Coolant cleaner

Abstract

To provide a coolant cleaner with a low running cost by circulating a coolant by using an air flow.SOLUTION: A coolant cleaner 100 includes: a housing 10 that contains a filter unit 20 and filtered regenerated coolant; an air flow path 30 that supplies and discharges air; a coolant supply flow path 40 which allows the supply of processed coolant to the internal space 11 and has coolant flow switching means 44 for regulating the discharge of the processed coolant from the internal space 11; and a coolant discharge flow path 50 that only allows flow to the outside of the housing 10 and discharges the regenerated coolant when air is supplied to the internal space 11. A float 34 that rises and falls together with the liquid level of the regenerated coolant is contained in the air flow path 30. When the liquid level of the regenerated coolant reaches a set height, the communication part is blocked by the float 34, the supply of coolant after machining is stopped, and the regenerated coolant is discharged from the coolant discharge flow path 50 by the air pressure from the air inlet 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coolant cleaner. [Background technology]

[0002] Coolant cleaners are known that recover post-machining coolant used to cool a workpiece in a processing machine, such as a cutting machine, from the processing machine and separate out waste materials from the processing machine, such as cutting powder. For example, a configuration such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2008-12603 A) is known as an example of such a coolant cleaner.

[0003] The coolant cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 separates processing machine waste from post-processing coolant discharged from a processing machine, making it possible to reuse the coolant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-12603 A (Claim 1, paragraphs 0009-0014, Figures 1-2, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The coolant cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses multiple pumps to circulate the coolant. Because coolant has a high penetrating ability into metals, the pump is prone to damage if it is left submerged in the coolant. Furthermore, due to the risk of fire depending on the combination of coolant and the metal material of the workpiece, the pump must be explosion-proof. Thus, safe and continuous use of the coolant cleaner poses challenges, such as the need for expensive pumps and frequent pump maintenance, which increases running costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is therefore intended to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a coolant cleaner with low running costs by circulating coolant using air flow, thereby eliminating the need for explosion-proof pumps or frequent maintenance of the pumps.

[0007] As a result of intensive research by the present inventors to solve the above problems, the present inventors have come up with the following configuration: That is, the present invention is a coolant cleaner that separates machining machine exhaust, including cutting powder, from post-machining coolant that has been mixed with the machining machine exhaust and discharges the coolant as recycled coolant, the coolant cleaner comprising: a filter unit that separates the machining machine exhaust from the post-machining coolant and a housing that contains the recycled coolant filtered by the filter unit; an air flow path that communicates with the housing and supplies and discharges air to and from an internal space of the housing by switching the flow direction of air flow introduced from an air inlet using a flow path switching means; a coolant supply flow path that communicates with the housing and has coolant flow switching means that allows the post-machined coolant to be supplied to the filter unit by a suction force when the air is discharged from the internal space of the housing and that is capable of restricting the discharge of the post-machined coolant from the internal space of the housing to the outside by the pressure of the internal space of the housing when the air is supplied to the internal space of the housing; a coolant discharge flow path that discharges the regenerated coolant to the outside of the housing by the pressure in the internal space of the housing, wherein the air flow path houses a float that rises and falls in height along with the liquid level of the regenerated coolant stored in the housing, and during a process in which the air is discharged from the internal space of the housing by the air flow and the processed coolant is supplied to the filter section by the coolant supply flow path, when the liquid level of the regenerated coolant reaches a predetermined height position, the float blocks the connection between the air flow path and the housing, thereby stopping the supply of the processed coolant to the housing, and during a process in which the air is supplied to the internal space of the housing by the air flow and the supply of the processed coolant to the filter section by the coolant supply flow path is stopped, the regenerated coolant is discharged to the outside of the housing from the coolant discharge flow path by the pressure caused by the air being supplied from the air inlet to the internal space of the housing.

[0008] This makes it possible to provide a coolant cleaner with low running costs by using air flow to circulate the coolant, eliminating the need for explosion-proof pumps and frequent maintenance of the pumps.

[0009] It is also preferable that at least the air flow path and the coolant supply flow path are integrated with each other at the portion where they are attached to the housing.

[0010] This simplifies the structure of the part that is attached to the housing, and allows the coolant cleaner to be manufactured at lower cost.

[0011] It is also preferable that the flow path switching means and the coolant flow switching means are linked together so as to be interlocked with each other.

[0012] This improves the operability of the coolant cleaner.

[0013] It is also preferable that the inner bottom surface of the housing is formed as an inclined surface, and the lower end of the coolant discharge passage is disposed above the lowest position of the inclined surface.

[0014] This makes it possible to prevent waste materials from the processing machine from being mixed into the purified coolant.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the filter section has a bottomed cylindrical body whose bottom surface and side peripheral surfaces are formed by perforated plates, a basket having a handle attached to the bottomed cylindrical body, and a mesh material arranged on the inner surface of the bottomed cylindrical body, and that the housing is provided with an openable and closable lid and a sealing member arranged at the contact point between the lid and the housing, and that the filter section is removably accommodated in the opening when the lid is opened.

[0016] This reduces the effort required to dispose of waste from processing machinery.

[0017] It is also preferable that a notch extending in the extension direction of the coolant supply passage is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the suction port for the processed coolant of the coolant supply passage.

[0018] This prevents clogging of the nozzle tip with machining machine waste when supplying post-machining coolant to the internal space of the housing, making it possible to reliably supply post-machining coolant to the internal space of the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The coolant cleaner of the present invention uses airflow to circulate the coolant, eliminating the need to immerse machinery used to circulate the coolant in the coolant and eliminating the need for explosion-proof pumps or frequent maintenance of the pumps. This makes it possible to provide a coolant cleaner with low installation and running costs and high reliability even in continuous use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coolant cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coolant cleaner according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coolant cleaner according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the coolant cleaner according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the cover of FIG. 4 is open. [Figure 6] 6 is a view of the cover viewed from the direction of arrow VI in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a filter unit is removed from the state shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] This is a view of the internal space seen from the opening of the housing. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tip portion of the nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] An embodiment of a coolant cleaner 100 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 9. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the coolant cleaner 100 in this embodiment includes a housing 10, a filter unit 20, an air flow path 30, a coolant supply flow path 40, a coolant discharge flow path 50, a coolant circulation pipe 80, and a compound pressure gauge R1. The downstream end of the coolant circulation pipe 80 communicates with the coolant supply flow path 40 and the coolant discharge flow path 50 via a joint 70, and a nozzle 82 is attached to the tip of the coolant circulation pipe 80, which is inserted into a coolant storage tank 90 after processing.

[0022] The housing 10 in this embodiment has casters 12 with locking functions attached to its bottom surface, allowing it to be moved on the installation surface by, for example, pushing the handle 10A. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the lid 10B of the housing 10 can be opened and closed using a hinge 10E. Opening the lid 10B allows access to the internal space 11 (filter unit 20) from the top of the housing 10. A seal member 10C is attached along the outer periphery of the lid 10B on the underside where the lid 10B abuts against the housing 10. Fasteners 10D are attached at multiple locations along the outer periphery of the lid 10B on the top surface of the housing 10 to press the lid 10B against the top surface of the housing 10 when it is closed. A step 10F is formed on the outer periphery of the opening when the lid 10B is open, and the flange 21 of the filter unit 20 is placed on this step 10F. The filter section 20 thus held by the step section 10F is housed in the housing 10 in a detachable state.

[0023] The internal space 11 also accommodates an air flow path 30, a coolant supply flow path 40, and a portion of a coolant discharge flow path 50. As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the inner bottom surface 14 of the housing 10 is formed into an inverted pyramidal inclined surface that gradually slopes downward from the outer portion of the housing 10 toward the center of the plane. A discharge hole 16 is provided at the lowest part of the inner bottom surface 14 (the center of the plane of the housing 10), and a drain pipe 18 is connected to the discharge hole 16. A manual opening / closing lever 19 is provided at the tip of the drain pipe 18.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 , the filter unit 20 includes a bottomed cylindrical body 22 whose bottom and side surfaces are formed of a perforated plate, a basket 24 having a handle 23 attached to the opening of the bottomed cylindrical body 22, and a mesh material 25 disposed on the inner surface of the bottomed cylindrical body 22. Here, a perforated metal plate is used as the perforated plate, but the perforated plate is not limited to perforated metal. The handle 23 is rotatably attached to the opening (opening surface) of the bottomed cylindrical body 22. The mesh size of the mesh material 25 can be appropriately selected depending on the size of the machining equipment waste K1, such as cutting chips. In this embodiment, the mesh material 25 is detachably attached to the inner surface of the bottomed cylindrical body 22. The filter unit 20 thus formed is suspended in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 by holding the flange 21 on a step 10F at the top opening of the housing 10.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the air flow path 30 includes an air inlet 31, an on / off switch lever 32, an air circulation pipe 33, and an air discharge pipe 36. The air inlet 31 is configured to connect a tube connected to a compressed air supply device (not shown), such as a compressor, and is formed in a nipple shape. The on / off switch lever 32 switches on and off the flow of air supplied to the air inlet 31 into the air flow path 30. The air circulation pipe 33 is connected to the air inlet 31 and communicates with the internal space 11 of the housing 10, and supplies air to and discharges air from the internal space 11 of the housing 10 using the air flow supplied from the air inlet 31.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, a float 34 is accommodated in the internal space of the air flow pipe 33 and is movable in the pipe length direction. An opening 35 that opens into the internal space 11 is formed in a portion of the side circumferential surface of the air flow pipe 33. A reduced diameter portion 38 is also formed in the internal space of the air flow pipe 33 and is aligned with the height of the lower surface of the lid 10B. When the float 34 is separated from the reduced diameter portion 38, the internal space 11 communicates with the outside of the housing 10 via the opening 35, the air flow pipe 33, the reduced diameter portion 38, and the air discharge pipe 36. When the float 34 rises within the air flow pipe 33 together with the liquid level of the recycled coolant and abuts against the reduced diameter portion 38, the reduced diameter portion 38 is closed, thereby isolating the internal space 11 of the housing 10 from the outside. Since the float 34 protrudes above the liquid surface of the regenerated coolant, a gap (not shown) is created between the liquid surface of the regenerated coolant and the underside of the lid body 10B when the float 34 blocks the reduced diameter portion 38.

[0027] The air discharge pipe 36 is connected to the air inlet 31 and is disposed outside the housing 10, discharging the air flow supplied from the air inlet 31 to the outside of the housing 10. The air discharge pipe 36 is provided with a flow path switching means 37, which is made up of a switching valve 37A that switches the air flow discharge on and off (the flow direction of the air flow introduced from the air inlet 31) and an on / off switching lever 37B that switches the switching valve 37A. When the flow path switching means 37 turns on the discharge of the air flow from the air discharge pipe 36, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1 , the suction force of the air flow discharged from the air discharge pipe 36 draws air from the internal space 11 through the opening 35 of the air flow pipe 33 and discharges it to the outside of the housing 10 via the air discharge pipe 36. This reduces the pressure in the internal space 11 of the housing 10.

[0028] Conversely, when the flow path switching means 37 turns off the discharge of the air flow from the air discharge pipe 36, the air flow supplied from the air inlet 31 is supplied from the opening 35 of the air circulation pipe 33 to the internal space 11 of the housing 10, as shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 1, and the internal space 11 becomes pressurized. In this way, by operating the flow path switching means 37 to pressurize or depressurize the internal space 11 of the housing 10, it is possible to supply post-machining coolant to the internal space 11 of the housing 10 and to discharge recycled coolant from the internal space 11 of the housing 10.

[0029] The coolant supply flow path 40 is formed integrally with the air flow path 30 at the attachment portion to the cover 10B. The coolant supply flow path 40 has a coolant flow switching means 44 including a post-machining coolant supply pipe 42, a switching valve 44A that switches the flow of post-machining coolant in the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 on and off (a state in which the flow of post-machining coolant is permitted or restricted), and a switching valve operating lever 44B that switches the switching valve 44A. The end of the supply source side of the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 is connected to a joint 70, and merges with a coolant flow pipe 80 together with a coolant discharge pipe 52 of a coolant discharge flow path 50 (described later).

[0030] In this embodiment, the on / off switch lever 37B of the flow path switching means 37 and the switching valve operating lever 44B of the coolant flow switching means 44 are connected by a connecting rod 60. When either the on / off switch lever 37B or the switching valve operating lever 44B is switched, the other is linked to a state corresponding to the switching operation. Specifically, when the on / off switch lever 37B is in a state that discharges air from the air discharge pipe 36, the switching valve operating lever 44B is in a state that supplies post-machining coolant from the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 to the internal space 11, and the two are connected by the connecting rod 60.

[0031] The coolant discharge flow path 50 is disposed separately from the air flow path 30 and the coolant supply flow path 40. In this embodiment, the coolant discharge flow path 50 includes a coolant discharge pipe 52 that communicates with the internal space 11 of the housing 10 and a check valve 54 disposed on the path of the coolant discharge pipe 52. The end (lower end) of the coolant discharge pipe 52 that communicates with the housing 10 is disposed on the inner bottom surface 14 of the housing 10 at a flat position close to the side peripheral surface of the housing 10 (i.e., a position above the lowest position of the inclined surface of the inner bottom surface 14). The coolant discharge pipe 52 disposed in this manner is advantageous in that it prevents the suction of fine machining machine waste K1 that has passed through the filter unit 20 and remains on the inner bottom surface 14 of the housing 10.

[0032] A check valve 54 is provided in the middle of the coolant discharge pipe 52. This allows the recycled coolant flowing through the coolant discharge pipe 52 to flow only from the internal space 11 of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, even if the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is depressurized, foreign matter in the external space of the housing 10 is prevented from being sucked into the internal space 11 of the housing 10 via the coolant discharge pipe 52. The discharge end of the coolant discharge pipe 52 is connected to a joint 70 and merges with a coolant flow pipe 80 that is also connected to the joint 70.

[0033] The coolant flow pipe 80 in this embodiment supplies post-machining coolant from the post-machining coolant storage tank 90 to the housing 10, and also supplies recycled coolant from the housing 10 to a recycled coolant storage tank (not shown). Thus, the coolant flow pipe 80 in this embodiment also serves as part of the coolant supply flow path 40 and the coolant discharge flow path 50. A nozzle 82 is detachably attached to the tip of the coolant flow pipe 80 on the side opposite the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 9 , a notch 84 extending in the extension direction of the coolant flow pipe 80 (coolant supply flow path 40) is formed in part of the outer periphery of the tip opening (post-machining coolant suction port) of the nozzle 82. The nozzle 82 having such a notch 84 prevents the tip of the nozzle 82 inserted into the post-machining coolant storage tank 90, as shown in FIG. 1 , from coming into close contact with the bottom of the post-machining coolant storage tank 90 or the processing machine waste K1. Therefore, the nozzle 82 can reliably suck up the coolant after machining and supply it to the internal space 11 of the housing 10. When not in use, the nozzle 82 is held by a nozzle holder 86 that is erected on the upper surface of the lid 10B.

[0034] The post-machining coolant storage tank 90 temporarily stores the post-machining coolant collected from a coolant collection unit of the processing machine (not shown), and a known configuration can be used, so a detailed description will be omitted here. Note that instead of providing the post-machining coolant storage tank 90, a configuration can be used in which the end of the coolant flow pipe 80 on the post-machining coolant supply side is connected to the coolant collection unit of the processing machine.

[0035] A specific method of using the coolant cleaner 100 described above will now be described. The user connects a pipe (not shown) that supplies compressed air from a compressor to the air inlet 31. Next, the user operates the on / off switch lever 37B of the flow path switching means 37 to discharge air from the air outlet pipe 36, and then operates the on / off switch lever 32 to turn on the supply of air from the air inlet 31. The air inlet 31 communicates with both the air flow pipe 33 and the air outlet pipe 36. However, because the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet pipe 36 is significantly larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the reduced diameter portion 38 of the air flow pipe 33, almost all of the air flow that flows in from the air inlet 31 is discharged to the outside through the air outlet pipe 36. This reduces the pressure in the internal space of the air flow pipe 33, and air in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is sucked out of the housing 10 through the opening 35 and the reduced diameter portion 38, thereby reducing the pressure in the internal space 11 of the housing 10.

[0036] A portion of a post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 communicates with the internal space 11 of the housing 10, and a coolant circulation pipe 80 inserted into a post-machining coolant storage tank 90 is connected to the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42. When the on / off switching operation lever 37B of the flow path switching means 37 is operated, the post-machining coolant is allowed to flow into the internal space 11 of the housing 10 through the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42, so that the post-machining coolant is supplied from the post-machining coolant storage tank 90 to the internal space 11 of the housing 10. The post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 opens into the internal space of the filter unit 20. Therefore, as the post-machining coolant passes through the filter unit 20 from the inside to the outside, machining machine waste K1 such as cutting chips mixed in the post-machining coolant is filtered out, and the post-machining coolant is stored in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 as recycled coolant. A coolant discharge pipe 52 also communicates with the internal space 11 of the housing 10, but a check valve 54 prevents air or foreign matter from outside the housing 10 from being supplied to the internal space 11 of the housing 10.

[0037] The above-described process of supplying post-machining coolant to the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is performed continuously while air is being supplied to the air inlet 31, and recycled coolant is gradually stored in the internal space 11 of the housing 10. When the liquid level of the recycled coolant reaches the height of the air flow pipe 33, the float 34 rises vertically in the air flow pipe 33 along with the liquid level of the recycled coolant. When the liquid level of the recycled coolant stored in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 reaches the full tank position, the float 34 abuts against the reduced diameter portion 38, blocking communication between the internal space 11 of the housing 10 and the air discharge pipe 36. This stops the air flow that depressurizes the internal space 11 of the housing 10, and the supply of post-machining coolant from the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 also stops. The user can check the pressure state of the internal space 11 of the housing 10 while air is being supplied to the air inlet 31 by checking the compound pressure gauge R1 installed in the housing 10.

[0038] If the value of the compound pressure gauge R1 does not indicate a reduced pressure (i.e., the value is the same as atmospheric pressure) even though air is flowing into the air inlet 31, the post-machining coolant stored in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is full. The user operates the on / off switch lever 37B of the flow path switching means 37 to restrict (stop) the discharge of air from the air discharge pipe 36. This operation rotates the switching valve operation lever 44B together with the on / off switch lever 37B, blocking the flow path of the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42. At this time, the user may also simultaneously operate the on / off switch lever 32 to stop the supply of air from the air inlet 31. Alternatively, the user may remove the coolant flow pipe 80 from the post-machining coolant storage tank 90, clean the internal space of the coolant flow pipe 80, and then insert the coolant flow pipe 80 into a reclaimed coolant storage tank (not shown).

[0039] Next, the user turns off the connecting rod 60 of the switching lever 37B and the switching lever 44B, and then operates the on / off switching lever 32 again to resume the supply of air from the air inlet 31. When air is supplied from the air inlet 31 in this state, no air is discharged from the air discharge pipe 36, and all of the air flowing from the air inlet 31 is supplied to the air circulation pipe 33. As a result, the air flow pushes down the float 34, which had been pressing against the reduced diameter portion 38 from the internal space side of the housing 10, and the air flow is supplied into the internal space 11 of the housing 10. Because the float 34 is located on the internal space 11 side of the housing 10, which is in a decompressed state, and there is a gap between the underside of the lid 10B and the liquid surface of the recycled coolant, the air flow from the air inlet 31 easily unblocks the reduced diameter portion 38.

[0040] When the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is pressurized in this manner, the regenerated coolant is forced from the internal space 11 of the housing 10 into the coolant discharge pipe 52, and is then discharged via the coolant discharge pipe 52 into the regenerated coolant storage tank. The process of discharging the regenerated coolant from the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is carried out continuously while air is being supplied from the air inlet 31. The user can check the value of the compound pressure gauge R1, and if the regenerated coolant is not being discharged even though the pressure in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 is pressurized, the user can determine that the regenerated coolant in the internal space 11 of the housing 10 has been emptied.

[0041] The user alternately repeats the process of supplying post-machining coolant to the internal space 11 of the housing 10 to store the regenerated coolant therein and the process of discharging the regenerated coolant stored therein. In this embodiment, the process of supplying post-machining coolant to the internal space 11 of the housing 10 to store the regenerated coolant and the process of discharging the regenerated coolant stored therein are counted as one processing cycle. When the number of processing cycles using the coolant cleaner 100 reaches a preset number of processing cycles, the user opens the lid 10B, removes the filter unit 20, and discharges the processing machine waste K1 accumulated in the basket 24. The user may replace the mesh material 25 as needed. At the same time, or when the preset number of processing cycles is reached, it is preferable to operate the opening / closing lever 19 to discharge the fine processing machine waste K1 and other waste accumulated on the inner bottom surface 14 of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 via the discharge hole 16 and the drain pipe 18.

[0042] As described above, with the coolant cleaner 100 of this embodiment, the pump is not immersed in the coolant liquid, but instead uses air pressure to supply post-machining coolant and discharge recycled coolant without coming into contact with the coolant liquid, eliminating the need for a pump. This also reduces the frequency of maintenance for the coolant cleaner 100. This is advantageous in that the initial cost and running costs of the coolant cleaner 100 can be significantly reduced.

[0043] Although the coolant cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the coolant cleaner 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the air flow path 30 and the coolant supply flow path 40 are integrated at the lid 10B of the housing 10, and the sealing structure at the communication portion between the lid 10B and the air flow path 30 and the coolant supply flow path 40 is simplified. However, the coolant cleaner 100 is not limited to this embodiment. The air flow path 30 and the coolant supply flow path 40 may be independently connected to the lid 10B of the housing 10. Alternatively, the air flow path 30 and the coolant supply flow path 40 may be connected to the internal space 11 of the housing 10 at a portion other than the lid 10B.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 and the coolant discharge pipe 52 are connected to the coolant flow pipe 80 via the joint 70, but it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 and the coolant discharge pipe 52 are independent and not connected to the coolant flow pipe 80. In this case, the nozzle 82 is attached to the end of the post-machining coolant supply pipe 42 on the side of the post-machining coolant storage tank 90. ​​Furthermore, the discharge side end of the coolant discharge pipe 52 is connected to a recycled coolant storage tank (not shown).

[0045] In the above embodiment, the coolant flow switching means 44 is configured to include a switching valve 44A and a switching valve operating lever 44B that switches the switching valve 44A, but the configuration is not limited to this. The coolant supply flow path 40 (post-machining coolant supply pipe 42) only needs to be able to switch between a state in which only flow from the outside of the housing 10 to the internal space 11 is permitted and a state in which flow from the internal space 11 of the housing 10 to the outside is restricted, and the coolant flow switching means 44 may also be configured as a check valve.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the on / off switch control lever 37B and the switching valve control lever 44B are connected by the connecting rod 60, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which the on / off switch control lever 37B and the switching valve control lever 44B can be operated independently may also be employed.

[0047] Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the above-described embodiments and the modified examples described in each embodiment are appropriately combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10: Housing 10A: Handle, 10B: Lid, 10C: Sealing member, 10D: Fastener, 10E: Hinge, 10F: Step, 11: Internal space, 12: Caster, 14: Inner bottom surface, 16: Discharge hole, 18: Drain pipe, 19: Opening / closing lever 20: Filter section 21: flange portion, 22: bottomed cylindrical body, 23: grip portion, 24: basket, 25: Mesh material 30: Air flow path 31: Air inlet, 32: On / off switch lever, 33: Air flow pipe, 34: Float, 35: Opening, 36: Air discharge pipe, 37: Flow path switching means, 37A: Switching valve, 37B: ON / OFF switching lever, 38: diameter reduction section 40: Coolant supply passage 42: post-machining coolant supply pipe, 44: coolant flow switching means, 44A: switching valve, 44B: Switching valve operating lever 50: Coolant discharge passage 52: Coolant discharge pipe, 54: Check valve 60: Connecting rod 70: Joint 80: Coolant flow pipe 82: Nozzle, 84: Notch, 86: Nozzle holder 90: Post-machining coolant storage tank 100: Coolant cleaner K1: Processing machinery discharge R1: Linking

Claims

1. A coolant cleaner that separates machining machine waste including cutting powder from post-processing coolant in which the machining machine waste has been mixed and discharges the coolant as recycled coolant, a filter unit that separates the processing machine waste from the post-processing coolant and a housing that accommodates the recycled coolant filtered by the filter unit; an air flow path that communicates with the housing and that supplies and exhausts air to and from an internal space of the housing by switching the flow direction of air flow introduced from an air inlet by a flow path switching means; a coolant supply flow path that communicates with the housing, allows the post-processing coolant to be supplied to the filter unit by suction force when the air is discharged from the internal space of the housing, and has a coolant flow switching means that can restrict the post-processing coolant from being discharged from the internal space of the housing to the outside by pressure in the internal space of the housing when the air is supplied to the internal space of the housing; a coolant discharge flow path that communicates with the housing, allows only flow from the housing to the outside of the housing, and discharges the recycled coolant to the outside of the housing by the pressure in the internal space of the housing when the air is supplied to the internal space of the housing; The air flow path accommodates a float that rises and falls in the height direction along with the liquid level of the recycled coolant stored in the housing, and in a process in which the air is discharged from the internal space of the housing by the air flow and the processed coolant is supplied to the filter section by the coolant supply path, when the liquid level of the recycled coolant reaches a preset height position, the communication part between the air flow path and the housing is blocked by the float, thereby stopping the supply of the processed coolant to the housing, A coolant cleaner characterized in that, in a process in which the air is supplied to the internal space of the housing by the air flow and the supply of the processed coolant to the filter section by the coolant supply path is stopped, the recycled coolant is discharged from the coolant discharge path to the outside of the housing by the pressure caused by the supply of air from the air inlet to the internal space of the housing.

2. 2. The coolant cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the air flow path and the coolant supply flow path are integrated at least in a portion where they are attached to the housing.

3. 3. The coolant cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the flow path switching means and the coolant flow switching means are linked together so as to be interlocked with each other.

4. The inner bottom surface of the housing is formed into an inclined surface, 3. The coolant cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the coolant discharge passage is disposed above a lowermost position of the inclined surface.

5. The filter unit includes a bottomed cylindrical body having a bottom surface and a side peripheral surface formed by a perforated plate, a basket having a grip portion attached to the bottomed cylindrical body, and a mesh material disposed on an inner surface of the bottomed cylindrical body, The housing is provided with an openable and closable lid and a seal member disposed at a contact portion between the lid and the housing, 3. The coolant cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the filter portion is detachably housed in an opening formed when the lid is opened.

6. 3. The coolant cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a notch extending in the extension direction of the coolant supply passage is formed in a part of an outer periphery of the suction port for the processed coolant of the coolant supply passage.

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