machine tool coolant tank

Abstract

This prevents the accumulation of chips and sludge in the coolant tank of machine tools. [Solution] A coolant tank 10 for a machine tool, comprising a spiral partition 18 forming a coolant flow path 21 inside a box-shaped structure surrounded by a bottom 11 and walls 12, a pump 16, and an inclined portion 22 connected at an acute angle to the bottom 11, wherein the coolant flow path 21 has a spiral-shaped first flow path 211 and a second flow path 212 and a third flow path 213, and the second flow path 212 and the third flow path 213 intersect in the vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a coolant tank of a machine tool.

Background Art

[0002] Machine tools for machining a workpiece (workpiece to be machined) such as a machining center and an automatic lathe are known. Such machine tools use a coolant (cutting fluid) for the purpose of lubricating and cooling the tool and discharging chips and sludge. The coolant supplied to the machining chamber where the cutting of the workpiece is performed is discharged from the machining chamber together with chips and sludge, and the discharged coolant flows into a tank disposed below the machine tool and is temporarily stored, and is supplied again to the machining chamber by a pump from here. In this tank, chips and sludge tend to accumulate at locations where the flow direction of the coolant changes abruptly. When the coolant flow path becomes narrower due to deposits, the coolant flow rate decreases. Therefore, it takes time to remove the deposits by removing the tank.

[0003] Here, it is known to form a coolant flow path in a spiral shape and provide a pump at the outlet to cause the coolant to flow in a spiral shape from the inlet to the outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since the coolant flow path is spiral, it is possible to reduce the abrupt change in the flow direction that causes the accumulation of chips and sludge.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, if the coolant flow path is formed in a spiral shape, either the coolant inlet or outlet must be located in the center of the tank. Therefore, it becomes difficult to apply this to machine tools where the inlet and outlet are located at the edges of the tank. In addition, space is required to install a separate dust separation device, etc.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to suppress the accumulation of chips and sludge in the coolant tank of a machine tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure is, The bottom and, A wall portion that rises from the outer edge of the bottom and forms a box-shaped form with an open top together with the bottom, Inside the box-shaped structure surrounded by the aforementioned wall, at least a portion of which rises from the bottom, a spiral-shaped partition forms a coolant flow path, A pump for discharging the aforementioned coolant, An inclined portion connected at an acute angle to the bottom, A coolant tank for a machine tool, The coolant flow path is, The first channel and the second channel are formed in a spiral shape, The third channel and It has, The second channel and the third channel intersect in the vertical direction. This is a coolant tank for a machine tool. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of chips and sludge in the coolant tank of a machine tool. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a machine tool according to the embodiment. [Figure 2]This figure shows an example of the schematic configuration of a coolant tank according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view obtained when the coolant tank is cut parallel to the second long side, between the second long side and the third wall. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the coolant tank when it is cut parallel to the long side and passing through the center of the pump. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A coolant tank for a machine tool, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, comprises a bottom, a wall portion rising from the outer edge of the bottom and forming a box-shaped form with the bottom having an open top, a spiral partition inside the box-shaped form surrounded by the wall portion, at least a portion of which rises from the bottom and forms a coolant flow path, a pump for discharging the coolant, and an inclined portion connected at an acute angle to the bottom, wherein the coolant flow path has a first flow path and a second flow path formed in a spiral shape, and a third flow path, and the second flow path and the third flow path intersect in the vertical direction.

[0011] The coolant flows along the partition. The partition is formed so that at least a portion of it rises from the bottom. The other portion of the partition may be formed so that it rises from an inclined section. The partition may be composed of plate-like members. The pump draws coolant from the coolant tank and discharges the coolant to the outside of the coolant tank (e.g., the machining chamber). The inclined section is, for example, a plate-like member that slopes inward from the bottom. Here, because the partition is formed in a spiral shape, the coolant flow path is formed in a spiral shape. As a result, the coolant flows from the outside of the spiral towards the center. Furthermore, because the second and third flow paths intersect vertically, the coolant can flow from the center of the spiral outward through the third flow path. In this way, by flowing the coolant through the spirally formed first and second flow paths, the flow velocity of the first and second flow paths can be maintained at a relatively high level. Therefore, the accumulation of chips and sludge in the coolant tank can be suppressed. In addition, because the curves of the flow paths can be made relatively large, the occurrence of coolant stagnation can be suppressed. This also helps to suppress the accumulation of chips and sludge in the coolant tank. Furthermore, it reduces dead space. In addition, because the second and third flow paths intersect vertically, coolant can be supplied to the pump even if the pump is located outside the vortex.

[0012] Furthermore, the first flow path may be formed including the partition and the bottom, with one end of the first flow path connected to a coolant supply unit to which the coolant is supplied, and the other end of the first flow path connected to one end of the second flow path, the second flow path being formed closer to the center of the vortex than the first flow path and including the partition and the inclined portion, the other end of the second flow path connected to one end of the third flow path, the third flow path being formed between the bottom and the inclined portion, from the center of the vortex toward the pump, and the pump being positioned at the other end of the third flow path.

[0013] The first channel, which is a channel formed on the outside of the vortex, is composed of a bottom. The second flow path, which is a flow path formed inside the coil, is configured to include an inclined portion. Further, the inclined portion is arranged so as not to exceed, for example, the height of the partition. Thus, since the inclined portion is arranged above the bottom portion, the second flow path is reduced in the height direction compared to the first flow path. Also, a space is formed between the inclined portion and the bottom portion. A third flow path is formed so as to pass through this space. That is, the second flow path is formed above and the third flow path is formed below with the inclined portion interposed therebetween. By arranging a pump at the other end of the third flow path, the coolant supplied from one end of the first flow path passes through the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path in order, and is discharged to the outside by the pump. Thus, by flowing the coolant through the first flow path and the second flow path formed in a spiral shape, the flow velocities of the first flow path and the second flow path can be maintained relatively high. Also, by forming the third flow path below the second flow path, the coolant can be made to flow toward the pump.

[0014] Further, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path may be reduced compared to the cross-sectional area of the first flow path. Note that the cross-sectional area of the second flow path may be reduced in at least one of the height direction and the width direction compared to the cross-sectional area of the first flow path. By doing so, the flow velocity of the coolant flowing from the first flow path into the second flow path can be increased.

[0015] The inclined portion has an opening at the center of the spiral, and the other end of the second flow path and one end of the third flow path may be connected at the opening. By forming such an opening, the second flow path formed above the inclined portion and the third flow path formed below the inclined portion can be easily connected.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure only to those, unless otherwise specified.

[0017] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a machine tool 1 according to an embodiment. The machine tool 1 may be, for example, a machining center or a lathe. However, the machine tool 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a machine tool that uses coolant. The coolant is a cutting fluid that performs lubrication, cooling, cleaning, etc. A coolant tank 10 for storing the coolant is provided below the machine tool 1. The coolant tank 10 has a function of temporarily storing the coolant discharged from the machining chamber of the machine tool 1 and supplying the coolant to the machining chamber again.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the coolant tank 10 according to the embodiment. The dotted arrow indicates the direction in which the coolant flows. The coolant tank 10 has a substantially rectangular bottom portion 11 and four wall portions 12 rising from the outer edge of the bottom portion 11, and is formed in a box shape with an open upper portion. The coolant tank 10 has a filter portion 100 and a flow path portion 200. The coolant flows into the filter portion 100, moves from the filter portion 100 to the flow path portion 200, and is discharged from the pump 16 toward the machining chamber or the like.

[0019] A basket 101 for removing relatively large chips and sludge contained in the coolant is disposed in the filter portion 100. The basket 101 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper portion. The basket 101 has, for example, a lattice-like net on the bottom surface and the wall surfaces, and when the coolant passes through this net, chips and sludge are removed from the coolant. The coolant is supplied to the basket 101 by falling due to the action of gravity from the upper portion of the basket 101.

[0020] The filter portion 100 is provided with a partition wall 17 that separates the filter portion 100 and the flow path portion 200, and a weir 103 that is a portion where the coolant flows from the filter portion 100 into the flow path portion 200 and is fixed to the first wall portion 121.

[0021] The coolant that passes through the cage 101 is temporarily stored in the coolant storage section 104 located at the bottom of the cage 101. When the liquid level of the coolant stored in the coolant storage section 104 reaches the height of the weir 103, the coolant flows over the upper end of the weir 103 to the coolant supply section 105. In the coolant storage section 104, the flow velocity of the coolant is relatively low due to the relatively large flow area of ​​the coolant, so chips and sludge contained in the coolant settle. Then, coolant with a relatively small amount of chips and sludge is supplied to the coolant supply section 105.

[0022] Coolant is supplied from the coolant supply unit 105 to the flow path unit 200. Some or all of the coolant supplied to the coolant supply unit 105 may be sent to a filtration device, and coolant may be supplied from the filtration device to the flow path unit 200. Furthermore, a basket having the same function as the basket 101 may be placed in the coolant supply unit 105.

[0023] The outer edge of the flow path section 200 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape by a second wall section 122, a third wall section 123, a fourth wall section 124, and a partition wall 17. The flow path section 200 has a pump 16 and a spiral partition 18 that forms part of the flow path. The pump 16 pumps the coolant inside the coolant tank 10 towards the processing chamber, filtration device, etc.

[0024] The partition 18 is a plate-shaped member fixed to the bottom 11. When viewed from above the machine tool 1, the partition 18 is a spiral-shaped rotating partition wall. One outer end 181 of the spiral shape of the partition 18 is connected to the second wall 122. The partition 18 has a first long side portion 1821, a second long side portion 1822, and a third long side portion 1823 that are formed in a direction parallel to the partition wall 17. The first long side portion 1821 is located closest to the partition wall 17, and the third long side portion 1823 and the second long side portion 1822 are located further away from the partition wall 17 in that order.

[0025] Furthermore, the partition 18 has a first short side portion 1831 and a second short side portion 1832 formed in a direction perpendicular to the partition wall 17. The second short side portion 1832 is located near the pump 16, and the first short side portion 1831 is located further away from the pump 16 than the second short side portion 1832. The first short side portion 1831 rises from the bottom portion 11, and the second short side portion 1832 rises from the inclined portion 22, which will be described later.

[0026] Furthermore, the partition 18 has a first corner portion 1841, a second corner portion 1842, a third corner portion 1843, and a fourth corner portion 1844, each having a curved surface that joins the long side portion 182 and the short side portion 183. The first corner portion 1841 and the second corner portion 1842 rise from the bottom portion 11, while the third corner portion 1843 and the fourth corner portion 1844 rise from the inclined portion 22, which will be described later. The corner portion 184 has a curved surface that bends at approximately 90 degrees when viewed from above the machine tool 1.

[0027] The partition 18 is connected in the following order from one end 181: first long side 1821, first corner 1841, first short side 1831, second corner 1842, second long side 1822, third corner 1843, second short side 1832, fourth corner 1844, and third long side 1823, gradually approaching the center of the spiral and reaching the central end 185. The central end 185 and the first short side 1831 are separated, and coolant flows between them.

[0028] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coolant tank 10 when it is cut parallel to the second long side 1822 between the second long side 1822 and the third wall 123. As shown in Figure 3, the flow path section 200 is provided with an inclined section 22, which is a plate-shaped member that is inclined with respect to the bottom 11. The inclined section 22 is connected to the bottom 11 at the first short side 221 and to the second partition 23 at the second short side 222. The first short side 221 and the second short side 222 are perpendicular to the partition wall 17. They are arranged in the direction of the first short side 221. The second short side 222 is located closer to the pump 16 than the first short side 221. The inclined portion 22 is fixed to the bottom 11 at an acute angle on the first short side 221 and extends from the first short side 221 toward the pump 16. The first short side 221 of the inclined portion 22 is positioned on the connection line between the first short side portion 1831 of the partition 18 and the bottom 11, and on its extension. The second partition 23 to which the second short side 222 is connected is a member that rises upward from the inclined portion 22 and is positioned parallel to the short side portion 183.

[0029] Furthermore, the inclined portion 22 is connected to the first long side portion 1821 at the first long side 223 and to the third wall portion 123 at the second long side 224. Note that a portion of the first long side 223 and a portion of the first short side 221 are formed to match the shape of the first corner portion 1841. The second partition 23 has one end connected to the third wall portion 123 and the other end connected to the first long side portion 1821 of the partition 18. The second partition 23 is positioned away from the bottom portion 11. Therefore, a space is formed between the inclined portion 22 and the bottom portion 11.

[0030] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the coolant tank 10 when it is cut parallel to the long side 182 and passing through the center of the pump 16. As shown in Figure 4, the inclined portion 22 has an opening 225 that penetrates the inclined portion 22. The opening 225 is formed near the central end 185 of the partition 18 surrounded by the second corner portion 1842, the second long side portion 1822, the third corner portion 1843, the second short side portion 1832, the fourth corner portion 1844, and the third long side portion 1823.

[0031] The flow path 21 is composed of a first flow path 211, a second flow path 212, and a third flow path 213. The flow path 21 is a flow path in which the coolant flows in a swirling manner from the outside to the inside of the coolant tank 10, and then the coolant flows from the center of the vortex downwards toward the pump 16. In the example shown in Figure 2, the first flow path 211 and the second flow path 212 are flow paths in which the coolant flows counterclockwise, and the third flow path 213 is a flow path in which the coolant flows below the inclined section 22 toward the pump 16 from the opening 225, which is the center of the vortex.

[0032] The first flow path 211 is a flow path 21 from the coolant supply section 105 to the first short side 221 of the inclined section 22. The first flow path 211 is also a flow path 21 through which the coolant flows over the bottom section 11. The first flow path 211 is composed of a straight section formed by the outer wall surface of the first long side section 1821, the outer wall surface of the partition wall 17, and the upper surface of the bottom section 11; a curved section formed by the outer wall surface of the first corner section 1841, the outer wall surface of the partition wall 17, the inner wall surface of the fourth wall section 124, and the upper surface of the bottom section 11; a straight section formed by the outer wall surface of the first short side section 1831, the inner wall surface of the fourth wall section 124, and the upper surface of the bottom section 11; and a curved section formed by the outer wall surface of the second corner section 1842, the inner wall surface of the third wall section 123, the inner wall surface of the fourth wall section 124, and the upper surface of the bottom section 11.

[0033] The second flow path 212 is the flow path from the first short side 221 of the inclined section 22 to the opening 225. The second flow path 212 is also the flow path 21 through which the coolant flows on the inclined section 22. The second flow path 212 consists of a straight section formed by the outer wall surface of the second long side section 1822, the inner wall surface of the third wall section 123, and the upper surface of the inclined section 22, a curved section formed by the outer wall surface of the third corner section 1843, the inner wall surface of the second partition 23, the inner wall surface of the third wall section 123, and the upper surface of the inclined section 22, and a straight section formed by the outer wall surface of the second short side section 1832, the inner wall surface of the second partition 23, and the upper surface of the inclined section 22, and the fourth corner It is composed of a curved portion formed by the outer wall surface of section 1844, the inner wall surface of the first long side section 1821, the inner wall surface of the second partition 23, and the upper surface of the inclined section 22; a straight portion formed by the inner wall surface of the first long side section 1821, the outer wall surface of the third long side section 1823, and the upper surface of the inclined section 22; and a curved portion formed by the inner wall surface of the first corner section 1841, the inner wall surface of the first short side section 1831, and the upper surface of the inclined section 22.

[0034] The third passage 213 is the passage from the opening 225 of the inclined section 22 to the pump 16. The third passage 213 is also the passage 21 through which the coolant flows over the bottom 11. The third passage 213 is the passage 21 through which the coolant that falls from the opening 225 to the bottom 11 flows to the pump 16, passing between the upper surface of the bottom 11 and the lower surface of the inclined section 22. Since the second short side section 1832 does not extend to the bottom 11, the coolant can flow below the second short side section 1832.

[0035] The first flow path 211 is connected to the coolant supply unit 105, and coolant flows from the coolant supply unit 105 into the first flow path 211. The coolant that flows into the first flow path 211 flows while rotating counterclockwise along the first flow path 211.

[0036] When the coolant reaches the inclined section 22, it flows into the second flow path 212 and flows along the inclined section 22. In the second flow path 212, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 21 decreases in the height direction and becomes smaller than the flow area of ​​the first flow path 211, so the flow velocity of the coolant increases. The coolant then flows towards the opening 225 while rotating counterclockwise along the corner section 184.

[0037] When the coolant reaches the opening 225, it flows into the third flow path 213 and flows between the bottom 11 and the inclined section 22. Finally, the coolant is drawn in through the suction port of the pump 16 and discharged towards the processing chamber, etc.

[0038] In the coolant tank 10 of the machine tool 1 configured in this way, the coolant flow path 21 is formed in a spiral shape, so that the points where the direction of coolant flow changes abruptly can be minimized. This suppresses stagnation in the coolant flow, and thus suppresses the accumulation of chips and sludge in the flow path 21. In addition, the flow velocity of the coolant can be increased by reducing the flow path area along the way. This also suppresses the accumulation of chips and sludge in the flow path 21. Furthermore, by forming the flow path 21 in a spiral shape, dead space can be reduced. In addition, since the inclined section 22 slopes from the bottom 11 and extends towards the pump 16, the occurrence of a step at the point where the inclined section 22 connects to the bottom 11 can be suppressed, and thus the accumulation of chips and sludge at the step can be suppressed.

[0039] In the above explanation, the second channel 212 is shorter in height than the first channel 211, resulting in a smaller channel area. However, the second channel 212 may also be configured to be shorter in width than the first channel 211. This allows for an even greater increase in the coolant flow velocity. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1 Machine tools 10 Coolant Tank 11 Bottom 12 Wall 16 pumps 18 compartments 22 Slope 23 Second partition 105 Coolant supply unit 211 First channel 212 Second flow path 213 Third flow path 225 Opening

Claims

1. The bottom and, A wall portion that rises from the outer edge of the bottom and forms a box-shaped form with an open top together with the bottom, Inside the box-shaped structure surrounded by the aforementioned wall, at least a portion of which rises from the bottom, a spiral-shaped partition forms a coolant flow path, A pump for discharging the aforementioned coolant, An inclined portion connected at an acute angle to the bottom, A coolant tank for a machine tool, The coolant flow path is, The first channel and the second channel are formed in a spiral shape, The third channel and It has, The second channel and the third channel intersect in the vertical direction. Coolant tank for machine tools.

2. The first flow path is formed including the partition and the bottom, one end of the first flow path is connected to a coolant supply unit to which the coolant is supplied, and the other end of the first flow path is connected to one end of the second flow path. The second channel is formed closer to the center of the spiral than the first channel, and includes the partition and the inclined portion, and the other end of the second channel is connected to one end of the third channel. The third channel is formed between the bottom and the inclined portion, extending from the center of the vortex toward the pump, and the pump is positioned at the other end of the third channel. A coolant tank for a machine tool according to claim 1.

3. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first channel. A coolant tank for a machine tool according to claim 1.

4. The inclined portion has an opening at the center of the spiral, and the other end of the second channel and one end of the third channel are connected at the opening. A coolant tank for a machine tool according to claim 1.

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