BLADE ATTACHMENT / DETACHMENT SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

Blade attachment-detachment support device (1) used for a cutting device (100), comprising: a cutting blade (121) attached to a spindle (123), a nut (126) for fastening the cutting blade (121) to the spindle (123), and a rotation stop part (127) which inhibits rotation of the spindle (123), the blade attachment-detachment support device (1) comprising: a nut rotating part (10) having an engaging part (12) which engages an engaged part (135) of a surface of the nut (126); a nut gripping part (50) arranged on the nut rotating part (10) and gripping an outer peripheral part (136) of the nut (126); a housing (30) surrounding the nut rotating part (10) while supporting the nut rotating part (10) rotatably through a predetermined angle; and a locking mechanism (60) which maintains a state in which the nut gripping part (50) engages the outer peripheral part of the nut (126), wherein the nut rotating part (10) is arranged to be able to move forward and backward relative to the housing (30) to a projection position at which the nut gripping part (50) is allowed to be attached to and detached from the outer peripheral part of the nut (126), and a fastening position at which the nut gripping part (50) is accommodated in the housing (30) and an engagement between the nut gripping part (50) and the nut (126) is maintained, the nut rotating part (10) is fastened to the housing (30) with the interposition of a clamping part (23) which pushes the nut rotating part (10) out to the projection position, and the locking mechanism (60) has a projection inhibiting part (38) by which an advance and a retraction of the nut rotating part (10) is inhibited by an engagement of the nut rotating part (10) with the housing (30) when the housing (30) is rotated in a direction which loosens the nut (126) and the housing (30) rotates relative to the nut rotating part (10) to be positioned in a predetermined orientation at the fastening position to which the nut rotating part (10) has been pressed.

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUNDTechnical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blade attachment / detachment assisting device that assists in attachment and detachment of a nut that fixes a cutting blade to a spindle. Description of related technology

[0002] A cutting device (division saw) that cuts workpieces with various plate shapes, such as semiconductor wafers and SiC, using a cutting blade mounted on a spindle through a mounting flange is known. The cutting blade is fixed to the mounting flange by a nut in a state where rotation of the spindle is inhibited. Therefore, the cutting blade is mounted on and detached from the spindle by attaching and detaching the nut. A device for attaching and detaching a nut (see, for example, JP 2004-281700 A) and an automatic cutting blade replacement mechanism (see, for example, JP 2007-098536 A) have been used.

[0003] The following operation is performed with the device shown in JP 2004-281700 A, etc. First, a housing is evacuated to open a nut gripping part (gripping claw) in the radial direction of an opposing nut. Next, the nut is received within the nut gripping claw, and then the housing is caused to advance toward a spindle to receive the nut gripping claw inside and secure the gripping state. Afterward, the device is rotated around the axis center to loosen or tighten the nut. However, with this device, the forward and backward movement operation is necessary.

[0004] Furthermore, the automatic replacement mechanism shown in JP 2007 - 098 536 A, which causes a cutting blade of a cutting device to be automatically replaced, is also equipped with a mechanism similar to that shown in JP 2004 - 281 700 A.

[0005] JP 2014 - 018 915 A relates to an attachment / detachment device for a cutting blade (rotary cutting blade). PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The device shown in JP 2004-281700 A and the automatic replacement mechanism shown in JP 2007-098536 A require a cylinder to cause the housing to move forward and backward to open and close the nut gripping claw. Therefore, this device and the automatic replacement mechanism increase the complexity of the mechanism and increase the cost.

[0007] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blade attachment-detachment assisting device that enables automatic attachment and detachment of a nut while intending to reduce costs.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a blade attachment / detachment assisting device used for a cutting device is provided, comprising: a cutting blade attached to a spindle, a nut for fastening the cutting blade to the spindle, and a rotation stopper part that inhibits rotation of the spindle. The blade attachment / detachment assisting device includes a nut rotating part having an engaging part that engages with an engaged part of a surface of the nut, a nut gripping part that is disposed on the nut rotating part and grips an outer peripheral part of the nut, a housing that surrounds the nut rotating part while supporting the nut rotating part rotatably by a predetermined angle, and a locking mechanism that maintains a state in which the nut gripping part engages with the outer peripheral part of the nut.The nut rotating part is arranged to be able to move forward and backward relative to the housing to a protrusion position where the nut gripping part is allowed to be attached to and detached from the outer peripheral part of the nut, and a fastening position where the nut gripping part is housed in the housing and engagement between the nut gripping part and the nut is maintained. The nut rotating part is fixed to the housing via a clamping part that pushes the nut rotating part out to the protrusion position.The locking mechanism has a projection restraining part by which an advance and a retraction of the nut rotating part are restrained by an engagement of the nut rotating part with the housing when the housing is rotated in a direction that loosens the nut and the housing rotates relative to the nut rotating part to be positioned in a predetermined orientation at the fastening position to which the nut rotating part has been pressed.

[0009] Preferably, the nut rotary part is loosely fitted into the housing and is tiltably supported on an elastic member by a rotary shaft part or the housing. Preferably, the engaged part of the surface of the nut is an engagement hole, and the engaging part of the nut rotary part is an engagement pin and is arranged to be capable of advancing and retracting in an engagement-causing direction.

[0010] Preferably, the blade attachment / detachment assisting device is attached to an advancing / retracting unit that advances and retracts relative to the spindle of the cutting device together with a blade holding part that holds the cutting blade attached to the spindle.

[0011] The present invention provides an effect of enabling automatic attachment and detachment of a nut while intending to reduce the cost.

[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the mode for carrying them out will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by studying the following description and the appended claims with reference to the attached drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a blade attachment / detachment support device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cutting device having the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a cutting unit of the Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a blade attachment-detachment mechanism of the Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line VV in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a side view illustrating the state in which the blade attachment-detachment assisting device according to the embodiment has been made to oppose a spindle of the cutting unit in a Y direction; Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of the Fig. 7 illustrated blade attachment / detachment support device; Fig. 9 is a side view showing the state in which gripping claws of gripping elements of a female gripping part of the Fig. 7 engages an annular groove of a nut; Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device and the Fig. 9 shown cutting unit; Fig. 11 is a side view showing the state in which a rotary shaft part and a housing of the Fig. 9 have been rotated in one direction; Fig. 12 is a side sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device and the Fig. 11 shown cutting unit; Fig. 13 is a side view showing the state in which the nut is inserted through the Fig. 11 has been removed from the spindle; Fig. 14 is a side view showing the state in which the Fig. 13 has been separated from the spindle of the cutting unit; Fig. 15 is a side sectional view of the Fig. 14 illustrated blade attachment / detachment support device; Fig. 16 is a side view illustrating the state in which the blade attachment / detachment assisting device according to the embodiment has been made to oppose the spindle of the cutting unit in the Y-axis direction, and then the cutting unit has been brought close to the blade attachment / detachment assisting device gripping the nut; Fig. 17 is a side sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device and the Fig. 16 shown cutting unit; Fig. 18 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary shaft part and the housing of the Fig. 16 have been rotated in the other direction and the nut rests against the cutting blade; Fig. 19 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary shaft part and the housing of the Fig. 18 have been further rotated in the other direction; Fig. 20 is a side view showing the state in which engagement between the gripping claws of the gripping elements of the female gripping part of the Fig. 18 and the annular groove of the nut; and Fig. 21 is a sectional view of a blade attachment / detachment support device according to a modification example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiment. Further, what is easily apparent to those skilled in the art and what is substantially the same are included in the constituent elements described below. Moreover, the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of embodiments can be carried out within such a range as not to deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0014] A blade attachment-detachment assisting device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blade attachment-detachment support device according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cutting device having the Fig. 1 represents the blade attachment / detachment support device. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a cutting unit of the Fig. 2 represents the cutting unit of the current device. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a blade attachment-detachment mechanism of the Fig. 2 represents the cutting device shown. Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line VV in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI in Fig. 1. (cutting device)

[0015] A blade attachment-detachment support device 1 according to the Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 represents part of a Fig. 2. The cutting device 100 is a device which has a Fig. 2. In the embodiment, the workpiece 200 is a wafer, such as a semiconductor wafer or an optical device wafer, made of silicon, sapphire, gallium, or the like, and has a circular plate shape. Components 203 are formed in the workpiece 200 in areas defined by a plurality of planned dividing lines 202 formed in a lattice shape on a front surface 201.

[0016] Furthermore, the workpiece 200 in the present invention may be what is called a TAIKO (registered trademark) wafer, in which the central part is made thin and a part with a large thickness is formed at the peripheral part. Besides the wafer, the workpiece 200 may be a rectangular package substrate with multiple components sealed by a plastic, a ceramic substrate, a ferrite substrate, a substrate containing nickel and / or iron, or the like. In the embodiment, a rear surface 204 of the workpiece 200 is adhered to an adhesive tape 206 having a peripheral edge to which an annular frame 205 is attached, and the workpiece 200 is supported by the annular frame 205.

[0017] The Fig. The cutting device 100 shown in Fig. 2 is a device that holds the workpiece 200 by a clamping table 110 and cuts the workpiece 200 by a cutting blade 121 along the planned parting lines 202. As shown in Fig. 2, the cutting device 100 includes the chuck table 110 that sucks and holds the workpiece 200 by a holding surface 111, cutting units 120 that cut the workpiece 200 held by the chuck table 110 by the cutting blade 121, an imaging unit 140 that photographs the workpiece 200 held by the chuck table 110, a control unit 190, and a blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180.

[0018] Furthermore, the cutting device 100, as shown in Fig. 2, at least one X-axis movement unit that performs machining feeding of the clamping table 110 in an X-axis direction parallel to the horizontal direction and not shown in the diagram, Y-axis movement units 150 that perform index feeding of the cutting unit 120 in a Y-axis direction parallel to the horizontal direction and orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and Z-axis movement units 160 that performs incision feeding of the cutting unit 120 in a Z-axis direction parallel to the direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the cutting device 100 is a cutting device having two cutting units 120, that is, a 2-spindle dividing device, that is, a cutting device of a type called a facing dual type.

[0019] The chuck table 110 has a circular disk shape, and the holding surface 111 that holds the workpiece 200 is formed of a porous ceramic or the like.

[0020] Furthermore, the chuck table 110 is arranged to be movable in the X-axis direction by the X-axis moving unit between a machining area under the cutting unit 120 and a transfer area separated from the lower side of the cutting unit 120, into which the workpiece 200 is transferred. In addition, the chuck table 110 is arranged to be rotatable around the axis center parallel to the Z-axis direction by a rotation drive source.

[0021] The clamping table 110 is connected to a vacuum suction source (not shown in the diagram) and is sucked by the vacuum suction source to suck and hold the workpiece placed on the holding surface 111. In the embodiment, the clamping table 110 sucks and holds the rear surface 204 side of the workpiece 200 with the interposition of the adhesive tape 206. In addition, a plurality of clamping parts 112 that clamp the annular frame 205 are arranged around the clamping table 110, as shown in FIG. Fig. 2 is shown.

[0022] The cutting units 120 are cutting means to which the cutting blade 121, which cuts the workpiece 200 held by the chuck table 110, is attachably / detachably attached. The cutting units 120 are each arranged to be movable in the Y-axis direction relative to the workpiece 200 held by the chuck table 110 by the Y-axis moving unit 150 and arranged to be movable in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis moving unit 160.

[0023] As in Fig. 2, a cutting unit 120 is arranged on a column part 103 of a gate-shaped support frame 102 erected by a device main body 101, with the interposition of the Y-axis moving unit 150, the Z-axis moving unit 160, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the other cutting unit 120 is arranged on the other column part 104 of the support frame 102 with the interposition of the Y-axis moving unit 150, the Z-axis moving unit 160, etc. The support frame 102 couples the upper ends of the column parts 103 and 104 to each other through a horizontal support 105.

[0024] The cutting unit 120 allows the cutting blade 121 to be positioned at any position on the holding surface 111 of the chuck table 110 by the Y-axis moving unit 150 and the Z-axis moving unit 160.

[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 3, the cutting unit 120 includes a spindle housing 122 arranged to be movable in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction by the Y-axis moving unit 150 and the Z-axis moving unit 160, a spindle 123 rotatably arranged in the spindle housing 122 around the axis center and rotated by a motor not shown in the diagram, and an attachment 124 attached to the tip part of the spindle 123. Furthermore, the cutting unit 120 includes the cutting blade 121 attached to the attachment 124, a nut 126 for engaging the cutting blade 121 with the attachment 124 to fix the cutting blade 121 to the spindle 123, and a rotation stop part 127 that inhibits rotation of the spindle 123.

[0026] The attachment 124 is attached to the tip portion of the spindle 123. The attachment 124 includes a hub portion 128 having a circular cylindrical shape and a receiving flange portion 129 disposed at an end portion of the hub portion 128 located closer to the spindle housing 122. The hub portion 128 extends along the axial center direction of the attachment 124 and is formed in such a manner that the outer diameter substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of an insertion opening 131 of the cutting blade 121 over its entire length. The fact that the outer diameter of the boss portion 128 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of an insertion hole 131 of the cutting blade 121 means that the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion 128 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 131 come into contact with each other at least at the position in the axis center direction where the cutting blade 121 is attached to the attachment 124.

[0027] The receiving flange portion 129 is formed in a circular ring shape, projecting from one end portion of the hub portion 128, which is closer to the spindle housing 122, toward the outer periphery along the radial direction, and has a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the hub portion 128. The receiving flange portion 129 supports the cutting blade 121 at an outer peripheral portion. The hub portion 128 and the receiving flange portion 129 are arranged coaxially. Furthermore, in the attachment 124, an externally threaded screw 130 is formed on the outer periphery of the other end portion of the hub portion 128.

[0028] The cutting blade 121 is an extremely thin cutting abrasive having a substantially ring shape. In the embodiment, the cutting blade 121 is what is called a hub cutting blade and includes a circular annular base 132 formed of an electrically conductive metal and having the insertion opening 131 at the center, and a circular annular cutting edge portion 133 located on the outer peripheral edge of the annular base 132 and cutting the workpiece 200. The insertion opening 131 of the circular base 132 is a hole for allowing one end portion of the hub portion 128 to penetrate through the interior thereof to attach the cutting blade 121 to the attachment 124.The cutting edge portion 133 is formed of abrasive grains of diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), or the like and a binder material of a metal, a plastic, or the like, and is formed in a predetermined thickness.

[0029] In the present invention, the cutting blade 121 may be a disc cutting blade formed only from the cutting edge portion 133.

[0030] In the cutting blade 121 configured in this way, the insertion hole 131 of the annular base 132 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical boss portion 128 of the attachment 124. The cutting blade 121 is clamped and fixed by the receiving flange portion 129 of the attachment 124 and the nut 126 by screwing the nut 126 onto the externally threaded screw 130 formed in the cylindrical boss portion 128. The axis center, which is the center of the spindle 123, the attachment 124, and the cutting blade 121 of the cutting unit 120, is set parallel to the Y-axis direction.

[0031] The nut 126 is formed in a circular ring shape, and an internal thread, which is screwed onto the externally threaded screw 130 formed in the attachment 124, is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the nut 126. In the nut 126, engaging holes 135, which are four engaged parts, are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in a surface 134, and an annular groove 136, which is an outer peripheral part, is formed in the outer peripheral surface over the entire circumference. The engaging holes 135 are recessed from an end surface (surface) of the nut 126, and the annular groove 136 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the nut 126. In the embodiment, the engaged parts are the engaging holes 135 recessed from the surface 134 of the nut 126. However, in the present invention, the engaged parts are not limited to the engaging holes 135.

[0032] The rotation stop part 127 includes a cylinder unit 137 attached to an outer surface of the spindle housing 122, a locking member (not shown in the diagram) disposed in the cylinder unit 137 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the axial center of the spindle 123, a spring as a biasing means for biasing the locking member in a direction to move it farther away from the spindle 123 (not shown in the diagram), and an air supply nozzle 138 for supplying compressed gas into the cylinder unit 137. The locking member protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the spindle housing 122 and is engageable with a locking hole formed in the outer peripheral surface of the spindle 123 (not shown in the diagram).

[0033] In the rotation stop part 127, when the compressed gas is supplied through the air supply nozzle 138 into the cylinder unit 137, the compressed gas pushes the locking member toward the spindle 123 against the urging force of the spring and causes the locking member to engage the locking hole to inhibit rotation of the spindle 123 about the axis center. In the rotation stop part 127, when the supply of the compressed gas into the cylinder unit 137 is stopped by the air supply nozzle 138, the spring causes the locking member to move in a direction such that it moves farther away from the spindle 123 and releases the engagement of the locking member with the locking hole to allow rotation of the spindle 123 about the axis center.

[0034] The imaging unit 140 is attached to the cutting unit 120 so as to move integrally with the cutting unit 120. The imaging unit 140 includes an imaging element that photographs the area to be divided in the workpiece 200 held in the chuck table 110 before cutting it. The imaging element is, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging element or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging element. The imaging unit 140 photographs the workpiece 200 held by the chuck table 110 and obtains an image for performing alignment, positional alignment between the workpiece 200 and the cutting blade 121, etc., and outputs the obtained image to the control unit 190.

[0035] The X-axis movement unit performs machining feed of the chuck table 110 and the cutting unit 120 relatively along the X-axis direction by moving the chuck table 110 in the X-axis direction, which is the machining feed direction. The Y-axis movement units 150 perform index feed of the chuck table 110 and the cutting unit 120 relatively along the Y-axis direction by moving the cutting unit 120 in the Y-axis direction, which is the index feed direction. The Z-axis movement units 160 perform index feed of the chuck table 110 and the cutting unit 120 relatively along the Z-axis direction by moving the cutting unit 120 in the Z-axis direction, which is the notch feed direction.

[0036] The X-axis moving unit, the Y-axis moving units 150, and the Z-axis moving units 160 each include a known ball screw provided rotatably around the axis center, a known motor that rotates the ball screw around the axis center, and known guide rails that support the chuck table 110 or the cutting unit 120 movably in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, or the Z-axis direction.

[0037] Furthermore, the cutting device 100 includes an X-axis direction position detection unit for detecting the position of the chuck table 110 in the X-axis direction (not shown in the diagram), a Y-axis direction position detection unit for detecting the position of the cutting unit 120 in the Y-axis direction (not shown in the diagram), and a Z-axis direction position detection unit for detecting the position of the cutting unit 120 in the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction position detection unit and the Y-axis direction position detection unit can be configured by a linear scale parallel to the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction and a reading head. The Z-axis direction position detection unit detects the position of the cutting unit 120 in the Z-axis direction by a pulse of the motor.The X-axis direction position detection unit, the Y-axis direction position detection unit, and the Z-axis direction position detection unit output the position of the chuck table 110 in the X-axis direction and the position of the cutting unit 120 in the Y-axis direction or the Z-axis direction to the control unit 190.

[0038] Furthermore, the cutting device 100 includes a cassette elevator 170 on which a cassette 171 that accommodates the workpieces 200 before and after they are cut is placed and that moves the cassette 171 in the Z-axis direction, a cleaning unit 172 that cleans the workpiece 200 after it is cut, and a conveying unit, not shown in the diagram, that transports the workpiece 200 to and from the cassette 200 and conveys the workpiece 200.

[0039] The control unit 190 is also a unit that controls each of the above-described respective units of the cutting device 100 and causes the cutting device 100 to perform a machining operation on the workpiece 200. The control unit 190 is a computer including an arithmetic processing device including a microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device including a memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), and an input / output interface device. The arithmetic processing device of the control unit 190 performs arithmetic processing according to a computer program stored in the storage device and outputs a control signal for controlling the cutting device 100 to the respective units of the cutting device 100 through the input / output interface device.

[0040] The control unit 190 is provided with a (in Fig. 2) is connected to a liquid crystal display device or the like that displays the state of a machining operation, an image, etc., and an input unit that is used when an operator registers machining content information, etc. The input unit includes a touch panel arranged in the display unit 191 and / or an external input device such as a keyboard.

[0041] The blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180 is a mechanism for replacing the cutting blade 121 of each cutting unit 120. The blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180 is arranged at a position located in Fig. 2 is located on the rear surface side of the support frame 102 and is further away from the in / out conveying area than the processing area. As shown in Fig. 4, the blade attachment-detachment mechanism 180 includes a blade storage 181 that holds the cutting blades 121 before and after replacement, the blade attachment-detachment support device 1, blade chucks 182 that are two blade holding members, and an advancing-retracting unit 183.

[0042] In the embodiment, the blade storage 181, the blade attachment / detachment support device 1, the two blade clamps 182, and the advance / retraction unit 183 correspond to each other to form one arrangement, and one arrangement is arranged to correspond to the cutting unit 120 in a one-to-one relationship. That is, the blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180 in the embodiment has two arrangements of the blade storage 181, the blade attachment / detachment support device 1, the two blade clamps 182, and the advance / retraction unit 183.

[0043] Moreover, in the embodiment, one blade storage 181 holds a plurality of cutting blades 121 for the spindle 123 of one cutting unit 120 before and after replacement, and the other blade storage 181 holds a plurality of cutting blades 121 for the spindle 123 of the other cutting unit 120 before and after replacement.

[0044] The blade clamping devices 182 hold the cutting blade 121. One blade clamping device 182 removes the cutting blade 121 attached to the corresponding cutting unit 120 from the spindle 123 and holds the cutting blade 121. The other blade clamping device holds the cutting blade 121 supplied from the corresponding blade storage 181 and attaches the held cutting blade 121 to the spindle 123 of the corresponding cutting unit 120. The blade attachment-detachment support device 1 attaches and detaches the nut 126 of the corresponding cutting unit 120 to the spindle 123.

[0045] The forward-return unit 183 moves the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 and the two blade clamps 182 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction between a position farther than the support frame 102 from the in-out conveyance area and a position opposite the spindle 123 of each cutting unit 120 in the Y-axis direction. For this purpose, the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 is attached to the forward-return unit 183, which moves back and forth together with the two blade clamps 182 relative to the spindle 123 of the corresponding cutting unit 120 of the cutting device 100.Moreover, in the present invention, when performing position adjustment between the axis center of the spindle 123 and the blade attachment-detachment support device 1 or the blade clamping device 182, the blade advancing-retracting unit 183 may perform position adjustment only in the X-axis direction, and the cutting unit 120 may perform position adjustment in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. (Blade attachment / detachment support device)

[0046] The blade attachment / detachment support device 1 is a device used for the cutting device 100. As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the blade attachment-detachment assisting device 1 includes a rotating shaft part 2, a nut rotating part 10, a nut gripping part 50, a housing 30, and a locking mechanism 60.

[0047] The rotary shaft part 2 is formed in a circular column shape, and an axis center 3 is arranged parallel to the Y-axis direction. The rotary shaft part 2 is rotated by a motor, which is not shown in the diagram, in both a direction 301 (in Fig. 1) as well as in the other direction 302 (in Fig. 1) that is opposite to the direction of the one direction 301. Furthermore, the tip portion of the rotary shaft portion 2 is positioned at a position opposite to the spindle 123 of each cutting unit 120 in the Y-axis direction by the advance-retreat unit 183.

[0048] The nut rotating part 10 is attached to the tip part of the rotating shaft 2 through the housing 30 and is arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft part 2. The nut rotating part 10 has a rotating part main body 11 with a circular ring shape and engaging pins 12, which are engaging parts that engage with the engaging holes 135 of the surface 134 of the nut 126.

[0049] Formed in the rotary member main body 11 are a plurality of (four in the embodiment) holes for loosely inserting the engagement pin 13, a plurality of loss-preventing pins 14, and a plurality of (four in the embodiment) gripper support grooves 15. The holes for loosely inserting the engagement pin 13 penetrate the rotary member main body 11 along the axis center 3 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary member main body 11. Collars 16 are fixed within the holes for loosely inserting the engagement pin 13. Surfaces 17 of the collars 16 are arranged on the same plane as a surface 18 in the rotary member main body 11 opposite the spindle 123 of each cutting unit 120. Furthermore, through holes 19 penetrate the collars 16 at the center.

[0050] The loss prevention pins 14 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member main body 11 and, in the embodiment, are formed in a circular column shape protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member main body 11. The loss prevention pins 14 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating member main body 11. The loss prevention pins 14 are configured to enter cam holes 34 of the housing 30 to attach the nut rotating member 10 to the housing 30 and prevent the nut rotating member 10 from falling off the housing 30.

[0051] The gripping element support grooves 15 are recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary member main body 11 and are formed in a straight line shape along the axis center 3. The gripping element support grooves 15 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary member main body 11. Furthermore, the shaft receiving grooves 20 are each continuous with the center of the gripping element support groove 15 in the direction of the axis center 3. The shaft receiving groove 20 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary member main body 11 and is continuous with both ends of the gripping element support groove 15 in the width direction.

[0052] The engaging pin 12 integrally comprises a circular plate portion 21 having a circular disk shape and a pin 22 arranged upright from the center of the circular plate portion 21. The circular plate portion 21 is formed in such a manner that its outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 19 and substantially equal to the inner diameter of the hole for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13, and is housed in the hole for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13. The pin 22 is formed in such a manner that its outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the through hole 19 and is formed to extend in the through hole 19. The pin 22 can enter the interior of the engaging hole 135 of the nut 126 and engage with the engaging hole 135.The engaging pin 12 is arranged in such a manner that the pin 22 is inserted into the through hole 19, the circular plate portion 21 is housed in the hole for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13, and the engaging pin 12 can move forward and backward (movably) along the axis center 3, which is the engagement direction, in the hole for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13. Furthermore, in the engaging pins 12, the pins 22 are biased by springs 23, which are elastic elements and biasing parts, in such a direction that they protrude from the surfaces 17 and 18. Since the collars 16 are fixed to the inside of the holes for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13, the springs 23 cause the nut rotating portion 10 to be biased along the axis center 3 in such a direction that it protrudes from the housing 30.

[0053] The springs 23 are housed in the holes for loosely inserting the engagement pin 13. In the embodiment, the spring 23 is arranged between the circular plate part 21 of the engagement pin 12 and a bottom part 25 of a collar 24 that can be inserted into the base end part of the hole for loosely inserting the engagement pin 13 on the side of the rotary shaft part 2 and is movable along the axis center 3 relative to the rotary part main body 11. The collars 24 integrally comprise the bottom part 25 having a circular disc shape and a cylindrical part 26 continuous with the outer edge of the bottom part 25 and having a circular cylindrical shape, and are formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer diameter of the bottom parts 25 and the cylindrical parts 26 of the collars 24 substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the loose engagement pin insertion hole 13.

[0054] The housing 30 surrounds the outer periphery of the nut rotating part 10. The housing 30 integrally comprises a bottom part 31 having a circular disc shape and a cylindrical part 32 continuous with the outer edge of the bottom part 31 and having a circular cylindrical shape, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. A through hole 33 is formed in the bottom part 31 at the center. The housing 30 is attached to the tip part of the rotating shaft part 2 by a screw 5 that passes through the interior of a washer 4 overlapping the bottom part 31 and the through hole 33 and is screwed into a screw hole formed in the tip surface of the rotating shaft part 2. When the housing 30 is attached to the rotating shaft part 2, the bottom part 31 and the cylindrical part 32 are coaxial with the rotating shaft part 2.The inner diameter of the cylindrical part 32 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rotating part main body 11 of the nut rotating part 10.

[0055] In the housing 30, a plurality of (in Embodiment 4) cam holes 34, into which the loss-preventing pins 14 of the nut rotating part 10 penetrate to support the nut rotating part 10 rotatably around the axis center 3 at a predetermined angle, are formed in the cylindrical part 32. The cam holes 34 penetrate into the cylindrical part 32. The cam holes 34 have a larger width part 35 located on the one direction 301 side around the axis center 3 and a smaller width part 36 located on the other direction 302 side around the axis center 3. The width of the larger width part 35 in the direction of the axis center 3 is larger than the width of the smaller width part 36 in the direction of the axis center 3.The widths of the larger width part 35 and the smaller width part 36 in the direction of the axis center 3 are larger than the smallest radius, preferably the diameter, of the loss prevention pin 14. Furthermore, a step surface 37 continuous with the larger width part 35 and the smaller width part 36 is formed on the tip side in the cam hole 34. Inner surfaces 38 of the smaller width parts 36 of the cam holes 34 on the tip side are formed to be flat in a direction perpendicular to the axis center 3. The inner surfaces 38 serve as projection inhibiting parts, by which advancement of the nut rotating part 10 toward a projection position is inhibited by engagement of the loss prevention pins 14 of the nut rotating part 10, urged by the springs 23, with the inner surfaces 38.Due to the engagement of the loss prevention pins 14 of the nut rotating part 10, which are tensioned by the springs 23, with the inner surfaces 38, the nut rotating part 10 engages in the housing 30.

[0056] When the housing 30 is mounted on the rotary shaft part 2 with the loss prevention pins 14 penetrating into the interior of the cam holes 34, the sleeves 24 tensioned by the springs 23 rest against the bottom part 31. For this reason, when the loss prevention pins 14 are arranged in the parts 35 with a larger width of the cam holes 34, the nut rotary part 10 is Fig. 5, etc., where the surface of the rotary member main body 11 protrudes toward the spindle 123 side of each cutting unit 120 due to the urging force of the springs 23 relative to the housing 30. As above, the springs 23 urge the nut rotary member 10 toward the protrusion position.

[0057] In addition, when the rotary member main body 11 of the nut rotary member 10 is pressed along the axis center 3 in such a direction against the tension force of the springs 23 that it sinks into the housing 30, at a Fig. 9, etc., at which the surface of the rotary member main body 11 sinks into the housing 30. As above, the nut rotary member 10 is arranged to be able to advance and retract relative to the housing 30 in the direction of the axis center 3 between the protrusion position and the fastening position. At the fastening position, the loss-preventing pins 14 are arranged relative to the step surfaces 37 on the base end side. Therefore, the nut rotary member 10 is supported rotatably relative to the housing 30 around the axis center 3 between a position where the loss-preventing pins 14 on the one direction 301 side abut against the inner surface of the cam hole 34 and a position where the loss-preventing pins 14 on the other direction 302 side abut against the inner surface of the cam hole 34.As above, the predetermined angle is the angle around the axis center 3 between the position at which the loss prevention pins 14 on the one direction side 301 abut against the inner surface of the cam hole 34 and the position at which the loss prevention pins 14 on the other direction side 302 abut against the inner surface of the cam hole 34.

[0058] Furthermore, the bottom portions 25 of the collars 24, which are tensioned by the springs 23 housed in the hole for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13, abut against the bottom portion 31 of the housing 30. Due to this, the rotating nut 10 is attached to the housing 30 via the springs 23 and the collars 24. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the rotating member main body 11 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion of the housing 30, and the bottom portions 25 of the collars 24, which are tensioned by the springs housed in the holes for loosely inserting the engaging pin 13, abut against the bottom portion 31 of the housing 30. Due to this, the rotating nut 10 is tiltably supported by the springs 23 with respect to the axis center 3. In the embodiment, the springs 23 tension the engaging pins 12 and push the nut rotating part 10 out to the protruding position.However, in the present invention, the elastic members that bias the engaging pins 12 and the biasing members that push the nut rotating member 10 to the projecting position may be formed of elastic members of separate bodies.

[0059] The nut gripping part 50 is arranged in the nut rotating part 10 and grips the annular groove 136 of the nut 126. The nut gripping part 50 includes a plurality of (in Embodiment 4) gripping elements 51. The gripping elements 51 are formed in an arm shape and are supported in the gripping element support grooves 15, and the longitudinal direction thereof is arranged parallel to the axis center 3. The gripping elements 51 include a gripping claw 52 arranged at the tip portion protruding from the surface of the nut rotating part 10 and engageable with the annular groove 136 formed on the outer periphery of the nut 126, and a rotary shaft 53 arranged at the base end portion closer to the rotary shaft part 2 and rotatably supported in the shaft receiving groove 20. In the gripping elements 51, the gripping claws 52 come closer to or farther apart from each other by rotation of the rotary shafts 53 in the shaft receiving grooves 20.Furthermore, compression springs 54 are arranged between the bottom surface of the gripping element support groove 15 and the central part of the gripping element 51 in the longitudinal direction. The compression springs 54 tension the gripping elements 51 in such a way that the gripping claws 52 are always directed outward in the radial direction.

[0060] In the nut gripping part 50, due to the biasing of the gripping elements 51 by the compression springs 54 when the nut rotating part 10 is positioned at the protrusion position, the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 move further apart from each other, and the gripping claws 52 are enabled to be attached to and detached from the annular groove 136 of the nut 126 without engaging with the annular groove 136. In the nut gripping part 50, when the nut rotating part 10 is positioned at the fastening position, the gripping elements 51 are housed together with the nut rotating part 10 in the housing 30, and the tip portions of the gripping elements 51 are pressed against the biasing force of the compression springs 54, so that the gripping claws 52 come closer to each other.In the nut gripping part 50, when the nut rotating part 10 is positioned at the fastening position, the gripping claws 52 and the gripping elements 51 engage the annular groove 136, and the state in which the gripping claws 52 engage the annular groove 136 is maintained. Thus, when the nut rotating part 10 is positioned at the fastening position, the engagement between the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping part 50 and the annular groove 136 of the nut 126 is maintained.

[0061] In the embodiment, in the attachment-detachment assist device 1, the inner surfaces 38 of the narrower-width portions 36 of the cam holes 34, the loss-prevention pins 14, and the springs 23 constitute the locking mechanism 60, which maintains the state in which the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping portion 50 engage the annular groove 136 of the nut 126. In the locking mechanism 60, the springs 23 urge the nut rotating portion 10 toward the protrusion position, and the loss-prevention pins 14 engage the inner surfaces 38. Thus, the locking mechanism 60 maintains the state in which the nut gripping portion 50 engages the annular groove 136 of the nut 126.

[0062] Next, the present specification will describe, based on drawings, a process of replacing the cutting blade 121 of the cutting unit 120 by the blade attachment-detachment mechanism 180, that is, a process of removing the nut 126 from the spindle 123 of the cutting unit 120 by the blade attachment-detachment support device 1. Fig. 7 is a side view illustrating the state in which the blade attachment-detachment support device according to the embodiment has been caused to be arranged in the Y-axis direction opposite to the spindle of the cutting unit. Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of the Fig. 7 illustrated blade attachment / detachment support device. Fig. 9 is a side view showing the state in which the gripping claws of the gripping elements of the female gripping part of the Fig. 7 engages the annular groove of the nut. Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device and the Fig. Cutting unit shown in Figure 9. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary shaft part and the housing of the Fig. 9 shown blade attachment / detachment support device were rotated in one direction. Fig. 12 is a side sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device and the Fig. Cutting unit shown in Figure 11. Fig. 13 is a side view showing the state in which the nut is inserted through the Fig. 11 has been removed from the spindle. Fig. 14 is a side view showing the state in which the Fig. 13 has been separated from the spindle of the cutting unit. Fig. 15 is a side sectional view of the Fig. 14 illustrated blade attachment / detachment support device.

[0063] When the blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180 replaces the cutting blade 121, the cutting device 100 stops a machining operation on the workpiece 200 and feeds the cutting blade 121 from the blade storage 181 to the other blade chuck 182 corresponding to the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target. Then, the cutting device 100 stops the rotation of the spindle 123 by the motor of the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target and supplies a compressed gas into the cylinder unit 137 of the rotation stop part 127 to cause the locking member to engage the locking hole and inhibit the rotation of the spindle 123.

[0064] The cutting device 100 causes the advance-reverse unit 183 to move the blade attachment-detachment support device 1 corresponding to the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target to a position opposite to the spindle 123 of the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. At this time, in the blade attachment-detachment assisting device 1, the loss prevention pins 14 are arranged in the larger width portions 35 of the cam holes 34, the nut rotating portion 10 is arranged at the protrusion position, and the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping portion 50 are separated from each other.

[0065] In the embodiment, the cutting device 100 brings the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target along the Y-axis direction close to the blade attachment-detachment support device 1. Then, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the surface 134 of the nut 126 of the cutting unit 120 abuts the surface 18 of the rotating member main body 11 of the nut rotating member 10. In addition, the loss prevention pins 14 of the nut rotating member 10 are positioned at fastening positions on the base end side relative to the step surfaces 37. Then, the housing 30 presses the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping member 50 toward the outer peripheral surface of the nut 126, and the gripping claws 52 engage the annular groove 136.

[0066] The cutting device 100 rotates the rotary shaft part 2 of the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 at the attachment position to which the nut rotary part 10 has been pressed by the cutting unit 120 in one direction 301, which is the direction that loosens the nut 126. Then, when the housing 30 is rotated together with the rotary shaft part 2 in one direction 301, the loss prevention pins 14 in the cutting device 100 move in the cam holes 34, and the housing 30 rotates relative to the nut rotary part 10 by the predetermined angle, so that the loss prevention pins 14 are positioned in a predetermined orientation in such an orientation that they abut against the inner surface on the other direction 302 side, as shown in Fig. 11. In this way, the loss prevention pins 14 engage the inner surfaces 38 of the smaller-width portions 36 of the cam holes 34, and the nut rotating portion 10 engages the housing 30, so that the advance and retraction of the nut rotating portion 10 in the direction of the axis center 3 relative to the housing 30 are inhibited. When the nut rotating portion 10 is rotated relative to the spindle 123 by the predetermined angle, the pins 22 of the engaging pins 12 pressed from the surface of the nut 126 to be removed toward the rotary shaft portion 2 side enter and engage the engaging holes 135 of the nut 126.

[0067] As in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the cutting device 100 further rotates the rotary shaft part 2 and the housing 30 in one direction 301. Then, since the nut 126 is screwed onto the externally threaded screw 130 formed in the attachment 124, the screwing of the nut 126 is gradually loosened, and the nut 126 moves along the axis center 3 toward the blade attachment / detachment support device 1. This movement of the nut 126 in the axis center direction is enabled based on a contraction of the springs 23. After rotating the rotary shaft part 2 and the housing 30 in one direction 301 until the nut 126 is released from the externally threaded screw 130 of the attachment 124, as shown in Fig. 13, the cutting device 100 stops the rotation of the rotary shaft part 2.

[0068] In the embodiment, the cutting device 100 causes the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target to move further away from the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 along the Y-axis direction. At this time, the nut rotating part 10 engages, as shown in Fig. 14, into the housing 30. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the nut rotating part 10 is held at the fastening position and the state in which the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping part 50 engage the annular groove 136 of the nut 126 is maintained. In the blade attachment-detachment support device 1, as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the state in which the gripping claws 52 engage with the annular groove 136 of the nut 126 is maintained. At this time, if there is no play with respect to the position of the nut 126 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, thereafter, in a step of re-screwing the nut 126 to the groove of the boss portion 128 of the attachment 124, there is a possibility that the groove and the nut 126 do not mesh well with each other and that the screwing failure occurs if the position of the boss portion 128 of the attachment 124 deviates even slightly with respect to the nut 126.For this reason, the blade attachment-detachment support device 1 sets the positions of the loss prevention pins 14 and the inner surfaces 38 of the cam holes 34 in such a manner that the gripping claws 52 protrude slightly from the housing 30 and are maintained at positions where the gripping claws 52 are slightly opened, so that the nut 126 held by the gripping claws 52 can also move slightly in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

[0069] Furthermore, when the nut 126 gripped by the gripping claws 52 is rotated and the nut 126 is removed from the boss portion 128 of the attachment 124, the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1 continues to rotate the nut 126 until the boss portion 128 is separated from the nut 126. Usually, control in which the nut 126 is rotated a predetermined number of turns is employed. However, there is a case where the male screw 130 of the boss portion 128 is slightly engaged with the screw groove of the nut 126. If the boss portion 128 is separated in the slightly engaged state, a situation occurs in which the male screw 130 of the nut 126 is caught by the screw groove of the boss portion 128, and the nut 126 falls off the gripping claws 52.Therefore, in the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1, a control is employed in which rotation of the nut 126 is continued until the boss portion 128 is separated from the nut 126.

[0070] Then, in the cutting device 100, one blade clamping device 182 of the blade attachment-detachment mechanism 180 removes the cutting blade 121 from the spindle 123 of the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target, and then the other blade clamping device 182 attaches the cutting blade 121 to the spindle 123 of the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target.

[0071] Next, the present specification will explain, based on drawings, a process of attaching the nut 126 to the spindle 123 of the cutting unit 120 by the blade attachment-detachment support device 1. Fig. 16 is a side view illustrating the state in which the blade attachment-detachment assisting device according to the embodiment has been caused to be arranged opposite to the spindle of the cutting unit in the Y-axis direction, and then the cutting unit has been brought into proximity with the blade attachment-detachment assisting device gripping the nut. Fig. 17 is a side sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device and the Fig. Cutting unit shown in Figure 16. Fig. 18 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary shaft part and the housing of the Fig. 16 have been rotated in the other direction and the nut rests on the cutting blade. Fig. 19 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary shaft part and the housing of the Fig. 18 have been further rotated in the other direction. Fig. 20 is a side view showing the state in which engagement between the gripping claws of the gripping elements of the female gripping part of the Fig. 18 and the annular groove of the nut.

[0072] The cutting device 100 causes the advance-return unit 183 to move the blade attachment-detachment support device 1 corresponding to the replacement target cutting unit 120 to a position opposite the spindle 123 of the replacement target cutting unit 120 in the Y-axis direction. Thereafter, the cutting device 100 brings the replacement target cutting unit 120 close to the blade attachment-detachment support device 1 along the Y-axis direction and presses, as shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, the nut 126 gripped by the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 is rotated by the attachment 124 in the Y-axis direction. The cutting device 100 rotates the rotary shaft portion 2 of the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 in the other direction 302, which is the direction that tightens the nut 126. Then, since the pins 22 of the engaging pins 12 are engaged with the engaging holes 135 of the nut 126, the nut 126 rotates together with the rotary shaft portion 2 and the housing 30 in the other direction 302.

[0073] Thereafter, the externally threaded screw 130 formed in the attachment 124 is screwed onto the inner peripheral surface of the nut 126 gripped by the nut gripping part 50 of the blade attachment-detachment support device 1, and the nut 126 gradually comes close to the circular base 132 of the cutting blade 121 attached to the cutting unit 120. Thereafter, the nut 126 is located, as shown in Fig. 18, on the circular base 132 of the cutting blade 121 and the cutting device 100 further rotates the rotary shaft part 2 and the housing 30 in the other direction 302.

[0074] In this case, since the nut 126 abuts against the circular base 132 of the cutting blade 121 and rotation of the nut 126 is inhibited when the engaging pins 12 of the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 rotate around the axis center 3, the rotation of the nut rotating part 10 stops, while the housing 30 rotates in the other direction 302 by the predetermined angle because the pins 22 engage the engaging holes 135. When the housing 30 rotates as shown in Fig. 19, the cutting device 100 causes the loss prevention pins 14 to abut against the inner surfaces of the cam holes 34 on the one direction 301 side and to be arranged in the parts 35 with a larger width. Thereafter, the cutting device 100 stops the rotation of the rotary shaft part 2 and the housing 30 in the other direction 302.

[0075] In the embodiment, the cutting device 100, as shown in Fig. 20, the cutting unit 120 of the replacement target moves further away from the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 along the Y-axis direction. Then, since the loss prevention pins 14 abut against the inner surfaces of the cam holes 34 and are arranged in the parts 35 with a larger width, the nut rotating part 10 is pressed by the urging force of the springs 23 and moves toward the protrusion position. In the cutting device 100, the nut rotating part 10 is arranged at the protrusion position, and the engagement of the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping part 50 with the annular groove 136 is released.

[0076] The cutting device 100 moves the two blade clamps 182 and the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 to a position farther from the in-and-out conveyance area than the machining area. After that, the cutting device 100 stops the supply of compressed gas to the cylinder unit 137 of the rotation stop member 127 to release the engagement of the locking member with the locking hole, and performs other operations. Then, the cutting device 100 resumes machining on the workpiece 200.

[0077] The blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1 according to the embodiment includes the nut rotating part 10 having the engaging pins 12 engaging the engaging holes 135 of the nut 126, the nut gripping part 50 disposed on the nut rotating part 10 and engaging the annular groove 136 of the nut 126, and the housing 30 surrounding the nut rotating part 10. In the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1, the nut rotating part 10 is disposed to be capable of advancing and retracting between the protrusion position at which the nut gripping part 50 can be attached to and detached from the annular groove 136 of the nut 126, and the attachment position at which the nut gripping part 50 is housed in the housing 30 and at which engagement between the nut gripping part 50 and the nut 126 is maintained.In addition, the blade attachment-detachment support device 1 has the springs 23 which bias the nut rotating part 10 toward the protruding position.

[0078] For this reason, in the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1, the nut gripping part 50 engages the annular groove 136 of the nut 126 by pressing the nut rotating part 10 by the nut 126 against the urging force of the springs 23, and the engaging pins 12 engage the engaging holes 135 only by rotating, so that the nut 126 can be rotated. Furthermore, the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1 includes the locking mechanism 60, by which the gripping claws 52 of the gripping elements 51 of the nut gripping part 50 are fixed in the state of gripping the nut 126. Consequently, the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1 can perform gripping by the nut gripping part 50 and advancing and retracting the housing 30 relative to the nut rotating part 10 without disposing a cylinder or the like that moves the housing 30.Thus, the blade attachment-detachment assisting device 1 provides such an effect that it enables automatic attachment and detachment of the nut 126 while intending to reduce the cost.

[0079] Furthermore, the nut rotating part 10 is loosely fitted into the housing 30 and is tiltably supported. Therefore, the nut 126 can be gripped by the gripping claws 52 even when the axis center 3 of the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 is tilted relative to the axis center of the spindle 123. Due to this, the blade attachment / detachment support device 1 eliminates the need for precise axis center alignment with the axis center of the spindle 123 and enables a reduction in the degree of accuracy in assembling the cutting device 100 and the blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180. [Modification example]

[0080] A blade attachment-detachment assisting device according to a modification example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a drawing. Fig. 21 is a sectional view of the blade attachment / detachment support device according to the modification example of the embodiment. In Fig. 21, the same reference numeral is assigned to the same part as in the embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

[0081] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 21, the configuration of a blade attachment-detachment assisting device 1 according to the modification example of the embodiment is substantially identical to that of the embodiment, except that a spring 23-2, which is an elastic member that urges the nut rotating part 10 toward the outside of the housing 30 along the axis center 3, is disposed between the washer 4 and a circular disc-shaped support plate 70 having an outer peripheral portion to which the engaging pins 12 are attached. The support plate 70 and the spring 23-2 are disposed at a position coaxial with the rotating shaft part 2, etc. Thus, the nut rotating part 10, supported on the spring 23-2, is rockably supported by the rotating shaft part 2 with the interposition of the support plate 70 and the washer 4.

[0082] Similar to the embodiment, the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1 according to the modification example of the embodiment can perform gripping by the nut gripping part 50 and advancing and retracting the housing 30 relative to the nut rotating part 10 without disposing a cylinder or the like that moves the housing 30. Thus, the blade attachment / detachment assisting device 1 provides an effect such as enabling automatic attachment and detachment of the nut 126 while intending to reduce costs similar to the embodiment.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modification example. That is, the present invention can be embodied with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present invention, the blade attachment / detachment mechanism 180 may be arranged at a location other than the position shown in Fig. 2 is located on the rear surface side, and is farther away from the carrying-in / carry-out area than the machining area, and it is sufficient that the blade attaching / detaching mechanism 180 is arranged to move to a position opposite to the spindle 123 when the cutting blade 121 is attached and detached.

[0084] The present invention is not limited to the details of the preferred embodiment described above. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all changes and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are therefore encompassed by the invention.

Claims

[1] Blade attachment-detachment support device (1) used for a cutting device (100), comprising: a cutting blade (121) attached to a spindle (123), a nut (126) for fastening the cutting blade (121) to the spindle (123), and a rotation stop part (127) which inhibits rotation of the spindle (123), the blade attachment-detachment support device (1) comprising: a nut rotating part (10) having an engaging part (12) which engages an engaged part (135) of a surface of the nut (126); a nut gripping part (50) arranged on the nut rotating part (10) and gripping an outer peripheral part (136) of the nut (126); a housing (30) surrounding the nut rotating part (10) while supporting the nut rotating part (10) rotatably through a predetermined angle; and a locking mechanism (60) which maintains a state in which the nut gripping part (50) engages the outer peripheral part of the nut (126), wherein the nut rotating part (10) is arranged to be able to move forward and backward relative to the housing (30) to a projection position at which the nut gripping part (50) is allowed to be attached to and detached from the outer peripheral part of the nut (126), and a fastening position at which the nut gripping part (50) is accommodated in the housing (30) and an engagement between the nut gripping part (50) and the nut (126) is maintained, the nut rotating part (10) is fastened to the housing (30) with the interposition of a clamping part (23) which pushes the nut rotating part (10) out to the projection position, and the locking mechanism (60) has a projection inhibiting part (38) by which an advance and a retraction of the nut rotating part (10) is inhibited by an engagement of the nut rotating part (10) with the housing (30) when the housing (30) is rotated in a direction which loosens the nut (126) and the housing (30) rotates relative to the nut rotating part (10) to be positioned in a predetermined orientation at the fastening position to which the nut rotating part (10) has been pressed. [2] The blade attachment-detachment assisting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the nut rotating part (10) is loosely fitted into the housing (30) and, tiltably supported on an elastic member (23), is supported by a rotating shaft part (2) or the housing (30). [3] The blade attachment-detachment assisting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaged part (135) of the surface (134) of the nut (126) is an engagement hole, the engagement part (12) of the nut rotating part (10) is an engagement pin, and the engagement pin is arranged to be capable of advancing and retreating in an engagement-causing direction. [4] Blade attachment-detachment assisting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade attachment-detachment assisting device (1) is attached to an advancing-retracting unit (183) that advances and retracts relative to the spindle (123) of the cutting device (100) together with a blade holding part that holds the cutting blade (121) attached to the spindle (123).

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