Chip conveyors and machine tools

Abstract

To respond to such a request that cleaning ability of a drum filter is maintained and furthermore constitution of the drum filter is simplified.SOLUTION: A chip conveyor comprises a housing in which a used coolant is stored, and a drum filter which is provided in the housing, and removes foreign matters from a coolant having passed from an outside to an inside. The drum filter includes: an outer peripheral surface portion in which a filter portion is formed; a filter unit having at least one end face part which supports the outer peripheral surface portion and is rotationally driven; and a cleaning unit which is provided in the filter unit, and sprays a cleaning coolant toward an inside of the filter portion. The cleaning unit has: a box body which is provided along an axial direction of the drum filter, and is formed with a filling chamber in which the cleaning coolant is filled; and a nozzle which is provided in such a manner that the nozzle is communicated with the filling chamber at an upper surface portion of the box body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a chip conveyor and a machine tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-145390 (Patent Document 1) discloses a machine tool equipped with a chip conveyor. The chip conveyor is a transport mechanism for discharging chips generated during machining from the workpiece to the outside of the machine tool. The chips are carried from the machining area to the chip conveyor by coolant.

[0003] A drum filter is provided inside the chip conveyor disclosed in Patent Document 1. The drum filter is configured to remove chips of workpieces from the coolant that flows from the outside to the inside of the drum filter.

[0004] In addition, a spray nozzle is provided inside the drum filter. The spray nozzle sprays cleaning coolant from the inside of the drum filter to the outside, blowing away chips that have clogged the drum filter. This backwashes the drum filter, preventing it from becoming clogged with chips. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-145390 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The spray nozzle shown in Patent Document 1 is provided on the side of a center pipe that is provided along the rotation axis of the drum filter. The cleaning coolant is pumped from the end face of the center pipe to the inside, and is then supplied to the spray nozzle from the side of the center pipe. In order to attach the spray nozzle to the center pipe, it is necessary to perform processing such as drilling holes in the side of the center pipe with a certain degree of accuracy, which is time-consuming and costly.

[0007] In addition, the injection nozzle shown in Patent Document 1 is provided so as to extend in the radial direction of the center pipe. This shortens the distance from the injection port of the injection nozzle to the back surface of the drum filter, thereby improving the cleaning ability of the drum filter. However, in order to extend the injection nozzle in the radial direction of the center pipe, it is necessary to provide an extension joint or piping to the injection nozzle, which requires extra parts. In addition, the provision of such joints and piping forms discontinuous surfaces and steps on the inner wall surface, so that fine chips contained in the cleaning coolant may get caught in such parts, increasing the possibility of clogging the flow path to the injection nozzle.

[0008] In view of the above, it is desirable to simplify the structure of a drum filter while maintaining the cleaning ability of the drum filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one example of the present disclosure, a chip conveyor is provided. The chip conveyor includes a housing in which used coolant is stored, and a drum filter provided inside the housing and configured to remove foreign matter from the coolant that has passed from the outside to the inside. The drum filter includes a filter unit having an outer peripheral surface portion on which a filter portion is formed, at least one end surface portion that supports the outer peripheral surface portion and is driven to rotate, and a cleaning unit provided inside the filter unit and sprays a cleaning coolant toward the inside of the filter portion. The cleaning unit has a box body provided along the axial direction of the drum filter, a filling chamber formed inside the box body, and a nozzle provided on the upper surface of the box body so as to communicate with the filling chamber.

[0010] In one example of the present disclosure, the rotation axis of the drum filter is parallel to the horizontal direction, and the loading chamber is offset upward with respect to the rotation axis.

[0011] In one example of the present disclosure, the top surface of the box is located above a standard water level of used coolant in the housing.

[0012] In one example of the present disclosure, the drum filter further includes first and second shafts configured to rotatably support the filter unit and to support the box body from both sides in the axial direction.

[0013] In one example of the present disclosure, the first shaft is hollow. The drum filter further includes a pipe that communicates between the first shaft and the filling chamber and supplies the cleaning coolant to the filling chamber.

[0014] In one example of the present disclosure, the piping communicates with the filling chamber at a central portion of the filling chamber in the axial direction.

[0015] In one example of the present disclosure, the bolts for the first and second shafts are fixed from inside the filter unit.

[0016] In one example of the present disclosure, a plurality of the nozzles are arranged in a line on an upper surface of the box along the axial direction.

[0017] In one example of the present disclosure, the box is configured so that a plate having a plurality of first through holes formed therein can be fixed to an upper surface of the box. A plurality of second through holes into which the plurality of nozzles are inserted are formed in the upper surface of the box. The plate is fixed to the upper surface of the box with each of the plurality of nozzles inserted into one of the plurality of first through holes.

[0018] In one example of the present disclosure, the nozzle has a spray portion that sprays the cleaning coolant, and a guide portion that changes the direction of the cleaning coolant sprayed from the spray portion and widens the spray angle of the cleaning coolant.

[0019] In one example of the present disclosure, the chip conveyor is further configured to transport foreign matter in the used coolant to a discharge port, and the nozzle is configured to spray the cleaning coolant in a direction opposite to the discharge port.

[0020] In one example of the present disclosure, a machine tool including the above chip conveyor is provided.

[0021] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a machine tool. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of a machining area within a machine tool. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sludge separation mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drum filter viewed from an oblique direction. [Diagram 5] Shows a cross-sectional view of the drum filter on a vertical plane. [Figure 6] It is a view showing the rear side of the box body viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction. [Figure 7] It is a view showing the plate from above. [Figure 8] It is a view showing the box body before mounting the nozzle from above. [Figure 9] It is a view schematically showing the process of pressing and holding the nozzle to the box body using the plate. [Figure 10] It is a view showing the box body after mounting the nozzle from above. [Figure 11] It is a view showing the nozzle from the Z-axis direction. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle along the line XI-XI shown in FIG. 11.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, each embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. In addition, each embodiment and each modification described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0024] <A. Appearance of Machine Tool 100> First, with reference to FIG. 1, a machine tool 100 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of the machine tool 100.

[0025] As used in this specification, the "machine tool" is a concept encompassing various devices equipped with the function of processing workpieces. The machine tool 100 may be a horizontal machining center or a vertical machining center. Alternatively, the machine tool 100 may be a lathe, or other cutting machines, grinding machines, multi-tasking machines, 5-axis machining centers, etc. Further, the machine tool 100 is not limited to performing only removal machining, and may perform additional machining in addition to removal machining.

[0026] The machine tool 100 includes, for example, a cover body 130, a chip conveyor 150, and an operation panel 300. The cover body 130, also called a splash guard, forms the exterior of the machine tool 100 and partitions the machining area of the workpiece.

[0027] The machine tool 100 processes the workpiece while discharging coolant into the machining area inside the machine. The coolant used in the machining causes the chips of the workpiece to flow from the machining area to the chip conveyor 150. The chip conveyor 150 separates the chips of the workpiece from the coolant and discharges the chips outside the machine tool 100 through the discharge port 151. The coolant from which the chips of the workpiece have been removed is reused for machining the workpiece. Details of the chip conveyor 150 will be described later.

[0028] The operation panel 300 is a general-purpose computer and has a display 306 for displaying various information related to machining. The display 306 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or other display device. Further, the display 206 is provided with a touch panel and accepts various operations on the machine tool 100 by touch operation.

[0029] <B. Chip Discharge Mechanism> Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a mechanism for discharging the chips generated by machining the workpiece to the outside of the machine tool 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the state of the machining area AR inside the machine tool 100.

[0030] As described above, machine tool 100 includes cover body 130. Cover body 130 defines the exterior of machine tool 100 and defines a machining area AR for machining a workpiece. In machining area AR, for example, spindle 132, coolant discharge mechanisms 134 and 136, and chip conveyor 150 are provided.

[0031] The spindle 132 is provided inside the housing and rotatably supported by the housing. A tool T for machining a workpiece is attached to the spindle 132. The spindle 132 machines the workpiece by bringing the tool T into contact with the workpiece while rotating the tool T about its axial direction.

[0032] The discharge mechanism 134 is a mechanism for discharging the clean coolant pressure-fed from the outflow pipe R1 toward the entire machining area AR. By the discharge mechanism 134 discharging the coolant into the machining area AR, chips from the workpiece in the machining area AR are discharged onto the chip conveyor 150.

[0033] The discharge mechanism 136 discharges the clean coolant, which is pressure-fed from the outflow pipe R1, toward the bed BD. By the discharge mechanism 136 discharging the coolant onto the bed BD, chips accumulated on the bed BD are discharged to the chip conveyor 150.

[0034] The chip conveyor 150 includes a housing 152 , a drum filter 154 , and a tank 156 .

[0035] The housing 152 forms the outer appearance of the chip conveyor 150. The housing 152 is also configured to allow coolant used in machining the workpieces to flow into it.

[0036] The drum filter 154 is rotatably supported with respect to the housing 152, and is configured to be able to collect foreign matters such as chips of the workpiece from the coolant. The coolant that has passed through the drum filter 154 is discharged into the tank 156 of the chip conveyor 150. In FIG. 2, for clarity, the tank 156 is shown extended in the left - right direction of the drawing sheet, but actually it extends in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the drum filter 154, that is, in the depth direction of the drawing sheet in FIG. 2. Also, the coolant that has passed through the side surface portion of the drum filter 154 from the outside to the inside flows into the tank 156 from the end surface portion on the depth - direction side of the drum filter 154 in the drawing sheet.

[0037] A pump P0 is provided in the tank 156. The pump P0 pumps up the coolant that has passed through the drum filter 154 and accumulated in the tank 156, and pumps the coolant to the flow path RA.

[0038] <C. Sludge separation mechanism> The coolant from which chips have been separated by the drum filter 154 contains sludge. Sludge is fine swarf generated by machining the workpiece.

[0039] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the sludge separation mechanism will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the sludge separation mechanism.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the machine tool 100 includes a storage portion SU1 and a cyclone filter 400 as a sludge separation mechanism.

[0041] The coolant pumped from the above - mentioned flow path RA (see FIG. 2) is stored in the storage portion SU1. The coolant stored in the storage portion SU1 contains sludge.

[0042] Cyclone filter 400 is a mechanism for separating coolant supplied from storage unit SU1 into clean coolant and dirty coolant by centrifugal force. The sludge content in clean coolant is less than the sludge content in dirty coolant. Typically, clean coolant does not contain sludge. The content is expressed, for example, by the weight of sludge contained per unit volume.

[0043] More specifically, cyclone filter 400 is connected to an inlet pipe R0, an outlet pipe R1, and an outlet pipe R2.

[0044] One end of the inflow pipe R0 is connected to the storage unit SU1. Meanwhile, the other end of the inflow pipe R0 is connected to the inlet of the cyclone filter 400. In addition, a pump P1 is provided on the inflow pipe R0. The pump P1 pumps the coolant in the storage unit SU1 to the inflow pipe R0, and sends the coolant to the inlet of the cyclone filter 400.

[0045] The coolant sent to the cyclone filter 400 flows in a spiral shape inside the cyclone filter 400. During this process, the heavy sludge falls in the direction of gravity together with some of the coolant, and is discharged from the outlet on the lower side of the cyclone filter 400. As a result, the dirty coolant containing a large amount of sludge is discharged into the outlet pipe R2.

[0046] The cyclone filter 400 is also provided with a throttle mechanism 402. The throttle mechanism 402 is a mechanism for restricting the flow rate of dirty coolant flowing through the outlet pipe R2. The throttle mechanism 402 acts as a resistance, and the coolant rises in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity as it flows in a spiral shape inside the cyclone filter 400. As a result, clean coolant that does not contain sludge is discharged into the outlet pipe R1.

[0047] Also, a pump P2 is provided on the outflow pipe R1. The pump P2 pumps the clean coolant from the cyclone filter 400. As a result, the clean coolant is pumped into the outflow pipe R1 and sent to the above-described discharge mechanisms 134, 136, etc. Further, a branch point is formed on the upstream side of the pump P2 in the outflow pipe R1, and a branch pipe BR for supplying the clean coolant to the cleaning unit 175 as a cleaning coolant is provided. An on-off valve is provided in the branch pipe BR so that the supply and stop of the clean coolant to the cleaning unit 175 can be switched.

[0048] As described above, the machine tool 100 separates sludge from the coolant used for machining. The coolant from which sludge has been removed is reused for machining the workpiece. Also, the coolant from which sludge has been removed is used as the coolant for cleaning the above-described drum filter 154.

[0049] <Definition of Directions> For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the direction of the rotation axis of the above-described drum filter 154, which is a direction on the horizontal plane, is also referred to as the "X-axis direction". Also, a direction on the horizontal plane orthogonal to the X-axis direction is also referred to as the "Z-axis direction". The direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is referred to as the "Y-axis direction". The positive side of the Y-axis direction corresponds to the upper side (i.e., the side opposite to the gravitational direction). The negative side of the Y-axis direction corresponds to the lower side (i.e., the gravitational direction).

[0050] <Structure of the Drum Filter 154> Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the drum filter 154 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the drum filter 154 viewed from an oblique direction. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the drum filter 154 on the YZ plane (i.e., the vertical plane).

[0051] For convenience of explanation, in the drum filter 154 shown in FIG. 4, the filter part 166 is removed from the drum filter 154 shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] The drum filter 154 includes a filter unit 160, mounting plates 170A and 170B, shafts 171A and 171B, and a cleaning unit 175.

[0053] The filter unit 160 has a drum shape and forms a space inside. The filter unit 160 is configured to remove foreign matter from the used coolant CL1 that has passed through its outer circumferential surface. Examples of the foreign matter include chips and dust generated during the machining of the workpiece. The coolant CL1 that has flowed inside the filter unit 160 is sent to the tank 156 (see FIG. 2) described above from outlets PA and PB formed on the side of the drum filter 154.

[0054] Filter unit 160 is rotatably supported with respect to housing 152 (see FIG. 2) of chip conveyor 150. More specifically, filter unit 160 includes end surface portions 162A and 162B, an outer circumferential surface portion 164, and a filter portion 166.

[0055] End surface portion 162A constitutes one end surface of filter unit 160 in the direction of rotation axis AX. End surface portion 162B constitutes the other end surface of filter unit 160 in the direction of rotation axis AX. That is, end surface portions 162A, 162B face each other.

[0056] The end surface portion 162A is configured to be rotatable with respect to the shaft 171A. The end surface portion 162B is configured to be rotatable with respect to the shaft 171B. As a result, the end surface portions 162A and 162B are configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis AX.

[0057] The end surface portions 162A and 162B function as sprockets. More specifically, a plurality of teeth are formed on the outer periphery of each of the end surface portions 162A and 162B. Each of the teeth of the end surface portions 162A and 162B meshes with an endless chain for driving the chip conveyor 150. As a result, the filter unit 160 rotates around the rotation axis AX in conjunction with the endless chain.

[0058] The end surface portions 162A and 162B are configured to support the outer peripheral surface portion 164. The outer peripheral surface portion 164 forms an outer frame on the outer periphery of the filter unit 160. One side of the outer peripheral surface portion 164 in the direction of the rotation axis AX is connected to the end surface portion 162A. The other side of the outer peripheral surface portion 164 in the direction of the rotation axis AX is connected to the end surface portion 162B. This allows the outer peripheral surface portion 164 to rotate integrally with the end surface portions 162A and 162B.

[0059] The outer peripheral surface portion 164 is a frame member having a generally hollow regular octagonal prism shape extending in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and the filter portion 166 is provided to close the opening of the face plate portion. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface portion 164 is formed with a plurality of rectangular openings, for example, rectangular openings with the axial direction as the longitudinal direction. Each of the filter portions 166 is provided on the outer peripheral surface portion 164 so as to cover each opening. The filter portion 166 is configured to allow the used coolant CL1 to pass through and to be able to collect foreign matter such as cutting chips of the workpiece. The filter portion 166 has, for example, a rectangular shape that is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the opening formed on the outer peripheral surface portion 164. Since the filter portion 166 acts as a fluid resistance against the used coolant CL1 flowing in, for example, in a normal use state, the water level of the coolant outside the filter unit 160 is higher than the water level of the coolant inside the filter unit 160.

[0060] A cleaning unit 175 is disposed between both end faces of the filter unit 160 in the direction of the rotation axis AX. The cleaning unit 175 is configured to extend along the rotation axis AX. The cleaning unit 175 is fixed to the housing 152 of the chip conveyor 150 (see FIG. 2).

[0061] The cleaning unit 175 includes a box body 180 and a nozzle 182. A filling chamber 188 filled with cleaning coolant CL2 is formed inside the box body 180. The cleaning coolant CL2 is, for example, clean coolant that has passed through the above-mentioned cyclone filter 400. The cleaning coolant CL2 is pressure-fed to the filling chamber 188 via a pump (not shown) or the like.

[0062] The upper surface of the box body 180 is provided with a nozzle 182 that is in communication with a filling chamber 188. The "upper surface" may be a part of the upper surface of the box body 180, or may be the entire upper surface of the box body 180. The "upper surface" may be a horizontal surface, or may be a surface that is inclined from the horizontal surface.

[0063] 4 and 5 show an example in which the shape of the box 180 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, but the shape of the box 180 is not limited to this. Any shape having an upper surface portion may be adopted for the box 180. As an example, the shape of the box 180 may be a hexagonal prism, an octagonal prism, or a semi-cylindrical shape.

[0064] The number of nozzles 182 provided on the upper surface of the box 180 may be one or more. In the example of FIG.

[0065] The nozzle 182 sprays the cleaning coolant CL2 pressure-fed into the filling chamber 188 toward the inner surface of the filter unit 160. This makes it possible to prevent the filter portion 166 from being clogged with foreign matter such as cutting chips of the workpiece.

[0066] 5, a box body 180 is provided instead of a center pipe that passes through the center of the drum filter 154. In order to attach a nozzle 182 to a cylindrical center pipe, it is necessary to process the center pipe and to process the nozzle 182 to fit the shape of the center pipe. On the other hand, the top surface of the box body 180 has a flat portion, making it easy to attach the nozzle 182. In other words, it is possible to attach various types of nozzles, such as commercially available nozzles, to the box body 180.

[0067] Furthermore, by providing the nozzle 182 on the upper surface of the box body 180, the distance from the nozzle outlet of the nozzle 182 to the filter portion 166 is shortened. This allows the cleaning coolant CL2 to be sprayed onto the filter portion 166 under high pressure, making it possible to more reliably blow away chips of the workpiece adhering to the filter portion 166. Such cleaning ability is obtained with a simple configuration in which the nozzle 182 is provided on the upper surface of the box body 180.

[0068] Preferably, the filling chamber 188 is offset upward with respect to the rotation axis AX, so that the distance from the injection port of the nozzle 182 to the filter portion 166 is further shortened, and the cleaning ability of the filter portion 166 is further improved.

[0069] More preferably, the top surface of box 180 is located above the standard water level in housing 152 of chip conveyor 150. The "standard water level" here refers to the maximum water level of the coolant in housing 152 of chip conveyor 150. If the top surface of box 180 is located above the maximum water level, nozzle 182 will not be immersed in the coolant. Therefore, nozzle 182 can constantly clean filter portion 166.

[0070] In the above example, the filter unit 160 has two end surface portions 162A, 162B, but the filter unit 160 may have at least one of the end surface portions 162A, 162B. As an example, when the filter unit 160 is composed of one end surface portion, the other end of the filter unit 160 is open. In this case, the drainage performance may decrease and the amount of coolant processed may decrease, but this configuration is effective when space is only available on one side. In addition, this configuration is also effective when simplifying the structure of the tank 156 of the chip conveyor 150, and has the advantage of making it difficult for sludge to scatter.

[0071] <F.シャフト171A,171B> Next, the shafts 171A and 171B will be further described with reference to Fig. 6 while continuing to refer to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the rear side of the box body 180 as viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction.

[0072] The shafts 171A and 171B have a function of supporting the filter unit 160 so that the filter unit 160 is rotatable.

[0073] More specifically, the shaft 171A is inserted into the mounting plate 170A. The mounting plate 170A is fixed to the housing 152 (see FIG. 2) of the chip conveyor 150. The insertion hole in the mounting plate 170A is non-circular, and the shaft 171A is inserted into the mounting plate 170A so as to fit into the non-circular insertion hole. This fixes the shaft 171A to the mounting plate 170A so as not to rotate.

[0074] A bearing 161A is provided on the shaft 171A. The bearing 161A is, for example, a bush. The bearing 161A is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis AX when inserted into the shaft 171A. An end surface portion 162A of the filter unit 160 is fixed to the bearing 161A. The end surface portion 162A is, for example, bolted to the bearing 161A from the inside of the filter unit 160. This allows the end surface portion 162A to rotate together with the bearing 161A.

[0075] The shaft 171B is inserted into the mounting plate 170B. The mounting plate 170B is fixed to the housing 152 (see FIG. 2) of the chip conveyor 150. The insertion opening in the mounting plate 170B is non-circular, and the shaft 171B is inserted into the mounting plate 170B so as to fit into the non-circular insertion opening. This fixes the shaft 171B to the mounting plate 170B so as not to rotate.

[0076] A bearing 161B is provided on the shaft 171B. The bearing 161B is, for example, a bush. The bearing 161B is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis AX when inserted into the shaft 171B. An end surface portion 162B of the filter unit 160 is fixed to the bearing 161B. The end surface portion 162B is, for example, bolted to the bearing 161B from the inside of the filter unit 160. This allows the end surface portion 162B to rotate together with the bearing 161B.

[0077] In this way, shafts 171A and 171B rotatably support filter unit 160. Shafts 171A and 171B not only have the function of rotatably supporting filter unit 160, but also have the function of supporting box body 180 from both sides in the direction of rotation axis AX.

[0078] More specifically, the box 180 has fixing plates SA and SB extending downward from both end faces of the filling chamber 188 in the X-axis direction.

[0079] The fixing plate SA is fixed to a flange FA formed on one end of the shaft 171A via a bolt VA. The bolt VA is inserted from the inside (center side) of the filter unit 160.

[0080] Similarly, the fixing plate SB is fixed to a flange FB formed on one end of the shaft 171B via a bolt VB. The bolt VB is inserted from the inside of the filter unit 160 (the center side).

[0081] In this way, box body 180 is supported from both sides in the direction of rotation axis AX. By making shafts 171A, 171B function as a support mechanism for both filter unit 160 and box body 180, the structure of drum filter 154 can be simplified.

[0082] Furthermore, since the bolts for shafts 171A and 171B are fixed from inside filter unit 160, drum filter 154 can be easily disassembled from chip conveyor 150. That is, when an operator removes drum filter 154 from chip conveyor 150, bolts VA and VB are first removed. This allows the operator to remove box body 180 from drum filter 154. Next, the operator pulls out shaft 171A from end surface portion 162A of drum filter 154. Thereafter, the operator pulls out shaft 171B from end surface portion 162B of drum filter 154. This allows the operator to remove filter unit 160 from chip conveyor 150 and perform work on filter unit 160 (e.g., replacing filter portion 166).

[0083] On the other hand, when the center pipe for sending the cleaning coolant passes through the center of the drum filter 154, disassembling the drum filter 154 becomes very difficult. In this case, the operator first needs to remove the center pipe from the drum filter 154. However, the center pipe is often connected to the chip conveyor 150. Therefore, the operator has to disassemble the chip conveyor 150 and then remove the drum filter 154. Thus, when the center pipe for sending the cleaning coolant passes through the center of the drum filter 154, the operation of removing the drum filter 154 from the chip conveyor 150 becomes very cumbersome.

[0084] <G. Pipe mechanism for cleaning coolant> Next, with continued reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the pipe mechanism for the cleaning coolant will be described.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the drum filter 154 has a pipe 184. The pipe 184 communicates with one of the shafts 171A, 171B and the filling chamber 188, and is configured to supply the cleaning coolant CL2 to the filling chamber 188.

[0086] In the example of FIG. 6, the pipe 184 is connected to the shaft 171A. More specifically, the shaft 171A is hollow, and a flow path for the cleaning coolant CL2 is formed inside the shaft 171A. Note that a flow path for the cleaning coolant CL2 may also be formed inside the shaft 171B.

[0087] One end of the shaft 171A in the direction of the rotation axis AX is connected to the supply mechanism of the cleaning coolant CL2. The other end of the shaft 171A in the direction of the rotation axis AX is connected to the inlet E1, which is one end of the pipe 184. On the other hand, the outlet E2, which is the other end of the pipe 184, is connected to the filling chamber 188. The outlet E2 is connected to the filling chamber 188 at positions other than both end faces of the filling chamber 188 in the direction of the rotation axis AX.

[0088] Preferably, the outlet E2 of the pipe 184 is connected to the filling chamber 188 at the central portion of the filling chamber 188 in the direction of the rotation axis AX. Thereby, the injection pressure of the cleaning coolant CL2 in each of the nozzles 182 becomes uniform. As a result, uneven cleaning of the filter unit 166 in the X-axis direction is prevented.

[0089] <H. Pipe mechanism for cleaning coolant> Next, with continued reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the arrangement of the nozzles 182 on the box body 180 will be described.

[0090] Preferably, the plurality of nozzles 182 are arranged in a row along the direction of the rotation axis AX (that is, the X-axis direction) on the upper surface portion of the box body 180. By arranging the plurality of nozzles 182 in a row in the X-axis direction, the cleaning range of the filter unit 166 extends in the X-axis direction.

[0091] Note that the plurality of nozzles 182 may be arranged at regular intervals or at irregular intervals.

[0092] Also, the plurality of nozzles 182 do not necessarily have to be arranged in a row on the upper surface portion of the box body 180. As an example, the plurality of nozzles 182 may be arranged in two or more rows.

[0093] <I. Fixing method of nozzle 182> Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, a method of fixing the nozzle 182 to the box body 180 will be described. FIG. 7 is a view showing the plate PL from above. FIG. 8 is a view showing the box body 180 before mounting the nozzle 182 from above. FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing the process of pressing and holding the nozzle 182 to the box body 180 using the plate PL. FIG. 10 is a view showing the box body 180 after mounting the nozzle 182 from above.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of through holes H1, HA are formed in the plate PL. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of through holes H2, HB are formed in the upper surface portion of the box body 180.

[0095] The nozzle 182 is composed of, for example, a guide portion GD, an edge portion RN, and an insertion portion IN. The guide portion GD of the nozzle 182 can be inserted into the through hole H1 of the plate PL from below. More specifically, the diameter of the guide portion GD is shorter than the diameter of the through hole H1 of the plate PL, and the diameter of the edge portion RN is longer than the diameter of the through hole H1 of the plate PL. Therefore, when the guide portion GD is inserted into the through hole H1 from below, the edge portion RN of the nozzle 182 comes into contact with the edge of the through hole H1.

[0096] Furthermore, the insertion portion IN of the nozzle 182 can be inserted into the through hole H2 of the box body 180 from above. More specifically, the diameter of the insertion portion IN is shorter than the diameter of the through hole H2, and the diameter of the edge portion RN is longer than the diameter of the through hole H2. Therefore, when the insertion portion IN is inserted into the through hole H2 from above, the edge portion RN of the nozzle 182 comes into contact with the edge of the through hole H2. The nozzle 182 communicates with the box body 180 in a state where it is inserted into the through hole H2.

[0097] The plate PL holds down the nozzle 182 on the upper surface of the box body 180. More specifically, the plate PL is fixed to the box body 180 with the guide portion GD of the nozzle 182 inserted into the through hole H1 of the plate PL and with the insertion portion IN of the nozzle 182 inserted into the through hole H2 of the box body 180.

[0098] Any fixing mechanism may be adopted as a mechanism for fixing the plate PL to the box body 180. As an example, the plate PL is fixed to the upper surface of the box body 180 by one or more screws SC. In the example of Fig. 10, the plate PL is fixed to the upper surface of the box body 180 by five screws SC. The screws SC are passed through the through holes HA and HB, thereby fixing the plate PL to the upper surface of the box body 180.

[0099] As described above, the box body 180 is configured such that a plate PL having a plurality of through holes H1 formed therein can be fixed to the upper surface portion of the box body 180. A plurality of through holes H2 into which the nozzles 182 are inserted are formed in the upper surface portion of the box body 180. The plate PL is fixed to the upper surface portion of the box body 180 in a state where each of the plurality of nozzles 182 is inserted into any one of the plurality of through holes H1. Thereby, the plurality of nozzles 182 are held down to the upper surface portion of the box body 180 by the plate PL. Therefore, the nozzles 182 can be fixed to the plate PL without being processed, and any type of nozzle 182 can be fixed to the upper surface portion of the box body 180.

[0100] Preferably, the nozzles 182 are provided on the upper surface of the box body 180 so that the cleaning coolant does not reach the operator of the machine tool 100. As described above, the chip conveyor 150 is configured to transfer foreign matter in the used coolant to the discharge port 151 (see FIG. 1). When the cleaning coolant jets in the direction of the discharge port 151, the cleaning coolant may come out from the discharge port 151. Therefore, the nozzles 182 are provided on the upper surface portion of the box body 180 so as to jet the cleaning coolant to the side opposite to the discharge port 151. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the cleaning coolant from scattering to the operator.

[0101] <J. Example of Nozzle 182> Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, an example of the above-described nozzle 182 will be described. FIG. 11 is a view showing the nozzle 182 from the Z-axis direction. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 182 taken along the line XI-XI shown in FIG. 11.

[0102] The nozzle 182 has, for example, an injection part JT and a guide part GD. Inside the injection part JT, a flow path for the cleaning coolant is formed. The injection part JT communicates with the box body 180 and jets the cleaning coolant pumped inside the box body 180 upward.

[0103] The guide portion GD changes the direction of the cleaning coolant sprayed from the spray portion JT and increases the spray angle θ of the cleaning coolant. The spray angle θ is the angle that indicates the spread of the cleaning coolant at the spray port of the spray portion JT.

[0104] More specifically, the cross section of the guide portion GD on the YZ plane (i.e., the vertical plane) has an arch shape. This allows the spray direction of the cleaning coolant to be changed along the arch-shaped side surface. This reduces the fluid resistance of the cleaning coolant to the guide portion GD, and suppresses foaming of the cleaning coolant.

[0105] In addition, the cleaning coolant spreads when it comes into contact with the guide portion GD, which allows the nozzle 182 to clean a wider area of ​​the filter portion 166.

[0106] Preferably, the flow path of the cleaning coolant inside the jet part JT is made up of only smooth curved surfaces, which reduces the piping resistance inside the jet part JT and suppresses foaming of the cleaning coolant.

[0107] It should be noted that the nozzle 182 that can be attached to the box body 180 is not limited to the nozzle 182 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and any type of nozzle 182 can be attached to the box body 180.

[0108] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 100 machine tool, 130 cover body, 132 spindle, 134 discharge mechanism, 136 discharge mechanism, 150 chip conveyor, 151 discharge port, 152 housing, 154 drum filter, 156 tank, 160 filter unit, 161A bearing, 161B bearing, 162A end surface portion, 162B end surface portion, 164 outer peripheral surface portion, 166 filter portion, 170A mounting plate, 170B mounting plate, 171A shaft, 171B shaft, 175 cleaning unit, 180 box body, 182 nozzle, 184 piping, 188 filling chamber, 206 display, 300 operation panel, 306 display, 400 cyclone filter, 402 throttling mechanism, AR machining area, AX rotating shaft, BD bed, CL1 coolant, CL2 Washing coolant, E1 inlet, E2 outlet, FA flange, FB flange, GD guide, H1 through hole, H2 through hole, HA through hole, HB through hole, IN insert, JT jet, P0 pump, P1 pump, P2 pump, PA outlet, PB outlet, PL plate, R0 inlet pipe, R1 outlet pipe, R2 outlet pipe, RA flow path, RN edge, SA fixing plate, SB fixing plate, SC screw, SU1 reservoir, T tool, VA bolt, VB bolt, θ spray angle.

Claims

1. a housing in which used coolant is stored; a drum filter provided inside the housing and configured to remove foreign matter from the coolant passing from the outside to the inside of the housing; The drum filter comprises: a filter unit having an outer peripheral surface portion on which a filter portion is formed and at least one end surface portion that supports the outer peripheral surface portion and is driven to rotate; a cleaning unit provided inside the filter unit and configured to spray a cleaning coolant toward an inside of the filter portion; a connection structure for connecting an end surface of the filter unit and the cleaning unit, The cleaning unit comprises: a box body provided along the axial direction of the drum filter and having a filling chamber formed therein into which the cleaning coolant is filled; a nozzle provided on a planar upper surface of the box body so as to communicate with the filling chamber; The connection structure includes: A shaft that is inserted into an end surface portion of the filter unit; a flange provided at an end of the shaft disposed inside the filter unit and extending in a radial direction of the shaft; a fixing plate extending from the loading chamber and fixed to the flange.

2. The rotation axis of the drum filter is parallel to the horizontal direction, 2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the loading chamber is offset upwardly with respect to the rotation shaft.

3. 2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the box is positioned above a standard water level of used coolant in the housing.

4. 2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the shaft rotatably supports the filter unit and comprises a pair of shafts supporting the box body from both sides in the axial direction.

5. the shaft is hollow; The drum filter further includes a pipe that connects the flange provided on the shaft to the box body and supplies the cleaning coolant from the shaft to the filling chamber. The box body has a side surface portion provided so as to intersect with the top surface portion, The chip conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the pipe connected to the box body side is connected to a center of the side surface portion in the axial direction.

6. A chip conveyor as described in claim 1, wherein the bolts are fixed to the flange provided on the shaft of the fixing plate from inside the filter unit.

7. 2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the nozzles are arranged in a line on an upper surface of the box along the axial direction.

8. the box body is configured so that a plate having a plurality of first through holes formed therein can be fixed to an upper surface portion of the box body, a plurality of second through holes into which the plurality of nozzles are inserted are formed in the upper surface portion of the box body, 2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the plate is fixed to the upper surface of the box body with each of the plurality of nozzles being inserted into one of the plurality of first through holes.

9. The nozzle is An ejection unit that ejects the cleaning coolant; 2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion for changing a direction of the cleaning coolant sprayed from the spray portion and for widening a spray angle of the cleaning coolant.

10. The chip conveyor is further configured to transport foreign matter in the used coolant to a discharge port.

2. The chip conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is arranged to spray the cleaning coolant in a direction opposite to the discharge port.

11. A housing in which used coolant is stored; a drum filter provided inside the housing and configured to remove foreign matter from the coolant passing from the outside to the inside of the housing; The drum filter comprises: a filter unit having an outer peripheral surface portion on which a filter portion is formed and at least one end surface portion that supports the outer peripheral surface portion and is driven to rotate; a cleaning unit provided inside the filter unit and configured to spray a cleaning coolant toward an inside of the filter portion; The cleaning unit comprises: a box body provided along the axial direction of the drum filter and having a filling chamber formed therein into which the cleaning coolant is filled; a nozzle provided on a planar upper surface of the box body so as to communicate with the filling chamber; The drum filter further includes a hollow shaft that rotatably supports the filter unit, and a pipe that connects the shaft and the box body and supplies the cleaning coolant from the shaft to the filling chamber, The box body has a side surface portion provided so as to intersect with the top surface portion, The end of the piping connected to the box body side is a chip conveyor connected to the center of the side surface in the axial direction.

12. A machine tool equipped with a chip conveyor described in claim 1 or 11.

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