Control device, machine tool, control method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a control device, a machine tool, a control method, and a computer program capable of achieving both reduction of power consumption and cooling.SOLUTION: A plurality of fans including a first fan and a second fan and configured to cool an inside of the housing, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature inside the housing, and a controller configured to control the plurality of fans, when it is determined in the determination process that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the first threshold value and a time period during which no operation is performed on a reception unit for receiving an operation is equal to or longer than a second threshold value, the control unit decreases the rotation speed of the first blower and continues to drive the second blower.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a control device, a machine tool, a control method, and a computer program that control multiple fans for cooling the inside of a housing that houses a heat-generating component, for example, an amplifier that adjusts the drive current of a motor that drives a spindle head. [Background technology]

[0002] A processing machine includes a spindle motor, a cooling fan for cooling the inside of the motor, a thermistor for detecting the temperature inside the motor, and a controller. When the temperature detected by the thermistor is lower than a set value, the controller stops the cooling fan, thereby reducing the power consumption of the processing machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6227907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A machine tool control device may be equipped with a fan. The fan is stopped when the internal temperature of the control device is lower than the set value. After the fan is stopped, the temperature inside the control device quickly rises due to heat generated by heat-generating components inside the control device, such as the amplifier of the motor that drives the spindle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a control device, a machine tool, a control method, and a computer program that can achieve both reduced power consumption and cooling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing for accommodating heat-generating components, a plurality of fans including a first fan and a second fan for cooling the inside of the housing, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the housing, and a control unit for controlling the plurality of fans, wherein the control unit executes a judgment process to determine whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than a first threshold value and whether the time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, and if the judgment process determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than the first threshold value and the time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the first fan and continues driving the second fan.

[0007] In the present disclosure, when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the drive of the second fan is continued. The rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold may be lower than the rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is not equal to or longer than the second threshold, and may be set to 0 rotation speed, i.e., stopped.

[0008] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fan blows air from bottom to top within the housing.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the first fan blows air from bottom to top, promoting convection within the housing.

[0010] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first blower is provided in a lower part of the housing.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the first fan blows air from bottom to top at the lower part of the housing, promoting convection within the housing.

[0012] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fan consumes more power than the second fan.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the first fan, which consumes more power than the second fan, is stopped, thereby effectively reducing power consumption.

[0014] In the control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the rotation speed of the first fan is to be reduced, the control unit outputs a command to notify the reduction in the rotation speed of the first fan.

[0015] In the present disclosure, a decrease in the rotation speed of the first fan is notified to an operator.

[0016] In a control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the first fan, and then resumes driving the first fan if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the first threshold value.

[0017] In the present disclosure, if the temperature inside the housing rises after the first fan is stopped, the driving of the first fan is resumed.

[0018] A machine tool according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing that houses heat-generating components including a spindle head and an amplifier that adjusts the drive current of a motor that drives the spindle head; a plurality of fans including a first fan and a second fan for cooling the inside of the housing; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the housing; and a control unit that controls the drive of the plurality of fans, wherein the control unit executes a determination process to determine whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than a first threshold value and whether a time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, and if the determination process determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than the first threshold value and that a time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the first fan and continues driving the second fan.

[0019] In the present disclosure, when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the drive of the second fan is continued. The rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold may be lower than the rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is not equal to or longer than the second threshold, and may be set to 0 rotation speed, i.e., stopped.

[0020] A control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method for multiple fans, including a first fan and a second fan, for cooling the inside of a housing that houses heat-generating components, and includes: executing a determination process to determine whether the temperature inside the housing is less than a first threshold value and whether a time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; and if the determination process determines that the temperature is less than the first threshold value and that a time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, reducing the rotation speed of the first fan and continuing to drive the second fan.

[0021] In the present disclosure, when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the drive of the second fan is continued. The rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold may be lower than the rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is not equal to or longer than the second threshold, and may be set to 0 rotation speed, i.e., stopped.

[0022] A computer program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a computer program executable by a control device that controls multiple fans, including a first fan and a second fan, for cooling the inside of a housing that houses heat-generating components, and causes the control device to execute a determination process to determine whether the temperature inside the housing is below a first threshold and whether the time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and if the determination process determines that the temperature is below the first threshold and the time period during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that accepts operations is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the computer program causes the control device to execute a process to reduce the rotation speed of the first fan and continue driving the second fan.

[0023] In the present disclosure, when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the drive of the second fan is continued. The rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than the second threshold may be lower than the rotation speed of the first fan when the time of no operation is not equal to or longer than the second threshold, and may be set to 0 rotation speed, i.e., stopped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] In the control device, machine tool, control method, and computer program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the time of no operation is equal to or greater than a second threshold, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the second fan continues to operate, thereby achieving both reduced power consumption and cooling within the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a machine tool according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a machine tool cover. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control board, an operation panel, a front fan, a door fan, a left fan, and a cover fan. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a blower driving process performed by a control unit. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a blower driving process performed by a control unit according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] (Embodiment 1) The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing a machine tool 100 according to a first embodiment. In the following description, up, down, front, back, left, and right as shown in the drawings will be used. The up, down, front, back, left, and right directions shown in the drawings are examples of directions, and the directions are not limited to these. The structure of the machine tool 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The machine tool 100 includes a machine main body, which includes a base 20, a fixed base 21, a Y-direction moving device 22, an X-direction moving device 26, a column 28, a Z-direction moving device 30, a spindle head 32, a tool changer 10, a spindle motor 35, and the like. The base 20 is fixed to the floor. The fixed base 21 has a rectangular box shape in plan view that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction, and is mounted on the base 20. A workpiece holder 120 is provided at the front of the fixed base 21. The Y-direction moving device 22 is fixed to the fixed base 21. The Y-direction moving device 22 includes a Y-direction drive motor (not shown) and a ball screw mechanism (not shown) driven by the Y-direction drive motor.

[0027] An X-direction moving device 26 is provided on the ball screw mechanism of the Y-direction moving device 22. The X-direction moving device 26 includes an X-direction drive motor (not shown) and a ball screw mechanism (not shown) driven by the X-direction drive motor. A column 28 is provided on the ball screw mechanism of the X-direction moving device 26. The X-direction moving device 26 and the Y-direction moving device 22 support the column 28 so that it can move in the X direction (left-right direction) and the Y direction (front-back direction).

[0028] The Z-direction moving device 30 is provided on the front side of the column 28. The Z-direction moving device 30 is equipped with a Z-direction drive motor (not shown) and a ball screw mechanism (not shown) driven by the Z-direction drive motor. The spindle head 32 is provided on the Z-direction moving device 30. The column 28 supports the spindle head 32 via the Z-direction moving device 30 so that it can move in the Z direction (up and down). The spindle motor 35 is provided on the top of the spindle head 32. The spindle head 32 supports a spindle (not shown) whose axial direction is up and down. The spindle motor 35 rotates the spindle around its axis. The tool changer 10 is driven by the tool change motor 12 and changes the tool attached to the spindle.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, machine tool 100 has a machine tool cover 1 that surrounds the machine body. Machine tool cover 1 is provided on the upper side of base 20. Machine tool cover 1 has a substantially rectangular front wall 5, left wall 6, right wall 7, and rear wall 8 that respectively cover the front, back, left, and right sides of the machine body of machine tool 100. It also has a rectangular ceiling 9 that covers the top side of machine tool 100 and is parallel to the left-right and front-back directions. A control panel 80 is provided on rear wall 8 and has a control board that controls the operation of machine tool 100, an amplifier that adjusts the power supplied to each motor, etc. Control panel 80 constitutes a control device.

[0030] A vertically long rectangular opening 51 is provided in the center of the front wall 5, and a control panel 54 is provided to the right of the opening 51 so that the operator can input commands. The control panel 54 includes, for example, a keyboard, switches, or a touch panel. The control panel 54 constitutes a reception unit. A display unit 55 is provided above the control panel 54. The display unit 55 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. A vertically long rectangular right door 52 and a left door 53 are arranged side by side in the opening 51 so that they can move left and right.

[0031] The control panel 80 will be described using Figures 3 to 8. The control panel 80 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 81. The housing 81 is made of metal. The housing 81 has a rectangular bottom surface 81a, right surface 81b, left surface 81c, top surface 81d, and front surface 81e. An opening is formed by the rear edges of the bottom surface 81a, right surface 81b, left surface 81c, and top surface 81d. A rectangular door 83 is attached to the opening. The door 83 is made of metal. The door 83 faces the front surface 81e. The right edge of the door 83 is connected to the rear edge of the right surface 81b via a hinge.

[0032] The bottom surface 81a of the housing 81 is provided with an insertion hole (not shown) through which a power cable (not shown) passes. A breaker 84 is provided on the lower left side of the housing 81. The breaker 84 is a rectangular parallelepiped that is long vertically and has an input section and an output section at the top and bottom. A power cable is connected to the input section of the breaker 84. A power line (not shown) is connected to the output section of the breaker 84. The breaker 84 connects or disconnects the power cable and the power line. The power cable passes through the insertion hole and connects an external power source (not shown) to the breaker 84. The power line is connected to an amplifier, etc., which will be described later.

[0033] A rotary lever 85 is provided on the surface of the door 83. When the lever 85 is rotated in one direction while the door 83 is closed, the breaker 84 disconnects the power cable and power line, forcibly stopping the power supply. When the lever 85 is rotated in the other direction while the door 83 is closed, the breaker 84 reconnects the power cable and power line, and resumes the power supply. After the lever 85 is rotated in one direction and the power line is disconnected, the door 83 opens. A cover 60 is provided on the outer surface of the left side portion 81c of the housing 81.

[0034] A spindle amplifier 87 is provided above the breaker 84, adjusting the power supply to the spindle motor 35, i.e., the drive current of the spindle motor 35. The spindle amplifier 87 is adjacent to the vertical center of the inner surface of the left wall portion 81c. An X-direction amplifier 88 is provided on the upper right side of the front surface portion 81e, adjusting the power supply to the X-direction drive motor. To the right of the X-direction amplifier 88, a Y-direction amplifier 89 is provided, adjusting the power supply to the Y-direction drive motor. To the right of the Y-direction amplifier 89, a tool change amplifier 90 is provided, adjusting the power supply to the tool change motor 12. To the right of the tool change amplifier 90, a Z-direction amplifier 86 is provided, adjusting the power supply to the Z-direction drive motor. To the right of the Z-direction amplifier 86, an AVR 91 (Automatic Voltage Regulator) is provided, converting the 200V voltage to either a 24V or 12V voltage. Below the AVR 91, a fan protection device 92 that protects and relays the fan, and a protection device 95 that protects the input / output board 93 and NC unit from overcurrent are installed side by side. The fan protection device 92 and protection device 95 are connected and formed as a unit.

[0035] On the right inside surface of the housing 81, a control board 94 that controls the drive of the motors described above and the blowers described below, and an input / output board 93 for inputting and outputting signals between the control board 94 and various devices within the housing 81 are arranged vertically. The control board 94 performs feedback control of the X-direction drive motor, Y-direction drive motor, Z-direction drive motor, tool change motor 12, and spindle motor 35. The control board 94 is located above the input / output board 93. The control board 94 and the input / output board 93 input a 24V or 12V voltage from the AVR 91 and convert it to a 5V, 10V, or 25V voltage for use. A detection cable 96 that detects the voltage input to the blower protection device 92 connects the input / output board 93 and the blower protection device 92. The power supply voltage is input to the blower protection device 92. The blower protection device 92 and the protection device 95 are integrated into a unit, and the power supply voltage is also input to the protection device 95. The input / output board 93 monitors the power supply voltage input to the fan protection device 92 and monitors the input voltage of the protection device 95 .

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, a front passage 81f extending laterally is formed in the upper right corner of the rear surface of the front portion 81e. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a right passage 81g extending vertically is formed along the left surface of the right surface portion 81b. The right passage 81g is formed between the input / output board 93 and the control board 94 and the left surface of the right surface portion 81b. In the vertical direction, the lower end of the right passage 81g is located at approximately the same position as the lower end of the input / output board 93. The lower end of the right passage 81g is located below the vertical center position of the housing 81 and above the lower surface portion 81a. The lower end of the right passage 81g is open. The right end of the front passage 81f communicates with the upper end of the right passage 81g.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 9, the front blower 71 is attached to the upper right corner of the front surface 81e. The front blower 71 sends air inside the housing 81 to the front passage 81f. As shown by the arrows in Figures 8 and 9, the air sent by the front blower 71 passes through the front passage 81f, reaches the right-side passage 81g, and then reaches the space in the housing 81 from the lower end of the right-side passage 81g. In other words, the front blower 71 sends air from the upper space to the lower space in the housing 81.

[0038] High-temperature air heated by the amplifiers tends to accumulate in the upper space of the housing 81. The front fan 71 moves the high-temperature air through the front passage 81f and the right passage 81g. As the air moves, it exchanges heat with the right surface portion 81b. That is, the front fan 71, the front passage 81f, and the right passage 81g can cool the high-temperature air on the upper side and disperse it below. The front fan 71 constitutes a second fan.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the door blower 72 is provided on the upper right side of the inner surface of the door 83. The door blower 72 faces the Z-direction amplifier 86 and AVR 91 in the front-to-rear direction. The door blower 72 draws air from the upper space of the housing 81 from the front side and sends it to the lower side. The air sent to the lower side exchanges heat with the door 83. The door blower 72 and the door 83 can cool the high-temperature air on the upper side and disperse it to the lower side. The door blower 72 constitutes a second blower.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7 , the left-side blower 73 is provided on the lower front side of the inner surface of the left side portion 81c. The left-side blower 73 is located diagonally downward and forward of the spindle amplifier 87. As described above, the spindle amplifier 87 is adjacent to the vertical center portion of the inner surface of the left side portion 81c. That is, the left-side blower 73 is located below the center portion of the housing 81. The left-side blower 73 is, for example, an axial fan, and draws air from the lower space of the housing 81 from the left side and sends it to the right side. That is, the left-side blower 73 draws air from the lower part of the housing 81 along the left side portion 81c and blows it toward the center (right side) of the housing 81. Because the temperature of the air in the lower space of the housing 81 is lower than that in the upper space, the left-side blower 73 sends the lower-temperature air inside the housing 81 to the center of the housing 81, agitating the air inside the housing 81 and lowering the temperature of the air in the upper space. The left-side blower 73 may be a centrifugal fan, and the centrifugal fan may be located at the bottom of the housing 81. In the case of a centrifugal fan, the left-side blower 73 may be located above the center of the housing 81. The centrifugal fan draws in air from below, i.e., it draws in air from the lower space of the housing 81, blows it from bottom to top, and then blows it to the right at the top of the housing 81. The centrifugal fan can also agitate the air inside the housing 81 and lower the temperature of the air in the upper space. The left-side blower 73 constitutes a first blower. The front-side blower 71, door blower 72, and left-side blower 73 circulate air inside the housing 81. In other words, the front-side blower 71, door blower 72, and left-side blower 73 are configured not to draw in air outside the housing 81.

[0041] As shown in Figure 9, multiple cooling fins 61 protrude to the right from the outer surface of the left surface portion 81c. The cooling fins 61 are plate-shaped and extend vertically. The multiple cooling fins 61 are lined up front and back. The cooling fins 61 are connected to the spindle amplifier 87. Heat generated by the spindle amplifier 87 is transferred to the cooling fins 61.

[0042] The cover 60 is attached to the outer surface of the left surface portion 81c and covers the multiple cooling fins 61. The cover 60 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends vertically. The cover 60 has a front surface, a rear surface, a left surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The right edges of the front surface, rear surface, left surface, upper surface, and lower surface are attached to the outer surface of the left surface portion 81c via sealing members. The front surface, rear surface, and left surface of the cover 60 each have multiple exhaust ports 60a. The exhaust ports 60a are located above the cooling fins 61.

[0043] A cover blower 62 is provided inside the cover 60. The cover blower 62 is located below the cooling fins 61. The cover blower 62 is provided on the outer surface of the left surface portion 81c. The cover blower 62 takes in air from the left side and sends it upward. The cover blower 62 takes in air inside the cover 60 and sends it upward. The air sent upward by the cover blower 62 exchanges heat with the cooling fins 61 and exits the cover 60 from the exhaust port 60a. The cover blower 62 cools the cooling fins 61 and can cool the spindle amplifier 87. The cover blower 62 constitutes a second blower.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the control board 94, the operation panel 54, the front fan 71, the door fan 72, the left fan 73, and the cover fan 62. The control board 94 includes a control unit 94a, a main memory 94b, an auxiliary memory 94c, a temperature sensor 94d, and a timer 94e. The control unit 94a includes, for example, a processor or a logic circuit. The processor includes, for example, a CPU, an MPU, or a GPU. The logic circuit includes, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The main memory 94b includes, for example, a RAM. The auxiliary memory 94c includes a rewritable storage device, for example, an EEPROM, a flash ROM, or a hard disk. The auxiliary memory 94c pre-stores a first threshold value T1 related to temperature, a second threshold value T2 related to time, permission / prohibition information indicating permission / prohibition of stopping the left fan 73, and the like. The auxiliary memory 94c stores initial values ​​of the first threshold value T1, the second threshold value T2, and the permission / prohibition information at the time of shipment. The first threshold T1, the second threshold T2 and the permission / denial information can be changed by operating the operation panel 54.

[0045] The auxiliary storage unit 94c stores a control program (program product). The control unit 94a reads the control program from the auxiliary storage unit 94c into the main storage unit 94b and executes it. The control program may be stored in a storage medium, such as an optical disk, flash memory, or hard disk, and downloaded from the storage medium to the auxiliary storage unit 94c. It may also be downloaded to the auxiliary storage unit 94c from an external server via a network. Processing based on the control program, such as the fan drive processing described below, may be performed by a server or terminal connected to the control board 94 via a network, or may be performed by distributed processing using multiple devices, such as a server, terminal, and control board 94. The control unit 94a stores data generated by the execution of the control program in the main storage unit 94b or the auxiliary storage unit 94c. The auxiliary storage unit 94c may include a non-rewritable storage device, such as a ROM.

[0046] The control board 94 outputs a display signal to the display unit 55. The display unit 55 displays information based on the display signal. The control board 94 is equipped with a temperature sensor 94d that detects the temperature inside the housing 81 and a timer 94e. The control board 94 acquires commands input via the operation panel 54. The timer 94e measures the time during which no commands are input to the operation panel 54, i.e., the time during which no operation is performed by the operator on the operation panel 54. The control unit 94a outputs a drive signal or a stop signal to the front blower 71, the door blower 72, the left blower 73, and the cover blower 62, and controls the operation of each blower. Based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 94d and the time of no operation of the operation panel 54 measured by the timer 94e, if there has been no operation for a predetermined time or longer and the temperature inside the housing 81 is below a predetermined temperature, the control unit 94a executes a blower drive process to stop the left blower 73 and continue driving the other blowers. Note that no operation means that machine tool 100 is stopped and operation panel 54 is not being operated.

[0047] The left-side fan 73 blows air from the bottom to the top of the housing 81. The air inside the housing 81 is easily heated by heat-generating components, such as the amplifiers. Because heated air naturally rises, stopping the left-side fan 73 has only a limited effect on the circulation of air inside the housing 81, and therefore only a limited effect on cooling inside the housing 81. Therefore, if the temperature inside the housing 81 is below a predetermined temperature, the machine tool 100 is stopped, and stopping the left-side fan 73 does not cause a sudden rise in the temperature inside the housing 81. When the operation panel 54 is operated, the Y-direction moving device 22, the X-direction moving device 26, the Z-direction moving device 30, or the tool changer 10 is driven, increasing the amount of heat generated by heat-generating components inside the housing 81, such as the amplifiers. When the operation panel 54 is operated, stopping the left-side fan 73 may cause a sudden rise in the temperature inside the housing 81.

[0048] The power consumption of the left-side fan 73 is greater than that of the front-side fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62. The left-side fan 73 blows air into the space in the center of the housing 81. The space in the center of the housing 81 is larger than the spaces to which the front-side fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62 blow air. Therefore, the left-side fan 73 has greater wind power and consumes more power than the front-side fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62. Stopping the left-side fan 73 can reduce power consumption more effectively than stopping other fans. Therefore, the control unit 94a stops the left-side fan 73 if there is no operation for a predetermined period of time or more and the temperature inside the housing 81 is below a predetermined temperature. Because the left-side fan 73 is located at the bottom of the left side portion 81c, it can quickly send cool air inside the housing 81 to the upper part of the housing 81. Therefore, when the temperature inside the housing 81 exceeds the first threshold value T1 and the left blower 73 is driven, the cooling effect can be obtained quickly.

[0049] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the fan drive process by the control unit 94a. In the initial state, the front fan 71, the door fan 72, the left fan 73, and the cover fan 62 are driven. The control unit 94a resets the timer 94e (S1) and starts timing by the timer 94e (S2). The control unit 94a determines whether or not a command has been received from the operation panel 54, i.e., whether or not an operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S3). If it is determined that an operation has been performed (S3: YES), the control unit 94a returns the process to step S1.

[0050] If it is determined that no operation has been performed (S3: NO), the control unit 94a determines whether the elapsed time measured by the timer 94e, i.e., the time of no operation, is equal to or greater than a second threshold value T2 (S4). If it is determined that the time of no operation is not equal to or greater than the second threshold value T2 (S4: NO), the control unit 94a returns the process to step S3. If it is determined that the time of no operation is equal to or greater than the second threshold value T2 (S4: YES), the control unit 94a ends the time measurement by the timer 94e (S5).

[0051] The control unit 94a refers to the permission information in the auxiliary memory unit 94c and determines whether or not there is permission to stop the left-side fan 73 (S6). If it is determined that there is no permission to stop the left-side fan 73 (S6: NO), the control unit 94a outputs a signal indicating that the left-side fan 73 is in the first standby state, i.e., a first display signal, to the display unit 55 (S13). The display unit 55 displays that it is in the first standby state. The first standby state is a state in which no operation has been performed for a predetermined time or longer and the front fan 71, door fan 72, left fan 73, and cover fan 62 are operating.

[0052] The control unit 94a determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S14). If it is determined that no operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S14: NO), the control unit 94a proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that an operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S14: YES), the control unit 94a outputs a signal to the display unit 55 to cancel the display of the first standby state (S15), and returns the process to step S1.

[0053] In step S6, if it is determined that the left blower 73 is permitted to stop (S6: YES), the control unit 94a acquires the temperature from the temperature sensor 94d and determines whether the acquired temperature is less than the first threshold value T1 (S7). If it is determined that the acquired temperature is not less than the first threshold value T1 (S7: NO), that is, if it is determined that the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1, the control unit 94a proceeds to step S13.

[0054] If the controller 94a determines that the acquired temperature is lower than the first threshold T1 (S7: YES), the controller 94a outputs a stop signal to the left fan 73 (S8). The left fan 73 stops. The controller 94a outputs a signal indicating that the device is in the second standby state, i.e., a second display signal, to the display unit 55 (S9). The display unit 55 indicates that the device is in the second standby state. The second standby state is a state in which no operation has been performed for a predetermined time or longer, the front fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62 are operating, and the left fan 73 is stopped. That is, the controller 94a notifies the user that the rotation speed of the left fan 73 has decreased. Note that in the second standby state, it is sufficient that the front fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62 continue to operate, and the rotation speeds of the front fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62 may be changed before and after the left fan 73 is stopped.

[0055] The control unit 94a acquires the temperature from the temperature sensor 94d and determines whether the acquired temperature is less than the first threshold value T1 (S10). If it is determined that the acquired temperature is not less than the first threshold value T1 (S10: NO), that is, if it is determined that the acquired temperature is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1, the control unit 94a outputs a drive signal to the left blower 73 (S11). The left blower 73 is driven. The control unit 94a outputs a signal to the display unit 55 to cancel the display of the second standby state (S12), and the process proceeds to step S13. Since the left blower 73 is driven in step S11, the state of the machine tool 100 transitions from the second standby state to the first standby state.

[0056] If it is determined in step S10 that the acquired temperature is less than the first threshold value T1 (S10: YES), the control unit 94a determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S16). If it is determined that an operation has not been performed on the operation panel 54 (S16: NO), the control unit 94a returns the process to step S10.

[0057] If it is determined in step S16 that an operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S16: YES), the control unit 94a outputs a signal to the display unit 55 to cancel the display of the second standby state (S17), and returns the process to step S1.

[0058] In machine tool 100 according to the first embodiment, when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than second threshold value T2 and the temperature inside housing 81 is lower than first threshold value T1, the left-side fan 73 is stopped from being driven, and the front-side fan 71, door fan 72, and cover fan 62 are continued to be driven. This makes it possible to achieve both a reduction in power consumption and cooling inside housing 81.

[0059] Furthermore, the left-side fan 73 blows air from bottom to top at the bottom of the housing 81, promoting convection within the housing 81. Furthermore, the left-side fan 73, which consumes more power than the front-side fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62, is stopped, thereby effectively reducing power consumption.

[0060] Furthermore, machine tool 100 notifies the operator that left-side blower 73 has stopped operating (see S9). Furthermore, if the temperature inside housing 81 rises after left-side blower 73 has stopped operating, machine tool 100 resumes operating left-side blower 73 (see S8 to S11). Therefore, the temperature inside housing 81 becomes less than the first threshold value. S4 and S7 correspond to the determination process.

[0061] (Embodiment 2) The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing a machine tool 100 according to a second embodiment. Among the components of the second embodiment, components similar to those of the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a blower drive process performed by the control unit 94a. In the second embodiment, the left blower 73 is capable of rotating at a standard rotation speed greater than 0 (hereinafter referred to as standard rotation) and at a rotation speed greater than 0 but lower than the standard rotation speed (hereinafter referred to as low rotation). The auxiliary memory unit 94c pre-stores permission / denial information indicating whether low rotation is permitted for the left blower 73. If low rotation is permitted, the control unit 94a outputs a low rotation signal to the left blower 73. The left blower 73 receives the low rotation signal and rotates at low rotation. If low rotation is not permitted, the control unit 94a outputs a standard rotation signal. The left blower 73 receives the standard rotation signal and rotates at standard rotation.

[0062] 12, steps S21 to S25 differ from those in the first embodiment, but the other steps are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, steps S21 to S25 will be mainly described, and detailed descriptions of the other steps will be omitted. After processing step S5, the control unit 94a refers to the permission / denial information in the auxiliary storage unit 94c, and determines whether low rotation permission is granted for the left fan 73 (S21). If it is determined that permission to stop the left fan 73 is not granted (S21: NO), the control unit 94a proceeds to step S13.

[0063] If it is determined that the left fan 73 is permitted to stop (S21: YES), the control unit 94a proceeds to step S7. If it is determined in step S7 that the acquired temperature is lower than the first threshold value T1 (S7: YES), the control unit 94a outputs a low rotation signal to the left fan 73 (S22). The left fan 73 reduces its rotation speed. Note that the reduced rotation speed of the left fan 73 is greater than 0. The control unit 94a outputs a signal indicating a third standby state, i.e., a third display signal, to the display unit 55 (S23). The display unit 55 displays the third standby state. The third standby state is a state in which no operation has been performed for a predetermined time or longer, the front fan 71, the door fan 72, and the cover fan 62 are operating, and the left fan 73 is rotating at a low speed. That is, the control unit 94a notifies the user of a reduction in the rotation speed of the left fan 73.

[0064] In step S10, if it is determined that the acquired temperature is not less than the first threshold value T1 (S10: NO), the control unit 94a outputs a standard rotation signal to the left fan 73 (S24). The left fan 73 rotates at the standard speed. The control unit 94a outputs a signal to the display unit 55 to cancel the display of the third standby state (S25), and the process proceeds to step S13.

[0065] In step S16, if it is determined that an operation has been performed on the operation panel 54 (S16: YES), the control unit 94a outputs a signal to the display unit 55 to cancel the display of the third standby state (S26), and returns the process to step S1.

[0066] In machine tool 100 according to the second embodiment, when the time of no operation is equal to or longer than second threshold value T2 and the temperature inside housing 81 is lower than first threshold value T1, left-side blower 73 is driven at low speed, and front-side blower 71, door blower 72, and cover blower 62 continue to be driven. This makes it possible to achieve both a reduction in power consumption and cooling inside housing 81.

[0067] In the above-described embodiments, a single blower is stopped or rotated at a low speed, but multiple blowers may be stopped or rotated at a low speed. Furthermore, in the second standby state or the third standby state, three blowers are maintained in operation, but two or one blower may be maintained in operation. Each embodiment includes four blowers, but five or more blowers may be provided. In this case, four or more blowers may be maintained in operation in the second standby state or the third standby state. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the left blower 73, i.e., the first blower, is reduced, while the front blower 71, the door blower 72, and the cover blower 62, i.e., the second blower, are continued to operate. The rotation speed of the first blower when the no-operation time is equal to or greater than the second threshold may be lower than the rotation speed of the first blower when the no-operation time is not equal to or greater than the second threshold, and may be zero, i.e., stopped.

[0068] It should be noted that a computer program (program product) can be deployed to be executed on a single computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the scope equivalent to the claims. The features described in each embodiment can be mutually combined. Furthermore, independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be mutually combined in any and all combinations, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, although the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), this is not limiting. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that references at least one other multiple claim may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 54 Control panel 55 Display section 62 Cover blower (second blower) 73 Left side blower (first blower) 71 Front blower (second blower) 72 Door fan (second fan) 80 Control panel (control device) 81 Case 94 Control board 94a Control section 94b Main memory 94c Auxiliary storage 94d Temperature Sensor 94e Timer 100 Machine tools

Claims

1. a housing for accommodating heat-generating components; a plurality of fans including a first fan and a second fan for cooling the inside of the housing; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the housing; a control unit that controls the plurality of fans; Equipped with The control unit executes a determination process to determine whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than a first threshold value and whether or not a time period during which no operation is performed on a reception unit that receives operations is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; When it is determined in the determination process that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than the first threshold value and that the time period during which no operation is performed on the operation receiving unit is equal to or longer than the second threshold value, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the drive of the second fan is continued. Control device.

2. The first fan blows air from bottom to top inside the housing. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. The first fan is provided in the lower part of the housing. The control device according to claim 2 .

4. The power consumption of the first fan is greater than that of the second fan. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced, the control unit outputs a command to notify the reduction in the rotation speed of the first fan. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit restarts driving the first fan when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the first threshold value after reducing the rotation speed of the first fan. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A spindle head, a housing for accommodating heat-generating components including an amplifier for adjusting the drive current of a motor that drives the spindle head; a plurality of fans including a first fan and a second fan for cooling the inside of the housing; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the housing; a control unit that controls the driving of the plurality of fans; Equipped with The control unit executes a determination process to determine whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than a first threshold value and whether or not a time period during which no operation is performed on a reception unit that receives operations is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; When it is determined in the determination process that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than the first threshold value and that the time period during which no operation is performed on the operation receiving unit is equal to or longer than the second threshold value, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the drive of the second fan is continued. Machine tools.

8. A method for controlling a plurality of fans, including a first fan and a second fan, for cooling the inside of a housing that houses a heat-generating component, comprising: executes a determination process for determining whether or not the temperature inside the housing is lower than a first threshold value and whether or not a period of time during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that receives operations is equal to or longer than a second threshold value; When it is determined in the determination process that the temperature is less than the first threshold value and that the time period during which no operation is performed on the operation receiving unit is equal to or longer than the second threshold value, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the driving of the second fan is continued. Control method.

9. A computer program executable by a control device that controls a plurality of fans, including a first fan and a second fan, for cooling the inside of a housing that houses a heat-generating component, The control device executes a determination process for determining whether or not the temperature inside the housing is lower than a first threshold value and whether or not a period of time during which no operation has been performed on a reception unit that receives operations is equal to or longer than a second threshold value; When it is determined in the determination process that the temperature is less than the first threshold value and that the time period during which no operation is performed on the operation receiving unit is equal to or longer than the second threshold value, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced and the driving of the second fan is continued. A computer program that executes a process.

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