A chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool

Abstract

The present invention provides a chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool, which comprises a base, a support, a tool, a tool magazine guide rail, a tool holder, a tool shank, a tool gripper, a tool gripper driver, a tool shank limiter and a transmission chain; a plurality of supports are located above the base and fixedly connected to the base, and are used for supporting the tool magazine guide rail, a motor, a driving wheel and a driven wheel; the tool holders are uniformly arranged along the tool magazine guide rail, and the tool grippers corresponding to the tool holders are controlled by the tool gripper driver. Based on the technical solution of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the vibration generated during the movement of the chain-type tool magazine, improve the operation reliability of the tool magazine; improve the mechanical rigidity of the chain-type tool magazine, reduce the transmission clearance, and improve the positioning accuracy and stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of tool magazines for numerical control machine tools, and particularly to a chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool. Background Art

[0002] The tool magazine of a hole-making machine tool is used to store and hold tools, and can serve the tool spindle of a machining center when needed. Tools are usually stored in tool holders, and each tool holder is configured to releasably hold a single tool. When a specific tool is needed, the tool holder containing the required tool is brought to the tool change position. Then, the tool changer will take out the required tool from the tool magazine. If another tool is already in the spindle, it will also be taken out by the tool changer at the same time and placed in the tool magazine from which the required tool has just been taken out.

[0003] Generally, a chain-type tool magazine itself has a clamping device for tools. However, for the convenience of tool taking and placing operations, the clamping device of a general chain-type tool magazine usually directly snaps and installs the tool. When the motor drives the tool to perform rapid movement operations, during the movement, due to the unstable snap of the tool during placement, it is easy for the tool to become disengaged from the clamping device, resulting in the dropping of the tool and damage to the tool magazine. Therefore, it needs to be improved and optimized. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present application proposes a chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool. The chain-type tool magazine includes a base, a support, a tool, a tool magazine guide rail, a tool holder, a tool holder, a tool gripper, a tool gripper driver, a tool holder limiter, and a transmission chain; a plurality of supports are located above the base and fixedly connected to the base for supporting the tool magazine guide rail, the motor, the driving wheel, and the driven wheel; the tool holders are evenly arranged along the tool magazine guide rail, and the tool grippers corresponding to the tool holders are controlled by the tool gripper driver.

[0005] Optionally, the number of the tools and the tool holders is multiple, and each tool holder corresponds to at least one tool gripper, and the tool gripper is used to clamp the tool holder.

[0006] Optionally, the tool magazine includes an annular track having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the tool holder can travel around the annular track; the tool holder includes at least one guide rail guiding member, and the guide rail guiding member engages with the annular guide rail on the inner surface and the outer surface.

[0007] Optionally, a tool gripper is installed on the tool holder, and the tool gripper is operably connected to the tool holder for clamping the tool holder of the tool.

[0008] Optionally, the tool rack further includes an actuator for moving the tool gripper at the tool change position; the actuator drives the tool gripper to move between the tool storage direction and the tool exchange direction; in the tool storage orientation, the tool shank is oriented such that the tool rack can travel around the guide rail; during the tool change process, the tool shank is oriented in a direction convenient for removing the tool.

[0009] Optionally, the output shaft of the drive motor is connected to a worm, the worm meshes with a worm gear, and the driving wheel is drivingly connected to the worm gear; when a tool needs to be changed, the drive motor operates, driving the worm to rotate, the worm driving the worm gear to rotate, thereby causing the driving wheel to rotate, and the driving wheel moves through a drive chain, thereby causing a plurality of tool grippers holding tools on the chain to move.

[0010] Optionally, the drive chain includes a first link, a second link, and a link pin.

[0011] Optionally, the link pin is disposed between the first link and the second link so that one of them can swing relative to the other within a preset angle.

[0012] Optionally, the first link and the second link are alternately arranged, and the second link includes a support member that defines the link pin.

[0013] Optionally, the support member rotatably supports the bearing portion of the link pin.

[0014] The above technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0015] A chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool provided by the present invention, compared with the prior art, has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0016] Reduce the vibration generated during the movement of the chain-type tool magazine, improve the operation reliability of the tool magazine; improve the mechanical rigidity of the chain-type tool magazine, reduce the transmission clearance, and improve the positioning accuracy and stability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be described in more detail hereinafter based on embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 Shows the front view of the chain-type tool magazine of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 Shows the top view of the chain-type tool magazine of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 Shows the side view of the drive chain of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 Shows the front view of the drive chain of the present invention;

[0022] Explanation of the numbers in the figure: 1 - tool shank, 2 - cutting tool, 3 - motor, 4 - support, 5 - tool magazine base, 6 - tool gripper, 7 - tool rack, 8 - drive chain, 9 - driving wheel, 10 - first link, 11 - first guide roller, 12 - first base support, 13 - second guide roller, 14 - first L-shaped sub-section, 16 - second U-shaped sub-section, 18 - third L-shaped sub-section, 22 - hinge hole, 24 - first right bearing part, 26 - first link pin, 28 - second link pin, 30 - spacer sleeve, 32 - third bearing part, 34 - third link pin, 40 - base, 42 - spring, 45 - second link, 46 - second base support, 48 - second left hand bearing part, 50 - second right hand bearing part. Detailed implementation mode

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The present invention provides a chain-type tool magazine, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the tool magazine includes a tool magazine base 5, a support 4, a cutting tool 2, a tool magazine guide rail, a tool rack 7, a tool shank 1, a tool gripper 6, a tool gripper driver, a tool shank limiter, and a drive chain 8; a plurality of supports 4 are located above the tool magazine base 5 and are fixedly connected to the tool magazine base 5 for supporting the tool magazine guide rail, the motor 3, the driving wheel 9, and the driven wheel; the tool racks 7 are evenly arranged along the tool magazine guide rail, and the tool gripper 6 corresponding to the tool rack 7 is controlled by the tool gripper driver. The number of the cutting tools 2 and the tool racks 7 is plural, each tool rack 7 corresponds to at least one tool gripper 6, and the tool gripper 6 is used for clamping the tool shank 1.

[0025] In one embodiment, the tool magazine includes an annular track having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the tool rack 7 can travel around the annular track. The tool rack 7 includes at least one rail guiding member that engages with the annular guide rail on the inner surface and the outer surface. The tool gripper 6 is mounted on the tool rack 7, and the tool gripper 6 is operatively connected to the tool rack 7 for clamping the tool shank 1 of the cutting tool 2; the tool rack 7 further includes an actuator for moving the tool gripper 6 at the tool changing position. The actuator drives the tool gripper 6 to move between the tool storage direction and the tool exchange direction. In the tool storage orientation, the tool shank 1 is oriented such that the tool rack 7 can travel around the guide rail. During the replacement of the cutting tool 2, the tool shank 1 is oriented to facilitate the removal of the cutting tool 2.

[0026] In one embodiment, the output shaft of the drive motor 3 is connected to a worm, the worm wheel meshes with the worm, and the driving wheel 9 is drivingly connected to the worm wheel. When it is necessary to replace the tool 2, the drive motor 3 operates to drive the worm to rotate, and the worm drives the worm wheel to rotate, thereby causing the driving wheel 9 to rotate. The driving wheel 9 moves through the driving chain, so that a plurality of tool grippers 6 holding the tool 2 on the chain move until the tool 2 to be replaced moves to a specific position. By indirectly driving the chain to move through the worm wheel and the worm, the initial starting speed of the chain is reduced, making the movement of the chain smoother.

[0027] In one embodiment, the drive chain 8 includes a first link 10, a second link 45 and a link pin. The link pin is disposed between the first link 10 and the second link 45 to enable one of them to swing relative to the other within a preset angle. The first link 10 and the second link 45 are alternately arranged. The structure of the second link 45 largely corresponds to that of the first link 10, but the second link 45 includes a second base support member defining a second longitudinal axis. The second base support member 46 forms a second left-hand bearing portion 48 for rotatably supporting the second longitudinal axis and a second right-hand bearing portion for rotatably supporting the first shaft. The knuckle eye of the second left bearing portion is slightly closer to a knuckle eye. Different from the joint eye of the first right bearing portion 24, the joint eyes of the second right bearing portion are also closer to each other than the joint eyes of the first left bearing portion. Thus, the knuckle eyes of the two links can be arranged in a straight line, so that the two links can be hinged using the first shaft and the second longitudinal axis. The interconnected links form the drive chain 8.

[0028] In one embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the first link 10 has a first base support member 12, and the first base support member 12 is S-shaped. The first base support member 12 includes a first L-shaped sub-segment 14, a second U-shaped sub-segment 16 and a third L-shaped sub-segment 18. In this exemplary embodiment, the first base support member 12 is designed as an integral body. Alternatively, the three sub-segments 14, 16, 18 can be connected together in any suitable manner. The first base support member 12 is made of a steel plate. The first base support member 12 defines the first longitudinal axis L1 of the first link 10.

[0029] The first base support 12 forms a first left bearing portion 20 including two hinge holes 22 and a first right bearing portion 24 including two hinge holes 22. A first link pin 26 passes through the hinge holes 22 of the first left bearing portion 20, and a second link pin 28 passes through the hinge holes 22 of the first right bearing portion 24. Two left guide rollers 27 are mounted on the first link pin 26 at a certain distance from each other and are kept at an interval by a spacer sleeve 30. Correspondingly, two right guide rollers 29 are mounted on the second link pin 28 and are also spaced apart from each other by the spacer sleeve 30. The left guide rollers 27 and the right guide rollers 29 have the same structure. The first link pin 26 and the second link pin 28 are parallel to each other, parallel to the first longitudinal axis L1, and at the same distance from the first longitudinal axis L1.

[0030] The first base support 12 has a third bearing portion 32 which also has two hinge holes 22 through which a third link pin 34 can pass. The third link pin 34 extends perpendicular to the first and second link pins 26, 28. A first guide roller 11 and a second guide roller 13 are mounted on the third link pin 34 at a certain distance from each other.

[0031] The base 40 is fixed on the first base support 12, and a spring 42 is fixed on the base 40. The vibration of the first base support 12 can be buffered by the spring 42.

[0032] Figure 4 The first link 10 and the second link 45 are shown. The structure of the second link 45 largely corresponds to the structure of the first link 10, but the second link 45 includes a second base support 46 defining a second longitudinal axis L2. The second base support 46 rotatably supports a second left hand bearing portion 48 and a second right hand bearing portion 50 of the second link pin 28. The distance between the hinge holes 22 of the second left bearing portion 48 is slightly smaller. The hinge holes 22 of the first link 10 and the second link 45 can be arranged in a straight line.

[0033] In one embodiment, the tool magazine includes an annular track and a tool holder. The tool holder includes at least one guide rail guiding member for guiding the tool holder around the annular track. The tool shank is connected to the tool holder for holding the tool, and the tool shank can move between a plurality of different tool change positions, including at least a first and a second tool change position. Preferably, the tool magazine can move the tool to the first and second tool change positions without moving the tool holder.

[0034] In one embodiment, the tool rack for the tool magazine includes a slide frame member and a guide member connected to the slide frame member for guiding the slide frame member along a guide surface.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements may be devised, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that different dependent claims and the features described herein may be combined in ways different from those described in the original claims. It should also be understood that features described in connection with separate embodiments may be used in other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool, characterized in that, The chain-type tool magazine includes a base, a support, tools, a tool magazine guide rail, a tool holder, a tool shank, a tool gripper, a tool gripper driver, a tool shank limiter, and a transmission chain; A plurality of supports are located above the base and fixedly connected to the base for supporting the tool magazine guide rail, the motor, the driving wheel, and the driven wheel; the tool holders are evenly arranged along the tool magazine guide rail, and the tool grippers corresponding to the tool holders are controlled by the tool gripper driver. The transmission chain includes a first link, a second link, and a link pin. The link pin is disposed between the first link and the second link so that one of them can swing relative to the other within a preset angle. The first link and the second link are alternately arranged. The first link has a first base support member in an S shape. The first base support member includes a first L-shaped sub-section, a second U-shaped sub-section, and a third L-shaped sub-section. The three sub-sections are connected together. The first base support member defines a first longitudinal axis of the first link. The structure of the second link corresponds to the structure of the first link. The second link includes a second base support member that defines a second longitudinal axis. The second base support member rotatably supports the bearing portion of the link pin. The hinge holes of the first link and the second link are arranged in a straight line. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis hinge the two links to form a transmission chain.

2. The chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the tools and the tool holders is multiple. Each tool holder corresponds to at least one tool gripper, and the tool gripper is used for clamping the tool shank.

3. The chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The tool magazine includes an annular track having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the tool holder can travel around the annular track; the tool holder includes at least one guide rail guiding member that engages with the annular guide rail on the inner surface and the outer surface.

4. The chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, A tool gripper is mounted on the tool holder and operably connected to the tool holder for clamping the tool shank of the tool.

5. The chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool according to claim 3, wherein, The tool holder further includes an actuator for moving the tool gripper at the tool change position; the actuator drives the tool gripper to move between the tool storage direction and the tool exchange direction; in the tool storage orientation, the tool shank is oriented such that the tool holder can travel around the guide rail; during the tool change process, the tool shank is oriented in a direction convenient for removing the tool.

6. The chain-type tool magazine for a hole-making machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The output shaft of the driving motor is connected to a worm, the worm meshes with a worm gear, and the driving wheel is drivingly connected to the worm gear; when a tool needs to be replaced, the driving motor operates to drive the worm to rotate, the worm drives the worm gear to rotate, so that the driving wheel rotates, and the driving wheel moves through a driving chain, so that a plurality of tool grippers holding tools on the chain move.

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