A tool-changing device capable of performing rapid tool changes

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a tool-changing device capable of performing rapid tool changes, which is positioned between a tool magazine and a spindle. The tool-changing device includes a sliding seat, a swing arm, and a tool-changing arm. The swing arm has a first end and a second end spaced apart from each other. The first end is rotatably disposed on the sliding seat along a first axis. The tool-changing arm is rotatably disposed at the second end of the swing arm along a second axis, which is parallel to the first axis. The tool-changing arm includes a first arm and a second arm, which are spaced apart. The first arm and the second arm are respectively provided with a first tool-clamping portion and a second tool-clamping portion. An included angle is formed between the first arm and the second arm, ranging from

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a tool changing device, and more particularly to a tool changing device capable of performing rapid tool changes. Prior Technology

[0002] For example, Taiwan Utility Model Patent No. M649024 discloses a tool changing device for a machining machine, which includes a machine base, a tool changing arm and a transmission mechanism. The tool changing arm includes a rotating shaft and a tool arm located at one end of the rotating shaft. The two ends of the tool arm are used to clamp the tool bar. The rotating shaft can be driven by the transmission mechanism to realize the tool arm to rotate 180 degrees to complete the tool changing operation.

[0003] Generally, the tool changer is located between the spindle and the tool magazine. In the traditional tool change process, the tool changer arm needs to perform multiple actions, such as rotating to engage the tool, straight-in to withdraw the tool, rotating 180 degrees to change the tool, straight-out to insert the tool, and rotating to reset. This is not only time-consuming but also complex, affecting the tool change efficiency.

[0004] Furthermore, the aforementioned tool changing devices are often limited by their structure and are only suitable for shorter tool holders. When using longer tool holders, the tool holder is prone to colliding with the machine housing during the tool changing process, leading to damage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this disclosure provides a tool changing device capable of performing rapid tool changes. The first and second arms of the tool changing arm have an angle of 80 to 120 degrees, making it suitable for longer tool holders. Furthermore, it avoids collisions with the machine housing or surrounding mechanisms during tool changing, while simultaneously achieving rapid tool changing and improving tool changing efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, this disclosure provides a tool changing device capable of performing rapid tool changes in one embodiment. The device is positioned between a tool magazine and a spindle. The tool changing device includes a slide, a swing arm, and a tool changing arm. The swing arm has a first end and a spaced-apart second end. The first end is rotatably mounted on the slide along a first axis. The tool changing arm is rotatably mounted on the second end of the swing arm along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The tool changing arm has a spaced-apart first arm and a second arm, each having a first tool-holding portion and a second tool-holding portion. An angle exists between the first arm and the second arm, with the angle being between 80 and 120 degrees.

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure utilizes the rotational motion of the swing arm and the tool changing arm, as well as the structure with an angle between the first and second arms ranging from 80 to 120 degrees, to make it suitable for longer tool handles, thereby avoiding collisions with the machine housing or mechanism during tool changing and improving tool changing efficiency. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] [Figure 1] is a perspective view of the tool magazine and spindle as disclosed in this paper. [Figure 2] is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the tool changing device disclosed herein. [Figure 3] is a side view of the tool changing arm of the tool changing device disclosed herein. [Figure 4] is a front view of the tool magazine and spindle arrangement disclosed herein. [Figure 5] is a schematic diagram of the tool changing process disclosed herein, showing the tool disc rotating and aligning the pre-tool holder with the tool changing arm. [Figure 6] is a partial schematic diagram (a) of this disclosure, showing the first arm of the tool changing arm fastened with the preparatory tool handle. [Figure 7] is a partial schematic diagram (II) of this disclosure, showing the swing arm and the tool changing arm rotating away from the tool disc. [Figure 8] is a schematic diagram of the sliding block moving the pre-tool holder towards the spindle direction as disclosed in this paper. [Figure 9] is a schematic diagram of the action of the second arm of the tool changer arm being pulled away from the spindle tool holder. [Figure 10] is a schematic diagram of the second arm of the pre-change tool arm being fastened to the spindle tool holder as disclosed in this paper. Implementation

[0009] To facilitate the explanation of the central ideas expressed in the above-mentioned application content section, specific embodiments are provided below. Furthermore, to better explain the principles of this disclosure, specific language will be used to describe these examples. However, it should be understood that this does not imply a limitation on the scope of this disclosure.

[0010] Those skilled in the art may conceive of and make various modifications and further improvements, including the technical features described herein and any other application of the principles of this disclosure. All such modifications and applications should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0011] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10. The tool changing device 100 capable of performing rapid tool changing in this embodiment is displaced between a tool magazine 200 and a spindle 300. The tool changing device 100 includes a slide 10, a swing arm 20 and a tool changing arm 30.

[0012] The swing arm 20 has a first end 21 and a second end 22 spaced apart from it. The first end 21 is rotatably mounted on the slide block 10 along a first axis L1. The slide block 10 is provided with a first motor 11 for driving the swing arm 20 to rotate along the first axis L1. The first end 21 and the second end 22 of the swing arm 20 have a turning intermediate section 23.

[0013] The tool changing arm 30 is rotatably mounted on the second end 22 of the swing arm 20 along a second axis L2, which is parallel to the first axis L1. The tool changing arm 30 has a first arm 31 and a second arm 32 spaced apart. The first arm 31 and the second arm 32 each have a first tool-catching part 33 and a second tool-catching part 34. The first tool-catching part 33 has a first side opening 331, and the second tool-catching part 34 has a second side opening 341. A tool-catching rod 35 is movably disposed within the first side opening 331 and the second side opening 341. An included angle A is formed between the first arm 31 and the second arm 32, and the included angle A is between 80 and 120 degrees. In this disclosed embodiment, the included angle A is 90 degrees.

[0014] Furthermore, a second motor 24 is provided inside the second end 22 of the swing arm 20 to drive the tool changing arm 30 to rotate along the second axis L2. In this disclosed embodiment, the swing arm 20 and the tool changing arm 30 have a cylindrical body 36, and the tool changing arm 30 is rotatable relative to the cylindrical body 36 and has the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 described above.

[0015] Furthermore, the tool changing arm 30 has a first outer side 301 and a first inner side 302 separated from each other, and the first outer side 301 and the first inner side 302 extend to form a first arm 31. The tool changing arm 30 has a second outer side 303 and a second inner side 304 separated from each other, and the second outer side 303 and the second inner side 304 extend to form a second arm 32, and the first outer side 301 and the second outer side 303 are perpendicularly connected, and the first inner side 302 and the second inner side 304 are perpendicularly connected. The first outer side 301 extends a first side opening 331 in a direction away from the second outer side 303, and the first side opening 331 faces away from the first outer side 301. The second inner side 304 extends a second side opening 341 in a direction away from the first inner side 302, and the second side opening 341 faces away from the second inner side 304.

[0016] The tool magazine 200 includes a base 201, at least one tool disc 202, a drive unit 203, a rotating shaft 204, and a slide rail 205. At least one tool disc 202 is rotatably mounted on the base 201. The drive unit 203 is located on the base 201 and is used to drive at least one tool disc 202 to rotate along a third axis L3 parallel to the first axis L1. The slide rail 205 is located on one side of the base 201 and allows the slide block 10 to slide between the base 201 and the spindle 300.

[0017] In this disclosed embodiment, at least three cutter heads 202 are spaced apart on a rotating shaft 204. The rotating shaft 204 is driven by a drive unit 203 to rotate the cutter heads 202. The length of the slide rail 205 is greater than the length of the rotating shaft 204, and the slide rail 205 extends in a direction parallel to the rotating shaft 204. The horizontal height of the first axis L1 is higher than the horizontal height of the third axis L3. In addition, a displacement unit (not shown) is provided on one side of the base 201 to drive the slide block 10 to move back and forth on the slide rail 205.

[0018] Please refer to Figures 5 to 10, and in conjunction with Figure 2, to illustrate the tool changing process disclosed herein. As shown in Figure 5, the tool disc 202 rotates, causing the pre-loaded tool handle 1 to rotate to a predetermined position and correspond to the tool changing arm 30. Next, as shown in Figure 6, the first motor 11 controls the rotation of the swing arm 20, causing the tool changing arm 30 to swing toward the pre-loaded tool handle 1 on the tool disc 202. Simultaneously, through the rotational action, the tool changing arm 30 engages with the pre-loaded tool handle 1 through the first side opening 331 of the first arm 31. Then, the tool holding lever 35 holds the pre-loaded tool handle 1, thereby enabling the pre-loaded tool handle 1 to be pulled away from the tool disc 202.

[0019] As shown in Figure 7, after the pre-tool handle 1 is pulled away from the tool disc 202, it moves away from the tool disc 202 by the rotation of the swing arm 20 and the tool changing arm 30.

[0020] As shown in Figure 8, the pre-tool holder 1 is moved and transported towards the spindle 300 by the displacement action of the slide 10.

[0021] As shown in Figure 9, when the slide 10 moves to a position adjacent to the spindle 300, the first motor 11 and the second motor 24 control the swing arm 20 and the tool changing arm 30 to swing toward the spindle 300. At this time, the second side opening 341 of the second arm 32 of the tool changing arm 30 engages with the spindle tool holder 2, and the tool holder 2 is held by the tool holding rod 35. In turn, in conjunction with the displacement action of the slide 10, the spindle tool holder 2 is pulled away from the spindle 300.

[0022] Next, as shown in Figure 10, when the spindle tool holder 2 is pulled away from the spindle 300, the tool changer arm 30 rotates, aligning the pre-tool holder 1 with the spindle 300. Subsequently, the slide 10 drives the pre-tool holder 1 into the spindle 300, completing the installation and positioning. The slide 10 then returns to its original position and moves the spindle tool holder 2 onto the tool disc 202 for insertion and positioning.

[0023] As mentioned above, this disclosure utilizes the rotational motion of the swing arm 20 and the tool changing arm 30, as well as the angle A between the first arm 31 and the second arm 32, which is between 80 and 120 degrees. This design eliminates the need for a 180-degree rotation during tool changing, thereby reducing the rotation time and increasing the efficiency of tool changing. Furthermore, this disclosure is applicable to longer tool holders, preventing them from colliding with surrounding chassis or mechanisms during tool changing, thus meeting operational requirements.

[0024] Although this disclosure is based on a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0025] 100: Tool Changer 10: Slide 11: First Motor 20: Swing arm 21: First end 22: Second end 23: The middle section of the transition 24: Second Motor 30: Change the cutter arm 31: First Arm 32: Second Arm 33: First blade section 331: First side opening 34: Second blade section 341: Second side opening 35: Knife handle 36: Cylinder 301: First outer edge 302: First inner side 303: Second outer side 304: Second inner side 200: Tool magazine 201: Base 202: Cutterhead 203: Drive Unit 204: Shaft 205: Slide rail 300: Spindle A: Angle L1: First axis L2: Second axis L3: Third axis 2: Spindle tool holder 1: Prepare the knife handle

Claims

1. A tool changing device capable of performing rapid tool changes, wherein the displacement is set between a tool magazine and a spindle, the tool changing device comprising: One slide seat; A swing arm has a first end and a second end spaced apart from it. The first end is rotatably mounted on a slide along a first axis. A bend is formed between the first end and the second end of the swing arm. A tool-changing arm is rotatably mounted on the second end of the swing arm along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The tool-changing arm has a first arm and a second arm spaced apart. The first arm and the second arm each have a first blade-holding portion and a second blade-holding portion. An angle exists between the first arm and the second arm, between 80 and 120 degrees. The swing arm and the tool-changing arm share a cylindrical body. The tool-changing arm is rotatable relative to the cylindrical body and has the first arm and the second arm. The first blade-holding portion has a first side opening, and the second... The blade-catching part has a second side opening, and a blade-catching rod is movably disposed within the first side opening and the second side opening. The blade-changing arm has a first outer side and a first inner side that are separated from each other. The first outer side and the first inner side extend to form the first arm. The blade-changing arm has a second outer side and a second inner side that are separated from each other. The second outer side and the second inner side extend to form the second arm. The first outer side and the second outer side are perpendicularly connected. The first inner side and the second inner side are perpendicularly connected. The first outer side extends out of the first side opening in a direction away from the second outer side. The first side opening faces away from the first outer side. The second inner side extends out of the second side opening in a direction away from the first inner side. The second side opening faces away from the second inner side.

2. A tool changer as described in claim 1, capable of performing rapid tool change, wherein, The included angle is 90 degrees.

3. A tool changer capable of performing rapid tool change as described in claim 1, wherein, The slide block is equipped with a first motor to drive the swing arm to rotate along the first axis, and the second end is equipped with a second motor to drive the tool changing arm to rotate along the second axis.

4. A tool changer capable of performing rapid tool change as described in claim 3, wherein, The second motor is located inside the second end.

5. A tool changer as described in claim 1, capable of performing rapid tool change, wherein, The tool magazine includes a base, at least one tool disc, a drive unit, and a slide rail. The at least one tool disc is rotatably mounted on the base. The drive unit is located on the base and is used to drive the at least one tool disc to rotate along a third axis parallel to the first axis. The slide rail is located on one side of the base and allows the slide to slide between the base and the spindle.

6. A tool changer capable of performing rapid tool change as described in claim 5, wherein, The tool magazine further includes a rotating shaft driven by the drive unit, and the number of at least three tool discs is arranged at intervals on the rotating shaft; the length of the slide rail is greater than the length of the rotating shaft; the slide rail extends in a direction parallel to the rotating shaft.

7. A tool changer capable of performing rapid tool change as described in claim 6, wherein, The horizontal level of the first axis is higher than that of the third axis.

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