating device 62 from FIG. 6 mounted thereon.

In the position shown in Fig. 7, the holding portion 54 of the holding arm 51 in its holding position, it is slightly above the gripper groove 36 at the Peripheral surface 37 of the collar 32, so that the tool holder 14 is held captive in the tool carrier 27.

Above the tool carrier 27, the tool spindle 12 is schematically indicated, in which a tool holder 89 is indicated schematically, which is adapted to the hollow shaft taper 31 in its outer contour, so that this retracted in a conventional manner in the tool holder 89 and held there against rotation can be.

In the state shown in Fig. 7, the tool spindle 13 moves along the arrow 88 down so that it comes to lie with its end face 13 on the upward projecting bend 81 of the spring tongue 72.

When the tool spindle 12 is moved further relative to the tool holder 27 along the arrow 88, the spring tongue 72 is stretched and at the same time the front end 78 of the spring tongue 72 pressed down, which presses on the holding portion 54 of the support arm 51 and this bends down until it comes to rest in its release position at the level of the gripper groove 36.

The tool holder 14 thereby passes completely into the tool holder 89, where it is clamped by clamping means, not shown but generally known from the prior art.

In this position, the tool holder 14 can now be pulled out of the tool carrier 27 in the direction indicated at 90 insertion. For this purpose, tool holder 27 and tool spindle 12 move in the direction of the arrow 90 relative to one another, there is no risk that tool holder 14, tool carrier 27 and tool spindle 12 jam together, because the release of the tool holder 14 already takes place while it is inserted into the tool holder 89 ,

If the tool holder 14 to be removed again from the tool holder 89, the tool carrier 27 is moved along the insertion 90 relative to the tool spindle 12, so that the front portion 78 of Spring tongue 72 comes into contact with the leading edge 13 'of the end face 13. In the further process along the arrow 90 to the right then the end face 13 presses the kink point 81 down, so that the holding portion 54 comes to rest again at the level of the gripper groove 36.

During further relative movement between the tool spindle 12 and the tool holder 27 along the arrow 90, the tool holder 14 then returns with its gripper groove 36 into engagement with the bow portions 44 and 45 known from FIG. 4, wherein the holding portions 54, 55 in the Gripper groove 36 are moved.

When the tool holder 14 has been completely inserted into the opening 46 likewise known from FIG. 4, the holding sections 54, 55 lie so far outside the contour of the collar 32 that the spring tongues 72, 73 are relieved during the raising of the tool spindle 12 and the holding portions 54, 55 feather up until they rest against the outside 37 of the collar 32 and hold the tool holder 14 again captive in the tool carrier 27.

From Fig. 7 can still be seen that the spring arm 51 and the web 49 of the spring plate 68 lie in a plane which is, however, pivoted by an angle 91 relative to the insertion 90 upwards.

This is achieved in that the support region 47 is formed on the support plate 41 already at this angle 91 to the insertion 90.

In this way it is ensured that the holding arms 53, 54 are in their rest position at the same time in their holding position.

The tool carrier 27 is connected to a holding part 92, via which it is connected either to the gripper hand 26 of the tool changer 25 or to the magazine locations 21, 22, 23. Only the sake of completeness, screws 93 are shown in Fig. 7, through which the webs 49 and 76 of spring plate 48 and 71 are screwed onto the support area 47 of the support plate 41.

Claims

claims

Tool carrier for a longitudinal axis (30) having

Tool holder (14) having a provided with a gripper groove (36) collar (32) on which on a longitudinal axis (30) in the lower side (34) a machining tool (15) can be fastened, and on which in a A connecting part (31) for clamping the tool holder (14) in a tool holder (89) of a tool spindle (12) is provided, wherein the tool carrier (27) is provided with at least one holding arm (51, 52). is provided, which in its holding position (58) by means of its holding portion (54, 55) engages a tool holder (27) inserted tool holder (14) on an outer surface form-fitting manner, and in its release division (59) a movement of the tool holder (14) relative to the tool carrier (27) in an insertion direction (90), characterized in that the at least one holding arm (51, 52) in its release parting (59) with its holding portion (54, 55) at the level of the gripper groove (36) of a in the n tool carrier (27) used tool holder (14) is located.

Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding arm (51, 52) in the tool holder (27) inserted tool holder (14) in its holding position (58) with its holding portion (54, 55) above the gripper groove (36) on a Peripheral surface (37) of the collar (32) of the tool holder (14) rests.

Tool carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding arm (51, 52) is flexible, preferably made of spring plate (48).

Tool carrier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding arm (51, 52) is associated with an actuating device (62).

5. Tool carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating device (62) at least one pivotally mounted on the tool carrier (27) mounted lever (63, 64) which acts on the holding portion (54, 55).

6. Tool carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating device (62) comprises at least one spring tongue (72, 73) which acts on the holding portion (54, 55).

7. Tool carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring tongue (72, 73) with its rear end (74, 75) on the tool carrier (27) is fixed and with its front end (78, 79) with the holding portion (54 , 55) is connected.

8. Tool carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that the spring tongue (72, 73) between its front (78, 79) and rear (74, 75) end is angled.

9. Tool carrier according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the spring tongue (72, 73) on the holding portion (54, 55) exerts a tensile stress (87) which biases the holding portion (54) in the holding position (58) ,

10. Tool carrier according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that two U-shaped arranged holding arms (51, 52) are provided.

1 1. Tool carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the two holding arms (51, 52) via a web (49) are interconnected, which is mounted on a support area (47) of the tool carrier (27).

12. Tool carrier according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the two retaining arms (51, 52) and the web (49) are formed as a flat spring plate (48).

13. Tool carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that two spring tongues (72, 73) are provided, which are connected to each other via a web (76) which is fastened on a support region (47) of the tool carrier (27).

14. Tool carrier according to claim 13, characterized in that the two spring tongues (72, 73) and the web (76) are designed as spring plate (70).

15. Tool carrier according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a carrier plate (41) is provided by a in the tool carrier (27) inserted tool holder (14) in the longitudinal direction (30) is held positively, wherein the carrier plate ( 41) defines the insertion direction (90) for the tool holder (14), which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis (30) of a tool holder (14) inserted into the tool carrier (27).

16. Tool carrier according to one of claims 1 1 to 15, characterized in that the support region (47) at an angle (91) to the insertion direction (90).

17. Tool carrier according to claim 16, characterized in that the support area (47) on the support plate (41) is provided.

18. Tool carrier according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the carrier plate (41) has two an opening (46) spanning jaws (42, 43), one of which in the tool carrier (27) inserted tool holder (14) its gripper groove (36) is held positively in the direction of its longitudinal axis (30).