Coolant tank and circulation device equipped with the coolant tank

Abstract

To provide a coolant tank which can prevent overflowing of a coolant liquid from a dirty tank to increase an amount of the stored coolant liquid.SOLUTION: A coolant tank 1 includes: a dirty tank 2 in which a coolant liquid before filtration is stored; and a clean tank 3 in which the coolant liquid after the filtration is stored. The clean tank 3 includes: a first clean tank 31 into which the coolant liquid after the filtration flows; a second clean tank 32 into which the coolant liquid flows from the first clean tank 31; and a passage 33a for allowing the coolant liquid to flow from the first clean tank 31 to the second clean tank 32. The first clean tank 31 is formed so that its height is higher than a height of the second clean tank 32. The dirty tank 2 and the second clean tank 32 are disposed adjacent to each other while sandwiching a partition wall therebetween. A communication part 4 which allows the dirty tank 2 and the second clean tank 32 to communicate with each other is provided at an upper end or an area near the upper end of the partition wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coolant tank for storing coolant liquid used in machine tools, etc., particularly to a coolant tank for storing both unfiltered and filtered coolant liquid, and a circulation device equipped with a coolant tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, machine tools have used coolant fluids, also known as cutting oil or grinding oil. Because coolant fluids are used not only for cooling and lubrication but also for cleaning purposes, used coolant fluids are contaminated with particulate solid foreign matter such as cutting chips and grinding chips (hereinafter referred to as sludge). Generally, this coolant fluid is reused repeatedly through a circulation system. However, since using coolant fluid containing sludge can affect cutting and other processes, it is necessary to remove the sludge from the coolant fluid once it has been used. Such circulation systems typically use coolant tanks that store both unfiltered and filtered coolant fluids.

[0003] 6 is a schematic diagram showing a system including a machine tool 100 and a circulation device 200. As shown in the figure, the circulation device 200 is provided with a coolant tank 210, which includes a dirty tank 211 and a clean tank 212. Used coolant containing sludge flows into the dirty tank 211 through a flow path 201. The coolant that flows into the dirty tank 211 is supplied to a filtration device 204 through a flow path 203 by a pump 202. The filtration device 204 filters sludge from the coolant, and the coolant from which the sludge has been removed flows into the clean tank 212 through a flow path 205. The coolant that flows into the clean tank 212 is supplied again to the machine tool 100 through a flow path 207 by a pump 206.

[0004] In such a circulation device 200, if the amount of coolant discharged to the filtration device 204 decreases due to, for example, a malfunction or performance degradation of the pump 202, or clogging of the flow path 203, there is a risk that the coolant will overflow from the dirty tank 211.

[0005] To prevent the coolant from overflowing from such a dirty tank, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coolant tank in which a primary tank (dirty tank) and a secondary tank (clean tank) are arranged adjacent to each other and a communication part is provided in the gas phase area above them. In the device of Patent Document 1, when the amount of coolant in the primary tank increases, the coolant in the primary tank flows out into the secondary tank through this communication part, thereby preventing the coolant from overflowing from the primary tank.

[0006] Furthermore, there is a demand for a coolant tank to have an increased amount of coolant liquid stored therein, from the viewpoint of cooling performance, sludge removal capacity, etc. In order to increase the amount of coolant liquid stored, it is sufficient to increase the volume of the clean tank, and methods for this include increasing the installation area or height of the clean tank, or both. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2019 / 058719 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Increasing the installation area to increase the amount of coolant stored is undesirable from the perspective of efficient use within the factory where the machine tool and coolant tank are installed. Meanwhile, increasing the height of the coolant tank can also cause problems. Generally, coolant is supplied from the machine tool to the coolant tank via a difference in elevation. Therefore, increasing the height of the coolant tank requires either installing the machine tool at a higher elevation or burying the coolant tank, creating a difference in elevation between the machine tool and the coolant tank, making installation difficult.

[0009] In order to increase the amount of coolant stored while maintaining the height difference between the machine tool and the coolant tank (especially the dirty tank), it is possible to consider increasing the volume of the clean tank. However, since it is not desirable to increase the installation area of ​​the clean tank, it is preferable to increase the height of the clean tank.

[0010] Applying this to the coolant tank of Patent Document 1 would solve both the problems of preventing coolant from overflowing from the dirty tank and increasing the amount of coolant stored. However, the coolant tank of Patent Document 1 requires a communication part to be provided in the gas phase region between the dirty tank and the clean tank, so the height of the dirty tank and the height of the clean tank must be approximately the same. In other words, the coolant tank of Patent Document 1 cannot change the height of the clean tank alone.

[0011] In other words, conventional technology has been unable to solve the two problems of preventing coolant from overflowing from the dirty tank and increasing the amount of coolant stored.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a coolant tank that has a simple configuration but can prevent coolant liquid from overflowing from a dirty tank and increase the amount of coolant liquid that can be stored without increasing the installation area, and a circulation device equipped with a coolant tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a coolant tank including a dirty tank for storing pre-filtered coolant, which is coolant before filtering, and a clean tank for storing filtered coolant obtained by filtering the pre-filtered coolant. The clean tank includes a first clean tank into which the filtered coolant flows, a second clean tank into which the filtered coolant flows from the first clean tank, and a flow path for flowing the filtered coolant from the first clean tank to the second clean tank, and the height of the first clean tank is The height of the dirty tank and The dirty tank is formed higher than the second clean tank, and the dirty tank and the second clean tank are disposed adjacent to each other with a partition wall therebetween. On the wall , For overflowing the coolant liquid, A communication part is provided that communicates the dirty tank with the second clean tank. The first clean tank and the second clean tank are separated so as not to communicate with each other internally, and an outlet portion for causing the filtered coolant liquid to flow out toward the flow path is formed in the first clean tank at a position above the upper surface of the second clean tank. are.

[0014] In this configuration, the clean tank is composed of a second clean tank and a higher first clean tank. This allows the volume of the coolant tank, particularly the clean tank, to be increased without increasing the installation area. Furthermore, a communication section is formed in the partition between the dirty tank and the second clean tank. If the coolant level in the dirty tank increases due to a malfunction or other reason, the coolant flows through the communication section into the second clean tank. This prevents the coolant from overflowing from the dirty tank.

[0015] Filtered coolant flows into the first clean tank, but there is a possibility that some sludge remains in the coolant after filtration. Because the specific gravity of this sludge is greater than that of the coolant, it is thought to settle or float near the bottom in the first clean tank. In other words, it is thought that there is less sludge in the upper part of the coolant in the first clean tank than in the lower part. Therefore, in this configuration, the coolant liquid at the top of the first clean tank, that is, the coolant liquid with less sludge and cleaner, can flow into the second clean tank.

[0018] The present invention also covers a circulation device comprising the above-mentioned coolant tank and a filtration device that filters the coolant liquid, and such a circulation device comprises a first pump for flowing the unfiltered coolant liquid from the dirty tank to the filtration device, and a second pump for discharging the filtered coolant liquid from the second clean tank, and the discharge volume of the first pump is greater than the discharge volume of the second pump.

[0019] In the coolant tank according to the present invention, the dirty tank and the second clean tank are connected through a communication part, which may cause unfiltered coolant containing a large amount of sludge in the dirty tank to flow into the second clean tank. However, with this configuration, the coolant in the second coolant tank normally always flows into the dirty tank, which prevents unfiltered coolant from mixing with the filtered coolant in the second clean tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a simplified diagram of a machine tool and a circulation device including a coolant tank according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a coolant tank. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cross section VV in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 1 is a simplified diagram of a machine tool and a circulation system with a prior art coolant tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The coolant tank according to the present invention is configured to be a liquid coolant tank for cleaning, cooling, and lubricating the machine tool A. The coolant tank ...

[0022] The circulation device B includes flow paths a1, a2, c1, and c2 for flowing the coolant, a coolant tank 1 according to the present invention for storing the coolant, a filtration device C for filtering sludge from the coolant, and a first pump P1 and a second pump P2 for circulating the coolant. The filtration device C may be, for example, the filter device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-025359.

[0023] As will be described later, the coolant tank 1 includes a dirty tank 2 that stores coolant liquid containing sludge (pre-filtered coolant liquid), and a clean tank 3 that stores coolant liquid from which the sludge has been filtered by the filtration device C (filtered coolant liquid).

[0024] Flow path a1 is for supplying used coolant (unfiltered coolant) from machine tool A to dirty tank 2. Flow path c1 is for supplying unfiltered coolant from dirty tank 2 to filtration device C by the action of first pump P1. Flow path c2 is for supplying coolant (filtered coolant) from which sludge has been filtered by filtration device C, from filtration device C to clean tank 3. Flow path a2 is for supplying coolant from clean tank 3 again to machine tool A by the action of second pump P2.

[0025] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a coolant tank 1 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the coolant tank 1 includes a dirty tank 2 that stores unfiltered coolant liquid containing sludge, and a clean tank 3 that stores filtered coolant liquid. The clean tank 3 includes a first clean tank 31 and a second clean tank 32. In this embodiment, the dirty tank 2, the first clean tank 31, and the second clean tank 32 are each formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the first clean tank and the second clean tank 32 are arranged adjacent to each other. Furthermore, both the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32 are arranged adjacent to the dirty tank 2.

[0026] A pipe ap1 is connected to the top surface of the dirty tank 2. Unfiltered coolant from the machine tool A flows into the dirty tank 2 through a flow path a1 in this pipe ap1. One end of a pipe cp1 penetrates the top surface of the dirty tank 2, and the other end of the pipe cp1 is connected to a filtration device C. Unfiltered coolant in the dirty tank 2 is supplied to the filtration device C through a flow path c1 in this pipe cp1.

[0027] On the other hand, a pipe cp2 extends from the filtering device C to the first clean tank 31. The filtered coolant liquid, from which sludge has been filtered by the filtering device C, flows into the first clean tank 31 through a flow path c2 in the pipe cp2.

[0028] An L-shaped pipe 33 is provided from the side wall of the first clean tank 31 to the top surface of the second clean tank 32. The L-shaped pipe 33 is hollow and has a flow path 33a (an example of a flow path in the present invention) formed therein. The coolant liquid in the first clean tank 31 flows into the second clean tank 32 through this flow path 33a.

[0029] A pipe ap2 is provided penetrating the upper surface of the second clean tank 32. The coolant liquid in the second clean tank 32 passes through a flow path a2 in this pipe ap2 and is supplied to the machine tool A, where it is used again for cleaning, cooling, lubrication, etc.

[0030] The circulation device B is equipped with a magnetic separator for removing magnetic materials, a cooling device for cooling the coolant liquid, and the like, but these are not shown or described.

[0031] The coolant tank 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figures 3 to 5 are perspective cross-sectional views taken along lines III-III, IV-IV, and VV in Figure 2, respectively, but do not include the first pump P1 and the second pump P2.

[0032] The coolant tank 1 is arranged so as to have a rectangular shape in a plan view, with half of the width being the dirty tank 2 and the other half being the clean tank 3. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the heights of the respective tanks are different. Specifically, the dirty tank 2 and the second clean tank 32 are the same height, but the first clean tank 31 is higher than them. In this way, by raising the clean tank 3 partially, the capacity of the coolant tank 1, particularly the clean tank 3, can be increased, and the amount of coolant liquid that can be stored can be increased.

[0033] 3, an opening 31a (corresponding to the outflow portion in the present invention) is formed by cutting out a rectangle from the upper end of the side wall of the first clean tank 31 on the second clean tank 32 side. The shape of this opening 31a is formed to fit the outer shape of the end of the L-shaped pipe 33 on the first clean tank 31 side. Therefore, the coolant liquid overflowing from the first clean tank 31 flows out from the opening 31a and passes through the flow path 33a into the second clean tank 32.

[0034] The first clean tank 31 receives filtered coolant, from which sludge has been filtered by the filtration device C, but there is a possibility that some sludge may remain in the filtered coolant. Generally, the specific gravity of sludge is greater than that of the coolant, so the sludge settles or floats near the bottom in the first clean tank 31. For this reason, it is thought that there is less sludge in the upper part of the coolant in the first clean tank 31. Therefore, by allowing the coolant to overflow from near the top end of the first clean tank 31, it is possible to supply cleaner coolant to the second clean tank 32 and further to the machine tool A.

[0035] 2 and 4, a rectangular opening is cut out from the top end of the wall surface (corresponding to the partition wall in the present invention) of the dirty tank 2 on the clean tank 3 side, in a portion facing the second clean tank 32. Meanwhile, a rectangular opening is also cut out from the top end of the wall surface (corresponding to the partition wall in the present invention) of the second clean tank 32 on the dirty tank 2 side. These openings have the same shape and are formed at opposing positions, constituting a communication part 4. In other words, the dirty tank 2 and the second clean tank 32 are in communication with each other via the communication part 4.

[0036] Next, the flow of coolant under normal conditions (represented by dotted arrows in Figure 2) will be explained. Coolant used in machine tool A flows into dirty tank 2 through pipe ap1. The coolant in dirty tank 2 is supplied to filtration device C via pipe cp1 by first pump P1. Sludge is filtered out of the coolant in filtration device C, and after filtration, the coolant flows into first clean tank 31 through pipe cp2.

[0037] When the liquid level of the coolant in the first clean tank 31 exceeds the lower end of the opening 31a, the coolant overflows from the opening 31a and flows through the flow path 33a into the second clean tank 32. As described above, the sludge remaining in the coolant after filtration settles or floats near the bottom in the first clean tank 31, so the coolant that overflows from the first clean tank 31 has even less sludge remaining.

[0038] The coolant liquid in the second clean tank 32 is supplied again to the machine tool A through the pipe ap2 by the second pump P2.

[0039] In this embodiment, the discharge rate of the first pump P1 is set to be greater than the discharge rate of the second pump P2. By setting the pump discharge rates in this manner, the amount of coolant flowing into the clean tank 3 becomes greater than the amount of coolant flowing out of the clean tank 3, allowing a sufficient amount of coolant to be stored in the clean tank 3 and preventing the coolant from running out.

[0040] Furthermore, in the coolant tank 1 according to the present invention, the dirty tank 2 and the second clean tank 32 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 4. This may cause unfiltered coolant in the dirty tank 2 to flow into the second clean tank 32. However, this problem can be solved by setting the pump discharge rate as described above. Specifically, overflow from the second clean tank 32 occurs due to the difference between the amount of coolant flowing into the clean tank 3 and the amount of coolant flowing out of the clean tank 3. This coolant overflowing from the second clean tank 32 flows into the dirty tank 2 via the connecting portion 4. In other words, in this embodiment, a flow from the second clean tank 32 to the dirty tank 2 normally always occurs. This prevents unfiltered coolant from flowing into the clean tank 3, even when the dirty tank 2 and the second clean tank 32 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 4.

[0041] On the other hand, if the discharge rate of the first pump P1 decreases due to a malfunction of the first pump P1 or the like, the amount of coolant stored in the dirty tank 2 increases and the amount of coolant stored in the clean tank 3 decreases. In this case, the coolant flows out from the dirty tank 2 toward the second clean tank 32 via the communication part 4. This makes it possible to prevent the coolant from overflowing from the dirty tank 2. However, because there is a limit to the amount of coolant that can be stored in the clean tank 3, in such a case it is necessary to immediately shut down the device and stop the circulation of the coolant.

[0042] As described above, in the present invention, by providing the communication part 4 between the dirty tank 2 and the clean tank 3, if the amount of coolant in the dirty tank 2 increases abnormally, the coolant in the dirty tank 2 is released into the clean tank 3 via the communication part 4, thereby preventing the coolant from overflowing from the dirty tank 2. Furthermore, by raising a portion of the clean tank 3, the total amount of coolant stored in the clean tank 3 can be increased. In other words, the coolant tank 1 according to the present invention can prevent the coolant from overflowing from the dirty tank 2 and increase the amount of coolant stored in the clean tank 3 without increasing the installation area.

[0043] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the clean tank 3 is composed of the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32, which are separated from each other. However, the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32 may be integrally formed. In this case, the external L-shaped pipe 33 (flow path 33a) is not necessary. In this case, a partition wall separating the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32 may or may not be provided inside the clean tank 3. In the former case, a partition wall separating the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32 may be provided in the partition wall, and an opening serving as the flow path 33a may be formed in the partition wall. On the other hand, in the latter case, the entire boundary between the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32 serves as the flow path 33a. In the latter case, although the effect of sludge settling in the first clean tank 31 cannot be expected, the original object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0044] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the dirty tank 2, the first clean tank 31, and the second clean tank 32 are each formed as a hollow rectangular parallelepiped member and arranged adjacent to each other. However, these may be formed integrally with a partition wall provided to separate them.

[0045] (3) In the above embodiment, the first clean tank 31 and the second clean tank 32 are arranged adjacent to each other, but they may also be arranged apart from each other.

[0046] (4) In the above embodiment, the coolant liquid is made to overflow from the first clean tank 31 to flow into the second clean tank 32, but a pump or the like may also be used.

[0047] (5) In the above embodiment, the flow path a1 is formed using the pipe ap1 to supply the coolant from the machine tool A to the dirty tank 2. However, instead of the pipe ap1, a member of another shape, such as a trough-shaped member, may be used. Also, the coolant may be dropped from the machine tool A to the opening of the dirty tank 2 without using these members. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] The present invention can be used in coolant tanks for storing coolant used in machine tools, as well as coolant that is filtered after use and reused, specifically, coolant tanks that store coolant before and after filtration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] A: Machine tool B: Circulation device C:Filtration device P1: First pump P2: Second pump 1: Coolant tank 2: Dirty Tank 3: Clean Tank 31: First clean tank 31a: Opening (outflow part) 32: Second clean tank 33: L-shaped tube 33a: Flow path 4: Communication part

Claims

1. a dirty tank for storing pre-filtered coolant liquid, which is coolant liquid before filtering; and a clean tank for storing filtered coolant liquid obtained by filtering the pre-filtered coolant liquid; A coolant tank comprising: The clean tank is a first clean tank into which the filtered coolant flows; a second clean tank into which the filtered coolant liquid flows from the first clean tank; a flow path for allowing the filtered coolant liquid to flow from the first clean tank to the second clean tank, The height of the first clean tank is formed higher than the height of the dirty tank and the height of the second clean tank, The dirty tank and the second clean tank are disposed adjacent to each other with a partition wall therebetween, a communication portion that communicates the dirty tank with the second clean tank and allows the coolant liquid to overflow is provided in the partition wall; the first clean tank and the second clean tank are separated from each other so as not to communicate with each other internally, A coolant tank in which an outflow portion for causing the filtered coolant liquid to flow out toward the flow path is formed at a position of the first clean tank above an upper surface of the second clean tank.

2. 2. A circulation system comprising the coolant tank according to claim 1 and a filtration device that filters the coolant liquid, a first pump for causing the unfiltered coolant liquid to flow from the dirty tank to the filtering device; a second pump for discharging the filtered coolant from the second clean tank, A circulation device in which the discharge volume of the first pump is greater than the discharge volume of the second pump.

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