Blade automatic replacement device
The automatic blade changing device simplifies blade replacement by using a blade fixing unit and guide rail system, enabling cost-effective and timely blade changes without articulated robots.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025151161
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing automatic saw blade changers require sophisticated mechanisms like articulated robots, which are costly and complex.
An automatic blade changing device that uses a blade fixing unit, guide rail, movement motor unit, storage unit, and control unit to facilitate blade replacement without an articulated robot, employing a blade setting base that rotates between fixing and drop positions, and includes mechanisms for blade mounting, removal, and drop.
Enables automatic blade changing with a simpler mechanism, reducing complexity and cost, and allows for frequent blade changes with precise timing based on torque measurement.
Smart Images

Figure 2025183341000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic blade changing device. [Background technology]
[0002] BACKGROUND ART A blade changer that enables automatic replacement of a saw blade is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic saw blade changer that includes a cutting machine body, an articulated robot, and a blade stocker. When changing blades using the articulated robot, the spindle motor and brake are controlled based on the rotation angle detected by a spindle stop position detection sensor, and the spindle is stopped at a predetermined origin angle in a blade drop mechanism state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-108631 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, the automatic saw blade changer described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it uses an articulated robot to change blades, and therefore requires a sophisticated mechanism such as an articulated robot.
[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an automatic blade changing device that can automatically change blades without using an advanced mechanism such as an articulated robot. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] An automatic blade changing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a blade fixing unit, a guide rail, a movement motor unit, a storage unit, and a movement control unit. A blade is fixed to the blade fixing unit. The guide rail guides the blade fixing unit. The movement motor unit moves the blade fixing unit. The storage unit stores a blade different from the blade fixed by the blade fixing unit. The movement control unit controls the movement motor so that the blade fixing unit moves along the guide rail between a work area and a blade replacement position. In the work area, the movement control unit cuts an object using the blade fixed by the blade fixing unit. At the blade replacement position, the blade is removed from the blade fixing unit and the blade stored in the storage unit is fixed to the blade fixing unit.
[0008] In the automatic blade changing device of the present invention, the blade fixing unit comprises an attachment unit attached to the guide rail and a blade setting base having a setting surface on which a region of the blade is placed, and the blade setting base is rotatable relative to the attachment unit on a rotation axis along a vertical direction between a blade fixing position and a blade drop position, and when the movement control unit moves the blade fixing unit to the blade changing position, the blade setting base may rotate from the blade fixing position to the blade drop position.
[0009] In the automatic blade changing device of the present invention, the blade fixing unit further includes a base rotation fixing mechanism that prevents the blade mounting base from rotating to the blade drop position, and when the blade fixing unit moves from the work area to the blade changing position, the base rotation fixing mechanism may stop preventing the blade mounting base from rotating to the blade drop position.
[0010] The automatic blade replacement device of the present invention may further include a blade replacement unit that removes the blade placed on the storage surface and places the blade stored in the storage unit on the storage surface, and an replacement control unit that controls the blade replacement unit when the blade fixing unit is positioned at the blade replacement position.
[0011] In the automatic blade replacement device of the present invention, the blade replacement unit includes a holding unit that holds the blade stored in the storage unit, and a feed motor unit that moves the holding unit, and the replacement control unit may control the feed motor unit so that the holding unit moves between the storage position and the loading position when the blade installation base is positioned at the blade drop position.
[0012] In the automatic blade changing device of the present invention, the blade changing unit may further include a mounting mechanism that is movable along the vertical direction, and when the holding unit moves from the storage position to the mounting position, the mounting mechanism may prevent the blade from moving from the mounting position to the storage position.
[0013] In the automatic blade changing device of the present invention, the blade changing unit may further include a blade drop mechanism, and when the blade mounting base is positioned at the blade drop position, the blade drop mechanism may act on another area of the blade to cause the blade to drop from the mounting surface.
[0014] In the automatic blade changing device of the present invention, the blade drop mechanism is movable between an upper position and a lower position, and when the holding section moves from the placement position to the storage position, the blade drop mechanism may move from the upper position to the lower position, and then move from the lower position to the upper position.
[0015] In the automatic blade changing device of the present invention, the movement control unit may include a measurement unit that measures the torque applied to the movement motor unit when the blade is used to cut the object, and a judgment unit that determines whether or not to change the blade based on the measurement results of the measurement unit. [Effects of the Invention]
[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic blade changing device that can automatically change blades without using a sophisticated mechanism such as an articulated robot. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an automatic blade changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an automatic blade changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a blade fixing portion of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a blade fixing portion of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view showing the automatic blade changing device when the blade fixing part has moved to the blade changing position. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view showing the automatic blade changing device when the holding unit moves from the storage position to the loading position. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a perspective view showing the automatic blade changing device when the holding part moves to the mounting position. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.
[0019] An automatic blade changing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the overall configuration of the automatic blade changing device 1000 of this embodiment. Figure 1 shows the appearance of the automatic blade changing device 1000 as seen from above, diagonally to the front right. Figure 2 shows the appearance of the automatic blade changing device 1000 as seen from below, diagonally to the rear right. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the automatic blade changing device 1000 changes a used blade 10a for a new blade 10b.
[0020] The automatic blade changing device 1000 includes a blade fixing unit 100 to which the blade 10a is fixed, a guide rail 200, a storage unit 300 to store the blade 10b, a movement motor unit 400, a movement control unit 500, and a frame 900. Each of the blades 10a and 10b is, but is not limited to, a rectangular plate-like body with a blade formed on one side, such as a circular saw.
[0021] In this embodiment, the side where the blade fixing unit 100 is disposed relative to the guide rail 200 is the front side of the automatic blade changing device 1000, and the opposite side is the rear side of the automatic blade changing device 1000. Furthermore, the side where the storage unit 300 is disposed relative to the blade fixing unit 100 is the left side of the automatic blade changing device 1000, and the opposite side is the right side of the automatic blade changing device 1000. Furthermore, the side where the blade 10a is disposed relative to the blade fixing unit 100 is the bottom side of the automatic blade changing device 1000, and the opposite side is the top side of the automatic blade changing device 1000. Note that these directions do not limit the orientation of the automatic blade changing device 1000 when in use. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is the upward direction. The second direction D2 is the forward direction. The third direction D3 is the rightward direction.
[0022] The guide rail 200 guides the blade fixing unit 100. Specifically, the guide rail 200 is, for example, a linear guide. The guide rail 200 extends along the third direction D3. The left portion of the guide rail 200 is located at the blade replacement position. The right portion of the guide rail 200 is located at the work area. In the work area, an object is cut. The object may be a paper object, such as a cardboard box. At the blade replacement position, the used blade 10a is replaced with a new blade 10b. Note that the guide rail 200 is omitted from FIG. 2 to make it easier to see the underside of the automatic blade replacement device 1000.
[0023] The storage unit 300 stores a blade 10b that is different from the blade 10a fixed by the blade fixing unit 100. The storage unit 300 is disposed near the blade replacement position of the frame 900. The storage unit 300 is fixed so as to penetrate the frame 900 in the first direction D1. Specifically, the storage unit 300 includes a first member 311, a second member 312, and a cover member 313. The first member 311 is a plate-like body perpendicular to the second direction D2. A mounting portion protruding in the opposite direction to the second direction D2 is disposed at the lower end of the first member 311. The second member 312 is a plate-like body perpendicular to the second direction D2. A mounting portion protruding in the second direction D2 is disposed at the lower end of the second member 312. The first member 311 is disposed in the second direction D2 of the second member 312. The blades 10b are placed on the upper surface of the placement portion of the first member 311 and the upper surface of the placement portion of the second member 312. The cover member 313 is a plate-like body perpendicular to the first direction D1. A spring extending along the first direction D1 is disposed on the lower surface of the cover member 313. The cover member 313 is disposed above the first member 311 and above the second member 312. The storage unit 300 stores a plurality of new blades 10b. More specifically, the plurality of new blades 10b are lined up along the first direction D1.
[0024] The movement motor unit 400 is disposed near the blade replacement position of the frame 900. Specifically, the movement motor unit 400 has a first pulley 410, a second pulley (not shown), a movement motor 430, and a belt 440. The first pulley 410 is disposed on the left side of the guide rail 200. The second pulley is disposed on the right side of the guide rail 200. The belt 440 is disposed between the first pulley 410 and the second pulley. The movement motor 430 rotates the first pulley 410.
[0025] The movement control unit 500 controls the movement motor unit 400. The movement control unit 500 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Specifically, the movement control unit 500 rotates the movement motor 430.
[0026] Next, the blade fixing unit 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 4. Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the configuration of the blade fixing unit 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 shows the blade setting base 120 when it is located in the blade fixing position. Fig. 4 shows the blade setting base 120 when it is located in the blade dropping position. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the blade fixing unit 100 fixes the blade 10a.
[0027] The blade fixing unit 100 includes a first mounting portion 110, a second mounting portion 111, a blade installation base 120, and a main body 115. The first mounting portion 110 is disposed above the main body 115. The first mounting portion 110 is movably attached to the guide rail 200. The second mounting portion 111 is disposed above the first mounting portion 110. The second mounting portion 111 is fixed to the belt 440. Specifically, the belt 440 is clamped or adhered to fix the second mounting portion 111 to one area of the guide rail 200. As a result, the movement control unit 500 rotates the movement motor 430, thereby moving the blade fixing unit 100 along the guide rail 200 within the work area and between the work area and the blade replacement position.
[0028] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the automatic blade changing device 1000, the movement control unit 500 rotates the movement motor 430 so that the blade fixing unit 100, to which the blade 10a is fixed, moves along the guide rail 200 within the work area and between the work area and the blade changing position. A storage unit 300 for storing the blade 10b is disposed near the blade changing position. As a result, the blade 10b can be automatically changed at the blade changing position without using a sophisticated mechanism such as an articulated robot. This is particularly effective when the blade 10a is changed frequently.
[0029] In detail, the blade mounting base 120 is disposed below the main body 115. The blade mounting base 120 is a plate-like body 122 that is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The blade mounting base 120 has a mounting surface 121 that is disposed on the upper surface of the plate-like body 122. The blade 10a is mounted on the mounting surface 121 in a state that is perpendicular to the up-down direction. Two protrusions 121a are disposed on the mounting surface 121. Two through holes 11 are formed in the blade 10a. When the blade 10a is mounted on the mounting surface 121, the two protrusions 121a are inserted into the two through holes 11. As a result, the blade 10a can be prevented from rotating relative to the mounting surface 121, and the blade 10a is fixed to the mounting surface 121.
[0030] Furthermore, one area of the blade 10a is placed on the placement surface 121. The shape of the placement surface 121 is, for example, a rectangle with a triangular missing portion. As a result, the shape of the one area of the blade 10a is also, for example, a rectangle with a triangular missing portion. The other area of the blade 10a is not placed on the placement surface 121. The shape of the other area of the blade 10a is, for example, a triangle.
[0031] The blade mounting base 120 is rotatable relative to the first attachment portion 110 on a vertical rotation axis 115a. Specifically, the blade mounting base 120 is positioned at the blade drop position by rotating from the blade fixed position in a first rotation direction. On the other hand, the blade mounting base 120 is positioned at the blade fixed position by rotating from the blade drop position in a second rotation direction. The second rotation direction is opposite to the first rotation direction. Note that the blade mounting base 120 may be moved linearly instead of rotating between the blade fixed position and the blade drop position.
[0032] The blade installation base 120 is located at either a blade fixing position or a blade drop position. The blade fixing position indicates a position where the blade 10a is fixed to the blade installation base 120. The blade drop position indicates a position where the blade 10a can be removed from the blade installation base 120. With the blade installation base 120 located at the blade fixing position, the blade fixing unit 100 moves to the work area and cuts the target object. Meanwhile, the blade fixing unit 100 moves to the blade replacement position, and with the blade installation base 120 located at the blade drop position, the used blade 10a is replaced with a new blade 10b. As a result, the blade 10b can be automatically replaced at the blade drop position without using a sophisticated mechanism such as an articulated robot.
[0033] Next, the base rotation and fixing mechanism 130 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the automatic blade changing device 1000 when the blade fixing unit 100 has moved to the blade changing position. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the blade fixing unit 100 further includes the base rotation and fixing mechanism 130 and a base rotation mechanism 116.
[0034] The base rotation mechanism 116 acts on the blade installation base 120 so that the blade installation base 120 rotates to the blade drop position. The base rotation mechanism 116 is, for example, a mechanism in which a spring is wound around a rotation shaft 116a to rotate it.
[0035] The base rotation and fixing mechanism 130 prevents the blade setting base 120 from rotating to the blade drop position. Specifically, the base rotation and fixing mechanism 130 has a first protruding member 131. The first protruding member 131 is, for example, a rod-shaped member extending along the first direction D1. The first protruding member 131 is arranged on the first rotation direction side of the blade setting base 120 that is positioned at the blade fixing position. As a result, the first protruding member 131 inhibits the rotation of the blade setting base 120, and the blade setting base 120 is fixed at the blade fixing position.
[0036] When the blade fixing unit 100 moves from the work area to the blade replacement position, the base rotation fixing mechanism 130 stops preventing the blade installation base 120 from rotating to the blade drop position. Specifically, a first abutment member 910 is disposed near the blade replacement position of the frame 900. The first abutment member 910 is, for example, a plate-shaped body.
[0037] The base rotation and fixing mechanism 130 further includes a first rotating member 134, a second rotating member 132, and a second protruding member 133. The first protruding member 131 is disposed at one end of the first rotating member 134. The first rotating member 134 rotates about a rotation axis along the third direction D3. The first rotating member 134 and one end of the second rotating member 132 are engaged with each other. The second protruding member 133 is disposed at the other end of the second rotating member 132. The second rotating member 132 rotates about a rotation axis along the second direction D2. When the blade fixing unit 100 moves from the working area to the blade replacement position, the second protruding member 133 abuts against the first abutting member 910, causing the second rotating member 132 to rotate. As a result, the first rotating member 134 rotates. Therefore, the first protruding member 131 is disposed above the blade installation base 120. As a result, the blade installation base 120 is rotated to the blade drop position by the base rotation mechanism 116. Therefore, the blade installation base 120 can be rotated to the blade drop position with a simple mechanism.
[0038] Furthermore, when the blade fixing unit 100 moves from the blade replacement position to the work area, the blade installation base 120 rotates to the blade fixing position. Specifically, a second abutment member 920 is disposed near the blade replacement position on the frame 900. The second abutment member 920 is, for example, a rod-shaped member extending along the first direction D1. When the blade fixing unit 100 moves from the blade replacement position to the work area, the blade installation base 120 abuts against the second abutment member 920, causing the blade installation base 120 to rotate in the second rotation direction from the blade drop position. Thereafter, the base rotation and fixing mechanism 130 moves away from the first abutment member 910, causing the first protruding member 131 to be positioned on the first rotation direction side of the blade installation base 120 located at the blade fixing position. As a result, the blade installation base 120 is fixed at the blade fixing position.
[0039] The automatic blade changing device 1000 further includes a blade changing unit 600 and a change control unit 700. The blade changing unit 600 removes the blade 10a placed on the placement surface 121 and places the blade 10b stored in the storage unit 300 on the placement surface 121. Specifically, the blade changing unit 600 includes a holder 610 and a feed motor unit 620.
[0040] The holder 610 holds the blades 10b stored in the storage unit 300. The holder 610 holds the lowest blade 10b among the multiple blades 10b stored in the storage unit 300. Specifically, the holder 610 includes a mounting member 611 and a main body member 613. The mounting member 611 is a plate-like member perpendicular to the first direction D1. The mounting member 611 has two plate-like members extending along the third direction D3. The two plate-like members are arranged at a predetermined distance in the second direction D2. The mounting member 611 also has abutting portions extending upward. The abutting portions have a height equal to the thickness of the blades 10b. A single blade 10b is placed on the upper surfaces of the two plate-like members of the mounting member 611 and is pushed out of the storage unit 300 by the abutting portions. The mounting member 611 is connected to the main body member 613.
[0041] The payout motor unit 620 moves the holding unit 610. The payout motor unit 620 moves the holding unit 610 along the third direction D3. The payout motor unit 620 moves the holding unit 610 between the storage position and the placement position.
[0042] Specifically, the payout motor unit 620 has a payout motor 621, a pinion 622, and a rack 623. The rack 623 is disposed on the main body member 613. The rack 623 extends along the third direction D3. Meanwhile, the payout motor 621 is coupled to the pinion 622. The pinion 622 rotates about a rotation axis along the first direction D1. The payout motor 621 rotates the pinion 622. As a result, the main body member 613 moves along the third direction D3, and the holding unit 610 moves along the third direction D3.
[0043] The replacement control unit 700 controls the blade replacement unit 600 when the blade fixing unit 100 is located at the blade replacement position. The replacement control unit 700 controls the feed motor unit 620. The replacement control unit 700 includes a processor such as a CPU. Specifically, the replacement control unit 700 rotates the feed motor 621. As a result, the holding unit 610 moves to the loading position. Therefore, the blade 10b can be automatically replaced at the blade replacement position without using a sophisticated mechanism such as an articulated robot.
[0044] Next, the first mounting mechanism 650 and the second mounting mechanism 630 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the automatic blade changing device 1000 when the holding unit 610 has moved from the storage position to the mounting position. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the blade changing unit 600 further includes the first mounting mechanism 650 and the second mounting mechanism 630.
[0045] The first mounting mechanism 650 is movable in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the holding unit 610 moves from the storage position to the mounting position, the first mounting mechanism 650 comes into contact with the blade 10b and moves from the lower position to the upper position. On the other hand, when the holding unit 610 moves from the mounting position to the storage position, the first mounting mechanism 650 presses the blade 10b toward the blade mounting base 120. As a result, the blade 10b moves from the holding unit 610 to the blade mounting base 120. Therefore, the blade 10b can be mounted on the blade mounting base 120 with a simple mechanism.
[0046] The second mounting mechanism 630 is movable in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the holder 610 moves from the mounting position to the storage position, the second mounting mechanism 630 prevents the blade 10b from moving from the mounting position to the storage position. More specifically, when the holder 610 moves from the storage position to the mounting position, the second mounting mechanism 630 moves from a lower position to an upper position. Thereafter, when the holder 610 is located at the mounting position, the second mounting mechanism 630 moves from an upper position to a lower position. As a result, when the holder 610 moves from the mounting position to the storage position, the blade 10b abuts against the second mounting mechanism 630, preventing the blade 10b from moving from the mounting position to the storage position. Therefore, the blade 10b can be mounted on the blade mounting base 120 with a simple mechanism.
[0047] Next, the blade drop mechanism 640 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the automatic blade changing device 1000 when the holding unit 610 moves to the mounting position. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the blade changing unit 600 further includes a blade drop mechanism 640.
[0048] When the blade mounting base 120 is positioned in the blade drop position, the blade drop mechanism 640 acts on the other region of the blade 10a to drop the blade from the mounting surface 121. Specifically, the blade drop mechanism 640 has a rod-shaped portion 641. The rod-shaped portion 641 is rotatable about a rotation axis along the second direction D2. As a result, the tip of the rod-shaped portion 641 is movable between an upper position and a lower position. A blade drop portion 641a is disposed at the tip of the rod-shaped portion 641. When the blade drop portion 641a moves from the upper position to the lower position, it comes into contact with the other region of the blade 10a mounted on the mounting surface 121. As a result, the blade 10a drops from the mounting surface 121. Therefore, the blade 10b can be removed from the blade mounting base 120 using a simple mechanism.
[0049] When the holder 610 moves from the storage position to the loading position, the blade drop mechanism 640 moves from the upper position to the lower position, and then from the lower position to the upper position. Specifically, the blade drop mechanism 640 further includes a contact portion 642. More specifically, the contact portion 642 includes a lifting member 642a and an attachment portion 642b.
[0050] The attachment portion 642b is attached to the main body member 613. As a result, when the holding portion 610 moves from the storage position to the placement position, the contact portion 642 also moves from the storage position to the placement position.
[0051] The lifting member 642a extends upward. The lifting member 642a is in contact with the rod-shaped portion 641. Specifically, when the holder 610 is in the storage position, the lifting member 642a maintains the rod-shaped portion 641 in the upper position. When the holder 610 moves from the storage position to the placement position, the lifting member 642a loses contact with the rod-shaped portion 641, and the rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the lower position. As the rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the lower position, it comes into contact with another region of the blade 10a placed on the placement surface 121. As a result, the blade 10a falls from the placement surface 121. Thereafter, when the holder 610 moves further from the storage position to the placement position, the lifting member 642a comes into contact with the rod-shaped portion 641, and the rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the intermediate position. As a result, the blade 10b can be automatically replaced with a simpler mechanism.
[0052] Furthermore, when holding portion 610 moves further from the placement position to the storage position, lifting member 642a comes into contact with rod-shaped portion 641, and rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the intermediate position. When holding portion 610 moves further from the placement position to the storage position, lifting member 642a loses contact with rod-shaped portion 641, and rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the lower position. When holding portion 610 moves further from the placement position to the storage position, lifting member 642a comes into contact with rod-shaped portion 641, and rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the upper position.
[0053] The movement control unit 500 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 again. As shown in Fig. 1, the movement control unit 500 includes a measurement unit 510 and a determination unit 520.
[0054] Measurement unit 510 measures the torque applied to movement motor unit 400 when cutting an object using blade 10a. In detail, movement control unit 500 rotates movement motor 430, causing blade fixing unit 100 to move within the work area along guide rail 200 and cut the object. Measurement unit 510 measures the torque applied to movement motor 430 when cutting the object.
[0055] The determination unit 520 determines whether or not to replace the blade 10a based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 510. Specifically, it determines whether or not the torque applied to the movement motor 430 when cutting the target object is equal to or greater than a threshold. When the torque is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 520 determines that the blade 10a should be replaced. On the other hand, when the torque is less than the threshold, the determination unit 520 determines that the blade 10a should not be replaced. As a result, the blade 10b can be automatically replaced. Furthermore, by automatically determining the blade replacement time based on the blade movement thrust during cutting, it becomes possible to replace the blade at an appropriate timing in accordance with the degree of blade deterioration, and variation in the timing of blade replacement can be suppressed.
[0056] Next, an automatic blade changing method of the automatic blade changing device 1000 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. As shown in Figure 1, the movement control unit 500 rotates the movement motor 430, causing the blade fixing unit 100 to move along the guide rail 200 within the work area and cut the object. The measurement unit 510 measures the torque applied to the movement motor 430 when cutting the object.
[0057] The determination unit 520 determines whether or not to replace the blade 10a based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 510. When the torque is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 520 determines that the blade 10a should be replaced.
[0058] When the determining unit 520 determines that the blade 10a should be replaced, the movement control unit 500 rotates the movement motor 430, thereby moving the blade fixing unit 100 along the guide rail 200 from the work area to the blade replacement position.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, when the blade fixing unit 100 moves from the work area to the blade replacement position, the blade installation base 120 rotates to the blade drop position.
[0060] Next, as shown in Figure 7, when the holder 610 moves from the storage position to the placement position, the lifting member 642a is no longer in contact with the rod-shaped portion 641, and the rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the lower position. As the rod-shaped portion 641 moves to the lower position, it comes into contact with another region of the blade 10a placed on the placement surface 121. As a result, the blade 10a falls from the placement surface 121. After the blade 10a falls, the blade fixing portion 100 moves from the blade drop position to the blade replacement position.
[0061] 6, when the holder 610 moves from the mounting position to the storage position, the first mounting mechanism 650 presses the blade 10b against the blade mounting base 120, and the second mounting mechanism 630 prevents the blade 10b from moving from the mounting position to the storage position. As a result, the first mounting mechanism 650 and the second mounting mechanism 630 move the blade 10b from the holder 610 to the blade mounting base 120.
[0062] 1, when the blade fixing unit 100 moves from the blade replacement position to the work area, the blade installation base 120 rotates to the blade fixing position. Thereafter, the base rotation fixing mechanism 130 moves away from the first abutment member 910, and the first protruding member 131 is positioned on the first rotation direction side of the blade installation base 120 located at the blade fixing position. As a result, the blade installation base 120 is fixed at the blade fixing position.
[0063] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding. The thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each illustrated component may differ from the actual components due to the convenience of drawing. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited. Various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention.
[0064] (1) In the above-described automatic blade changer 1000, the blade mounting base 120 is rotated by the base rotation mechanism 116, which uses a spring wound around the rotation shaft 116a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blade mounting base 120 may be rotated by a mechanism using a motor as the rotation shaft, a mechanism using a cylinder to push and rotate the blade mounting base, a mechanism using a magnet to repel and rotate the blade mounting base, or a mechanism using an air blower to push the blade mounting base. Furthermore, the blade mounting base 120 may be moved by a cylinder mechanism to move the blade mounting base in the X, Y, and Z directions, or by a motor mechanism to move the blade mounting base in the X, Y, and Z directions.
[0065] (2) In the above-described automatic blade changing device 1000, the blade 10a is fixed to the mounting surface 121 by a mechanism in which two protrusions 121a are arranged on the mounting surface 121. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blade 10a may be fixed to the mounting surface 121 by a mechanism that presses the blade onto the mounting surface from above, or by a mechanism that attaches the blade to the mounting surface by magnetic force, suction, or the like.
[0066] (3) In the above-described automatic blade changing device 1000, an example was shown in which the blade drop mechanism 640 is a mechanism having a rod-shaped portion 641, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blade drop mechanism 640 may be a mechanism that knocks the blade up from below, a mechanism that blows the blade away with air or magnetic force, a mechanism that attracts and drops the blade with air suction or magnetic force, a mechanism that drops the blade by flipping the blade mounting base, a mechanism that drops the blade when the blade mounting base is moved, or a mechanism that drops the blade by sliding the blade mounting portion of the blade mounting base.
[0067] (4) In the above-described automatic blade changer 1000, an example has been shown in which the mechanism having the feeding motor 621, pinion 622, and rack 623 is used to move the holder 610, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mechanism for moving the holder 610 may be a mechanism that pushes and moves the holder using a cylinder, a mechanism that uses a magnet to repel the blade installation base and move the holder, or a mechanism that pushes and moves the holder using an air blower. Alternatively, a mechanism may be used in which the blade fixing unit moves and the blade is supplied directly from the storage unit to the blade installation base.
[0068] (5) In the above-described automatic blade changing device 1000, the second attachment portion 111 of the blade fixing unit 100 is fixed to the belt 440, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movement motor unit 400 may be attached to the blade fixing unit 100. In other words, the blade fixing unit 100 may be self-propelled. [Industrial Applicability]
[0069] The present invention provides an automatic blade changing device and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]
[0070] 10a, 10b: blade 100:Blade fixing part 200: Guide rail 300: Storage department 400: Moving motor section 500: Movement control unit 1000: Automatic blade changer
Claims
1. a blade fixing portion to which a blade is fixed; a guide rail that guides the blade fixing portion; a movement motor unit that moves the blade fixing unit; a storage unit for storing a blade different from the blade fixed by the blade fixing unit; a movement control unit that controls the movement motor unit so that the blade fixing unit moves along the guide rail between a work area and a blade replacement position; Equipped with In the work area, the movement control unit cuts an object using the blade fixed by the blade fixing unit, An automatic blade changing device that, at the blade changing position, removes the blade from the blade fixing unit and fixes the blade stored in the storage unit to the blade fixing unit, The blade fixing portion is a mounting portion attached to the guide rail; a blade mounting base having a mounting surface on which one region of the blade is mounted; Equipped with The blade installation base is movable between a blade fixing position and a blade drop position relative to the mounting portion, When the movement control unit moves the blade fixing unit to the blade replacement position, the blade installation base moves from the blade fixing position to the blade drop position.
2. 2. The automatic blade changing device according to claim 1, wherein, in the blade changing position, a blade dropping section moves from an upper position to a lower position of the blade and contacts the blade to drop the blade.
3. The movement control unit a measuring unit that measures a torque applied to the movement motor unit when the blade is used to cut the object; a determination unit that determines whether or not to replace the blade based on the measurement result of the measurement unit; The automatic blade changing device of claim 1 , comprising:
4. a blade fixing portion to which a blade is fixed; a guide rail that guides the blade fixing portion; a movement motor unit that moves the blade fixing unit; a storage unit for storing a blade different from the blade fixed by the blade fixing unit; a movement control unit that controls the movement motor unit so that the blade fixing unit moves along the guide rail between a work area and a blade replacement position; Equipped with In the work area, the movement control unit cuts an object using the blade fixed by the blade fixing unit, An automatic blade changing device that, at the blade changing position, removes the blade from the blade fixing unit and fixes the blade stored in the storage unit to the blade fixing unit, In the blade replacement position, a blade dropper moves from an upper position to a lower position of the blade and contacts the blade to drop the blade.
5. The movement control unit a measuring unit that measures a torque applied to the movement motor unit when the blade is used to cut the object; a determination unit that determines whether or not to replace the blade based on the measurement result of the measurement unit; The automatic blade changing device of claim 4 , comprising:
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Circular saw cutting machine
JP2018108631A