A machine tool tool holder capable of automatic centering

Abstract

This invention provides an automatically centered machine tool holder, comprising a tool holder base, a left pressure arm, a right pressure arm, a compression spring, and a centering assembly. The left and right pressure arms are arranged opposite each other on the upper surface of the tool holder base and are hinged to the tool holder base via pins. Using this machine tool holder structure, when the left and right pressure arms clamp the tool, the tool enters the clamping space formed by the clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms. The outer surface of the tool contacts the button and rollers in the centering assembly on the left and right pressure arms. Since a pair of rollers on each clamping end are symmetrically arranged, the outer surface of the tool rolls against the outer surface of the rollers during contact. Therefore, under the rolling contact with the rollers and its own gravity, the tool, initially tilted, automatically straightens, avoiding the need for subsequent manual intervention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of robotic processing equipment technology, specifically to a machine tool holder capable of automatic centering. Background Technology

[0002] Machine tool clips are crucial components in machine tool processing, significantly impacting tool performance. Used in the tool magazines of CNC machining centers, they hold the tool holders, allowing the spindle to move tools into or remove them from the magazine as needed during machining.

[0003] However, during the process of picking up and placing tools, the tool holder may sometimes tilt due to unexpected factors (the original placement position of the tool is tilted or it is tilted due to external vibration). This makes it difficult for the tool holder to pick up or place such tools in subsequent operations, requiring manual intervention to adjust the tool. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide an automatically centered machine tool holder, thereby solving the problem that existing machine tool holders require manual adjustment of the tool when it is retrieved due to the tool's tilted position during storage.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] This application provides an automatically centered machine tool holder. The machine tool holder includes a tool holder base, a left pressure arm, a right pressure arm, a compression spring, and a centering assembly. The left and right pressure arms are arranged opposite to each other on the upper surface of the tool holder base. The left and right pressure arms are respectively hinged to the tool holder base via pins. The clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms can move closer or further apart. The compression spring is compressed and installed on the other ends of the left and right pressure arms opposite to the clamping ends. The centering assembly is respectively installed at the clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms. The centering assembly includes a pair of rollers, a button, a motor, a connecting plate, and a return compression spring. The button is installed on the outer side of the clamping end. One end is hinged to the outer side of the clamping end. The motor is disposed in a groove provided in the clamping end. The motor is connected to one side of the connecting plate and is used to drive the connecting plate to reciprocate. One end of the reset compression spring is connected to the other side of the connecting plate, and the other end of the reset compression spring is fixedly installed in the groove of the clamping end. The rollers are arranged on the outer edge of the groove. A pair of rollers are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the button. The rollers are fixedly connected to the connecting plate through a connecting rod. The rollers and the inner cavity of the groove form a retractable sliding connection. When the button is pressed, one end of the button is pressed into the groove and triggers the motor to act, driving the connecting plate to move the rollers into the inner cavity of the groove.

[0007] Furthermore, a roller is also installed at the front end of the clamping end.

[0008] Furthermore, the clamping end has a concave arc-shaped structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner side of the button is fixedly connected to one end of a push rod, and the other end of the push rod is used to cooperate with the switch button of the motor to control whether the switch button is activated.

[0010] Furthermore, the button is located at the middle position of the outer edge of the clamping end, and the two ends of the roller are rotatably connected to the connecting rod.

[0011] Furthermore, an automatic locking device for controlling the clamping and loosening between the left and right pressure arms is provided between the left and right pressure arms. The automatic locking device is installed on the left and right pressure arms between the other ends opposite to the clamping ends.

[0012] Furthermore, a positioning block is provided between the left pressure arm and the right pressure arm, and the positioning block is fixedly installed on the outer edge of the upper end face of the blade holder base near the clamping end.

[0013] Furthermore, the automatic locking device includes a pressure block, a trigger element, a trigger compression spring, and a base. The base is located at the outer edge of the upper end of the blade holder base, opposite to the other end of the clamping end. The bottom end of the trigger element is mounted on the base via the trigger compression spring. The pressure block is fixedly mounted on the top end of the trigger element. The trigger compression spring has a first position and a second position. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger element presses against the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, respectively, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to narrow. When the trigger compression spring is in the second position, the trigger element moves downward and disengages from the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to widen.

[0014] Furthermore, the trigger includes a cylindrical trigger portion and a connecting portion. The connecting portion extends upward from the top surface of the trigger portion, and the bottom end of the trigger portion is connected to the base via the trigger compression spring. The pressure block is fixedly installed on the connecting portion. The outer diameter of the trigger portion is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting portion. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger portion presses against the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, respectively, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to narrow. When the trigger compression spring is in the second position, the trigger portion moves downward and disengages from the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to widen.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0016] By adopting the above-mentioned machine tool clamping structure, when the left and right pressure arms clamp the tool, the tool enters the clamping space enclosed by the clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms. The outer surface of the tool contacts the button and rollers in the centering assembly on the left and right pressure arms. Since the pair of rollers on each clamping end are symmetrically arranged, the outer surface of the tool and the outer surface of the rollers form rolling contact during the contact process. Therefore, under the rolling contact with the rollers and its own gravity, the tool, which was originally in an inclined state, will automatically be straightened, avoiding the need for subsequent manual intervention. At the same time, during the contact process with the rollers, the tool will also exert an inward squeezing force on the button. As the button is pressed down, the button will trigger the motor to move, causing the connecting plate to drive the rollers to move inward, thereby enabling the outer edges of the clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms to contact the outer surface of the tool, ensuring the normal clamping function of the tool. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the machine tool holder that can automatically align in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of the automatic centering machine tool holder in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of the centering component installed on the left and right pressure arms in the embodiments of this application.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the diagram.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the machine tool holder that can automatically center itself to grip the tool in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic locking device installed between the left and right pressure arms in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 10-Machine tool holder, 100-Left pressure arm, 200-Right pressure arm, 300-Tool holder base, 400-Compression spring, 500-Automatic locking device, 501-Pressure block, 502-Trigger element, 5021-Connecting part, 5022-Trigger part, 503-Base, 600-Positioning block, 700-Roller, 800-Centering assembly, 801-Roller, 802-Button, 803-Motor, 804-Connecting plate, 805-Reset compression spring, 806-Push rod, 807-Groove. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] See appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a machine tool clip 10 that can automatically center, which includes a clip base 300, a left pressure arm 100, a right pressure arm 200, a compression spring 400, and a centering assembly 800.

[0027] See attached document Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 As shown, the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 are mounted on the upper surface of the tool holder base 300, arranged symmetrically from left to right. Each of the left and right pressure arms includes two opposing ends: one end is used to contact the outer surface of the tool, serving as the clamping end; the other end is a freely extending end, serving as the free end. The clamping end of the left and right pressure arms 100 extends outward from one side of the tool holder base 300, while the free end is located on the upper surface of the tool holder base 300.

[0028] The left pressure arm 100 is hinged to the upper surface of the tool holder base 300 via a pin near its clamping end, allowing the left pressure arm 100 to rotate horizontally relative to the tool holder base 300. Similarly, the right pressure arm 200 is also hinged to the upper surface of the tool holder base 300 via a pin near its clamping end, allowing the right pressure arm 200 to rotate horizontally relative to the tool holder base 300.

[0029] See attached document Figure 1 As shown, in order to provide the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 with clamping force for the tool, a compression spring 400 is installed between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. In this embodiment, the compression spring 400 is installed between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 near the free end, with one end of the compression spring 400 connected to the left pressure arm 100 and the other end connected to the right pressure arm 200. The number of compression springs 400 can be flexibly set as needed.

[0030] In this way, during the clamping process of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, the tool will cause the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to move away from each other. At this time, the tool will exert an outward squeezing force on the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 respectively, causing the clamping ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to rotate outward, while the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 will move closer to each other and squeeze the compression spring 400. The compression spring 400 in the compressed state will exert opposite forces on the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, causing the clamping ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to form a clamping force on the tool in the center direction.

[0031] See attached document Figure 1 Appendix Figure 3 and appendix Figure 6As shown, an automatic locking device 500 is also provided at the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. This automatic locking device 500 is used to control the clamping and loosening between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. Specifically, in this embodiment, the automatic locking device 500 includes a pressure block 501, a trigger member 502, a trigger compression spring (not shown in the figure), and a base 503. The base 503 is located at the bottom end of the upper surface of the blade holder base 300 near the outer edge of the clamping end. The bottom end of the trigger member 502 is mounted on the base 503 via the trigger compression spring. The pressure block 501 is fixedly mounted on the top end of the trigger member 502. The trigger compression spring has a first position and a second position. The first position is when no external force is applied to the pressure block 501, and the trigger compression spring is in its original compressed state. The second position is when the robot presses down on the pressure block 501, and the trigger compression spring is compressed. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger element 502 presses against the inner arc-shaped inclined surfaces at the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, respectively, applying a horizontal outward pushing force to the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. This causes the compression spring between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to be in an outward extended state. At this time, the openings at the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 expand, while the openings at the clamping ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 narrow, thereby achieving clamping of the tool holder. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger element 502 presses against the inner arc-shaped inclined surfaces of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, respectively, applying a horizontal outward pushing force to the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. In the second position, the trigger 502 moves down and disengages from the arc-shaped inner surface of the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. When the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 lose the outward edge squeezing force applied by the trigger 502, the compression spring 400 between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 returns to its original state, causing the opening at the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to shrink, while at the same time causing the opening at the clamping end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to expand, thereby achieving the release of the tool holder.

[0032] Please refer to the appendix for further details. Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the trigger 502 includes a cylindrical trigger portion 5022 and a connecting portion 5021. The connecting portion 5021 extends upward from the top surface of the trigger portion 5022. The bottom end of the trigger portion 5022 is connected to the base 503 via a trigger compression spring. The pressure block 501 is fixedly installed on the connecting portion 5021. The outer diameter of the trigger portion 5022 is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting portion 5021. Thus, when the reset compression spring is in the first position, the outer surface of the trigger portion 5022, which has a larger outer diameter, is pressed into contact with the inner arc-shaped inclined surface at the free end 900 of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. A horizontal outward force is applied to the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. When the reset compression spring is in the second position, since the reset compression spring is in a downward compression state, the trigger part 5022 will move downward with the reset compression spring. The trigger part 5022 disengages from the inner arc slope at the free end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. At the same time, the connecting part 5021 also moves downward with the trigger part 5022. Since the outer diameter of the connecting part 5021 is small, the connecting part 5021 will not compress the inner arc slope at the free end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200.

[0033] When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger part 5022 presses against the inner arc-shaped inclined surfaces at the free ends 900 of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, respectively, applying a horizontal outward pushing force to the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. This causes the compression spring between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to be in an outward extended state. At this time, the openings at the free ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 expand, while the openings at the clamping ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 narrow, thereby clamping the tool holder. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger part 5022 presses against the inner arc-shaped inclined surfaces at the free ends 900 of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, respectively, thereby clamping the tool holder. When the spring is in the second position, the trigger 5022 moves down and disengages from the arc-shaped inner surface of the free end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. When the free end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 loses the outward edge squeezing force applied by the trigger 502, the compression spring 400 between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 returns to its original state, causing the opening at the free end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to shrink, while at the same time causing the opening at the clamping end of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 to expand, thereby achieving the release of the tool holder.

[0034] See attached document Figure 1 Appendix Figure 2 and appendix Figure 4 As shown, in order to automatically center the tool that was originally in an inclined state during the clamping process, centering components 800 are respectively provided at the clamping ends of the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, and the centering components 800 are used to correct the state of the tool.

[0035] Specifically, the centering component 800 includes a pair of rollers 801, a button 802, a motor 803, a connecting plate 804, and a return compression spring 805. The button 802 is mounted on the outer side of the clamping end, and one end of the button 802 is hinged to the outer side of the clamping end. The connecting plate 804 and the motor 803 are both set in the groove 807 provided in the clamping end. The motor 803 is connected to one side of the connecting plate 804 and is used to drive the connecting plate 804 to reciprocate. One end of the reset compression spring 805 is connected to the other side of the connecting plate 804, and the other end of the reset compression spring 805 is fixedly installed in the clamping end groove 807. Rollers 801 are arranged on the outer edge of the groove 807, and a pair of rollers 801 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the button 802. The rollers 801 are fixedly connected to the connecting plate 804 via a connecting rod. The rollers 801 and the inner cavity of the groove 807 form a retractable sliding connection. When the button 802 is pressed, one end of the button 802 presses into the groove 807 and triggers the motor 803, driving the connecting plate 804 to move the ball towards the inner cavity of the groove 807. The inner side of the button 802 is fixedly connected to one end of a push rod 806. The other end of the push rod 806 is used to cooperate with the switch button 802 of the motor 803 to control whether the switch button 802 is activated. Thus, when button 802 is subjected to outward pressure, one end of button 802 moves outward, and the moving end of button 802 then synchronously drives push rod 806 to move, so that the push applies pressure to switch button 802 on motor 803, and motor 803 then actuates, pushing connecting plate 804 to move accordingly.

[0036] In some embodiments, the button 802 is located at the middle of the outer edge of the clamping end, the two ends of the roller 801 are rotatably connected to the connecting rod, and the shape of the clamping end is a concave arc shape. By setting the button 802 at the middle of the clamping end, and symmetrically arranging a pair of rollers 801 on both sides of the button 802, this structure allows the four diagonally arranged rollers 801 between the two clamping ends to contact the tool located at the center in a diagonal manner after the tool enters the clamping end. In this way, during the contact and compression process between the tool and the rollers 801, the rollers 801 will apply a force towards the center of the tool, and under the action of the tool's own weight, the tool will gradually come into an upright state, realizing the automatic centering function of the tool.

[0037] See attached document Figure 1 To be continued Figure 3 As shown, in order to ensure that the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200 are in the correct installation position on the tool holder base 300, a positioning block 600 is also provided between the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200. The positioning block 600 is fixedly installed on the outer edge of the upper end face of the tool holder base 300 near the clamping end.

[0038] In addition, to facilitate the smooth entry of the tool into the clamping space enclosed by the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, a roller 700 is installed at the front end of the clamping end. The roller 700 can rotate horizontally relative to the clamping end. In this way, when the tool enters the clamping space enclosed by the left pressure arm 100 and the right pressure arm 200, the outer surface of the tool contacts the roller 700, and the tool can smoothly enter the clamping space.

[0039] In some embodiments, the machine tool clip 10 that can automatically center is made of aluminum alloy and is formed in one piece in a mold through a die-casting process. The part has high dimensional accuracy, fewer parts need to be processed during subsequent assembly, the processing time is shorter, the cost is lower, and the economic benefits are more obvious.

[0040] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering, the machine tool holder comprising a tool holder base, characterized in that, The machine tool clip also includes a left pressure arm, a right pressure arm, a compression spring, and a centering assembly. The left and right pressure arms are arranged opposite each other on the upper surface of the clip base. The left and right pressure arms are respectively hinged to the clip base by pins. The clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms can move closer or further apart from each other. The compression spring is compressed and installed on the other ends of the left and right pressure arms opposite to the clamping ends. The centering assembly is respectively installed at the clamping ends of the left and right pressure arms. The centering assembly includes a pair of rollers, a button, a motor, a connecting plate, and a return compression spring. The button is installed on the outer side of the clamping end, and one end of the button is hinged to the outer side of the clamping end. The motor is disposed in the clamping end groove and is connected to one side of the connecting plate to drive the connecting plate to reciprocate. One end of the reset compression spring is connected to the other side of the connecting plate, and the other end of the reset compression spring is fixedly installed in the clamping end groove. The rollers are arranged on the outer edge of the groove, and a pair of rollers are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the button. The rollers are fixedly connected to the connecting plate through a connecting rod. The rollers form a retractable sliding connection with the inner cavity of the groove. When the button is pressed, one end of the button is pressed into the groove and triggers the motor to drive the connecting plate to move the rollers into the inner cavity of the groove.

2. The machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 1, characterized in that, A roller is also installed at the front end of the clamping end.

3. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The clamping end has a concave arc-shaped structure.

4. The machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 1, characterized in that, The other end of the button is provided with a push rod. One end of the push rod is fixedly connected to the button, and the other end of the push rod is used to cooperate with the switch button of the motor to control whether the switch button is activated.

5. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button is located at the middle of the outer edge of the clamping end, and the two ends of the roller are rotatably connected to the connecting rod.

6. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 1, characterized in that, An automatic locking device for controlling the clamping and loosening between the left and right pressure arms is also provided between the left and right pressure arms. The automatic locking device is installed on the left and right pressure arms between the other ends opposite to the clamping ends.

7. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, A positioning block is also provided between the left and right pressure arms. The positioning block is fixedly installed on the outer edge of the upper surface of the tool holder base near the clamping end.

8. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 6, characterized in that, The automatic locking device includes a pressure block, a trigger element, a trigger compression spring, and a base. The base is located at the outer edge of the bottom end of the upper surface of the blade holder base, opposite to the other end of the clamping end. The bottom end of the trigger element is mounted on the base via the trigger compression spring. The pressure block is fixedly mounted on the top end of the trigger element. The trigger compression spring has a first position and a second position. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger element presses against the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, respectively, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to narrow. When the trigger compression spring is in the second position, the trigger element moves down and disengages from the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to widen.

9. A machine tool holder capable of automatic centering according to claim 8, characterized in that, The trigger element includes a cylindrical trigger portion and a connecting portion. The connecting portion extends upward from the top surface of the trigger portion. The bottom end of the trigger portion is connected to the base through the trigger compression spring. The pressure block is fixedly installed on the connecting portion. The outer diameter of the trigger portion is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting portion. When the trigger compression spring is in the first position, the outer edge of the trigger portion presses against the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, respectively, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to narrow. When the trigger compression spring is in the second position, the trigger portion moves downward and disengages from the inner surface of the other end of the left and right pressure arms, causing the clamping end openings of the left and right pressure arms to widen.

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