Tool bar holder of machine tool

Abstract

The invention provides a cutter bar holder of a machine tool. The cutter bar holder is used for accommodating a cutter bar. The cutter bar retainer comprises a retainer body and a cutter locking unit, the retainer body is provided with a sleeving hole for inserting a part of the cutter bar, and the cutter locking unit is arranged in the sleeving hole and comprises a shaft sleeve, a top block and at least one steel ball; wherein the shaft sleeve is provided with a shaft hole and is provided with at least one ball socket in the radial direction, the top block can be movably arranged in the shaft hole, and the top block limits the at least one steel ball in the at least one ball socket. When the top block is pushed to displace and the at least one steel ball is in a loose state, the cutter bar can be easily taken out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of machining tools for machine tools, and more particularly to a tool holder retainer for machine tools. Background Technology

[0002] A known machine tool's tool magazine includes multiple tool holders for inserting tool shanks, each tool shank having a tool of different specifications fixedly attached. To stabilize the tool shank and prevent it from accidentally detaching from the tool holder and causing damage to the tool shank or tool, the known tool holder typically has a locking mechanism inside. This mechanism engages one end of the tool shank inserted within the tool holder to prevent improper detachment. The locking mechanism includes multiple radial holes at the rear of the tool holder, each containing a steel ball and a spring. The springs provide radial force to the steel balls, forcing them to press against the end of the tool shank inserted into the tool holder, thus ensuring the tool shank is stably inserted into the tool holder.

[0003] To enhance the stability of the tool holder within the tool sleeve, the aforementioned locking mechanism often uses a spring made of a relatively rigid material. This results in a greater pulling force being required to overcome the spring's elasticity during tool holder removal. However, this can easily lead to improper force control during removal, potentially injuring workers. To avoid these problems, existing solutions include... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, workers often choose to use auxiliary tools (such as a tool retraction wrench 1) to insert into the pre-set gap G between the tool holder 2 and the tool sleeve 3 at a specific location, and then proceed as follows: Figure 3 The tool holder 2 is forced to detach from the tool sleeve 3 by the tool retraction wrench 1. Although the aforementioned method can easily remove the tool holder 2, the part of the tool retraction wrench 1 inserted into the gap G is prone to causing wear on the bearing surface 2a of the tool holder 2 and the end face 3a of the tool sleeve 3. Over time, this will indirectly affect the accuracy of subsequent alignment and assembly. In particular, when the tool holder 2 is coupled to the spindle of a machining center, the worn bearing surface 2a will affect the stability of the tool holder 2 after it is coupled to the spindle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a tool holder retainer for a machine tool that will not damage the bearing surface of the tool holder and the end face of the tool sleeve during the tool retraction process, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the alignment assembly.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a tool holder for a machine tool for accommodating a tool holder having one end. The tool holder includes a holder body and a locking unit. The holder body has a socket and at least one side hole. An axis is defined passing through the center of the socket, and the tool holder enters and exits the socket along the axis. The at least one side hole communicates with the socket. The locking unit is disposed in the socket of the holder body and includes a bushing, a top block, and at least one steel ball. The bushing has a shaft hole, at least one ball socket, and at least one slot. The axis passes through the shaft hole, the at least one ball socket communicates with the shaft hole and the socket, and the at least one slot communicates with the shaft hole and the at least one side hole. The top block is disposed in the shaft hole of the bushing and is movable along the axis between a first position and a second position. The at least one steel ball is received in the at least one ball socket and is movable between a third position and a fourth position.

[0006] The effect of the present invention is that when a portion of the cutter bar is inserted into the socket of the retainer body and the top block is in the first position, the at least one steel ball is restricted in the third position and abuts against the end of the cutter bar to prevent the cutter bar from exiting the socket; when the top block is in the second position, the at least one steel ball can move to the fourth position, so that the cutter bar can exit the socket. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 A 3D view of an existing machine tool's tool magazine using a tool retraction wrench to remove the tool holder;

[0008] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of another perspective of the tool magazine shown;

[0009] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a tool magazine with the tool holder removed using a retracting wrench;

[0010] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a machine tool holder and tool holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 5 for Figure 4 An exploded view of the tool holder shown;

[0012] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Another perspective view of the tool holder shown;

[0013] Figure 7 for Figure 4 The front view of the tool holder shown;

[0014] Figure 8 for Figure 7Sectional view in direction 8-8;

[0015] Figure 9 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the tool holder being installed in the tool holder holder.

[0016] Figure 10 Similar Figure 9 This indicates that the tool holder is in a locked state;

[0017] Figure 11 A perspective view of the tool holder in the locked state, i.e., using an operating component;

[0018] Figure 12 A side view of the preparatory work before tool retraction using the manipulator;

[0019] Figure 13 This is a sectional view, revealing Figure 12 One end of the operating element shown extends into the annular groove of a top block;

[0020] Figure 14 Similar Figure 13 This indicates that the operating mechanism is activated to perform a tool retraction operation;

[0021] Figure 15 This is a front view of a tool holder and tool holder according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 16 for Figure 15 Sectional view in direction 16-16;

[0023] In the attached figures, the following labels are used:

[0024] 100: Tool Holder Retainer

[0025] 10: Retainer body

[0026] 10a: End face

[0027] 12: Installation Department

[0028] 14: Socket section

[0029] 14a: Socket

[0030] 14b: Side hole

[0031] 14c: Perforation

[0032] 20: Locking Unit

[0033] 21: Bushing

[0034] 211: Small diameter section

[0035] 212: Large diameter part

[0036] 21a: Shaft hole

[0037] 21b: Keyhole

[0038] 21c: Screw hole

[0039] 21d: ball socket

[0040] 21e: Slot

[0041] 21f: Bottom of hole

[0042] 21g: Tank wall

[0043] 22: Restrictive components

[0044] 22a: Threaded rod body

[0045] 22b: Contact part

[0046] 23: Spring

[0047] 24: Top Block

[0048] 24a: Top thrust face

[0049] 24b: Contacted part

[0050] 24c: Annular groove

[0051] 24d: Tank wall

[0052] 25: Steel balls

[0053] 26: Bolt

[0054] 30: Operating components

[0055] 32: Wide plate section

[0056] 34: Narrow body

[0057] 34a: Leading edge

[0058] 34b: trailing edge

[0059] 40: Bushing

[0060] 42: Shaft hole

[0061] 44: Screw hole

[0062] 46: Restrictive components

[0063] 46a: Contact part

[0064] 48: Top Block

[0065] 48a: Contacted part

[0066] 200: Tool holder

[0067] 201: Circular Enclosure

[0068] 202: Inner protruding lip

[0069] 202a: Hook and loop fastener

[0070] 203: Support surface

[0071] L: Axis

[0072] G1: First spacing

[0073] G2: Second spacing

[0074] P1: First position

[0075] P2: Second position

[0076] P3: Third position

[0077] P4: Fourth Position

[0078] S: Space Detailed Implementation

[0079] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, preferred embodiments are listed below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please refer to... Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the preferred embodiment of the machine tool holder 100 of the present invention is applicable to, but not limited to, use with a disc-type tool magazine. The holder 100 stabilizes the tool holder 200 and facilitates easy removal of the tool holder 200. One end of the tool holder 200 can be fixed to a tool (not shown), and the other end has an end portion. In this embodiment, the end portion is formed by an annular wall 201. An inner lip 202 is formed inwardly on the edge of the annular wall 201, and the inner wall of the inner lip 202 forms a hook surface 202a. Figure 9 Reference).

[0080] The tool holder 100 of this embodiment includes a holder body 10 and a tool locking unit 20. The holder body 10 has a mounting portion 12 and a sleeve portion 14. One end of the mounting portion 12 is pivotally connected to a machine tool body (not shown), and the other end is connected to the sleeve portion 14. The sleeve portion 14 has a sleeve hole 14a recessed from one end face 10a and at least one side hole 14b located on the side wall. An axis L is defined passing through the center of the sleeve hole 14a, and the tool holder 200 enters and exits the sleeve hole 14a along the axis L. The at least one side hole 14b is an elongated hole and communicates with the sleeve hole 14a. In this embodiment, there is one side hole 14b. In addition, the rear end of the sleeve portion 14 also has two through holes 14c communicating with the sleeve hole 14a.

[0081] The locking unit 20 is disposed in the socket 14a of the retainer body 10 and includes a bushing 21, a limiting member 22, a spring 23, a top block 24, and at least one steel ball 25. The detailed structure and relative positions of each component are described below.

[0082] Please cooperate. Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the bushing 21 is a cylindrical body with a shaft hole 21a, and has two locking holes 21b and a screw hole 21c arranged axially at its tail end. The shaft hole 21a and the screw hole 21c are interconnected and located on the axis L. In addition, the bushing 21 is provided with at least one ball socket 21d and at least one slot 21e in its radial direction. In this embodiment, the bushing 21 is composed of a small diameter portion 211 and a large diameter portion 212. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 211 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 212. The at least one ball socket 21d is located on the small diameter portion 211, and the at least one slot 21e is located on the large diameter portion 212. When the bushing 21 passes through the corresponding through holes 14c and then locks into the corresponding locking holes 21b via two bolts 26, the bushing 21 is fixed to the retainer body 10 and located in the sleeve hole 14a. Simultaneously, at least one ball socket 21d connects the shaft hole 21a and the sleeve hole 14a, and at least one slot 21e connects the shaft hole 21a and the at least one side hole 14b. Preferably, there are three ball sockets 21d distributed along the circumference, and one slot 21e is formed by cutting along the circumferential surface. Furthermore, as... Figure 8 As shown, the space S formed between the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 211 of the bushing 21 and the inner wall surface of the socket 14a of the retainer body 10 can be into which the annular wall 201 of the tool holder 200 is inserted.

[0083] The limiting member 22 has a threaded rod 22a that locks into the threaded hole 21c of the bushing 21, allowing for adjustment of the locking depth. One end of the threaded rod 22a extends into the shaft hole 21a and forms a contact portion 22b. In this embodiment, the limiting member 22 is an internal hexagon screw. The spring 23 is placed in the shaft hole 21a of the bushing 21 and the threaded rod 22a of the limiting member 22 is fitted onto it. One end of the spring 23 abuts against the bottom 21f of one of the holes in the shaft hole 21a.

[0084] The top block 24 is disposed in the shaft hole 21a of the bushing 21 and is movable along the axis L. The top block 24 is generally cylindrical and has an inclined pushing surface 24a at the front end and a flat end face forming a contacted portion 24b at the rear end. The other end of the spring 23 abuts against the contacted portion 24b, and the elastic force of the spring 23 causes the top block 24 to continue moving outward. A recessed portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the top block 24, which corresponds to the slot 21e of the bushing 21. In this embodiment, the recessed portion is an annular groove 24c recessed along the peripheral surface of the top block 24.

[0085] The at least one steel ball 25 corresponds to the number of three ball sockets 21d in this embodiment. These steel balls 25 are placed one by one into the corresponding ball sockets 21d of the bushing 21 after the top block 24 is inserted into the shaft hole 21a. Under the elastic force of the spring 23, the pushing surface 24a of the top block 24 will remain in contact with the steel balls 25 and push them radially outward, as... Figure 8 As shown, part of the surface of the steel balls 25 will abut against the spherical surface of the socket 21d, while another part of the surface of the steel balls 25 will protrude into the space S. Here, the top block 24 is defined as being in a first position P1, the steel balls 25 are in a third position P3, and the distance between one of the groove walls 21g of the slot 21e (i.e., the bearing surface defined in this invention) and one of the groove walls 24d of the annular groove 24c (i.e., the pushing surface defined in this invention) is a first distance G1.

[0086] The following describes the connection method between the tool holder 100 and the tool holder 200. For example... Figure 9 As shown, during the insertion of the tool holder 200 into the tool holder retainer 100, its annular ring 201 first inserts into the space S between the retainer body 10 and the bushing 21. Then, the inner lip 202 pushes each steel ball 25 away from the third position P3 and moves towards the axis L. At the same time, the steel balls 25 push the top block 24 from the first position P1 towards the restrictor 22. The contacted part 24b of the top block 24 touches the restrictor 22. When the contact portion 22b of 2 is reached, the top block 24 is defined to be in a second position P2. At this time, the position of the top block 24 can ensure that its pushing surface 24a is in contact with the steel balls 25, so as to prevent the steel balls 25 from falling out of the ball socket 21d. The steel balls 25 in this state are defined to be in a fourth position P4. At the same time, the top block 24 compresses the spring 23 to deform, and the distance between the groove wall 21g and the groove wall 24d is increased to a second distance G2.

[0087] As the tool holder 200 continues to be inserted toward the tool holder retainer 100 and its inner lip 202 passes the steel ball 25, Figure 10As shown, the top block 24, pushed by the spring 23, quickly returns from the second position P2 to the first position P1. The distance between the groove wall 21g and the groove wall 24d returns to the first distance G1, and the contacted portion 24b of the top block 24 maintains a distance from the contact portion 22b of the limiting member 22. At the same time, the pushing surface 24a of the top block 24 pushes the steel ball 25, located at the fourth position P4, outward back to the third position P3. The steel ball 25 simultaneously abuts against the pushing surface 24a of the top block 24 and the hook surface 202a of the inner protruding lip 202 of the tool bar 200. Thus, the tool bar 200 is securely attached to the tool bar holder 100 and will not arbitrarily loosen or withdraw from the socket hole 14a.

[0088] To remove the tool holder 200, simply push the top block 24 towards the second position P2 until the steel balls 25 are loose, allowing the tool holder 200 to be easily removed from the tool holder holder 100. This method of removal does not damage the end face 10a of the holder body 10 or the abutment surface 203 of the tool holder 200 corresponding to the end face 10a. In one application example, the present invention provides an operating member to push the top block 24. Figure 11 As shown, the operating member 30 has a wide plate portion 32 and a narrow body portion 34. The wide plate portion 32 is convenient for the operator to grip, and the narrow body portion 34 is connected to the wide plate portion 32 and has a front edge 34a and a rear edge 34b facing each other. Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the operating member 30 can pass through the side hole 14b and the slot 21e with its elongated body 34, and one end of the elongated body 34 is inserted into the annular groove 24c. Figure 14 As shown, when the operating member 30 is actuated, the part of the operating member 30 that abuts against the groove wall 21g (i.e., the bearing surface) serves as a fulcrum, and the part of the operating member 30 that contacts the groove wall 24d (i.e., the pushing surface) is defined as an actuating end. Utilizing the lever principle, the operating member 30 pushes the top block 24 towards the second position P2, causing the steel ball 25 to loosen. At this point, the operator can easily remove the tool holder 200 from the tool holder retainer 100 without damaging the end face 10a of the retainer body 10 or the bearing surface 203 of the tool holder 200, thus ensuring the accuracy of subsequent alignment and assembly. After the operating member 30 is removed, the tool holder retainer 100 returns to its original position. Figure 8 The state shown is for the next insertion of the tool holder 200.

[0089] It is worth mentioning that the operating member 30 in the above embodiment uses the lever principle to push the top block 24 to move towards the second position P2. However, in practice, we can also choose a structure in which the width of the narrow body of the operating member is slightly larger than the first distance G1, so as to insert it directly into the side hole 14b, the slot 21e and the annular groove 24c. This can also push the top block 24 to move towards the second position P2, so that the steel ball 25 is in a loose state, making it easier for the operator to remove the tool bar 200.

[0090] Furthermore, the method used in the above embodiment to prevent the steel ball 25 from improperly falling out of the socket 21d due to excessive retraction of the top block 24 is to lock the limiting member 22 behind the top block 24 and in the axial direction. However, to achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention may also adopt the following approach: Figure 15 and Figure 16 Another embodiment is shown below, and the differences in structure from the embodiments described above will be described only. In this embodiment, Figure 16 The bushing 40 shown has an axially oriented shaft hole 42, and a radially arranged threaded hole 44 communicating with the shaft hole 42; the limiting member 46 is a locking screw that is locked into the threaded hole 44, a portion of which is located in the shaft hole 42 and forms a contact portion 46a; the rear end of the top block 48 has a retaining wall forming a contacted portion 48a. When the top block 48 is directly pushed by the operating member or indirectly pushed during the insertion of the tool holder 200, the top block 48 stops moving when the contact portion 46a abuts against the contacted portion 48a, to ensure that the steel ball 25 does not fall out of the ball socket 21d.

[0091] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the claims should be included within the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tool holder retainer for a machine tool, characterized in that: The tool holder is used to receive a tool holder with one end, and includes: A retainer body has a socket and at least one side hole, wherein an axis is defined through the center of the socket, the tool bar enters and exits the socket along the axis, and the at least one side hole communicates with the socket; A locking unit is disposed in the socket of the retainer body. The locking unit includes a bushing, a top block, and at least one steel ball. The bushing has a shaft hole, at least one ball socket, and at least one slot. The axis passes through the shaft hole. The at least one ball socket connects the shaft hole and the socket. The at least one slot connects the shaft hole and the at least one side hole. The top block is disposed in the shaft hole of the bushing and is movable along the axis between a first position and a second position. The at least one steel ball is received in the at least one ball socket and is movable between a third position and a fourth position. When a portion of the cutter bar is inserted into the socket of the retainer body and the top block is in the first position, the at least one steel ball is restricted in the third position and abuts against the end of the cutter bar to prevent the cutter bar from exiting the socket; when the top block is in the second position, the at least one steel ball can move to the fourth position, allowing the cutter bar to exit the socket.

2. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device includes an operating member having an actuating end capable of being inserted into the at least one side hole and the at least one slot and contacting the top block. The operating member is manipulated to push the top block to the second position by the actuating end.

3. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the top block has a recess, and the actuating end of the operating member can be inserted into the recess.

4. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bushing has at least one slot with a bearing surface, and the top block has a recess with a pushing surface; the operating member has an elongated body that can be inserted into the at least one side hole, the at least one slot, and the recess, and the elongated body has the actuating end; wherein the operating member uses the part of the elongated body that contacts the bearing surface as a fulcrum, and the actuating end abuts against the pushing surface, and when the operating member is moved, it can push the top block to the second position.

5. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The bushing has at least one slot cut along its circumferential surface, and the top block has a recessed portion that is an annular groove formed by recessing along its circumferential surface, the annular groove corresponding to the at least one slot.

6. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bushing has a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion, the at least one ball socket is disposed radially on the small diameter portion, and the at least one slot is disposed radially on the large diameter portion.

7. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 6, characterized in that: The locking unit includes a limiting member that is coupled to the bushing and has a contact portion; the front end of the top block has a pushing surface and the rear end has a contacted portion, the pushing surface is in contact with the at least one steel ball, and when the contacted portion contacts the contact portion, the top block is located in the second position.

8. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 7, characterized in that: The bushing has a threaded hole communicating with the shaft hole, and the axis passes through the threaded hole; the limiting member has a threaded rod that locks into the threaded hole, and one end of the threaded rod located in the shaft hole constitutes the contact portion, and the rear end of the top block has an end face that constitutes the contacted portion.

9. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 7, characterized in that: The bushing has a threaded hole communicating with the shaft hole, the threaded hole being located radially; the limiting member is a stop screw locked into the threaded hole, the portion of the stop screw located in the shaft hole forming the contact portion, and the rear end of the top block has a retaining wall forming the contacted portion.

10. The tool holder retainer for a machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking unit includes a spring, the shaft hole of the bushing has a bottom hole, the spring is disposed in the shaft hole and one end abuts the bottom hole, the other end abuts the top block, and the elastic force of the spring causes the top block to maintain its movement toward the first position.

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