Tool magazine chain and chain tool magazine

Abstract

This invention discloses a tool magazine chain and a chain-type tool magazine, wherein the tool magazine chain includes: a plurality of first chain links, each first chain link having a first toothed hole extending through it in a direction perpendicular to its moving direction; and a plurality of second chain links, each second chain link having a second toothed hole extending through it in a direction perpendicular to its moving direction; wherein the first and second chain links are arranged alternately in sequence, and adjacent first and second chain links are connected by a ball joint structure, and the second chain links are provided with a connecting seat for mounting tool holders. This invention enables helical transport of tools, ensuring tool retrieval and replacement while shortening the stroke for tool position adjustment, thus improving the efficiency of tool retrieval and replacement operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of chain-type tool magazines, and more specifically to a tool magazine chain and a chain-type tool magazine thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Chain-driven tool magazines are a type of tool magazine used in CNC machine tools. They have a large tool capacity, and the tools are moved via a chain. When a specific tool needs to be selected, it must first be moved to the extraction position via the chain before being extracted. Therefore, when the tool to be replaced is far from the extraction position, the chain needs to travel a considerable distance to extract the tool, significantly increasing the tool change operation time.

[0003] Meanwhile, since the number of tools on a chain tool magazine is determined by the length of the chain, increasing the number of tools will also increase the length of the chain, resulting in a larger space occupation for the chain tool magazine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tool magazine chain and a chain-type tool magazine, which can realize the spiral transport of tools, ensuring the extraction and replacement of tools while shortening the stroke for tool position adjustment, thereby improving the efficiency of tool extraction and replacement operations.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is:

[0006] A tool magazine chain, comprising:

[0007] Several first links, each of which has a first toothed hole extending through it in a direction perpendicular to its direction of movement;

[0008] Several second links, each having a second toothed hole extending through it in a direction perpendicular to its direction of movement;

[0009] The first and second links are arranged alternately in sequence, and adjacent first and second links are connected by a ball head and ball seat structure. The second link is provided with a connecting seat for mounting the tool holder.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the connecting seat includes a main body for mounting the tool holder. The main body has two parallel extensions arranged symmetrically from top to bottom. The two extensions are integrally connected to the top and bottom ends of the second link, respectively.

[0011] The present invention also provides a chain-type tool magazine, comprising:

[0012] The base has a first drive column and a second drive column. The outer side of the first drive column has a spiral-shaped first drive groove. The top and bottom outer sides of the second drive column have a second drive groove and a third drive groove, respectively.

[0013] The chain is the same as the tool magazine chain described in the above technical solution. The chain is wound around the first drive post through the first drive groove, and the two ends of the chain are wound around the top and bottom of the second drive post through the second drive groove and the third drive groove, respectively.

[0014] Several tool holders are used to hold tools. The tool holders are mounted on the second link via connecting seats, and the sides of two adjacent tool holders are in contact with each other.

[0015] The first drive mechanism is used to drive the two ends of the chain to slide horizontally in opposite directions synchronously.

[0016] The second drive mechanism is used to drive the chain to slide along the first drive groove, the second drive groove and the third drive groove.

[0017] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the first driving groove includes several vertically spaced horizontal grooves, and adjacent horizontal grooves are connected by transition grooves. The transition grooves are inclined. The horizontal grooves, transition grooves, second driving grooves and third driving grooves are all arc-shaped. The second driving groove and the third driving groove are on the same horizontal plane as the horizontal grooves located at the top and bottom of the first driving groove, respectively.

[0018] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the first driving mechanism includes two threaded shafts and two sliding seats. The threaded shafts are rotatably mounted on the seat body, and a first driving motor for driving the rotation of either of the two threaded shafts is mounted on the seat body. The thread directions of the two threaded shafts are opposite and they are connected by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism. The sliding seats are horizontally slidably mounted on the seat body, and the two sliding seats are respectively sleeved on the two threaded shafts in a threaded engagement manner.

[0019] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the second drive mechanism includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, which are rotatably mounted on a first drive column and a second drive column, respectively. A second drive motor for driving the first rotating shaft to rotate is mounted on the base. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are connected by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism. The first rotating shaft is provided with a plurality of first drive gears. The number of first drive gears is the same as the number of horizontal slots, and the corresponding first drive gears and horizontal slots are on the same horizontal plane. The teeth of the first drive gears are located in the horizontal slots so that the first drive gears mesh with the chain. The second rotating shaft is provided with two second drive gears. The two second drive gears are on the same horizontal plane as the second drive slot and the third drive slot, respectively. The teeth of the two second drive gears are located in the second drive slot and the third drive slot, respectively, so that both second drive gears mesh with the chain.

[0020] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, two guide grooves are provided on the outer side of the first drive column and on the outer side of the top and bottom of the second drive column. The first drive groove, the second drive groove and the third drive groove are respectively located between the two corresponding guide grooves and are arranged parallel to the corresponding first drive groove, second drive groove and third drive groove. A rotating seat is rotatably provided on the tool holder. A torsion spring is provided between the rotating seat and the tool holder. An extension column is provided on the rotating seat in a vertically symmetrical arrangement. The inner end of the extension column is slidably provided on the rotating seat and a first spring is provided between the two. The two ends of the first spring abut against the extension column and the rotating seat respectively. A ball wheel is installed on the outer end of the extension column. The two ball wheels are respectively located in the two guide grooves.

[0021] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the tool holder includes a mounting base and two clamping arms. The mounting base is rotatably mounted on the connecting base, and the two clamping arms are symmetrically arranged on the mounting base. The clamping arms are rotatably mounted on the mounting base and a torsion spring is provided between them so that the two clamping arms are in a clamping state. An abutment block is slidably arranged on the side of the mounting base and a second spring is provided between them. The two ends of the second spring abut against the abutment block and the mounting base, respectively.

[0022] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the clamping arm includes a clamping section and an extension section. The inner end of the clamping section is rotatably mounted on the mounting base. The clamping section is arc-shaped. When the two clamping arms are in the clamping state, a funnel-shaped insertion port is formed between the outer ends of the clamping sections of the two clamping arms through the extension section.

[0023] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, it also includes a base, with the seat body slidably mounted on the base, and a hydraulic push rod installed on the base for driving the seat body to move vertically and linearly relative to the base.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and effects:

[0025] This invention enables a spiral transport of tools on a chain tool magazine, thereby increasing the tool capacity of the chain tool magazine while reducing its space occupation. Furthermore, the spiral transport allows multiple tools to be positioned in the same vertical direction, enabling the tool to be retrieved from among these tools to be positioned at the retrieval location via a lifting mechanism. This ensures efficient tool retrieval and replacement while shortening the stroke required for tool position adjustment, thus improving the efficiency of tool retrieval and replacement operations. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tool magazine chain from one perspective in Embodiment 1.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tool magazine chain from a second perspective in Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a chain-type tool magazine in Embodiment 2.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a top view of a chain-type tool magazine according to Embodiment 2.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the first drive column from one perspective.

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the first drive column from the second perspective.

[0032] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the second drive column.

[0033] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a partial cross-sectional view of the tool holder.

[0034] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure between the ball wheel and the guide groove.

[0035] Figure 10 yes Figure 6 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the first drive column.

[0036] Figure 11 yes Figure 7 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the second drive column.

[0037] Figure 12 yes Figure 11The diagram shows the structure between the second rotating shaft and the first rotating shaft.

[0038] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the tool holder.

[0039] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The diagram shows a partial cross-sectional view of the tool holder shown.

[0040] Figure 15 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a partial structural schematic of the chain shown.

[0041] The components include: first link 1, first toothed hole 11, ball head seat 12, second link 2, second toothed hole 21, connecting seat 22, main body 23, extension 24, ball head 25, seat body 3, first drive column 31, second drive column 32, first drive groove 33, second drive groove 34, third drive groove 35, horizontal groove 36, transition groove 37, guide groove 38, chain 4, base 5, hydraulic push rod 51, tool holder 6, mounting seat 61, clamping arm 62, and abutment block. 63, second spring 64, clamping section 65, extension section 66, inlet 67, limiting seat 68, first drive mechanism 7, threaded shaft 71, sliding seat 72, first drive motor 73, gear transmission mechanism 74, synchronous belt transmission mechanism 75, second drive mechanism 8, first rotating shaft 81, second rotating shaft 82, second drive motor 83, first drive gear 84, second drive gear 85, rotating seat 9, extension column 91, first spring 92, ball wheel 93. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are explanations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0043] Example 1.

[0044] See Figures 1-2 This embodiment provides a tool magazine chain, including a plurality of first links 1 and a plurality of second links 2. The first links 1 have a first tooth hole 11 through them in a direction perpendicular to their moving direction, and the second links 2 have a second tooth hole 21 through them in a direction perpendicular to their moving direction. The first links 1 and the second links 2 are arranged alternately in sequence, and adjacent first links 1 and second links 2 are connected by a ball joint 25 ball seat structure. The second links 2 are provided with a connecting seat 22 for mounting the tool holder 6.

[0045] The connecting seat 22 includes a main body 23 for mounting the tool holder 6. The main body 23 has two parallel extensions 24 arranged symmetrically on the top and bottom. The two extensions 24 are integrally connected to the top and bottom ends of the second link 2, respectively.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first link 1 is provided with ball head seats 12 at both ends of its moving direction, and the second link 2 is provided with ball heads 25 adapted to the ball head seats 12 at both ends of its moving direction.

[0047] Example 2.

[0048] See Figures 3-14 This embodiment of a chain-type tool magazine includes a base 3, a chain 4, a base 5, and several tool holders 6. The base 3 is provided with a first drive post 31 and a second drive post 32. A spiral-shaped first drive groove 33 is formed on the outer surface of the first drive post 31. A second drive groove 34 and a third drive groove 35 are formed on the outer surfaces of the top and bottom of the second drive post 32, respectively. The chain 4 is the same as the chain 4 of the tool magazine in Embodiment 1. The chain 4 is wound around the first drive post 31 through the first drive groove 33, and the two ends of the chain 4 are respectively connected through the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35. The base 3 is mounted on the top and bottom of the second drive column 32. The base 3 is provided with a first drive mechanism 7 for driving the two ends of the chain 4 to slide horizontally in opposite directions synchronously and linearly, and a second drive mechanism 8 for driving the chain 4 to slide along the first drive groove 33, the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35. The base 3 is slidably mounted on the base 5. The base 5 is equipped with a hydraulic push rod 51 for driving the base 3 to move vertically relative to the base 5. The tool holder 6 is used to place the tool. The tool holder 6 is mounted on the second chain link 2 through the connecting seat 22. The sides of two adjacent tool holders 6 are in contact with each other.

[0049] In use, the chain 4 is driven by the second drive mechanism 8 and the first drive mechanism 7, causing the chain 4 to slide along the first drive groove 33, the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35, thereby allowing the tool to be extracted to move to the vertical direction of the extraction position. Then, the hydraulic push rod 51 drives the base 3, allowing the height of the tool holder 6, which is on the same vertical line, to be adjusted, so that the tool to be extracted can be moved to the extraction position, thereby shortening the stroke of the tool holder 6 position adjustment and improving the efficiency of tool extraction and replacement.

[0050] See Figure 4The first drive mechanism 7 includes two threaded shafts 71 and two sliding seats 72. The threaded shafts 71 are rotatably mounted on the seat 3. The seat 3 is equipped with a first drive motor 73 for driving the rotation of either of the two threaded shafts 71. The first drive motor 73 and the threaded shaft 71 are connected by a gear transmission mechanism. The thread directions of the two threaded shafts 71 are opposite and they are connected by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism. The sliding seats 72 are horizontally slidably mounted on the seat 3. The two sliding seats 72 are respectively sleeved on the two threaded shafts 71 in a threaded engagement manner.

[0051] In use, the driving effect of the first drive motor 73 on the threaded shaft 71, combined with the transmission effect of the synchronous belt drive mechanism, enables the two threaded shafts 71 to rotate synchronously in the same direction. Since the thread directions of the two threaded shafts 71 are opposite, the two threaded shafts 71 can drive the two sliding seats 72 to move synchronously in opposite directions in a horizontal linear motion. This achieves the driving effect of synchronously moving the two ends of the chain 4 in opposite directions in a horizontal linear motion, ensuring the stability and smoothness of the chain 4 moving on the first drive column 31 and the second drive column 32.

[0052] See Figures 5-9 The first drive groove 33 includes several vertically spaced horizontal grooves 36. Adjacent horizontal grooves 36 are connected by transition grooves 37, which are inclined. The horizontal grooves 36, transition grooves 37, second drive groove 34, and third drive groove 35 are all arc-shaped. The second drive groove 34 and third drive groove 35 are on the same horizontal plane as the horizontal grooves 36 located at the top and bottom of the first drive groove 33, respectively. The arrangement of the horizontal grooves 36 on the first drive groove 33 ensures the orderly horizontal arrangement of the tool holder 6 on the horizontal grooves 36, thereby facilitating the extraction of the tool from the tool holder 6. At the same time, the positional arrangement of the second drive groove 34 and third drive groove 35 between the horizontal grooves 36 located at the top and bottom of the first drive groove 33 ensures the stability and smoothness of the chain 4's movement between the first drive groove 33 and the second drive groove 34, and between the first drive groove 33 and the third drive groove 35, thus ensuring the effective adjustment of the position of the tool holder 6 on the base 3.

[0053] In this embodiment, two guide grooves 38 are provided on the outer side of the first drive column 31 and on the outer side of the top and bottom of the second drive column 32. The first drive groove 33, the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35 are respectively located between the two corresponding guide grooves 38 and the guide grooves 38 are arranged parallel to the corresponding first drive grooves 33, second drive grooves 34 and third drive grooves 35. A rotating seat 9 is rotatably provided on the tool holder 6. A torsion spring is provided between the rotating seat 9 and the tool holder 6. An extension column 91 is provided on the rotating seat 9 and arranged symmetrically on the top and bottom. The inner end of the extension column 91 is slidably provided on the rotating seat 9 and a first spring 92 is provided between the two. The two ends of the first spring 92 abut against the extension column 91 and the rotating seat 9 respectively. A ball wheel 93 is installed on the outer end of the extension column 91 and the two ball wheels 93 are respectively located in the two guide grooves 38. The guide grooves 38 on the first drive column 31 and the second drive column 32, combined with the rotating seat 9 on the tool holder 6 and the ball wheel 93 thereon, ensure the stability and smoothness of the movement of the tool holder 6 on the first drive column 31 and the second drive column 32. This guarantees the accuracy of the tool holder 6's position adjustment and facilitates the extraction of the required tool. Simultaneously, because the ball wheel 93 slides within the guide grooves 38, the first drive column 31 and the second drive column 32 can provide a certain load-bearing effect on the tool holder 6, reducing the load on the chain 4. This ensures the chain 4's service life while also improving its transmission efficiency.

[0054] See Figures 10-12 The second drive mechanism 8 includes a first rotating shaft 81 and a second rotating shaft 82, which are rotatably mounted on a first drive column 31 and a second drive column 32, respectively. A second drive motor 83 for driving the first rotating shaft 81 is mounted on the base 3. The second drive motor 83 and the first rotating shaft 81 are connected by a gear transmission mechanism, and the first rotating shaft 81 and the second rotating shaft 82 are connected by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism. The first rotating shaft 81 is provided with a plurality of first drive gears 84, the number of which is related to the water flow. The first drive gear 84 and the corresponding horizontal groove 36 are on the same horizontal plane. The teeth of the first drive gear 84 are located in the horizontal groove 36 so that the first drive gear 84 and the chain 4 mesh. The second rotating shaft 82 is provided with two second drive gears 85. The two second drive gears 85 are on the same horizontal plane as the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35 respectively. The teeth of the two second drive gears 85 are located in the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35 respectively so that both second drive gears 85 mesh with the chain 4.

[0055] In use, the driving effect of the second drive motor 83 on the first rotating shaft 81, combined with the transmission effect of the synchronous belt transmission mechanism, enables the first rotating shaft 81 and the second rotating shaft 82 to rotate synchronously in the same direction, thereby driving the first drive gear 84 and the second drive gear 85 to rotate synchronously in the same direction. This allows the chain 4 to slide along the first drive groove 33, the second drive groove 34 and the third drive groove 35 under the drive of the first drive gear 84 and the second drive gear 85, thus ensuring the adjustment effect of the position of each tool holder 6 on the base 3.

[0056] See Figures 13-15 The tool holder 6 includes a mounting base 61 and two clamping arms 62. The mounting base 61 is rotatably mounted on the connecting base 22. The two clamping arms 62 are symmetrically arranged on the mounting base 61. The clamping arms 62 are rotatably mounted on the mounting base 61 and a torsion spring is provided between them so that the two clamping arms 62 are in a clamping state. A stop block 63 is slidably arranged on the side of the mounting base 61 and a second spring 64 is provided between them. The two ends of the second spring 64 abut against the stop block 63 and the mounting base 61 respectively.

[0057] The clamping arm 62 includes a clamping section 65 and an extension section 66. The inner end of the clamping section 65 is rotatably mounted on the mounting base 61. The clamping section 65 is arc-shaped. When the two clamping arms 62 are in the clamping state, a funnel-shaped inlet 67 is formed between the outer ends of the clamping sections 65 of the two clamping arms 62 through the extension section 66.

[0058] In use, the abutting block 63 on the mounting base 61 abuts against its adjacent mounting base 61, ensuring the stability of the tool holder 6 during chain conveying (i.e., the two clamping arms 62 remain horizontal at all times). This ensures the stability of the tool placement in the tool magazine and reduces the possibility of tools falling off during conveying. Simultaneously, the clamping and fixing effect of the two clamping arms 62, combined with the torsion springs between the clamping arms 62 and the mounting base 61, and the extension section 66 on the clamping arms 62, facilitates the insertion and removal of tools from the tool holder 6.

[0059] To further improve the stability of the tool holder 6 during the conveying process of the chain 4, a limiting seat 68 is provided at both ends of the chain 4. The two limiting seats 68 are in contact with the tool holder 6 located at the front end and rear end of the chain 4 in the direction of movement, respectively. The limiting seats 68 are fixed on the connecting seat 22.

[0060] The above description is merely illustrative of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not depart from the content of this specification or exceed the scope defined by the claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A chain-type tool magazine, characterized in that, include: The base has a first drive column and a second drive column. The outer side of the first drive column has a spiral-shaped first drive groove. The top and bottom outer sides of the second drive column have a second drive groove and a third drive groove, respectively. A chain is wound around a first drive post via a first drive groove. The two ends of the chain are wound around the top and bottom of a second drive post via a second drive groove and a third drive groove, respectively. The chain includes several first links and several second links. A first tooth hole is opened through the first link in a direction perpendicular to its direction of movement. A second tooth hole is opened through the second link in a direction perpendicular to its direction of movement. The first links and second links are arranged alternately in sequence, and adjacent first links and second links are connected by a ball joint structure. A connecting seat is provided on the second link. Several tool holders are used to hold tools. The tool holders are mounted on the second link via connecting seats, and the sides of two adjacent tool holders are in contact with each other. The first drive mechanism is used to drive the two ends of the chain to slide horizontally in opposite directions synchronously. The second drive mechanism is used to drive the chain to slide along the first drive groove, the second drive groove and the third drive groove; The first driving groove includes several vertically spaced horizontal grooves, which are connected by transition grooves. The transition grooves are inclined. The horizontal grooves, transition grooves, second driving grooves and third driving grooves are all arc-shaped. The second driving groove and the third driving groove are on the same horizontal plane as the horizontal grooves located at the top and bottom of the first driving groove, respectively.

2. The chain-type tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first drive mechanism includes two threaded shafts and two sliding seats. The threaded shafts are rotatably mounted on the seat body. A first drive motor for driving the rotation of either of the two threaded shafts is mounted on the seat body. The thread directions of the two threaded shafts are opposite and they are connected by a synchronous belt drive mechanism. The sliding seats are horizontally slidably mounted on the seat body. The two sliding seats are respectively sleeved on the two threaded shafts in a threaded engagement manner.

3. The chain-type tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second drive mechanism includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, which are rotatably mounted on a first drive column and a second drive column, respectively. A second drive motor for driving the first rotating shaft to rotate is mounted on the base. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are connected by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism. The first rotating shaft is provided with a plurality of first drive gears. The number of first drive gears is the same as the number of horizontal slots, and the corresponding first drive gears and horizontal slots are on the same horizontal plane. The teeth of the first drive gears are located in the horizontal slots so that the first drive gears mesh with the chain. The second rotating shaft is provided with two second drive gears. The two second drive gears are on the same horizontal plane as the second drive slot and the third drive slot, respectively. The teeth of the two second drive gears are located in the second drive slot and the third drive slot, respectively, so that both second drive gears mesh with the chain.

4. The chain-type tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two guide grooves are provided on the outer side of the first drive column and on the outer side of the top and bottom of the second drive column. The first drive groove, the second drive groove and the third drive groove are respectively located between the two corresponding guide grooves and are arranged parallel to the corresponding first drive groove, second drive groove and third drive groove. A rotating seat is rotatably provided on the tool holder. A torsion spring is provided between the rotating seat and the tool holder. An extension column is provided on the rotating seat in a vertically symmetrical arrangement. The inner end of the extension column is slidably provided on the rotating seat and a first spring is provided between the two. The two ends of the first spring abut against the extension column and the rotating seat respectively. A ball wheel is installed on the outer end of the extension column. The two ball wheels are respectively located in the two guide grooves.

5. The chain-type tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tool holder includes a mounting base and two clamping arms. The mounting base is rotatably mounted on the connecting base. The two clamping arms are symmetrically arranged on the mounting base. The clamping arms are rotatably mounted on the mounting base and a torsion spring is provided between them so that the two clamping arms are in a clamping state. A stop block is slidably arranged on the side of the mounting base and a second spring is provided between them. The two ends of the second spring abut against the stop block and the mounting base, respectively.

6. The chain-type tool magazine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The clamping arm includes a clamping section and an extension section. The inner end of the clamping section is rotatably mounted on the mounting base. The clamping section is arc-shaped. When the two clamping arms are in the clamping state, a funnel-shaped insertion port is formed between the outer ends of the clamping sections of the two clamping arms through the extension section.

7. The chain-type tool magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a base, on which the seat body is slidably mounted, and on which a hydraulic push rod is installed for driving the seat body to move vertically relative to the base.

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