Method of machining housing

Abstract

To provide a housing machining method capable of efficiently machining flange surfaces of an inflow side flange and an outflow side flange of a housing.SOLUTION: The housing processing method for processing the valve housing 4 having the housing body defining the storage chamber 6, the inlet-side connection portion 10 defining the inlet flow path 18, and the outlet-side connection portion 14 defining the outlet flow path 22 includes the flow path flange processing step of processing the flange surfaces of the inlet-side flange 34 and the outlet-side flange 42 of the valve housing 4, and in the flow path flange processing step, the valve housing 4 is attached to the flow path flange processing jig 102, and the flange surfaces of the inlet-side flange 34 and the outlet-side flange 42 are processed in a state of being attached in this manner. The outflow side connection portion is branched into two from the housing main body and has a first outflow side connection portion and a second outflow side connection portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing machining method for machining a feed housing such as a valve housing or a pump housing. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when connecting a switching valve (or a feed pump) to a piping member, a connection flange (e.g., an inlet flange or an outlet flange) is provided on the valve housing (or pump housing) to connect the piping member, and a pipe-side flange is provided on the piping member, and these connection flanges and pipe-side flanges are connected to each other. In this case, the flange surfaces of the connection flange and the pipe-side flange are machined to reduce the irregularities on the flange surfaces, and by configuring them in this way, the connection flange and the pipe-side flange are connected airtightly.

[0003] For this reason, for example, an inner diameter clamp type flange facer (flange surface processing machine) is put into practical use as a processing machine for processing the flange surface of a connection flange of a valve housing (or a pipe-side flange of a piping component) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). This flange surface processing machine is equipped with an inner diameter clamping means, which clamps and holds the inner peripheral surface of the flow path of the valve housing (or piping component), and in this clamped state, a cutting unit is moved along the flange surface of the connection flange (or pipe-side flange), and this movement of the cutting unit cuts the flange surface of the valve housing (or piping component). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Product introduction of the internal clamp type flange facer (flange surface processing machine) (https: / / www.aichi-sangyo.co.jp / products / climax / FF_ID_series.html) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, this flange surface processing machine requires that the flange surface processing machine be installed for each flange surface to be processed, and then removed after processing, which makes the processing work complicated and time-consuming. In particular, when the number of connecting flanges on the valve housing is large, the number of processing steps for the flange surfaces increases, making the processing work very complicated and lengthening the processing time. Furthermore, with this type of flange surface processing, it is difficult to cut the flange surfaces with high precision, and it is also difficult to improve coaxiality and smooth finish accuracy.

[0006] The flange surface of such a connection flange exists, for example, in the connection portion of a feed housing such as a valve housing of a switching valve or a pump housing of a feed pump, etc. In addition, such a flange surface also exists in the housing body of a feed housing such as a valve housing or a pump housing (for example, a portion where an upper cover member or a lower cover member is attached).

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a housing machining method that can efficiently machine the flange surfaces of the inlet flange and outlet flange of a feed housing with high precision.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a housing machining method that can efficiently machine the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of a feed housing with high precision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first housing machining method of the present invention is a housing machining method for machining a feed housing having a housing main body defining a storage chamber, an inlet-side connection portion defining an inlet flow path leading into the storage chamber, and an outlet-side connection portion defining an outlet flow path leading out of the storage chamber, a flow path flange processing step of processing flange surfaces of an inlet-side flange of the inlet-side connection portion of the feed housing and an outlet-side flange of the outlet-side connection portion, In the flow path flange machining step, the feed housing is attached to a flow path flange machining jig, and the flange surfaces of the inlet flange and the outlet flange are machined.

[0010] This housing processing method can also be advantageously applied to processing a supply housing having two outlet side connection portions, i.e., a first outlet side connection portion and a second outlet side connection portion, and by attaching such a supply housing to this flow path flange processing jig, the flange surfaces of the inlet side flange and the first and second outlet side flanges can be processed without reattaching the supply housing.

[0011] It is also preferable to place and support the housing body on a support plate, hold the housing body's storage chamber with an internal chuck means, and further restrain the inlet side connection portion with an inlet side restraint means, and restrain the outlet side connection portion with an outlet side restraint means. By attaching in this manner, the feed housing can be firmly attached to the flow path flange processing tool, and as a result, vibration on the flange surface during processing can be suppressed, allowing for high-precision cutting processing.

[0012] Furthermore, by constructing the inlet side restraint means from an inlet side restraint chain and hanging this inlet side restraint chain from the outside around the inlet side connecting part and connecting both ends to the support plate, the inlet side connecting part can be reliably fixed to the support plate. Also, by constructing the outflow side connection restraint means from an outflow side restraint chain and hanging this outflow side restraint chain from the outside around the outflow side connecting part and connecting both ends to the support plate, the outflow side connecting part can be reliably fixed to the support plate.

[0013] It is also preferable to use an auxiliary restraint means to additionally restrain the housing body of the feed housing to the flow path flange processing jig.By using this auxiliary restraint means, the feed housing can be more firmly fixed to the support plate, and the occurrence of vibration during cutting can be more effectively suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, a housing flange machining process is performed to machine the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the housing body of the feed housing. In this housing flange machining process, it is preferable to attach the feed housing to a housing flange machining jig and cut the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the housing body. By using the housing flange machining jig in this manner, the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the housing body can be machined without having to reattach the feed housing.

[0015] A second housing machining method of the present invention is a housing machining method for machining a feed housing having a housing main body defining a storage chamber, an inlet-side connection portion defining an inlet flow path flowing into the storage chamber, and an outlet-side connection portion defining an outlet flow path flowing out of the storage chamber, a housing flange machining step of machining flange surfaces of an upper flange and a lower flange of the housing body of the feed housing; In the housing flange machining step, the feed housing is attached to a housing flange machining jig, and the flange surfaces of the upper flange and the lower flange are machined.

[0016] In this housing processing method, the housing flange processing jig is composed of a housing flange processing base, a lower clamping plate structure attached to the housing flange processing base, and an upper clamping plate arranged opposite the lower clamping plate structure, and by clamping and holding the inlet side flange and outlet side flange of the housing body between the lower clamping plate structure and the upper clamping plate, the feed housing can be securely fixed to the housing flange processing jig, thereby suppressing the occurrence of vibration during cutting processing and enabling high-precision processing.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable that the lower clamping plate structure be composed of a lower plate arranged on the lower side and an upper plate arranged on the upper side, with a lower spherical portion provided on the upper surface of the lower plate and an upper spherical portion provided on the lower surface of the upper plate, and that the upper plate be configured to be movable relative to the lower plate along the spherical surfaces of the upper spherical portion and the lower spherical portion.By configuring in this manner, it is possible to minimize deviations in the vertical coaxiality of the storage chamber of the feed housing.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferable to attach a pair of movement-restricting members to the opposing portions of the lower plate and upper plate of the lower plate structure.By configuring in this manner, the pair of movement-restricting members restrict the relative movement of the upper plate in directions other than a specific direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the connecting axis connecting the pair of movement-restricting members), thereby making it easy to adjust the vertical coaxiality of the storage chamber of the feed housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the first housing machining method of the present invention, in the flow path flange machining step, the feed housing is attached to a flow path flange machining jig and the flange surfaces of the inlet flange of the inlet connecting portion and the outlet flange of the outlet connecting portion are machined. This allows the flange surfaces of the inlet flange and the outlet flange to be machined without reattaching the feed housing, and by using this flow path flange machining jig, the inlet flange and the outlet flange can be machined efficiently with high precision. As a result, leakage of compressed fluid (e.g., compressed air) and the transported material (powder, fluid, or a mixture thereof) from the inlet flange and the outlet flange to the outside can be prevented.

[0020] According to the second housing machining method of the present invention, the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges are machined in the housing flange machining step by attaching the supply housing to a housing flange machining jig, which allows machining of the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the supply housing without reattaching the supply housing. By using this housing flange machining jig, the upper and lower flanges can be machined efficiently with high precision. As a result, leakage of compressed fluid (e.g., compressed air) and the powdered fluid that is the conveyed material from the upper and lower flanges to the outside can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an example of a valve housing of a switching valve to which a machining method according to the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining flow switching by the switching valve of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a simplified example of a processing device suitable for processing the valve housing of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the valve housing attached to the flow path flange processing jig, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inlet side connection portion of the valve housing is restrained by a chain. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the valve housing attached to the housing flange processing jig, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 9] 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a lower plate structure and its surrounding structure of the housing flange processing jig of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Figure 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a method for machining a feed housing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, the method will be described as being applied to machining a valve housing of a three-way valve as an example of a feed housing.

[0023] First, a valve housing will be described as an example of a feed housing to which this processing method is applied, with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The illustrated three-way valve 2 (see Figures 2 and 3) includes a valve housing 4 (feed housing) and a cylindrical valve element 8 rotatably housed in an accommodation chamber 6 of the valve housing 4. The valve housing 4 includes a housing body 7 that defines the accommodation chamber 6, and an inlet-side connection portion 10 is provided upstream of the housing body 7, and an outlet-side connection portion 12 is provided downstream thereof. In this embodiment, the outlet-side connection portion 12 includes a first outlet-side connection portion 14 disposed opposite the inlet-side connection portion 10, and a second outlet-side connection portion 16 disposed at an angle from the inlet-side connection portion 10.

[0024] The inlet side connector 10 defines an inlet flow path 18 communicating with the storage chamber 7, and the powder fluid (i.e., powder or fluid) (not shown) is fed toward the storage chamber 7 through this inlet flow path 18 in the direction indicated by arrow 20 (see FIG. 3). The first outlet side connector 14 defines a first outlet flow path 22 communicating with the storage chamber 7, and this first outlet flow path 22 extends from the storage chamber 6 in a first direction (a direction extending in a substantially straight line from the inlet flow path 18 through the storage chamber 6), and the powder fluid is fed downstream through this first outlet flow path 22 in the direction indicated by arrow 24 (see FIG. 3). The second outlet side connector 16 defines a second outlet flow path 26 communicating with the storage chamber, and this second outlet flow path 26 extends in a different direction from the first outlet flow path 22, and the powder fluid is fed downstream through this second outlet flow path 26.

[0025] The valve element 8 has a cylindrical valve body 28, which is rotatably accommodated in the accommodation chamber 6 of the housing main body 7. The valve body 28 is provided with a valve flow path 30, and when the valve body 28 is located in the first switching position, as shown in Fig. 3, the inlet side connecting portion 10 (inlet flow path 18) and the first outlet side connecting portion 14 (first outlet flow path 22) are communicated via the valve body 28 (valve flow path 30), and the powdered fluid flowing through the inlet side connecting portion 10 flows to the first outlet side connecting portion 14 through the valve flow path 30 of the valve element 8. Furthermore, when the valve body 28 is located in the second switching position, although not shown, the inlet side connecting portion 10 (inlet flow path 18) and the second outlet side connecting portion 16 (second outlet flow path 26) are communicated via the valve body 28 (valve flow path 30), and the powdered fluid flowing through the inlet side connecting portion 10 flows to the second outlet side connecting portion 16 through the valve flow path 30 of the valve element 8.

[0026] For example, an upstream pipe 32 is connected to the inlet side connection portion 10 of the feed housing 4, and in order to airtightly connect this inlet side connection portion 10 and the upstream pipe 32, an inlet side flange 34 is provided on the inlet side connection portion 10, and a connection flange 36 is provided on the upstream pipe 32, with the flange surfaces of the inlet side flange 34 and the connection flange 36 arranged opposite each other and airtightly connected.

[0027] In addition, for example, a first downstream piping 38 (second downstream piping 40) is connected to the first outlet side connection portion 14 (second outlet side connection portion 16) of the feed housing 4, and in order to airtightly connect this first outlet side connection portion 14 (second outlet side connection portion 16) and the first downstream piping 38 (second downstream piping 40), a first outlet side flange 42 (second outlet side flange 44) is provided on the first outlet side connection portion 14 (second outlet side connection portion 16), and a connection flange 46 (48) is provided on the first downstream piping 38 (second downstream piping 40), and the flange surfaces of the first outlet side flange 42 (second outlet side flange 44) and the connection flange 46 (48) are in opposing contact with each other and are airtightly connected.

[0028] 2, the top and bottom surfaces of the housing body 7 of the feed housing 4 are open, and an upper cover member 50 is attached to close the upper opening, and a lower cover member 52 is attached to close the lower opening. Specifically, an upper flange 54 is provided at the upper end of the housing body 7, and an upper cover flange 56 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper cover member 50, with the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 of the housing body 7 and the upper cover flange 56 of the upper cover member 50 facing each other and hermetically attached. Furthermore, a lower flange 58 is provided at the lower end of the housing body 7, and a lower cover flange 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower cover member 52, with the flange surfaces of the lower flange 58 of the housing body 7 and the lower cover flange 60 of the lower cover member 52 facing each other and hermetically attached.

[0029] An upper shaft portion 62 extending upward is provided on the upper end surface of the valve body 28 of the valve element 8, and a lower shaft portion 64 extending downward is provided on the lower end surface of this valve body 28, the upper shaft portion 62 being rotatably supported by the upper cover member 50, and the lower shaft portion 64 being rotatably supported by the lower cover member 52. In this example, the upper shaft portion 62 passes through the upper cover member 50 and protrudes upward, and a valve drive source (not shown), such as an electric motor, is drivingly connected to this protrusion.

[0030] With this configuration, when the valve element 8 is positioned at the first switching position by the valve drive source, the inlet flow path 18 of the inlet side connecting portion 10 and the first outlet flow path 22 of the first outlet side connecting portion 14 are connected through the valve flow path 30 of the valve element 8, as shown in Fig. 3, and the powder flowing through the inlet flow path 18 in the direction indicated by arrow 20 flows through the valve flow path 30 of the valve body 28 to the first outlet flow path 22 as indicated by arrow 24. Furthermore, when the valve element 8 is positioned at the second switching position, although not shown, the inlet flow path 18 of the inlet side connecting portion 10 and the second outlet flow path 26 of the second outlet side connecting portion 16 are connected through the valve flow path 30, and the powder flowing through the inlet side connecting portion 10 in the direction indicated by arrow 20 flows to the second outlet side connecting portion 16 through the valve flow path 30 of the valve element 8.

[0031] The valve housing 4 having such a configuration is desirably machined as desired through a flow path flange machining process in which the inlet flange 34 (its flange surface) of the inlet connection portion 10, the first outlet flange 42 (its flange surface) of the first outlet connection portion 14, and the second outlet flange 44 (its flange surface) of the second outlet connection portion 16 are machined, and a housing flange machining process in which the upper flange 54 (its flange surface) and the lower flange 58 (its flange surface) of the housing body 7 are machined.

[0032] To cut the flange surfaces of the inlet flange 34, the first outlet flange 42, and the second outlet flange 44 of such a valve housing 4 (flow path flange machining process), and to cut the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 (housing flange machining process), a machining device such as the one shown in FIG. 4, for example, a machining center, can be used.

[0033] 4, the illustrated processing apparatus 72 includes a processing apparatus main body 74 that is installed on the floor of a factory or the like, and this processing apparatus main body 74 includes a base main body 76, a gate-shaped frame 78 fixed to this base main body 76, and a main spindle unit 80. The base main body 76 is rectangular, and a forward / backward moving table 82 is supported on its upper surface so as to be movable in the direction indicated by arrow 84 (X-axis direction), and a lateral moving table 86 is supported on this forward / backward moving table 82 so as to be movable in the direction indicated by arrow 88 (Z-axis direction). In addition, a circular support base 90 is attached to this lateral moving table 86, and a workpiece rotating table 92 is rotatably attached to this support base 90, and a workpiece to be processed, for example, the above-mentioned valve housing 4 (feed housing), is attached to this workpiece rotating table 92 as described below.

[0034] A tool rotation table 94 is rotatably attached to the main spindle 80, and a tool mounting chuck 96 is attached to the tool rotation table 94 so as to be movable in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (Y-axis direction), and a machining tool (not shown) (e.g., a cutting tool) used to machine the valve housing 4 is attached to the tool mounting chuck 96. An example of such a machining device that can be used is a horizontal machining center device (model number: HN80D-IIFC) sold by Niigata Machine Techno Co., Ltd.

[0035] When using this machining device 72 to machine the above-mentioned valve housing 4 (feed housing), it is desirable to first cut the flange surfaces of the inlet flange 34, the first outlet flange 42, and the second outlet flange 44 (flow path flange machining process), and then cut the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 (housing flange machining process).By machining in this way using two machining processes, all flange surfaces of the valve housing 4 (feed housing) can be cut efficiently and with high precision.

[0036] When machining the flange surfaces of the multiple flow path flanges of the valve housing 4 (feed housing), in this embodiment the inlet side flange 34, the first outlet side flange 42, and the second outlet side flange 44, for example, by using a flow path flange machining jig 102 shown in Figures 5 to 7, the flange surfaces of these three flanges 34, 42, and 44 can be machined without reattaching the valve housing 4.

[0037] 5 to 7, the illustrated flow path flange processing jig 102 includes a flow path flange processing base 104 attached to the workpiece rotary table 92 of the processing device 72, and a support plate 106 and inner chuck means 108 attached to the flow path flange processing base 104. The support plate 106 is substantially rectangular, and has a circular opening 110 formed in its center.

[0038] In this embodiment, a mounting plate 105 is attached to the upper side of the flow path flange processing base 104, and a support plate 106 is attached to this mounting plate 105 via a plurality of (for example, four) first support rods 112. Note that this mounting plate 105 may be omitted, and the first support rods 112 may be attached directly to the flow path flange processing base 104.

[0039] The inner chuck means 108 is disposed inside a plurality of first support rods 112 and is attached to the flow path flange machining base 104 via a plurality (e.g., four) of second support rods 114. The inner chuck means 108 has a plurality (three in this example) of chuck jaws 116 spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and an insertion space 118 is provided circumferentially inside the plurality of chuck jaws 116. The plurality of chuck jaws 116 are mounted so as to be able to open and close radially, and by moving radially outward, they hold the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation chamber 6 of the valve housing 4 (housing main body 7) from the inside (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ), and by moving radially inward, they release their hold on the valve housing 4. By holding the valve housing 4 with the inner chuck means 108 in this manner, it is possible to center and hold the valve housing 4 during machining.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the valve housing 4 is placed on a support plate 106, and the flange surface of the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 is placed and supported on the upper surface of the support plate 106. In relation to this, the support plate 106 is provided with support adjustment mechanisms 120 corresponding to each of the inlet side connecting portion 10, the first outlet side connecting portion 14, and the second outlet side connecting portion 16 on the valve housing 4 side (two of these are shown in Fig. 5).

[0041] Each support adjustment mechanism 120 has substantially the same configuration and includes a support adjustment screw 122 threadedly attached to the support plate 106. The tip of the support adjustment screw 122 abuts against the inlet connection portion 10 (first outlet connection portion 14, second outlet connection portion 16) of the valve housing 4 to adjust the height level. Since the level adjustment is performed in this manner, the radially inner portion of the inlet connection portion 10 (first outlet connection portion 14, second outlet connection portion 16) of the valve housing 4 is supported by the support plate 106, and the radially outer portion is supported by the support adjustment screw 122. After the level adjustment is performed by the support adjustment screw 122, the support adjustment screw 122 is locked and fixed by a lock nut 123.

[0042] A plurality of restraining means are provided to firmly attach the valve housing 4 (feed housing) 2 to the flow path flange processing jig 102. Specifically, an inlet-side restraining means 124 is provided corresponding to the inlet-side connection portion 10, a first outlet-side restraining means 126 is provided corresponding to the first outlet-side connection portion 14, and a second outlet-side restraining means 128 is provided corresponding to the second outlet-side connection portion 16. The inlet-side restraining means 124 is composed of an inlet-side restraining chain 130, and fastening bolts 132 are connected to both ends of the inlet-side restraining chain 130 (one of which is shown in FIG. 7). The inlet-side restraining chain 130 is attached so as to be wrapped around the inlet-side connection portion 10 of the valve housing 4 from above, and the tips of the fastening bolts 132 at both ends protrude through through-holes (not shown) in the support plate 106. Fixing nuts 134 are screwed onto these protruding portions, thereby fixing the inlet-side connection portion 10 to the support plate 106 via the inlet-side restraining chain 130.

[0043] Furthermore, the first outflow side restraint means 126 (second outflow side restraint means 128) is composed of a first outflow side restraint chain 136 (second outflow side restraint chain 138), and tightening bolts (not shown) are connected to both ends of this first outflow side restraint chain 136 (second outflow side restraint chain 138). As with the inlet side connection portion 10, the first outlet side restraint chain 136 (second outlet side restraint chain 138) is attached to this first outlet side connection portion 14 (second outlet side connection portion 16) of the valve housing 4 by wrapping it around the top, and although not shown, the fastening bolts at both ends are made to protrude through through holes (not shown) in the support plate 106, and fixing nuts are screwed onto these protruding portions, thereby fixing the first inlet side connection portion 14 (second outlet side connection portion 16) to the support plate 106 via the first outlet side restraint chain 136 (second outlet side restraint chain 138).

[0044] Such restraint means 124, 126, 128 (restraint chains 130, 136, 138) are provided corresponding to the flange surfaces to be machined of the connection portions 10, 14, 16 in the valve housing 4, and in this embodiment, the inlet side restraint means 124 (inlet side restraint chain 130), the first outlet side restraint means 126 (first outlet side restraint chain 136) and the second outlet side restraint means 128 (second outlet side restraint chain 138) are provided corresponding to the inlet side flange 34, first outlet side flange 42 and second outlet side flange 44 to be machined of the inlet side connection portion 10, the first outlet side connection portion 14 and the second outlet side connection portion 16.

[0045] In this embodiment, auxiliary restraining means 140 is provided to further auxiliary fix the valve housing 4 (feed housing 8). The illustrated auxiliary restraining means 140 has a fixing shaft member 142 extending through the accommodation chamber 6 of the valve housing 4, and a pressing plate 144 for pressing the upper flange 54 of the valve housing 4. The fixing shaft member 142 extends through the accommodation chamber 6 of the valve housing 4 (housing main body 7) and the insertion space 118 of the inner chuck means 108, and one end (the lower end in FIG. 5 ) thereof is screwed into the flow path flange processing base 104. The other end of this fixing shaft member 142 protrudes upward from the valve housing 4, and a fixing nut 146 is screwed onto this protruding end (which has a male thread portion).

[0046] Because of this configuration, by tightening and fixing this fixing nut 146, the pressure plate 144 is pressed against the flange surface of the upper flange 54 of the valve housing 4, whereby the valve housing 4 (housing main body 7) is additionally clamped and held between the flow path flange processing base 104 and the pressure plate 144.

[0047] In this embodiment, the valve housing 4 is attached to the flow path flange processing jig 102 so that the upper flange 54 is positioned on the upper side and the lower flange 58 is positioned on the lower side, but it may also be attached so that the upper flange 54 is positioned on the lower side and the lower flange 58 is positioned on the upper side. In this case, the upper flange 54 of the housing body 7 is placed on and supported by the support plate 106, and the pressure plate 144 presses the lower flange 58 of the housing body 7. Even when attached in this manner, the valve housing 4 can be attached to the flow path flange processing jig 102 and processed as required.

[0048] When machining the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 and lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 (feed housing), for example, by using a housing flange machining jig 152 shown in Figures 8 to 11, the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 and lower flange 58 can be machined without reattaching the valve housing 4.

[0049] 8 to 11, the illustrated housing flange processing jig 152 includes a housing flange processing base 154 attached to the workpiece rotating table 92 of the processing device 72, a lower clamping plate structure 156 that supports the valve housing 4 (housing main body 7), and an upper clamping plate 158 for pressing the valve housing 4, and the valve housing 4 is clamped and held between the lower clamping plate mechanism 156 and the upper clamping plate 158 as described below.

[0050] The illustrated lower clamping plate structure 156 includes a lower plate 160 and an upper plate 162 arranged in contact with each other in the vertical direction, and the lower plate 160 arranged on the lower side is supported on the housing flange processing base 154 via a plurality of (for example, four) support rods 160. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, a concave lower spherical portion 164 is provided over almost the entire area, including the center, of the upper surface of the lower plate 160, and correspondingly, a convex upper spherical portion 166 is provided over almost the entire area, including the center, of the lower surface of the upper plate 162, and the upper plate 162 is supported by the lower plate 160 so that the upper spherical portion 166 can move in any direction along the lower spherical portion 164.

[0051] In this embodiment, cutouts 172, 174 are further provided in opposing portions of the lower plate 160 and the upper plate 162, and movement-restricting members 176 are attached to the cutouts 172, 174. The movement-restricting members 176 are fixed, for example, by threading set screws 178 through the movement-restricting members 176 into the lower plate 160. With this configuration, movement of the upper plate 162 relative to the lower plate 160 is restricted by the pair of movement-restricting members 176, and only movement in the up-down direction having a radius R (see FIG. 9) in FIG. 10 and movement in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 8 and 9 (i.e., a specific direction perpendicular to the connection axis connecting the pair of movement-restricting members 176) is permitted. By adjusting the position in this manner, the coaxiality of the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 attached to the housing flange processing jig 152 can be relatively easily adjusted.

[0052] In this valve housing 4, the inlet flange 34 of the inlet connection portion 10 (specifically, its flange surface) and the first outlet flange 42 of the first outlet connection portion 14 (specifically, its flange surface) are parallel to each other, and because of this configuration, the valve housing 4 can be relatively easily sandwiched and held between the lower clamping plate structure 156 and the upper clamping plate 158. That is, on the first outlet connection portion 14 side of the valve housing 4, the first outlet flange 42 is placed on the upper plate 162 of the lower clamping plate structure 156, and a fixing bolt 182 is threaded into the upper plate 162 through the first outlet flange 42, thereby fixing the first outlet connection portion 14 (first outlet flange 42) to the lower clamping plate structure 156.

[0053] In this embodiment, a positioning protrusion 184 is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 162, and its outer peripheral surface is tapered so that the outer diameter gradually decreases toward the top. Additionally, the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the first outlet side connecting portion 14 is tapered so that the inner diameter gradually decreases toward the inside (upward in FIG. 8). Because of this configuration, when the first outlet side connecting portion 14 of the valve housing 4 is placed on the upper plate 162 of the lower plate structure 156 so that it covers the positioning protrusion 184, the tapered shape on the positioning protrusion 184 side and the tapered shape on the first outlet side connecting portion 14 side position the first outlet side connecting portion 14 (i.e., the valve housing 4) in a predetermined position.

[0054] In this embodiment, pillar-shaped members 186 (only two are shown in FIG. 8 ) are disposed at the four corners of the housing flanging base 154, and their lower ends are fixed to the housing flanging base 154. These pillar-shaped members 186 extend upward from the housing flanging base 154, and their upper ends are provided with male threads 188.

[0055] Insertion holes (not shown) are provided at the four corners of the upper clamping plate 158, corresponding to each of the rectangular columnar members 186. The tip end (externally threaded portion 188) of each columnar member 186 protrudes upward through the insertion hole in the upper clamping plate 158, and by screwing a fixing nut 190 onto this protruding end, the upper clamping plate 158 presses the inlet-side connecting portion 10 (inlet-side flange portion 24) of the valve housing 4 toward the lower clamping plate structure 156 (upper plate 162), and in this way the valve housing 4 is sandwiched and held between the lower clamping plate structure 156 and the upper clamping plate 158.

[0056] In this embodiment, furthermore, a relative movement preventing means 192 is provided in the center of the lower clamping plate structure 156. The relative movement preventing means 192 has a fixed screw shaft 194, which passes through the lower clamping plate structure 156 (the lower plate 160 and the upper plate 162) and the positioning protrusion 184 and protrudes upward, with a tightening nut 196 threadedly attached to the protruding end. Because of this configuration, when the tightening nut 196 is rotated in the tightening direction, the lower plate structure 156 (the lower plate 160 and the upper plate 162) is tightened together, thereby reliably preventing relative movement between the lower plate 160 and the upper plate 162.

[0057] In the flange processing of this valve housing 4, first, the flange surfaces of the inlet side flange 34, the first outlet side flange 42, and the second outlet side flange 44 of the valve housing 4 are processed (flow path flange processing process), and then the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 are processed (housing flange processing process).

[0058] In the flow path flange machining step, a flow path flange machining jig 102 is used, and the valve housing 4 is attached to this flow path flange machining jig 102 as shown in Figures 5 to 7. In this attached state, the inlet side flange 34, the first outlet side flange 42, and the second outlet side flange 44 of the valve housing 4 face radially outward. Then, the flow path flange machining jig 102 with the valve housing 4 attached is attached to the workpiece rotation table 92 of the machining device 2 shown in Figure 4.

[0059] When machining the flow path housing, the forward / backward moving table 82 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 84 (or the opposite direction), the lateral moving table 86 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 88 (or the opposite direction), the tool mounting chuck 96 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction), and the rotary moving table 92 is rotated to position the valve housing 4 in a predetermined position.When positioned in this manner, the flange surface of the inlet flange 10 of the valve housing 4 faces a machining tool (not shown) held by the tool mounting chuck 96.

[0060] After this positioning, the tool rotation table 94 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the machining tool (not shown) of the tool mounting chuck 96 is applied to, for example, the inlet flange 34 of the inlet connection portion 10 of the valve housing 4 attached to the flow path flange machining jig 102, and in this way the flange surface of this inlet flange 34 is machined.

[0061] After machining the inlet flange 10, machining is performed on, for example, the first outlet flange 42. At this time, the rotary movement table 92 is rotated to position the flange surface of the first outlet flange 34 of the valve housing 4 so that it faces a machining tool (not shown) held by a tool mounting chuck 96, and as necessary, the front-rear movement table 82 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 84 (or the opposite direction), the lateral movement table 86 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 88 (or the opposite direction), the tool mounting chuck 96 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction), and the tool mounting chuck 96 is further moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction).

[0062] After positioning in this manner, as described above, the tool rotation table 94 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the machining tool (not shown) of the tool mounting chuck 96 is applied to, for example, the first outlet flange 42 of the first outlet connection portion 14 of the valve housing 4, and in this way the flange surface of this first outlet flange 42 is machined.

[0063] After machining the first outlet-side flange 42, machining is performed on the remaining second outlet-side flange 44. At this time, the rotary movement table 92 is rotated to position the flange surface of the second outlet-side flange 44 of the valve housing 4 so that it faces a machining tool (not shown) held by a tool mounting chuck 96, and as necessary, the forward / backward movement table 82 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 84 (or the opposite direction), the lateral movement table 86 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 88 (or the opposite direction), the tool mounting chuck 96 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction), and the tool mounting chuck 96 is further moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction).

[0064] After positioning in this manner, as described above, the tool rotation table 94 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the machining tool (not shown) of the tool mounting chuck 96 is applied to the second outlet flange 44 of the remaining second outlet connection portion 16 of the valve housing 4, thereby cutting the flange surface of this second outlet flange 44.

[0065] By attaching the flow path flange machining jig 102 with the valve housing 4 attached to the work rotating table 92 of the processing device 72, the flange surfaces of the inlet side flange 34, the first outlet side flange 42, and the second outlet side flange 44 of the valve housing 4 face circumferentially outward of the work rotating table 92. As a result, the flange surfaces of these three flanges (i.e., the inlet side flange 34, the first outlet side flange 42, and the second outlet side flange 44) can be machined as required without removing the flow path flange machining jig 102 from the work rotating table 92 once it has been attached and reattaching it.

[0066] After the flow path flange machining process, a housing flange machining process is performed. In this housing flange machining process, a housing flange machining jig 152 is used, and the valve housing 4 is attached to this housing flange machining jig 152 as shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this attached state, the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 face radially outward. Then, the housing flange machining jig 152 with the valve housing 4 attached is attached to the workpiece rotation table 92 of the machining device 2 shown in Figure 4.

[0067] When machining the housing flange, the forward / backward moving table 82 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 84 (or the opposite direction), the lateral moving table 86 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 88 (or the opposite direction), the tool mounting chuck 96 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction), and the rotary moving table 92 is rotated to position the valve housing 4 in a predetermined position.When positioned in this manner, the flange surface of the upper flange 54 of the valve housing 4 faces a machining tool (not shown) held by the tool mounting chuck 96.

[0068] After this positioning, the tool rotating table 94 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the machining tool (not shown) of the tool mounting chuck 96 is applied to, for example, the upper flange 54 of the valve housing 4 attached to the housing flange machining jig 152, and in this way the flange surface of this upper flange 54 is machined.

[0069] After machining the upper flange 54, the remaining lower flange 58 is machined. At this time, the rotary movement table 92 is rotated to position the flange surface of the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 so that it faces a machining tool (not shown) held by a tool mounting chuck 96, and as necessary, the forward / backward movement table 82 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 84 (or the opposite direction), the lateral movement table 86 is moved, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow 88 (or the opposite direction), the tool mounting chuck 96 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction), and the tool mounting chuck 96 is further moved in the direction indicated by arrow 98 (or the opposite direction).

[0070] After positioning in this manner, the tool rotating table 94 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the machining tool (not shown) of the tool mounting chuck 96 acts on the remaining lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4, thereby cutting the flange surface of this lower flange 58, as described above.

[0071] By attaching the housing flange machining jig 152 with the valve housing 4 attached to the workpiece rotating table 92 of the processing device 72, the flange surfaces of the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58 of the valve housing 4 face outward in the circumferential direction of the workpiece rotating table 92. This makes it possible to cut the flange surfaces of these two flanges (i.e., the upper flange 54 and the lower flange 58) as required without removing the housing flange machining jig 152 from the workpiece rotating table 92 once it has been attached and then reattaching it.

[0072] The housing machining method according to the present invention has been described above as being applied to machining a valve housing, but the present invention is not limited to such a machining method, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the processing of a valve housing as one type of feed housing, but it is not limited to valve housings and can be widely applied to the processing of pump housings of feed pumps, the processing of tubular housings of feed pipes, the processing of distribution housings of distribution pipes, etc.

[0074] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a flange machining operation in which both the machining of a flow path flange and the machining of a housing flange are performed, but it can also be applied to a case in which only multiple flow path flanges are machined, in which case multiple flow path flanges (flange surfaces) on the housing can be machined without being reattached by attaching it to the flow path housing machining jig 102. Alternatively, it can be applied to a case in which only multiple housing flanges are machined, in which case multiple housing flanges (flange surfaces) on the housing can be machined without being reattached by attaching it to the housing flange machining jig 152. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2 Three-way valve 4 Valve housing (feed housing) 7 Housing body 10 Inlet side connection 12,14 Outlet connection 34 Inlet flange 44,46 Outlet flange 72 Processing equipment 92 Work Rotating Table 102 Flow path flange processing jig 106 Support Plate 108 Inner chuck means 124 Inflow side restraint means 126,128 Outflow side restraint means 140 Auxiliary restraint means 152 Housing flange processing jig 156 Lower clamping plate structure 158 Upper clamping plate 192 Reinforcement fixing means

Claims

1. 1. A housing machining method for machining a feed housing having a housing body defining a storage chamber, an inlet-side connection portion defining an inlet flow path leading into the storage chamber, and an outlet-side connection portion defining an outlet flow path leading out of the storage chamber, the method comprising: a flow path flange processing step of processing flange surfaces of an inlet-side flange of the inlet-side connection portion of the feed housing and an outlet-side flange of the outlet-side connection portion, The housing machining method, wherein in the flow path flange machining step, the feed housing is attached to a flow path flange machining jig and the flange surfaces of the inlet side flange and the outlet side flange are machined.

2. The housing processing method described in claim 1, characterized in that the outlet side connection portion includes a first outlet side connection portion that defines a first outlet flow path extending from the accommodating chamber in a first direction, and a second outlet side connection portion that defines a second outlet flow path extending from the accommodating portion in a second direction different from the first direction, and in the flow path flange processing step, the feed housing is attached to the flow path flange processing jig, and the flange surface of the inlet side flange and the flange surfaces of the first outlet side flange and second outlet side flange of the outlet side connection portion are machined.

3. 2. The housing processing method according to claim 1, wherein the flow path flange processing jig comprises a flow path flange processing base attached to a work rotation table of a processing device, a support plate attached to the flow path flange processing base and on which the housing body is placed and supported, an inner chuck means for chucking and holding the accommodating chamber of the housing body from the inside, an inlet side restraint means for restraining and holding the inlet side connection portion to the support plate, and an outlet side restraint means for restraining and holding the outlet side connection portion to the support plate.

4. 4. A housing processing method as described in claim 3, characterized in that the inlet side restraint means is composed of an inlet side restraint chain, and both ends of the inlet side restraint chain are connected to the support plate so that the inlet side connection portion is hooked from the outside, and the outlet side connection restraint means is composed of an outlet side restraint chain, and both ends of the outlet side restraint chain are connected to the support plate so that the outlet side connection portion is hooked from the outside.

5. 5. The housing processing method according to claim 4, further comprising: an auxiliary restraining means for auxiliary restraining the feed housing; the auxiliary restraining means comprising a fixing shaft member extending through the accommodating chamber of the feed housing; one end of the fixing shaft member being fixed to the flow path flange processing base; and a pressure plate being attached to the other end of the fixing shaft member; the pressure plate acting on the flange surface of the upper flange or the lower flange of the housing body to press it toward the support plate.

6. 2. The housing processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a housing flange processing step of processing the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the housing body of the supply housing, wherein in the housing flange processing step, the supply housing is attached to a housing flange processing jig and the flange surfaces of the upper and lower flanges are machined.

7. 1. A housing machining method for machining a feed housing having a housing body defining a storage chamber, an inlet-side connection portion defining an inlet flow path leading into the storage chamber, and an outlet-side connection portion defining an outlet flow path leading out of the storage chamber, the method comprising: a housing flange machining step of machining flange surfaces of an upper flange and a lower flange of the housing body of the feed housing; The housing machining method is characterized in that, in the housing flange machining step, the feed housing is attached to a housing flange machining jig and the flange surfaces of the upper flange and the lower flange are machined.

8. 8. The housing processing method of claim 7, wherein the flange surface of the inlet side flange of the housing body and the flange surface of the outlet side flange are configured to be parallel to each other, the housing flange processing jig comprises a housing flange processing base attached to a work rotation table of a processing device, a lower clamping plate structure attached to the housing flange processing base, and an upper clamping plate arranged on the housing flange processing base opposite the lower clamping plate structure, and the flange surfaces of the inlet side flange and the outlet side flange of the housing body are clamped and held between the lower clamping plate structure and the upper clamping plate.

9. 9. The housing processing method according to claim 8, wherein the lower clamping plate structure comprises a lower plate disposed below and an upper plate disposed above the lower plate, the upper surface of the lower plate having a concave or convex lower spherical portion, the lower surface of the upper plate having a convex or concave upper spherical portion, and the upper spherical portion of the upper plate being supported so as to be freely movable relative to the lower spherical portion of the lower plate.

10. A housing processing method as described in claim 9, characterized in that a pair of movement-restricting members are attached to mutually opposing portions of the lower plate and the upper plate, and the pair of movement-restricting members restrict relative movement of the upper plate in directions other than a direction perpendicular to a connecting axis connecting the pair of movement-restricting members.

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