Nozzle angle automatic adjusting device, automatic adjusting method and machine tool

Abstract

The application discloses a nozzle angle automatic adjusting device, an automatic adjusting method and a machine tool. The nozzle angle automatic adjusting device comprises a support, a first driving assembly, a second driving assembly and a nozzle. The first driving assembly is arranged on the support and comprises a first output shaft arranged along a first direction. The second driving assembly is arranged on the first output shaft and can rotate around the first output shaft under the action of the first driving assembly. The second driving assembly comprises a second output shaft arranged along a second direction. The nozzle is arranged on the second output shaft and can rotate around the second output shaft under the action of the second driving assembly to adjust the spraying angle of the nozzle. The nozzle angle automatic adjusting device, the automatic adjusting method and the machine tool can adapt to and match tools of different lengths, and can complete the cooling and lubrication of the tools in the product machining process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an angle adjustment device, and more particularly to an automatic nozzle angle adjustment device, automatic adjustment method, and machine tool for tool cooling and lubrication. Background Technology

[0002] When CNC machine tools process various products, they need to use cutting tools of different lengths to machine the corresponding product features. During the product processing, nozzle devices that can cool and lubricate the cutting edges of each tool are required to cool and lubricate them.

[0003] In existing technologies, one or two bamboo-joint tubes are typically installed on the Z-axis of the machine tool, connected to external cooling and lubrication pipes, to cool and lubricate the cutting tools. However, after the operator adjusts the cooling and lubrication device—the bamboo-joint tube—once for the currently used cutting tool, the tube cannot automatically adjust when changing to cutting tools of different lengths. As a result, the cutting edge cannot receive effective cooling and lubrication, making it impossible to process products stably.

[0004] Secondly, when operators adjust the bamboo tube, it is usually done in a liquid or gas spraying state, and their bodies are easily exposed to the cooling liquid / gas, which can easily cause injury to the body; if the liquid or gas is corrosive, personal safety cannot be guaranteed.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic nozzle angle adjustment device, an automatic adjustment method, and a machine tool, which can solve the problems in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic nozzle angle adjustment device, comprising: a bracket; a first drive assembly disposed on the bracket, the first drive assembly including a first output shaft disposed along a first direction; a second drive assembly disposed on the first output shaft, the second drive assembly being rotatable about the first output shaft under the action of the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly including a second output shaft disposed along a second direction; and a nozzle disposed on the second output shaft, the nozzle being rotatable about the second output shaft under the action of the second drive assembly to adjust its own spray angle; wherein the first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first driving component includes a first adjusting member and a first driving structure. The first adjusting member is disposed on the bracket and is movable relative to the bracket. The first driving structure is disposed on the first adjusting member and includes the first output shaft.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second drive assembly includes a second adjusting member and a second drive structure, wherein the second adjusting member is disposed on the first output shaft and the second drive structure is disposed on the second adjusting member.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second drive structure includes a housing and a rotary motor, the rotary motor including a second output shaft; an installation space is formed in the housing, and a strip-shaped slot extending in a first direction is provided on the housing; the rotary motor is installed in the installation space, and the second output shaft thereon is configured to extend in a second direction, the strip-shaped slot exposing a portion of the second output shaft.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first end of the nozzle is located inside the strip groove and fixed on the second output shaft, and the first end is connected to an external pipeline, and the second end of the nozzle can move inside the strip groove with the second output shaft as the rotation axis.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second drive structure further includes an angle limiting member, which is fixedly sleeved on the second output shaft and rotates synchronously with the second output shaft. The angle limiting member has a limiting portion. A first limiting protrusion and a second limiting protrusion are sequentially protruding from the inner wall of the housing along the rotation direction of the second output shaft. The limiting portion of the angle limiting member is located between the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion, and as the second output shaft rotates, it can abut against the first limiting protrusion or the second limiting protrusion to limit the rotation angle of the nozzle.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention also provides an automatic adjustment method for the above-mentioned nozzle angle automatic adjustment device, comprising: acquiring tool information, the tool information including tool length and diameter; obtaining the spray angle of the nozzle and the required rotation angle of the first drive component and the second drive component based on the tool information; issuing an activation command to control the first drive component to operate so that the second drive component rotates to a specified position, and controlling the second drive component to operate so that the nozzle rotates to a specified position.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a machine tool including: a mounting bracket movable relative to the machine tool in a first direction; a spindle disposed on the mounting bracket, wherein a replaceable cutting tool is disposed on the spindle; and the aforementioned automatic nozzle angle adjustment device disposed on the mounting bracket with the nozzle facing the cutting tool, wherein the nozzle can be automatically adjusted to the spray position required by the cutting tool.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the bracket of the automatic nozzle angle adjustment device has two opposite ends, the middle part of the bracket is fixed to the mounting plate, and each end of the bracket is provided with the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly and the nozzle.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the nozzle angle automatic adjustment device, automatic adjustment method and machine tool according to the embodiments of the present invention can adapt to and match tools of different lengths, and automatically adjust the spray angle and range of the nozzle according to different tools to complete the cooling and lubrication of the tools during product processing, and ensure processing stability.

[0018] According to the nozzle angle automatic adjustment device, automatic adjustment method and machine tool of the present invention, when the nozzle angle is automatically adjusted, the operator does not need to come into contact with the cooling liquid / gas, and personal safety is guaranteed. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an automatic nozzle angle adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second drive assembly of the automatic nozzle angle adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the second drive structure in the second drive assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is an internal view of the second drive structure in the second drive assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention (omitting the rotary motor and part of the housing).

[0023] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the adjustment method of the nozzle angle automatic adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0026] Unless otherwise expressly stated, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" or its variations such as "including" or "comprises" shall be understood to include the stated elements or components without excluding other elements or other components.

[0027] As mentioned in the background section, CNC machine tools require the use of cutting tools of different lengths to machine the corresponding product features when processing various products. During the product processing, a nozzle device is needed to cool and lubricate the cutting edge of each tool. However, in the prior art, one or two bamboo-joint tubes are usually installed on the Z-axis of the machine tool, connected to external cooling and lubrication pipes, to cool and lubricate the cutting tools.

[0028] Using bamboo-joint tubes for cooling and lubrication has the following disadvantages: First, the spray angle of the bamboo-joint tubes can only be changed by manual force. When there are many cutting tools of varying lengths, the number of bamboo-joint tubes and the spray range cannot meet the cooling and lubrication needs of all tools. Second, when the bamboo-joint tubes are manually adjusted, they are generally in liquid or air spray mode. Operators who come into contact with the cooling liquid / gas are at risk of frostbite. If the liquid or gas is corrosive, personal safety cannot be guaranteed.

[0029] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides an automatic nozzle angle adjustment device, an automatic adjustment method, and a machine tool. By setting a first drive component to adjust the rotation angle of the nozzle in a first plane, and setting a second drive component to adjust the rotation angle of the nozzle in a second plane, the multi-angle adjustment of the nozzle can be realized under the linkage of the first drive component and the second drive component to adapt to different types of cutting tools of different lengths.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, an automatic nozzle angle adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket 10, a first drive assembly 20, a second drive assembly 30, and a nozzle 40. The first drive assembly 20 is mounted on the bracket 10, the second drive assembly 30 is mounted on the first drive assembly 20 and can rotate under the action of the first drive assembly 20, and the nozzle 40 is mounted on the second drive assembly 30 and can rotate under the action of the second drive assembly 30. The nozzle 40 is used to connect to an external pipeline for spraying coolant / cooling gas or lubricant.

[0031] In this embodiment, the bracket 10 is rod-shaped, so that when its middle part is mounted on the Z-axis of the machine tool, its two ends can be located on both sides of the Z-axis spindle of the machine tool. The bracket 10 has two opposite ends 11, each end 11 can be provided with a first drive assembly 20, a second drive assembly 30, and a nozzle 40. One of the nozzles 40 on the two ends 11 can be used to spray coolant / cooling gas; the other can be used to spray lubricant.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first driving assembly 20 includes a first adjusting member 21 and a first driving structure 22. The first adjusting member 21 is constructed as a cuboid structure, which is sleeved on the end 11 of the bracket 10, and can rotate about the axis of the bracket 10 or move along the axis of the bracket 10 under the action of force. It is understood that the rotation or movement of the first adjusting member 21 can be achieved by applying external force manually or by other external drives. Since it is not the focus of solving the technical problem of this application, it will not be elaborated here.

[0033] The first drive structure 22 is fixed to the first adjusting member 21, and the first drive structure 22 has a first output shaft 221 that passes through the first adjusting member 21. The first output shaft 221 extends in a first direction, and the first drive structure 22 can drive the first output shaft 221 to rotate around the shaft. For ease of understanding, since the automatic nozzle angle adjustment device of this application is ultimately set on the z-axis of the machine tool and is used to cool and lubricate the tool on the spindle, the first direction is defined as the z-axis direction in this application text.

[0034] refer to Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the second drive assembly 30 is connected to the first output shaft 221 of the first drive structure 22, and the second drive assembly 30 can rotate around the first output shaft 221 as a rotation axis under the action of the first drive structure 22. The second drive assembly 30 includes a second adjusting member 31 and a second drive structure 32. The second adjusting member 22 is also constructed as a cuboid structure, and the second adjusting member 31 is fixedly disposed on the first output shaft 221. The second drive structure 32 is fixedly disposed on the second adjusting member 22 and is located below the second adjusting member 22 relative to the first output shaft 221. The second drive structure 32 has a second output shaft 321 extending in a second direction, and the second drive structure 32 can drive the second output shaft 321 to rotate around the axis. The second direction intersects with the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. It can be understood that when the first direction is the z-axis direction, the second direction can be the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction. The second drive structure 32 is used to drive the nozzle 40 to adjust the angle in the first direction - z-axis direction.

[0035] For example, refer to Figure 3As shown, the second drive structure 32 includes a housing 322 and a rotary motor 323, the rotary motor 323 including a second output shaft 321. The housing 322 includes a detachably disposed upper housing 3221 and a lower housing 3222. An installation space 322a is formed within the housing 322 for accommodating the rotary motor 323. A strip-shaped slot 3223 extending in the first direction - z-axis direction is provided on the lower housing 3222; in order to increase the movement angle of the nozzle 40 in the z-axis direction, the strip-shaped slot 3223 extends to the bottom surface of the lower housing 3222 (the bottom surface located at the lowest end in the z-axis direction), see reference. Figure 2 As shown. A rotary motor 323 is mounted in the mounting space 322a along a second direction, such that its second output shaft 321 also extends along the second direction. A slotted opening 3223 exposes a portion of the second output shaft 321. The first end of the nozzle 40 is located within the slotted opening 3223 and fixed to the second output shaft 321, and the first end is connected to an external conduit. The second end of the nozzle 40 can move within the slotted opening 3223 about the second output shaft 321 as a rotation axis to adjust the angle.

[0036] refer to Figure 4 As shown, in order to make the angle range of the nozzle 40 controllable, the second drive structure 32 also includes an angle limiting member 324. The angle limiting member 324 is preferably configured as a cuboid plate structure, one end of which is fixedly sleeved on the second output shaft 321 and can rotate synchronously with the second output shaft 321.

[0037] The angle limiting member 324 has a limiting portion 3241, which can be the two apex corners of a cuboid plate structure. A first limiting protrusion 3224 and a second limiting protrusion 3225 are sequentially provided on the inner wall of the housing 322 along the rotation direction of the second output shaft 321. The limiting portion 3241 of the angle limiting member 324 is located between the first limiting protrusion 3224 and the second limiting protrusion 3225, and as the second output shaft 321 rotates, it can abut against the first limiting protrusion 3224 or the second limiting protrusion 3225 to limit the rotation angle of the nozzle 40.

[0038] refer to Figure 5As shown, an embodiment of the present invention also provides an automatic adjustment method for the above-mentioned nozzle angle automatic adjustment device, comprising: s1, acquiring tool information. Tool information may include the type, length, and diameter of the tool. It is understood that different tool types, tool lengths, and tool diameters require different nozzle spray angles. The tool type, length, diameter, and other information of the machine tool are stored in the machine tool's control system. s2, obtaining the nozzle spray angle and the required rotation angle of the first drive component and the second drive component based on the tool information. In this step, the control system can perform real-time calculations after acquiring the tool information to obtain the corresponding data; alternatively, the required nozzle spray angle for tools of relevant types, lengths, and diameters can be pre-input into the control system's database, and the control system can compare the acquired tool information with the database and retrieve the matching data. s3, issuing an activation command to control the first drive component to operate so that the second drive component rotates to a specified position, and controlling the second drive component to operate so that the nozzle rotates to a specified position. After acquiring the relevant data, the corresponding components are controlled to move accordingly, so that the nozzle reaches the specified position for cooling and lubrication. It can be understood that the control system can be a PLC control system, or the nozzle can be controlled to reach a designated position by inputting corresponding instructions into the PLC control system to perform cooling and lubrication.

[0039] It should be noted that when the drive structure rotates to different positions, the nozzle outlet points to different positions. The correspondence between the two can be calculated based on geometric relationships or calibrated, which will not be elaborated here.

[0040] In addition, refer to Figure 6 As shown, one embodiment of the present invention also provides a machine tool, including a mounting bracket 100, a spindle 200, and the aforementioned automatic nozzle angle adjustment device. The mounting bracket 100 is movable relative to the machine tool in a first direction -z-axis direction; the spindle 200 is mounted on the mounting bracket 100 and is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket 100, and a replaceable tool A is mounted on the spindle 200; the aforementioned automatic nozzle angle adjustment device is mounted on the mounting bracket 100 with the nozzle 40 facing the tool A, and the nozzle 40 can be automatically adjusted to the required spray position of the tool A by the automatic nozzle angle adjustment device. In order to achieve spraying of the tool A from two directions, the middle part of the bracket 10 is fixed to the mounting bracket 100 by a mounting plate B, and the nozzles 40 on the two ends 11 of the bracket 10 can spray the tool A from two directions. It can be understood that in order to achieve spraying of the tool A from multiple directions, the bracket 10 may also include multiple ends 11, and each end 11 may be provided with a first drive assembly 20, a second drive assembly 30, and a nozzle 40.

[0041] The machine tool described in this application can be used in the following ways:

[0042] First, taking the example of pre-storing angle data related to various types of cutting tools in the database of the PLC control system, and setting the correspondence with the outside, such as number 1 representing the first type of cutting tool, number 2 representing the second type of cutting tool, and so on.

[0043] Before use, the PLC control system should be pre-learned to operate in the correct sequence of tool types during product processing. For example, input command 1 into the PLC control system. This activates the first and second drive components, rotating the nozzle to the required angle for the first type of tool, where it sprays cooling and lubricating medium onto the cutting edge. Then, input command 2 into the PLC control system. This activates the first and second drive components, rotating the nozzle to the required angle for the second type of tool, where it sprays cooling and lubricating medium onto the cutting edge. Continue inputting commands until all types of tools are properly cooled and lubricated in the correct sequence, completing the learning process.

[0044] In use, after the first type of tool finishes processing the product, the second type of tool is switched. The first and second drive components operate according to the pre-learned instructions, driving the nozzle to rotate to the required angle of the second type of tool. The nozzle sprays a medium to cool and lubricate the cutting edge of the second type of tool, and the second type of tool begins to process the product. This process continues in this manner without manual intervention until all types of tools have finished processing the product. Then, the first and second drive components return to the initial position required by the first type of tool.

[0045] Compared with the prior art, the nozzle angle automatic adjustment device, automatic adjustment method and machine tool according to the embodiments of the present invention can adapt to and match tools of different lengths, and automatically adjust the spray angle and range of the nozzle according to different tools to complete the cooling and lubrication of the tools during product processing, and ensure processing stability.

[0046] According to the nozzle angle automatic adjustment device, automatic adjustment method and machine tool of the present invention, when the nozzle angle is automatically adjusted, the operator does not need to come into contact with the cooling liquid / gas, and personal safety is guaranteed.

[0047] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention is for illustrative and explanatory purposes. These descriptions are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many changes and variations can be made in accordance with the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the specific principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to implement and utilize various different exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as various different choices and variations. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic nozzle angle adjustment device, characterized in that, include: support; A first drive assembly is disposed on the bracket, and the first drive assembly includes a first output shaft disposed along a first direction; A second drive component is disposed on the first output shaft, and the second drive component can rotate about the first output shaft as a rotation axis under the action of the first drive component. The second drive assembly includes a second drive structure, which includes a housing and a rotary motor. An installation space is formed within the housing, and a strip-shaped slot extending in a first direction is provided on the housing. The rotary motor includes a second output shaft, which is mounted in the mounting space and is configured to extend along a second direction, with the strip-shaped slot exposing a portion of the second output shaft. A nozzle is disposed on the second output shaft. The nozzle can rotate about the second output shaft as a rotation axis under the action of the second drive component to adjust its own spray angle. The second drive structure further includes an angle limiting member, which is fixedly sleeved on the second output shaft and rotates synchronously with the second output shaft. The angle limiting member has a limiting part. The inner wall of the housing is provided with a first limiting protrusion and a second limiting protrusion in sequence along the rotation direction of the second output shaft. The limiting part of the angle limiting member is located between the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion, and as the second output shaft rotates, it can abut against the first limiting protrusion or the second limiting protrusion to limit the rotation angle of the nozzle. The first direction and the second direction intersect.

2. The automatic nozzle angle adjustment device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

3. The automatic nozzle angle adjustment device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first drive assembly includes a first adjusting member and a first drive structure. The first adjusting member is disposed on the bracket and is movable relative to the bracket. The first drive structure is disposed on the first adjusting member and includes the first output shaft.

4. The automatic nozzle angle adjustment device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second drive assembly includes a second adjusting member disposed on the first output shaft, and the second drive structure disposed on the second adjusting member.

5. The automatic nozzle angle adjustment device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first end of the nozzle is located inside the strip groove and fixed on the second output shaft, and the first end is connected to an external pipeline. The second end of the nozzle can move inside the strip groove with the second output shaft as the rotation axis.

6. An automatic adjustment method for the nozzle angle automatic adjustment device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: Obtain tool information; Based on the tool information, the nozzle's spray angle and the required rotation angles of the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly are obtained; A start command is issued to control the operation of the first drive component to rotate the second drive component to a specified position, and to control the operation of the second drive component to rotate the nozzle to a specified position.

7. A machine tool, characterized in that, include: The mounting bracket can move relative to the machine tool in the first direction; A spindle is mounted on the mounting bracket, and a replaceable cutting tool is mounted on the spindle; The automatic nozzle angle adjustment device as described in any one of claims 1-5, disposed on the mounting bracket with the nozzle facing the cutting tool, can automatically adjust the nozzle to the spray position required by the cutting tool.

8. The machine tool as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The bracket of the automatic nozzle angle adjustment device has two opposite ends, the middle part of the bracket is fixed to the mounting plate, and each end of the bracket is provided with the first drive component, the second drive component and the nozzle.

Images