Electrically-driven lead screw double-open ATC door structure

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of machine tool automatic tool changing system protection, and particularly discloses an electrically-driven lead screw double-opening ATC door structure which comprises an ATC tool changing frame body, a transmission lead screw set, a driven lead screw set, an upper tool changing door, a lower tool changing door, a tensioning wheel, an idle wheel, a sliding linear guide rail, a proximity switch, a sealing scrap scraping plate and a synchronous belt. By adopting an electrically-driven lead screw transmission mode, the opening and closing range of the door body can be flexibly programmed and controlled according to the actual size of a tool to be replaced, the unnecessary movement stroke is effectively shortened, the tool replacing speed is remarkably increased, the strict requirement of a high-end machine tool for the tool replacing efficiency is met, and the tool replacing efficiency is improved. The servo motor directly drives the door body to move through the high-precision lead screw nut pair, the transmission process is not affected by air pressure fluctuation, the operation stability of the door body is greatly improved, meanwhile, airflow noise and mechanical impact noise generated by air cylinder driving are avoided, the workshop operation environment is remarkably improved, and lead screw transmission has the advantages of being free of gaps and high in positioning precision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of protection technology for automated tool changing systems in machine tools, specifically to a double-opening ATC door structure for an electrically driven lead screw. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of machining, the automated tool changer (ATC) system of high-end machine tools such as horizontal machining centers and five-axis linkage machining centers is a core component for improving machining efficiency and accuracy. The ATC door, as a key protective and execution structure of the tool changer system, directly affects the machine tool's tool change speed, stability, and machining environment safety. Therefore, we propose an electrically driven, double-opening ATC door structure.

[0003] Currently, most mainstream ATC door structures on the market use cylinder drive, which uses pneumatic transmission to open and close the door. However, this type of cylinder drive structure has obvious technical defects: First, the cylinder's stroke is fixed, making it impossible to flexibly adjust the door's opening and closing range according to the size of the tool being changed. This results in wasted strokes, prolonging the tool change cycle and making it difficult to meet the high requirements of high-end machine tools for tool change speed. Second, air pressure fluctuations are prone to occur during cylinder transmission, leading to poor door movement stability. Furthermore, the airflow noise and mechanical impact noise generated during operation are significant, affecting the workshop working environment. Third, cylinder seals are prone to wear and aging, and long-term use can lead to air leakage, reducing the door's sealing and protection performance. This makes it impossible to effectively prevent chips and cutting fluid generated during machining from entering the tool change mechanism, thus affecting the service life and operating accuracy of the tool change system.

[0004] Furthermore, while some improved ATC doors attempt to use motor drive combined with rack and pinion transmission, rack and pinion transmission has meshing backlash, which easily generates transmission impact and positioning errors. Moreover, the accuracy decreases significantly after wear, making it difficult to meet the dual requirements of high-speed movement and precise positioning. At the same time, the existing synchronous transmission structure of ATC doors is poorly designed, and multiple drive mechanisms are prone to asynchronous movement, resulting in door opening and closing jamming, which further restricts the improvement of tool changing efficiency. Combining the above problems, we find that it is difficult to avoid the problems mentioned above when using existing ones on the market. Even if they can be solved, they require the use of external tools, thus failing to achieve the desired effect. Therefore, we propose an electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure, comprising an ATC tool changer frame body, a transmission screw assembly, a driven screw assembly, an upper tool changer door, a lower tool changer door, a tension wheel, an idler wheel, a sliding linear guide rail, a proximity switch, a sealing scraper plate, and a timing belt; The transmission screw assembly includes a servo motor, a motor coupling, a motor base, a first connecting piece, a screw support base, a screw nut, a right-hand drive screw, a screw coupling, a left-hand screw, a screw tail support base, and a synchronous pulley. The driven screw assembly includes a right-hand driven screw, a screw support seat, a screw nut, a screw coupling, a left-hand screw, a screw tail support seat, and a synchronous pulley; The upper and lower tool change doors are slidably connected by a slider and a sliding linear guide rail. All components are assembled on the main body of the ATC tool change frame to form a complete double-opening structure.

[0007] Preferably, the ATC tool changer frame body is used to support the entire tool changer structure, providing fixed support and a motion platform for components such as the transmission lead screw assembly, driven lead screw assembly, and sliding linear guide, adapting to the installation requirements of horizontal machining centers and five-axis linkage machining centers.

[0008] Preferably, the servo motor is fixed to the main body of the ATC tool changer frame via a motor mount and a first connecting member. The motor shaft of the servo motor is connected to a right-hand drive screw via a motor coupling, enabling precise stopping and starting at any position.

[0009] Preferably, the right-hand drive screw is coaxially connected to the left-hand screw via a screw coupling; the screw support seat and the screw tail support seat are both fixed to the ATC tool changer frame body, and respectively support and limit the right-hand drive screw and the right-hand driven screw, and limit the radial runout of the screw through the built-in bearing to ensure that the right-hand drive screw and the right-hand driven screw rotate stably and coaxially.

[0010] Preferably, the synchronous pulleys are fixed to the ends of the lead screws of the transmission screw assembly and the driven screw assembly, respectively, and the synchronous belt is wound around the two sets of synchronous pulleys to form a synchronous transmission mechanism; the tensioning pulley abuts against the synchronous belt to adjust its tension and prevent slippage during synchronous belt transmission; the idler pulley guides and limits the synchronous belt to ensure the stability of the synchronous belt's movement trajectory.

[0011] Preferably, the upper tool changer includes an upper tool body, an eighth connector, a second connector, a third connector, a fourth connector, a slider, and a detection plate; the upper tool changer is fixedly connected to the lead screw nut through the second connector, so as to realize the stable transmission of power from the lead screw to the upper tool changer.

[0012] Preferably, the lower tool changer includes a lower tool body, a fifth connector, a sixth connector, a seventh connector, a slider, and a shock-absorbing pad; the shock-absorbing pad is assembled at the bottom of the lower tool body to buffer the impact force between the lower tool changer and the ATC tool changer frame body when the door is closed, thereby reducing the noise when the door is closed.

[0013] Preferably, the thread direction of the right-hand drive screw and the right-hand driven screw is opposite to the thread direction of the left-hand screw; when the servo motor rotates forward, it drives the upper tool changer to move upward along the sliding linear guide and the lower tool changer to move downward along the sliding linear guide, thereby opening both doors; when the servo motor rotates in reverse, it drives the upper tool changer to move downward along the sliding linear guide and the lower tool changer to move upward along the sliding linear guide, thereby closing both doors.

[0014] Preferably, the detection plates are respectively installed on the sides of the upper and lower tool change doors, and the proximity switches are fixed to the corresponding positions on the main body of the ATC tool change frame. When the tool change door moves to the preset position, the proximity switch detects the detection plates, realizing the signal feedback of the tool change door moving into position, and ensuring the accuracy of motion control.

[0015] Preferably, the sealing scraper is fixed to the outside of the tool changing door movement trajectory of the ATC tool changing frame body and is in contact with the surfaces of the upper and lower tool changing doors; it can achieve waterproof sealing between the tool changing door and the ATC tool changing frame body, and can also scrape off the machining chips attached to its surface during the movement of the tool changing door, preventing the machining chips from entering the structure and affecting the transmission accuracy.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention employs an electrically driven lead screw transmission method, which allows for flexible programming and control of the gate's opening and closing amplitude according to the actual dimensions of the tool being changed. This effectively shortens unnecessary travel distances, significantly improves tool changing speed, and meets the stringent requirements of high-end machine tools for tool changing efficiency. The servo motor directly drives the gate's movement through a high-precision lead screw and nut pair, eliminating the influence of air pressure fluctuations during transmission and greatly improving the gate's operational stability. Simultaneously, it avoids airflow noise and mechanical impact noise generated by cylinder drives, significantly improving the workshop working environment. The lead screw transmission features zero backlash and high positioning accuracy. Combined with the precise control of the servo motor, it effectively reduces transmission impact and positioning errors, ensuring accurate positioning of the gate during high-speed movement and improving the overall operational accuracy of the tool changing system.

[0017] 2. The combined design of the synchronous belt, tension pulley, and idler pulley in this invention ensures the synchronous movement of the transmission screw assembly and the driven screw assembly, completely solving the problem of asynchronous movement that easily occurs in multiple drive mechanisms in traditional structures. It avoids the phenomenon of jamming when the door opens and closes, further optimizing the smoothness of the tool changing process. The setting of the sealing scraper plate can effectively scrape off the chips and cutting fluid attached to the surface of the door during the movement of the door, and achieve a reliable waterproof seal between the door and the ATC tool changing frame body, preventing processing contaminants from entering the tool changing mechanism, thereby extending the service life of the tool changing system and ensuring its long-term operating accuracy. The shock-absorbing pad installed at the bottom of the lower tool changing door can effectively buffer the impact force when the door is closed, reduce the rigid collision between the door and the frame body, reduce noise and protect the door structure, and improve the overall structural stability and durability.

[0018] 3. This invention integrates electric drive screw transmission, synchronous belt pulley transmission, sliding linear guide rail guidance, and multiple sealing protection and shock absorption designs to construct a novel double-opening ATC door structure that integrates high-speed response, precise positioning, stable operation, low noise, environmental protection, and long service life. This structure overcomes the inherent defects of traditional cylinder-driven and gear-rack transmission ATC doors. Through the programmable control characteristics of the servo motor, the opening and closing amplitude of the door can be adjusted as needed, minimizing tool change time. With the backlash-free transmission of the screw and nut pair and the reliable synchronization of the synchronous belt, the high precision and high coordination of the door movement are ensured. Through detailed optimization of the sealing scraper and shock-absorbing pads, the protective performance and operational stability of the structure are improved. Compared with the prior art, this invention has significant improvements in key indicators such as tool change speed, motion stability, environmental adaptability, maintenance convenience, and service life. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of a partial structure in this invention; Figure 3 In this invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connection of the local structure at point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the timing belt and the tensioner pulley in this invention; Figure 5 This is a first three-dimensional schematic diagram of a partial structure in this invention; Figure 6 This is a second three-dimensional schematic diagram of a partial structure in this invention; Figure 7 This is a plan view of a partial structure in this invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the transmission screw assembly in this invention; Figure 9This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the servo motor, motor coupling, synchronous pulley, and synchronous belt in this invention; Figure 10 This is a side-view perspective of a partial structure in this invention.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. ATC tool changer frame main body; 2. Transmission screw assembly; 201. Servo motor; 202. Motor coupling; 203. Motor base; 204. First connecting piece; 205. Screw support seat; 206. Screw nut; 207. Right-hand drive screw; 208. Screw coupling; 209. Left-hand screw; 210. Screw tail support seat; 211. Synchronous pulley; 3. Driven screw assembly; 301. Right-hand driven screw; 4. Upper tool changer door; 401 1. Upper blade body; 402. Eighth connecting piece; 403. Second connecting piece; 404. Third connecting piece; 405. Fourth connecting piece; 406. Slider; 407. Detection plate; 5. Lower blade changer door; 501. Lower blade body; 502. Fifth connecting piece; 503. Sixth connecting piece; 504. Seventh connecting piece; 505. Shock-absorbing pad; 6. Tensioning wheel; 7. Idler wheel; 8. Sliding linear guide; 9. Proximity switch; 10. Sealing scraper; 11. Synchronous belt. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1: Please refer to Figures 1-10 The present invention provides a technical solution: an electric drive screw double-opening ATC door structure, including an ATC tool changer frame body 1, a transmission screw group 2, a driven screw group 3, an upper tool changer door 4, a lower tool changer door 5, a tension wheel 6, an idler wheel 7, a sliding linear guide rail 8, a proximity switch 9, a sealing scraper plate 10, and a timing belt 11. The transmission screw assembly 2 includes a servo motor 201, a motor coupling 202, a motor base 203, a first connecting piece 204, a screw support 205, a screw nut 206, a right-hand drive screw 207, a screw coupling 208, a left-hand screw 209, a screw tail support 210, and a synchronous pulley 211. The driven screw assembly 3 includes a right-hand driven screw 301, a screw support 205, a screw nut 206, a screw coupling 208, a left-hand screw 209, a screw tail support 210, and a synchronous pulley 211; The upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 are slidably engaged with the sliding linear guide rail 8 via the slider 406. All components are assembled on the main body 1 of the ATC tool changer frame to form a complete double-opening structure.

[0023] As a further definition of the transmission screw assembly 2 of the present invention, the ATC tool changer frame body 1 is used to support the entire tool changer structure, providing fixed support and a motion platform for components such as the transmission screw assembly 2, the driven screw assembly 3, and the sliding linear guide 8. It is suitable for the installation requirements of horizontal machining centers and five-axis linkage machining centers. It achieves precise docking with the machining center host by setting positioning pin holes and bolt connection holes. Its frame body is constructed of high-strength aluminum alloy profiles, which, after anodizing treatment, combine lightweight and corrosion resistance, effectively reducing the overall load during equipment operation. In the transmission screw assembly 2, the servo motor 201 is fixed to the side of the ATC tool changer frame body 1 through the motor base 203 and the first connecting piece 204. The motor output shaft is connected to one end of the right-hand transmission screw 207 through the motor coupling 202, and the other end of the right-hand transmission screw 207 is docked with the left-hand screw 209 through the screw coupling 208. The two screws are respectively connected by screw supports. The support 205 and the lead screw tail support 210 provide axial positioning and radial support. The lead screw nut 206 is rigidly connected to the back mounting plates of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5. The synchronous pulley 211 is nested at the end shoulder of the left-hand lead screw 209. The structure of the driven lead screw group 3 is symmetrically distributed with that of the transmission lead screw group 2. Its right-hand driven lead screw 301 is also connected to the left-hand lead screw 209 through the lead screw coupling 208. Both ends are connected to the lead screw by the lead screw support 205 and the lead screw. The tail support 210 is fixed, and the synchronous pulley 211 is set at the end of the left-hand screw 209 of the driven screw group 3. It forms a closed-loop transmission with the synchronous pulley 211 of the transmission screw group 2 through the synchronous belt 11. The tension pulley 6 and the idler pulley 7 are respectively installed on the inner and outer sides of the synchronous belt 11. By adjusting the eccentric shaft seat of the tension pulley 6, the running gap of the synchronous belt 11 can be eliminated in real time, ensuring that the speed synchronization error of the transmission screw group 2 and the driven screw group 3 is controlled within the specified range. The servo motor 201 is fixed to the ATC tool changer frame body 1 via the motor mount 203 and the first connector 204. The motor shaft of the servo motor 201 is connected to the right-hand drive screw 207 via the motor coupling 202, which can achieve precise stopping and starting at any position. By setting a high-precision encoder and forming a closed-loop feedback with the servo control system, the speed and position information of the motor are monitored in real time to ensure that the movement position accuracy of the tool changer door reaches a certain range. At the same time, the system has multiple built-in protection mechanisms. When abnormal screw running resistance, tension of synchronous belt 11 exceeding the set threshold, or deviation of the door movement trajectory from the preset path are detected, the servo motor 201 will immediately trigger an emergency stop program and issue an alarm signal through the PLC control system, effectively preventing mechanical parts from being damaged due to overload or misalignment. In addition, the motor mount 203 and the first connector 204 are installed using a combination of shock-absorbing pads 505 and positioning pins, which not only ensures the rigid connection between the servo motor 201 and the ATC tool changer frame body 1, but also significantly reduces the vibration transmission generated during motor operation, reducing the impact on the stability of the entire tool changer system. The right-hand drive screw 207 is coaxially connected to the left-hand screw 209 via a screw coupling 208. The screw support 205 and the screw tail support 210 are both fixed to the ATC tool changer frame body 1, and respectively support and limit the right-hand drive screw 207 and the right-hand driven screw 301. Built-in bearings limit the radial runout of the screws, ensuring stable coaxial rotation of the right-hand drive screw 207 and the right-hand driven screw 301. By using high-precision angular contact ball bearings inside the screw support 205 and the screw tail support 210, they can simultaneously withstand radial and axial loads, effectively offsetting the axial movement and radial runout generated during high-speed rotation of the screw, further improving the screw transmission efficiency. To ensure smooth operation and positioning accuracy, the left-hand lead screw 209 and the right-hand drive lead screw 207 have opposite thread directions. When the servo motor 201 drives the right-hand drive lead screw 207 to rotate, the left-hand lead screw 209 will rotate synchronously in the opposite direction. This design allows the lead screw nuts 206, which are respectively mounted on the two lead screws, to achieve linear motion in opposite directions, thereby driving the synchronous opening and closing of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5. The lead screw nut 206 is made of high-strength wear-resistant alloy material and has a built-in self-lubricating structure, which can maintain a low coefficient of friction in long-term high-frequency reciprocating motion, reduce wear between the lead screw and the nut, extend service life, and reduce noise during transmission. Synchronous pulleys 211 are fixed to the ends of the lead screws of the transmission screw assembly 2 and the driven screw assembly 3, respectively. A synchronous belt 11 is wound around the two sets of synchronous pulleys 211, forming a synchronous transmission mechanism. A tensioning pulley 6 abuts against the synchronous belt 11 to adjust its tension and prevent slippage during transmission. An idler pulley 7 guides and limits the synchronous belt 11, ensuring stable movement. By precisely meshing the teeth of the synchronous pulleys 211 with the teeth of the synchronous belt 11, no slippage is ensured during transmission, achieving strict synchronous rotation between the transmission screw assembly 2 and the driven screw assembly 3. This ensures consistent movement of the tool changing door components on both sides, preventing door jamming or misalignment due to asynchronous movement. The tensioning pulley 6 is connected to the ATC tool changing frame body 1 via an adjustable mounting base. When the synchronous belt 11 becomes loose after long-term use, the tensioning pulley 6 can be moved outward by rotating the adjusting bolt to increase the wrap angle and tension of the synchronous belt 11, effectively preventing the synchronous belt 11 from slipping during transmission and ensuring the stability of transmission efficiency and synchronization accuracy. The idler pulley 7 is set at a specific position according to the direction and transmission path of the synchronous belt 11. Its wheel surface is in contact with the inner or outer side of the synchronous belt 11. It can not only change the transmission direction of the synchronous belt 11, making the transmission layout more compact and reasonable and adapting to the complex spatial structure inside the equipment, but also limit the lateral displacement of the synchronous belt 11 during movement, preventing the synchronous belt 11 from disengaging from the teeth of the synchronous pulley 211, and ensuring the reliability of the entire synchronous transmission system.

[0024] The specific implementation of this embodiment is as follows: When a tool change action needs to be performed, the PLC control system sends a start command to the servo motor 201. The servo motor 201 outputs corresponding rotational motion according to the preset program. The motor output shaft transmits torque to the right-hand drive screw 207 through the motor coupling 202. The right-hand drive screw 207 starts to rotate under the support of the screw support seat 205 and the screw tail support seat 210. Since the right-hand drive screw 207 is rigidly connected to the left-hand screw 209 through the screw coupling 208, the left-hand screw 209 rotates synchronously in the opposite direction. At this time, the screw nuts 206, which are respectively screwed on the right-hand drive screw 207 and the left-hand screw 209, rotate in opposite directions, thus driving the rotation of the screw. The motion is converted into linear motion along the axis of the lead screw, and the directions of motion are opposite. The upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5, which are rigidly connected to the lead screw nut 206, slide smoothly in opposite directions along the sliding linear guide rail 8 through the slider 406 connected to the back mounting plate under the drive of the lead screw nut 206. At the same time, the synchronous pulley 211 nested at the end shoulder of the left-hand lead screw 209 of the transmission lead screw group 2 rotates with the lead screw and transmits the motion to the synchronous pulley 211 at the end of the left-hand lead screw 209 of the driven lead screw group 3 through the synchronous belt 11. Under the appropriate tension force provided by the tensioning pulley 6 and the guiding and limiting action of the idler pulley 7, the synchronous belt 11 achieves zero-slip transmission, ensuring that the driven lead screw group 3 and the transmission lead screw group 2 maintain strict speed synchronization.The right-hand driven lead screw 301 and the left-hand driven lead screw 209 of the driven lead screw assembly 3 rotate synchronously in opposite directions under the support of the lead screw support seat 205 and the lead screw tail support seat 210. Their lead screw nuts 206 also drive the other side of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 to move synchronously in opposite directions along the corresponding sliding linear guide rail 8. This synchronous drive method ensures that the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 are subjected to uniform force and have precise and consistent movement trajectories throughout the entire movement process, effectively avoiding the tilting or jamming of the door body that may be caused by unilateral drive. This ensures smooth tool changing. During the opening or closing of the doors, a proximity switch 9 installed at a specific position on the ATC tool changer frame 1 monitors the position status of the upper tool changer door 4 and the lower tool changer door 5 in real time. When the upper tool changer body 401 moves to the preset limit position or tool change station, the proximity switch 9 triggers a signal and feeds it back to the PLC control system. The system then controls the servo motor 201 to decelerate and stop precisely, thereby achieving accurate positioning of the tool changer door. In addition, the sealing scraper plate 10 installed on the edge of the tool changer door can tightly fit against the guide of the ATC tool changer frame 1 when the door moves. The mounting surface effectively scrapes away chips, dust, and other impurities adhering to the guide rail surface, preventing them from entering the guide rail and affecting sliding accuracy and service life. It also plays a certain sealing role, reducing the contamination of internal components of the tool changing mechanism by oil, coolant, and other substances in the processing environment. After the tool changing operation is completed, the PLC control system issues another command, and the servo motor 201 rotates in the reverse direction. Through the same transmission path, it drives the upper tool changing door 4 and the lower tool changing door 5 to move in the opposite direction until they close, returning to the initial standby position to wait for the next tool changing command. During this entire cycle, the high-precision encoder built into the servo motor 201 continuously feeds back the real-time speed and position information of the motor to the servo control system, forming a closed-loop control to ensure that the positional accuracy of the door movement is controlled within the design range. If the system detects abnormalities such as abnormal screw running resistance, synchronous belt 11 tension exceeding the set threshold, or door movement trajectory deviating from the preset path, the servo motor 201 will immediately trigger an emergency stop program and issue an alarm signal through the PLC control system to stop the door movement in time to protect the entire device from damage.

[0025] Example 2: Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 10 The present invention provides a technical solution: an electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure, which makes corresponding improvements to the technical problems mentioned in the background art.

[0026] As a further definition of the upper tool changer 4 of the present invention, the upper tool changer 4 includes an upper tool body 401, an eighth connecting member 402, a second connecting member 403, a third connecting member 404, a fourth connecting member 405, a slider 406, and a detection plate 407. The upper tool changer 4 is fixedly connected to the lead screw nut 206 through the second connecting member 403, realizing the stable transmission of power from the lead screw to the upper tool changer 4. By setting the detection plate 407 to cooperate with the proximity switch 9 installed on the ATC tool changer frame body 1, the upper tool changer 4 can accurately detect the position of the upper tool changer 4 in the open and closed positions. The upper tool body 401 is made of high-strength aluminum alloy profile through precision machining, and has the characteristics of light weight and good rigidity. Its edge is provided with a sealing strip installation groove for embedding oil-resistant and high-temperature resistant silicone rubber sealing strips to enhance the sealing performance. The strong sealing performance when the door is closed effectively prevents external contaminants from entering the blade changing area. The eighth connector 402 and the third connector 404 are fastened to the left and right ends of the upper blade body 401 by bolts, respectively. Their lower ends are welded and fixed to the second connector 403 and the fourth connector 405, respectively, forming a stable transmission connection structure. This ensures that the linear movement of the lead screw nut 206 can be smoothly and without lag transmitted to the upper blade body 401. The inner sides of the second connector 403 and the fourth connector 405 are provided with mounting holes and positioning pin holes that match the lead screw nut 206. The positioning pins and high-strength bolts achieve a rigid connection with the lead screw nut 206, preventing loosening or relative displacement during high-speed movement and frequent start-stop, thereby ensuring the synchronization and stability of the door movement.

[0027] The specific implementation of this embodiment is as follows: When the tool changing program is started, the control system first issues a command to drive the servo motor 201 mounted on the ATC tool changing frame body 1 to operate. The rotational motion of the motor coupling 202 of the servo motor 201 drives the lead screw nut 206 mounted on it to perform linear reciprocating motion. Since the second connecting piece 403 and the fourth connecting piece 405 are rigidly connected to the lead screw nut 206 through positioning pins and high-strength bolts, the linear motion of the lead screw nut 206 is transmitted to the upper tool body 401 through the eighth connecting piece 402 and the third connecting piece 404, driving the upper tool changing door 4 to move smoothly along the preset guide rail on the ATC tool changing frame body 1. During the movement of the door, the detection plate 407 installed on the upper tool body 401 moves accordingly. When the door gradually opens and approaches the preset fully open position, the detection plate 407 triggers the proximity switch 9 at the corresponding position on the ATC tool changer frame body 1. The proximity switch 9 then sends a positioning signal back to the control system. After receiving the signal, the control system controls the servo motor 201 to stop running, and the upper tool changer door 4 stops precisely at the open position. At this time, the tool changing area is fully open, allowing the tool exchange device to perform tool changing operations. After the tool change is completed, the control system issues another command, the servo motor 201 reverses, drives the ball screw to rotate in the opposite direction, and drives the screw nut 206 and its connected components. The upper tool changer door 4 moves in the closing direction. When the detection plate 407 moves to the proximity switch 9 that triggers the closing position, the proximity switch 9 sends an on signal again, the servo motor 201 stops, and the upper tool changer door 4 closes. The silicone rubber sealing strip in the sealing strip mounting groove at its edge is tightly fitted to the sealing surface on the ATC tool changer frame body 1, effectively sealing the tool changer area and preventing oil stains, chips, and other contaminants generated during processing from entering the tool changer area. It also prevents the leakage of clean air from the tool changer area, ensuring the cleanliness of the tool changer environment and the reliability of equipment operation. During this process, the high-strength aluminum alloy profile used in the upper tool changer body 401 ensures that the door body is in high-pressure condition. The structural stability during high-speed movement and frequent starts and stops, along with its lightweight characteristics, reduce the load on the servo motor 201 and improve the system response speed. Its high rigidity prevents unnecessary deformation of the door body during movement, ensuring that the sealing strip is evenly stressed and further guaranteeing the sealing effect. Throughout the transmission process, the use of welding and high-strength bolts for secure connections between various components, and the precise fit between the lead screw nut 206 and the ball screw, ensures that the movement of the upper tool changer 4 has extremely high synchronization and positional accuracy, with no obvious transmission gaps or lag. This meets the requirements of automated processing equipment for fast, accurate, and stable operation of the tool changer.

[0028] Example 3: Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 10The present invention provides a technical solution: an electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure, which makes corresponding improvements to the technical problems mentioned in the background art.

[0029] As a further definition of the lower tool changer 5 of the present invention, the lower tool changer 5 includes a lower tool changer body 501, a fifth connecting member 502, a sixth connecting member 503, a seventh connecting member 504, a slider 406, and a shock-absorbing pad 505. The shock-absorbing pad 505 is assembled at the bottom of the lower tool changer body 501 to buffer the impact force between the lower tool changer 5 and the ATC tool changer frame body 1 when closing, thereby reducing closing noise. By setting the shock-absorbing pad 505, the impact force generated when the lower tool changer 5 contacts the door frame or other components during the closing process can be effectively absorbed, avoiding rigid collisions. Damage to the door or related structural components caused by impact is prevented, extending the service life of the equipment. Simultaneously, it significantly reduces noise generated during door closing, improving the equipment's operating environment. The fifth connector 502 and the seventh connector 504 are fixedly installed on the left and right sides of the lower blade body 501, respectively. Their structural design is compatible with the drive connector of the upper tool changer 4, ensuring precise docking and stable transmission with the corresponding transmission components. The sixth connector 503 is rigidly connected to the fifth connector 502 and fixedly assembled with the screw nut 206 on the corresponding ball screw. The linear motion of the lead screw nut 206 drives the sixth connecting piece 503 to move, thereby driving the lower tool body 501 to open and close in the left and right directions. The lower tool body 501 is also constructed of high-strength aluminum alloy profile, and has similar advantages as the upper tool body 401, such as light weight, good rigidity, and stable structure. It can reduce the load on the drive system and improve the overall operating efficiency while ensuring smooth movement and structural strength. Its cooperation with the upper tool changer 4 is a symmetrical double-opening design. During the tool change process, the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 can move synchronously in opposite directions in the up and down or left and right directions, respectively, to realize the rapid opening and closing of the tool change area, further optimizing the tool change process time and improving the automated processing efficiency of the equipment. The movement of the lower tool changer 5 also relies on the precise cooperation of the ball screw and lead screw nut 206, as well as the precise drive of the servo motor 201, to ensure that its movement trajectory, position accuracy and response speed are highly consistent with the upper tool changer 4, thereby achieving seamless docking and reliable sealing when the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 work together, and jointly maintaining the clean environment of the tool change area. The right-hand drive screw 207 and the right-hand driven screw 301 have thread directions opposite to those of the left-hand screw 209. When the servo motor 201 rotates forward, it drives the upper tool changer 4 to move upward along the sliding linear guide 8 and the lower tool changer 5 to move downward along the sliding linear guide 8, thus opening both doors. When the servo motor 201 rotates in reverse, it drives the upper tool changer 4 to move downward along the sliding linear guide 8 and the lower tool changer 5 to move upward along the sliding linear guide 8, thus closing both doors. This is achieved by setting the right-hand drive screw 207 and the right-hand driven screw 301 with opposite thread directions to the left-hand screw 209. With their respective lead screw nuts 206, a clever reverse transmission mechanism is formed. When the servo motor 201 receives a forward rotation command, its output torque is transmitted to the right-hand drive lead screw 207 through the motor coupling 202. The right-hand drive lead screw 207 then drives the lead screw nut 206 of the upper tool changer 4, which meshes with it, to move axially upward, thereby driving the upper tool changer 4 to lift upward as a whole. At the same time, the right-hand drive lead screw 207 transmits power synchronously to the right-hand driven lead screw 301 and the left-hand lead screw 209 through the synchronous belt 11 and the idler pulley 7. The right-hand driven lead screw 301 and the left-hand lead screw 209... The left-hand screw 209, with its corresponding lead screw nut 206, moves upward, coordinating with the upper tool changer 4 to ensure its smooth ascent. The left-hand screw 209, due to its opposite thread direction to the right-hand screw, rotates synchronously, causing the corresponding lower tool changer 5 lead screw nut 206 to move axially downward, thus driving the lower tool changer 5 to move downward as a whole. Conversely, when the servo motor 201 reverses, the right-hand drive screw 207 and the right-hand driven screw 301 drive the upper tool changer 4 lead screw nut 206 downward, causing the upper tool changer 4 to descend, while the left-hand screw 209 drives the lower tool changer 5 lead screw nut 206 to move downward. The mother 206 moves upward, driving the lower tool changer 5 to move upward. This design, which uses a single servo motor 201 and the difference in the direction of the screw threads to achieve synchronous and opposite movements of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5, not only simplifies the structure of the drive system, reduces the number of power sources, and lowers equipment costs and control complexity, but more importantly, it can accurately ensure the coordination and synchronization of the movements of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5, avoiding possible interference or asynchrony problems during the movement of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5, and providing a reliable mechanical transmission guarantee for the rapid and accurate opening and closing of the tool changer area. Detection plates 407 are respectively installed on the sides of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5, and proximity switches 9 are fixed to the corresponding positions on the ATC tool changer frame body 1. When the tool changer moves to the preset position, the proximity switch 9 detects the detection plate 407, realizing the signal feedback of the tool changer's movement to the correct position, ensuring the accuracy of motion control. By setting a reasonable installation position of the proximity switch 9 and the triggering logic of the detection plate 407, it is ensured that when the upper tool changer 4 rises to the fully open position and falls to the fully closed position, and when the lower tool changer 5 falls to the fully open position and rises to the fully closed position, the signals can be accurately detected and sent to the correct position. The signal is sent to the control system. When the tool changer moves under the drive of the servo motor 201, the detection plate 407 installed on the side of the door moves accordingly. When it moves to the preset limit position, the detection plate 407 enters the sensing area of ​​the proximity switch 9. The proximity switch 9 immediately outputs the corresponding electrical signal. After receiving the signal, the control system will control the servo motor 201 to stop rotating, thereby realizing the precise positioning and reliable stopping of the tool changer. This effectively prevents the tool changer from colliding with other components or causing structural damage due to overtravel, and further improves the safety and automation control level of the entire ATC door structure. The sealing scraper plate 10 is fixed to the outside of the tool changing door movement trajectory of the ATC tool changing frame body 1 and is in close contact with the surfaces of the upper tool changing door 4 and the lower tool changing door 5. This achieves both a waterproof seal between the tool changing door and the ATC tool changing frame body 1 and scrapes away machining chips adhering to the surface of the tool changing door during its movement, preventing the chips from entering the structure and affecting transmission accuracy. By setting a tight fit between the sealing scraper plate 10 and the tool changing door, it ensures that its lip remains in continuous contact with the outer surfaces of the upper and lower tool changing doors 4 and 5 during the up-and-down movement of the tool changing door. The sealing scraper plate 10 is made of polyurethane material with good elasticity and wear resistance, and its cross-section is designed with a special lip-shaped structure. When the tool changing door moves, the lip not only effectively blocks external... Coolant, oil, and machining dust from the machined parts enter the interior of the ATC tool changer frame 1, preventing contamination and damage to precision components such as the servo motor 201 and proximity switch 9. Simultaneously, it scrapes away machining debris such as iron filings and aluminum shavings adhering to the surfaces of the upper and lower tool changer doors 4 and 5, preventing these debris from falling into the frame or accumulating on the door rails during door movement, thus affecting the smooth operation of the tool changer doors or causing a decrease in positioning accuracy. Furthermore, the sealing scraper plate 10 is detachably fixed to the frame body via bolt assemblies, facilitating quick replacement and maintenance after long-term use leading to lip wear or aging. This ensures its durable and reliable sealing and scraping performance, further extending the service life and maintenance cycle of the entire ATC door structure.

[0030] The specific implementation of this embodiment is as follows: When the equipment starts the tool changing program, the control system first issues a command, and the servo motor 201 rotates forward or backward according to the preset program. Taking the opening of the tool changing door as an example, the servo motor 201 rotates forward, and its motor coupling 202 drives the right-hand drive screw 207 to rotate synchronously. The screw nut 206 of the upper tool changing door 4 on the right-hand drive screw 207 converts the rotational motion into linear motion, moving upward along the screw axis. Then, through the drive connector of the upper tool changing door 4, it drives the upper tool body 401 to be lifted upward. At the same time, the idler wheel 7 at the end of the right-hand drive screw 207 drives the right-hand driven screw 301 and the idler wheel 7 at the end of the left-hand screw 209 through the synchronous belt 11, so that the right-hand driven screw... 301 and the left-hand lead screw 209 rotate synchronously. The lead screw nut 206 on the right-hand driven lead screw 301 also moves upward, working in tandem with the lead screw nut 206 on the right-hand transmission lead screw 207 to ensure that the upper tool changer 4 experiences uniform force and smooth movement during its ascent. Since the thread direction of the left-hand lead screw 209 is opposite to that of the right-hand transmission lead screw 207 and the right-hand driven lead screw 301, the lead screw nut 206 on the lower tool changer 5 drives the sixth connecting piece 503 and the lower tool body 501 to move downward. During this process, the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 move synchronously in opposite directions, gradually opening the tool changing area. As the doors move, the inspection devices installed on the sides of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5... The measuring piece 407 also moves accordingly. When the tool changer door rises or falls to the preset limit position of being fully open, the corresponding positioning detection piece 407 enters the sensing area of ​​the proximity switch 9 fixed on the ATC tool changer frame body 1. The proximity switch 9 then sends a position signal to the control system. After receiving the signal, the control system immediately controls the servo motor 201 to stop rotating, and the tool changer door stops precisely in the open position, waiting for the tool changer action to be completed. After the tool changer is completed, the control system issues a closing command, and the servo motor 201 reverses. Through the above reverse transmission process, the upper tool changer door 4 moves downward and the lower tool changer door 5 moves upward. During the closing process, the shock-absorbing pad 505 at the bottom of the lower tool changer body 501 first contacts the door frame or the adjacent door. The contact parts are closed to absorb impact and reduce noise. When the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 move to the fully closed position, the positioning detection plate 407 on the other side triggers the corresponding proximity switch 9. The control system then controls the servo motor 201 to stop again, completing the entire opening and closing cycle of the tool changer. During the entire movement of the tool changer, the sealing scraper plate 10, which is fixed to the outside of the tool changer movement trajectory of the ATC tool changer frame body 1, is always in close contact with the surface of the door. Its polyurethane lip continuously scrapes off the machining chips attached to the surface of the upper tool changer 4 and the lower tool changer 5 as the door moves up and down, and effectively prevents external coolant, oil and dust from entering the frame, ensuring the cleanliness and safe operation of the internal transmission components and detection elements.

[0031] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0032] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A double-opening ATC door structure with an electrically driven lead screw, characterized in that, It includes the ATC tool changer frame body (1), transmission screw assembly (2), driven screw assembly (3), upper tool changer door (4), lower tool changer door (5), tension wheel (6), idler wheel (7), sliding linear guide (8), proximity switch (9), sealing scraper (10), and synchronous belt (11). The transmission screw assembly (2) includes a servo motor (201), a motor coupling (202), a motor base (203), a first connecting piece (204), a screw support base (205), a screw nut (206), a right-hand drive screw (207), a screw coupling (208), a left-hand screw (209), a screw tail support base (210), and a synchronous pulley (211). The driven screw assembly (3) includes a right-hand driven screw (301), a screw support seat (205), a screw nut (206), a screw coupling (208), a left-hand screw (209), a screw tail support seat (210), and a synchronous pulley (211). The upper tool changer (4) and the lower tool changer (5) are slidably connected to the sliding linear guide rail (8) via a slider (406), and each component is assembled on the main body (1) of the ATC tool changer frame to form a complete double-opening structure.

2. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ATC tool changer frame body (1) is used to support the entire tool changer structure, providing fixed support and motion platform for components such as the transmission screw assembly (2), driven screw assembly (3), and sliding linear guide (8), adapting to the installation requirements of horizontal machining centers and five-axis linkage machining centers.

3. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The servo motor (201) is fixed to the ATC tool changer frame body (1) via the motor mount (203) and the first connector (204). The motor shaft of the servo motor (201) is connected to the right-hand drive screw (207) via the motor coupling (202), which can achieve precise stopping and starting at any position.

4. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The right-hand drive screw (207) is coaxially connected to the left-hand screw (209) through the screw coupling (208); the screw support seat (205) and the screw tail support seat (210) are both fixed to the ATC tool changer frame body (1), and respectively support and limit the right-hand drive screw (207) and the right-hand driven screw (301). The radial runout of the screw is limited by the built-in bearing, so as to ensure that the right-hand drive screw (207) and the right-hand driven screw (301) rotate stably on the same axis.

5. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The synchronous pulleys (211) are fixed to the ends of the lead screws of the transmission screw group (2) and the driven screw group (3), respectively. The synchronous belt (11) is wound around the two sets of synchronous pulleys (211) to form a synchronous transmission mechanism. The tensioning pulley (6) abuts against the synchronous belt (11) to adjust its tension and prevent the synchronous belt (11) from slipping during transmission. The idler pulley (7) guides and limits the synchronous belt (11) to ensure the stability of the synchronous belt (11) movement trajectory.

6. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper tool changer (4) includes an upper tool body (401), an eighth connector (402), a second connector (403), a third connector (404), a fourth connector (405), a slider (406), and a detection plate (407); the upper tool changer (4) is fixedly connected to the lead screw nut (206) through the second connector (403) to realize the stable transmission of power from the lead screw to the upper tool changer (4).

7. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower tool changer (5) includes a lower tool body (501), a fifth connector (502), a sixth connector (503), a seventh connector (504), a slider (406), and a shock-absorbing pad (505). The shock-absorbing pad (505) is mounted on the bottom of the lower tool body (501) to buffer the impact force between the lower tool changer (5) and the ATC tool changer frame body (1) when the door is closed, thereby reducing the noise when the door is closed.

8. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thread direction of the right-hand drive screw (207) and the right-hand driven screw (301) is opposite to that of the left-hand screw (209). When the servo motor (201) rotates forward, it drives the upper tool changer (4) to move upward along the sliding linear guide (8) and the lower tool changer (5) to move downward along the sliding linear guide (8), thereby opening both doors. When the servo motor (201) rotates in reverse, it drives the upper tool changer (4) to move downward along the sliding linear guide (8) and the lower tool changer (5) to move upward along the sliding linear guide (8), thereby closing both doors.

9. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The detection piece (407) is installed on the side of the upper tool changer (4) and the lower tool changer (5) respectively, and the proximity switch (9) is fixed to the corresponding position of the ATC tool changer frame body (1). When the tool changer moves to the preset position, the proximity switch (9) detects the detection piece (407) to realize the signal feedback of the tool changer moving to the position, and ensure the motion control accuracy.

10. The electrically driven screw double-opening ATC door structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing scraper plate (10) is fixed to the outside of the tool changing door movement trajectory of the ATC tool changing frame body (1) and is in contact with the surface of the upper tool changing door (4) and the lower tool changing door (5). It can achieve waterproof sealing between the tool changing door and the ATC tool changing frame body (1) and scrape off the processing chips attached to its surface during the movement of the tool changing door, so as to prevent the processing chips from entering the structure and affecting the transmission accuracy.

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