Machine tool including rotation indexing device

Abstract

[Problem to be solved] In a machine tool including a rotary indexing device, enabling an operator to easily manage the amount of oil in the reservoir of the rotary indexing device. [Solution] A machine tool includes a rotation indexing device for calculating the angular position of a rotating target member mounted on the end of a rotation axis, and the rotation indexing device includes a frame that accommodates the rotation axis in a state of being rotatably supported, a drive motor that drives the rotation of the rotation axis, and a drive transmission mechanism that is accommodated in a space inside the frame and also transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the drive motor to the rotation axis, the drive transmission mechanism includes a gear mechanism, and the space includes at least one reservoir that stores lubricating oil for lubricating the gear mechanism, and the rotation indexing device includes a detection device for detecting the height position of the oil level of the lubricating oil stored in the reservoir, and the detection device is installed in a one-to-one ratio with respect to a detection target reservoir set as a detection target among one or more reservoirs.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool comprising a rotation indexing device for calculating the angular position of a rotating member mounted on the end of a rotation axis, wherein the rotation indexing device comprises a frame that accommodates the rotation axis in a state of rotatably supporting the rotation axis, a drive motor that drives the rotation of the rotation axis, and a drive transmission mechanism that is accommodated in a space inside the frame and transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the drive motor to the rotation axis, wherein the drive transmission mechanism comprises a gear mechanism, and the space comprises at least one reservoir that stores lubricating oil for lubricating the gear mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] There is a machine tool including a rotary indexing device as described above, as described in Patent Document 1. The machine tool disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an NC circular table device (rotary indexing device) having a rotary table configured to mount a workpiece. In the rotary indexing device, the frame is formed as a housing having an internal space. A rotary axis, having a table mounted at one end, is accommodated in the space of the frame (housing). Additionally, a drive motor (servo motor) for rotating the rotary axis (rotary table) is mounted on the frame. Furthermore, the drive motor and the rotary axis are connected through a drive transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the drive motor to the rotary axis, and the drive transmission mechanism is also accommodated in the space of the frame.

[0003] And, the drive transmission mechanism includes a gear mechanism called a worm or a worm wheel. And, in the part corresponding to the gear mechanism in the above space, lubricating oil is stored so that the gear mechanism can be lubricated. In other words, the above space includes a reservoir in which lubricating oil for lubricating the gear mechanism is stored.

[0004] In such machine tools, the amount of lubricating oil (oil quantity) in the reservoir of a rotary indexing device may change. Specifically, in the reservoir, the amount of oil may decrease due to causes such as leakage, or the amount of oil may increase due to the intrusion of coolant fluid. When the amount of oil decreases, the gear mechanism becomes in a state of insufficient lubrication. Furthermore, when the amount of oil increases, the lubricating oil becomes in a state where its lubricating performance is degraded due to the mixing of coolant fluid that has intruded into the reservoir. In either case, the gear mechanism wears down with operation, and the precision of the angular position of the workpiece calculated by the rotary indexing device decreases.

[0005] Therefore, in such machine tools, the operator needs to manage the oil level. Thus, a general rotary indexing device is equipped with a direct-view oil gauge installed to allow the operator to visually check the height of the oil level in the reservoir, as a configuration for managing the oil level. Naturally, the oil gauge is installed so that it can be checked from the outside at a position corresponding to the reservoir in the frame. Prior art literature

[0006] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-44614 The problem to be solved

[0007] However, in a machine tool including a conventional rotary indexing device, the rotary indexing device is installed in the processing area of ​​the machine tool where workpiece processing is performed. Therefore, the rotary indexing device often has dirt attached to its surface due to coolant fluid or cutting debris scattered in the processing area as the workpiece is processed.

[0008] In that case, in the case of an oil gauge installed as described above for managing (checking) the oil amount, there may be instances where the oil amount (the height of the oil level) cannot be checked as is due to dirt attached to the surface of the rotary indexing device as described above. Furthermore, if the oil amount cannot be checked due to such dirt, an operator needs to perform a cleaning operation to remove the dirt attached around the oil gauge in order to check it.

[0009] As such, machine tools including conventional rotary indexing devices are designed to manage the oil level by checking the oil level using an oil gauge, which may involve cleaning operations as described above, and there was a problem in that such management often placed a significant burden on the operator.

[0010] The present invention was created in consideration of the above circumstances and aims to provide a machine tool including a rotary indexing device that can reduce the burden placed on the operator in managing the amount of oil in the above-mentioned reservoir. means of solving the problem

[0011] The present invention relates to a machine tool comprising a rotation indexing device for calculating the angular position of a rotating member mounted on the end of a rotation axis, wherein, in particular, the rotation indexing device comprises a frame that accommodates the rotation axis in a state of rotatably supporting the rotation axis, a drive motor that drives the rotation of the rotation axis, and a drive transmission mechanism that is accommodated in a space inside the frame and also transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the drive motor to the rotation axis, wherein the drive transmission mechanism comprises a gear mechanism, and the space comprises at least one or more reservoirs that store lubricating oil for lubricating the gear mechanism.

[0012] In addition, the present invention includes a detection device for detecting the height position of the oil level of the lubricating oil stored in the reservoir, and the detection device is characterized by being installed in a 1:1 manner for a detection target reservoir set as a detection target among one or more reservoirs.

[0013] In addition, the machine tool according to the present invention may include a display device connected to the detection device and also displaying information regarding the height position detected by the detection device.

[0014] In addition, the above-mentioned display device may be installed on the outer side of a cover that covers a processing area where the rotary indexing device is positioned and where processing of a workpiece is performed. Effects of the invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in a machine tool comprising a rotary indexing device based on the above premise, a detection device is provided to detect the height position of the oil level of the detection target reservoir in a manner that is installed in a one-to-one manner with respect to the detection target reservoir in the rotary indexing device. By doing so, by setting the reservoir requiring management of the oil amount as the detection target reservoir, the management of the oil amount in the detection target reservoir can be performed using the detection result regarding the height position of the oil level by the detection device. Accordingly, according to the present invention, by doing so, compared to a machine tool comprising a conventional rotary indexing device in which the management of the oil amount is performed using an oil gauge, the burden of cleaning work as described above can be avoided, and the burden imposed on the operator in managing the oil amount can be reduced.

[0016] In addition, in the machine tool according to the present invention, by providing a display device that displays information regarding the height position of the oil level detected by the detection device, the operator can visually check the information displayed by the display device and can grasp information regarding the height position of the oil level. As a result, the operator can manage the oil level while grasping the state of the oil level, thereby enabling more appropriate management of the oil level.

[0017] In addition, in the machine tool according to the present invention, the rotary indexing device is arranged and the display device is installed on the outer side of the cover covering the processing area where the workpiece is processed, thereby enabling visual confirmation of the display device on the outer side of the cover. Accordingly, it becomes easier to confirm the information (display) regarding the oil amount as described above, which is used for managing the oil amount. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] [Fig. 1] This is a front view showing one embodiment of a machine tool to which the present invention is applied. [Fig. 2] This is a front view showing the inclined circular table device in the machine tool of Fig. 1. [Fig. 3] A left side view of the inclined circular table device of Fig. 1, and partially between lines AA (16a) of Fig. 2 is shown. [Fig. 4] A front view of the inclined circular table device of Fig. 1, and most of it is between the BB line (16a) of Fig. 3. [Fig. 5] Plan view of an inclined circular table device, with part (16a) shown. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows the state of the inclined circular table device being cut in the horizontal direction (16a). Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 1 to 6, an embodiment (example) of a machine tool (1) to which the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the machine tool (1) of this embodiment is a machine tool (1) (so-called horizontal machining center) in which the direction of the rotational axis of the main spindle (1a) is parallel to the horizontal direction. In addition, the machine tool (1) is equipped with a bed (1b) that serves as a base, a column (1c) that is supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) relative to the bed (1b), a main spindle head (1d) that is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the column (1c), and a table (1e) installed on the bed (1b) so as to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (Z-axis direction). In addition, the machine tool (1) of this embodiment is equipped with a case-type outer cover (1f). The outer cover (1f) is mounted on the bed (1b) in a manner that covers the upper area of ​​the bed (1b), which includes a processing area where a workpiece is processed in the machine tool (1).

[0020] In addition, the machine tool (1) is equipped with an inclined circular table device (2) for calculating the angular position of a workpiece. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the machine tool (1) of the present embodiment is equipped with an inclined circular table device (2) comprising two types of rotary indexing devices (3, 4): a rotary indexing device (inclined driving unit) (3) that calculates the angular position of a rotary table (7) on which a workpiece is mounted around a horizontal axis (L1), and a rotary indexing device (rotary driving unit) (4) that calculates the angular position of a rotary table (7) on which a workpiece is mounted around an axis (L2) of a support shaft (17) that supports the rotary table (7).

[0021] And, the inclined circular table device (2) is installed in a manner that is mounted on the table (1e) of the machine tool (1). The inclined circular table device (2) includes a supporting frame (5) mounted on the table (1e) of the machine tool (1), an inclined frame (6) supported by the supporting frame (5), and a rotary table (7) installed on the inclined frame (6) and on which a workpiece is mounted. And, the supporting frame (5) and the inclined frame (6) are frames in the inclined circular table device (2) that includes two types of rotary indexing devices (3, 4) of this embodiment, and correspond to the frames in the present invention.

[0022] The support frame (5) is composed of a plate-shaped base (5a) and a pair of supports (5b, 5c) spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the base (5a) and installed on the base (5a). Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the support frame (5), a rotation axis (8, 9) is rotatably supported through bearings (B1, B2) on each of the pair of supports (5b, 5c).

[0023] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the inclined frame (6) is a so-called cradle-type support frame and is composed of an inclined table (14) on which a rotary table (7) is installed, and a pair of arms (15, 16) for supporting the inclined table (14).

[0024] And, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inclined table (14) is formed in a housing shape that has a plate shape externally and a rectangular shape when viewed in the direction of the plate thickness, and has an internal space. And, the inclined frame (6) is supported through a pair of rotation axes (8, 9) with respect to the supporting frame (5) by fixing each arm (15, 16) to the corresponding rotation axis (8, 9) between a pair of supports (5b, 5c) [between a pair of rotation axes (8, 9)].

[0025] Additionally, a support shaft (17) is installed on the inclined table (14) in the inclined frame (6) in a direction such that the direction of the axis (L2) aligns with the direction of the plate thickness of the inclined table (14). More specifically, a receiving hole (hereinafter also referred to as the "support shaft receiving hole") (14a) for receiving the support shaft (17) is formed in the central part of the inclined table (14). And, the support shaft (17) is received in the support shaft receiving hole (14a) in a direction such that the direction of the axis (L2) aligns with the direction of the plate thickness. However, the support shaft (17) is rotatably supported on the inclined table (14) through a bearing (B3) in a configuration where one end protrudes from the upper surface of the inclined table (14) with respect to the direction of the plate thickness.

[0026] And, in the receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft, a disc-shaped back cover (19) is installed on the side opposite to the side where the support shaft (17) protrudes in the direction of the plate thickness. A through hole (19a) is formed in the disc shape approximately in the center of the back cover (19). In addition, the through hole (19a) is a hole in which the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the other end of the support shaft (17). The back cover (19) is mounted on an inclined table (14) in such a way that the other end of the support shaft (17) is inserted into the through hole (19a).

[0027] And, a rotary table (7) is mounted on one end of the support shaft (17). The rotary table (7) is a disc-shaped member and is installed with its center aligned with the axis line (L2) of the support shaft (17). And, by being mounted on the support shaft (17) in this way, the rotary table (7) is rotatably supported with respect to the inclined table (14).

[0028] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the inclined circular table device (2) includes an inclined driving unit (3) for driving the inclined frame (6) to oscillate and a rotary driving unit (4) for driving the rotary table (7) to rotate.

[0029] The inclination drive unit (3) is installed to rotate a rotation shaft (hereinafter also referred to as an "inclination drive shaft") (8) that is rotatably supported within one of the pair of supports (5b, 5c) in the support (hereinafter also referred to as a "drive support") (5b) of the support frame (5). Therefore, the inclination drive unit (3) is equipped with an inclination drive motor (21) as a drive source for rotating the inclination drive shaft (8). And, the inclination drive motor (21) of this embodiment corresponds to the drive motor in the present invention.

[0030] Additionally, the inclined drive shaft (8), which is rotated by the inclined drive motor (21), supports the inclined frame (6), the angle position of which is calculated by the inclined drive unit (3). Accordingly, the inclined drive shaft (8) and the driving support (5b), which is mounted with the inclined drive motor (21) and also supports the inclined drive shaft (8), also become part of the inclined drive unit (3). Furthermore, regarding the inclined drive unit (3), the inclined frame (6), which is mounted on the inclined drive shaft (8) and whose angle position is calculated around the axis line (L1) of the inclined drive shaft (8), corresponds to the rotation target member (6) in the rotation indexing device (3).

[0031] Regarding the inclined drive unit (3), in detail as shown in FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4, the drive support (5b) is composed of a frame body (22), which is the main part and is a part where the inclined drive shaft (8) is rotatably supported, and a motor mounting part (23), which is a part where the inclined drive motor (21), which is the driving source, is mounted.

[0032] More specifically, regarding the drive support (5b), the frame body (22) is formed to have an external shape of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped. The inclined drive shaft (8) is installed on the frame body (22) in a manner that spans both sides in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the frame body (22). Thus, the frame body (22) has a receiving hole (hereinafter also referred to as the "inclined shaft receiving hole") (22a) formed to penetrate in the thickness direction as a space to accommodate the inclined drive shaft (8). Furthermore, the inclined drive shaft (8) is supported on the frame body (22) through a bearing (B1) in a configuration where one end protrudes slightly from the frame body (22).

[0033] And, in the receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft, a disc-shaped back cover (24) is installed on the side opposite to the side where the inclined drive shaft (8) protrudes in the thickness direction. A through hole (24a) is formed in the disc shape approximately in the center of the back cover (24). In addition, the through hole (24a) is a hole in which the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the other end of the inclined drive shaft (8). The back cover (24) is mounted on the frame body (22) in such a way that the other end of the inclined drive shaft (8) is inserted into the through hole (24a).

[0034] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the motor mounting part (23) is formed to have an external shape that is approximately rectangular, and is formed integrally with the frame body part (22) in a form that protrudes from the front side (22r) of the front and rear sides that are parallel to the thickness direction of the frame body part (22) (approximately orthogonal to the two sides). The motor mounting part (23) is formed in a housing shape having an internal space (hereinafter also referred to as "internal space") (23a). However, the height dimension of the motor mounting part (23) is smaller than the height dimension of the frame body part (22), and in the illustrated example, it is about 1 / 4.

[0035] Furthermore, the inclination drive motor (21) is mounted with its output shaft (21a) facing downward on the upper surface of the motor mounting part (23). Accordingly, when the inclination drive motor (21) is mounted on the motor mounting part (23) in this manner, the tip of its output shaft (21a) enters the internal space (23a). Therefore, a through hole (23c) through which the output shaft (21a) passes is formed in the upper wall part (23b) including the upper surface of the motor mounting part (23).

[0036] Additionally, the inclined drive unit (3) includes a gear train (27) comprising a worm mechanism (26) connected to the inclined drive shaft (8) and a transmission gear (27b) for transmitting the rotation of the output shaft (21a) of the inclined drive motor (21) to the worm mechanism (26). That is, the inclined drive unit (3) is configured such that the drive transmission mechanism (28) for transmitting the rotation of the output shaft (21a) of the inclined drive motor (21), which is the driving source, to the inclined drive shaft (8) consists of two gear mechanisms (26, 27) of the worm mechanism (26) and the gear train (27).

[0037] Among these, the worm mechanism (26) is composed of a worm wheel (26a) mounted on an inclined drive shaft (8) and a worm shaft (26c) having a worm (26b) connected to the worm wheel (26a).

[0038] And, the worm wheel (26a) is mounted on the inclined drive shaft (8) as described above and is received in the inclined shaft receiving hole (22a) described above.

[0039] In addition, in the illustrated example, the worm shaft (26c) is installed such that its axis (L3) is oriented in the vertical direction of the frame body (22), and extends from the position above the worm wheel (26a) to the position of the motor mounting part (23) with respect to the vertical direction.

[0040] Therefore, a hole (hereinafter also referred to as a "worm shaft receiving hole (22b)") is formed in the frame main body (22) to receive the worm shaft (26c) installed in this manner. The worm shaft receiving hole (22b) is formed to be in communication with the inclined shaft receiving hole (22a) to receive the worm wheel (26a). Additionally, the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) is formed to be in communication with the internal space (23a) of the motor mounting part (23) described above in the frame main body (22). Furthermore, the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) is formed as a hole that opens on the upper surface of the frame main body (22) so that the worm shaft (26c) can be inserted from the outside of the frame main body (22). In addition, a disc-shaped cover member (29) is installed in the part that is opened on the upper surface of the frame body part (22) in the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) in a manner that is inserted into the inner circumference of the hole.

[0041] Additionally, the worm shaft (26c) has the aforementioned worm (26b) at an intermediate position in the direction of the axis (L3). The worm shaft (26c) is supported against the frame body (22) through bearings (B4, B5) installed on each of the upper and lower sides of the worm (26b) in the upper and lower directions within the worm shaft receiving hole (22b), in an arrangement where the worm (26b) engages with the worm wheel (26a).

[0042] Furthermore, the worm shaft (26c) is connected to the output shaft (21a) of the inclination drive motor (21) through a gear train (27). More specifically, a drive gear (27a) is fixed to the output shaft (21a) of the inclination drive motor (21) mounted on the drive support (5b) [motor mounting part (23)] as described above, in a portion located in the internal space (23a). Meanwhile, a driven gear (27c) is fixed to the lower end of the worm shaft (26c) installed within the frame body part (22) as described above. The driven gear (27c) and the drive gear (27a) are connected in the internal space (23a) through one or more transmission gears (27b).

[0043] And, the driven gear (27c) is received in the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) as described above, since it is mounted on the worm shaft (26c) as described above. And, the rotation of the output shaft (21a) of the inclined drive motor (21) is transmitted to the worm mechanism (26) by the gear train (27) consisting of the driving gear (27a), the transmission gear (27b), and the driven gear (27c).

[0044] In this way, the inclination drive unit (3) is configured such that the rotation of the output shaft (21a) of the inclination drive motor (21), which is the driving source, is transmitted to the inclination drive shaft (8) by a driving transmission mechanism (28) consisting of a gear train (27) and a worm mechanism (26), thereby driving the inclination drive shaft (8) to rotate. Thus, the inclination drive unit (3) is configured to drive the inclination frame (6) supported by the inclination drive shaft (8) to oscillate.

[0045] Additionally, in the space inside the drive support (5b) of the inclined drive unit (3), a reservoir (31, 32) corresponding to each gear mechanism (26, 27) is installed to store lubricating oil for lubricating the corresponding gear mechanism (26, 27). Among these, the reservoir (31) corresponding to the worm mechanism (26) is installed within a space (hereinafter also referred to as the "main body side space") (31a) consisting of a receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft and a receiving hole (22b) for the worm shaft.

[0046] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an oil seal (35) is installed in the receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft in a manner interposed between the inner surface of the receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft and the outer surface of the inclined drive shaft (8) on the side where the aforementioned inclined drive shaft (8) protrudes. Additionally, an oil seal (25) is installed in the receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft in a manner interposed between the inner surface of the through hole (24a) in the back cover (24) and the outer surface of the inclined drive shaft (8) on the side where the back cover (24) is installed. Accordingly, the portion of the receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft that communicates with the outside of the frame body part (22) on both sides in the direction of the axis line (L1) of the inclined drive shaft (8) is sealed.

[0047] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, in the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) in the main body side space (31a), an O-ring (36) is installed in a manner that is interposed between the outer surface of the cover member (29) and the inner surface of the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) in the upper side in the direction of the axis line (L3) of the worm shaft (26c). Accordingly, the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) is sealed in a state where the portion communicating with the outside of the frame main body (22) in the upper side in the direction of the axis line (L3) of the worm shaft (26c) is sealed.

[0048] By these, the main body side space (31a), which consists of the receiving hole (22a) for the inclined shaft and the receiving hole (22b) for the worm shaft, is in a sealed state in each part communicating with the outside. Furthermore, in the main body side space (31a), a first sealing member (37), which is an oil seal, is installed in a position lower than the lower bearing (B5) among the upper and lower bearings (B4, B5) that support the worm (26b) in the receiving hole (22b) for the worm shaft, in a form interposed between the inner surface of the receiving hole (22b) for the worm shaft and the outer surface of the worm shaft (26c). Thus, the main body side space (31a) is in a state where the part above the first sealing member (37) is partitioned off from the space below the first sealing member (37) in the receiving hole (22b) for the worm shaft.

[0049] And, in the upper portion of the space (31a) on the main body side, lubricating oil for lubricating the worm mechanism (26) is stored. Accordingly, the upper portion becomes a storage portion (first storage portion) (31) corresponding to the worm mechanism (26).

[0050] Additionally, the reservoir (32) corresponding to the gear train (27) connecting the output shaft (21a) of the inclined drive motor (21) and the worm shaft (26c) is installed within a space consisting of an internal space (23a) in the motor mounting part (23) and a worm shaft receiving hole (22b) communicating with the internal space (23a).

[0051] More specifically, in the worm shaft receiving hole (22b), a second sealing member (38), which is an oil seal, is installed in a position lower than where the first sealing member (37) is installed, and is interposed between the inner surface of the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) and the outer surface of the worm shaft (26c). Accordingly, the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) is formed such that the space (lower space) (22s) below the second sealing member (38) is partitioned from the space above it by the second sealing member (38).

[0052] And, the aforementioned driven gear (27c) is mounted on the worm shaft (26c) at an end located below the position where the second sealing member (38) is installed. Additionally, in the motor mounting part (23), an oil seal (39) is installed in a manner interposed between the inner surface of the through hole (23c) through which the output shaft (21a) of the inclined drive motor (21) passes and the outer surface of the output shaft (21a). Accordingly, the internal space (23a) in the motor mounting part (23) is sealed in a state where the part communicating with the outside is sealed.

[0053] And, as described above, the internal space (23a) in the motor mounting part (23) and the lower space (22s) in the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) are connected to form a single space, and the gear train (27) described above is accommodated in that space, and the space accommodating the gear train (27) is sealed by an oil seal (39) around the output shaft (21a) described above and a second sealing member (38). Furthermore, lubricating oil for lubricating the gear train (27) is stored in the space accommodating the gear train (27). Accordingly, that space becomes a storage part (second storage part) (32) corresponding to the gear train (27).

[0054] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the rotary drive unit (4) is installed to rotate a support shaft (17) rotatably supported on an inclined table (14) and a rotary table (7) mounted on the support shaft (17). Therefore, the rotary drive unit (4) is equipped with a rotary drive motor (41) as a driving source for rotating the support shaft (17). And, the rotary drive motor (41) of this embodiment corresponds to the driving motor in the present invention.

[0055] In addition, the rotary drive motor (41) is installed in a manner that it is supported on the other support (hereinafter also referred to as the "driven support") (5c) of the pair of supports (5b, 5c) in the supporting frame (5) in this embodiment. However, in the inclined circular table device (2), since the support shaft (17) that is rotated by the rotary drive motor (41) is supported on the inclined frame (6) [inclined table (14)] that is oscillated as described above, the rotary drive motor (41) is installed in a manner that it is mounted on a rotation shaft (hereinafter also referred to as the "driven shaft") (9) that is rotatably supported with respect to the driven support (5c). That is, the rotary drive motor (41) is supported on the driven support (5c) through the driven shaft (9). Accordingly, the driven support (5c) and the driven shaft (9) also become part of the rotary drive unit (4).

[0056] Additionally, the support shaft (17), driven by the rotary drive motor (41), is rotatably supported on the inclined table (14) in the inclined frame (6) and is also connected to the rotary drive motor (41) by a drive transmission mechanism (43) installed within the inclined frame (6) as described below. Therefore, the support shaft (17) and the inclined frame (6) also become part of the rotary drive unit (4). Furthermore, regarding the rotary drive unit (4), the rotary table (7), which is mounted on the support shaft (17) and whose angular position is calculated around the axis line (L2) of the support shaft (17), corresponds to the rotation target member (7) in the rotary indexing device (4).

[0057] Regarding the rotary drive unit (4), specifically as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the driven shaft (9) is configured such that a shaft portion (9a) formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and a wall portion (9b) installed at one end of the shaft portion (9a) are integrally formed. However, the wall portion (9b) is formed in a shape that blocks the shaft portion (9a) at one end. Also, the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical shaft portion (9a) is sized to accommodate a rotary drive motor (41). Furthermore, a through hole (9c) sized to allow the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) to pass through is formed in the wall portion (9b) approximately in the center of the wall portion (9b). And, the driven shaft (9) is supported on the driven support (5c) through a bearing (B2) in a direction where the one end side is located on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8) with respect to the direction of the axis (L1'), and also in a position where the axis center coincides with the axis center of the inclined drive shaft (8) when viewed from the direction of the axis (L1').

[0058] In addition, a rotary drive motor (41) is mounted on the driven shaft (9) in a direction such that a portion thereof is received in the shaft portion (9a) of the driven shaft (9) and its output shaft (41a) is directed toward the inclined drive shaft (8). In this mounted state, the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) is penetrated through the through hole (9c) in the wall portion (9b) of the driven shaft (9) and protrudes from the driven shaft (9) [wall portion (9b)] toward the inclined drive shaft (8).

[0059] Additionally, the rotary drive unit (4) includes a worm mechanism (44) connected to the support shaft (17) and a gear train (45) including a transmission gear (45b) for transmitting the rotation of the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) to the worm mechanism (44). That is, the rotary drive unit (4) is configured such that the drive transmission mechanism (43) for transmitting the rotation of the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41), which is the driving source, to the support shaft (17) consists of two gear mechanisms (44, 45) of the worm mechanism (44) and the gear train (45).

[0060] Among these, the worm mechanism (44) is composed of a worm wheel (44a) mounted on a support shaft (17) and a rotary drive shaft (44c) having a worm (44b) connected to the worm wheel (44a).

[0061] And, as shown in FIG. 4, the worm wheel (44a) is received in the receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft, as it is mounted on the support shaft (17) as described above. Also, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the rotary drive shaft (44c) is installed in the inclined table (14) of the inclined frame (6), with its axis (L4) oriented in a direction parallel to the axis (L1') of the driven shaft (9), and the worm (44b) meshing with the worm wheel (44a).

[0062] Therefore, the inclined table (14) has a hole (rotation shaft receiving hole) (14b) for receiving a rotational drive shaft (44c) installed in such a manner, which is in communication with the support shaft receiving hole (14a) for receiving a worm wheel (44a). The rotational drive shaft (44c) is supported against the inclined table (14) through bearings (B6, B7) installed on each side in the direction of the axis (L4) relative to the worm (44b) within the rotation shaft receiving hole (14b). Furthermore, the rotational drive shaft (44c) is connected to the output shaft (41a) of the rotational drive motor (41) through a gear train (45).

[0063] More specifically, the receiving hole (14b) for the rotating shaft, into which the rotating drive shaft (44c) is received, is formed to be open on the side of the inclined table (14) on both sides in the direction of the axis (L4) of the rotating drive shaft (44c). However, both sides of the inclined table (14) are sides on which a pair of arms (15, 16) of the inclined frame (6) are each mounted. Accordingly, one end of the rotating drive shaft (44c) in the direction of the axis (L4) becomes the side of the inclined drive shaft (8), and the other end becomes the side of the driven shaft (9). Furthermore, the receiving hole (14b) for the rotating shaft is closed by the arm (15) on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8) on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8).

[0064] Meanwhile, in the arm portion (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9), a space [gear train space (16a)] is formed that extends from the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation axis of the inclined table (14) to the through hole (9c) of the driven shaft (9). Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a through hole (16b) is formed in the arm portion (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9) and opens toward the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation axis of the inclined table (14). Accordingly, the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation axis is connected to the gear train space (16a) through the through hole (16b) on the side of the driven shaft (9).

[0065] Furthermore, the end of the other end of the rotary drive shaft (44c) is positioned within the gear train space (16a). Additionally, a through hole (16c) is formed in the arm (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9), which opens toward the through hole (9c) of the driven shaft (9). Accordingly, the front end of the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) protruding from the driven shaft (9) as described above is also positioned within the gear train space (16a).

[0066] And, a driving gear (45a) is fixed to the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) in a portion located within the gear train space (16a). Also, a driven gear (45c) is fixed to the rotary drive shaft (44c) in a portion located within the gear train space (16a). Additionally, the driven gear (45c) and the driving gear (45a) are connected through one or more transmission gears (45b) within the gear train space (16a). And, by the gear train (45) consisting of the driving gear (45a), the transmission gear (45b), and the driven gear (45c), the rotation of the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) is transmitted to the worm mechanism (44).

[0067] In this way, the rotary drive unit (4) is configured such that the rotation of the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41), which is the driving source, is transmitted to the support shaft (17) by a drive transmission mechanism (43) consisting of the gear train (45) and the worm mechanism (44), thereby driving the support shaft (17) to rotate. Thus, the rotary drive unit (4) is configured to drive the rotary table (7) supported by the support shaft (17) to rotate.

[0068] In addition, in the space inside the inclined frame (6) of the rotary drive unit (4), a reservoir (33, 34) corresponding to each gear mechanism (44, 45) is installed to store lubricating oil for lubricating the corresponding gear mechanism (44, 45).

[0069] Among these, the reservoir (33) corresponding to the worm mechanism (44) is installed in a space (hereinafter also referred to as the “inclined table side space”) (14c) consisting of a receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft and a receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft.

[0070] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an oil seal (51) is installed in the support shaft receiving hole (14a) in a manner interposed between the inner surface of the support shaft receiving hole (14a) and the outer surface of the support shaft (17) on the side where the support shaft (17) protrudes. Additionally, an oil seal (52) is installed in the support shaft receiving hole (14a) in a manner interposed between the inner surface of the through hole (19a) in the back cover (19) and the outer surface of the support shaft (17) on the side where the back cover (19) is installed. Accordingly, the support shaft receiving hole (14a) is sealed in a state where the portion communicating with the outside of the inclined table (14) on both sides in the direction of the axis line (L2) of the support shaft (17).

[0071] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft is in a state where the part that opens to the side of the inclined drive shaft (8) as described above is closed by the arm (15) on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8). And, an O-ring (53) is interposed between the periphery of the opening of the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8) and the arm (15) on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8). By these, the inclined table side space (14c), which consists of the receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft and the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft, is in a state where each part communicating to the outside is sealed.

[0072] In addition, in the receiving hole (14b) for the rotational shaft in the inclined table side space (14c), a third sealing member (54), which is an oil seal (54), is installed in a form interposed between the inner surface of the receiving hole (14b) for the rotational shaft (14b) and the outer surface of the rotational drive shaft (44c) on the side of the driven shaft (9) rather than the worm (44b) on the rotational drive shaft (44c). However, the third sealing member (54) is installed on the side of the driven shaft (9) rather than the bearing (B7) on the side of the driven shaft (9) among the two bearings (B6, B7) supporting the rotational drive shaft (44c) mentioned above. Thus, the inclined table side space (14c) is partitioned so that the portion on the inclined drive shaft (8) side relative to the third sealing member (54) relative to the space on the driven shaft (9) side relative to the third sealing member (54) in the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft.

[0073] And, in the portion on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8) in the inclined table side space (14c), lubricating oil for lubricating the worm mechanism (44) is stored. Accordingly, the portion on the side of the inclined drive shaft (8) becomes a storage portion (third storage portion) (33) corresponding to the worm mechanism (44).

[0074] Additionally, the reservoir (34) corresponding to the gear train (45) connecting the output shaft (41a) and the rotary drive shaft (44c) of the rotary drive motor (41) is installed within the gear train space (16a) of the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9) side.

[0075] More specifically, in the through hole (9c) through which the output shaft (41a) of the rotary drive motor (41) in the driven shaft (9) passes, an oil seal (55) is installed in a manner interposed between the inner surface of the through hole (9c) and the outer surface of the output shaft (41a). Accordingly, the space (16a) for the gear train in the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9) side is sealed in a state where the part communicating with the outside is sealed on the driven shaft (9) side. And, an O-ring (56) is interposed between the area around the opening of the through hole (9c) on the cross-section of the end side of the driven shaft (9) and the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9) side.

[0076] In addition, a fourth sealing member (57), which is an oil seal (57), is installed in a through hole (16b) that opens toward the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft in the arm (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9), in a form interposed between the inner surface of the through hole (16b) and the outer surface of the rotational drive shaft (44c). By the fourth sealing member (57), the space for the gear train (16a) is partitioned from the space [the inclined table side space (14c)] within the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation shaft. Furthermore, lubricating oil for lubricating the gear train (45) is stored in the space for the gear train (16a). Thus, the space for the gear train (16a) becomes a storage section (fourth storage section) (34) corresponding to the gear train (45).

[0077] In the machine tool (1) configured as described above, the present invention has a rotary indexing device (2) in the machine tool (1) that is a detection device for detecting the height position of the oil level of the lubricating oil stored in the reservoir (31-34) (hereinafter also referred to simply as "height position"), and is provided with a detection device installed in a 1:1 ratio with respect to the reservoir set as the detection target among the reservoirs (31-34).

[0078] Furthermore, this embodiment is an example in which, in the inclined circular table device (2) as the rotary indexing device (2), all of the above-mentioned four reservoirs (31-34) are set as reservoirs to be detected, and four detection devices (61-64) are provided. In addition, in this embodiment, the inclined circular table device (2) is configured to include a display device (71-74) that displays information regarding the height position detected by the detection devices (61-64). The characteristic parts of the machine tool (1) including such a rotary indexing device (2) are described in detail as follows.

[0079] As described above, the inclined circular table device (2) includes first to fourth reservoir sections (31 to 34). Additionally, detection devices (61 to 64) are installed on a one-to-one basis for each reservoir section (31 to 34). Regarding each of these detection devices (61 to 64), first, the detection device corresponding to the first reservoir section (31) (hereinafter also referred to as the "first detection device") (61) and its configuration will be described.

[0080] First, as shown in FIG. 3, in the drive support (5b) of the above-described inclined drive unit (3), the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) in the first reservoir (31) has a portion (hereinafter also referred to as the "large diameter portion") (22c) formed in a shape in which the inner diameter of the hole (22b) is enlarged, which is located above the upper bearing (B4) among the upper and lower bearings (B4, B5) that support the above-described worm shaft (26c).

[0081] In addition, in the frame body part (22) of the driving support (5b) of the inclined driving part (3), two passages (hereinafter also referred to as “frame side passages”) (22e, 22f) are formed so as not to overlap in the vertical direction of the frame body part (22), which are connected to the large diameter part (22c) of the worm shaft receiving hole (22b) and also open to the side (outer side) (22d) facing the anti-inclined frame side among the two sides in the thickness direction of the frame body part (22).

[0082] And, the first frame-side communication channel (22e), which is the upper of the two frame-side communication channels (22e, 22f), is formed to communicate with the large diameter section (22c) at a position close to the upper end of the large diameter section (22c). Meanwhile, the second frame-side communication channel (22f), which is the lower side, is formed to communicate with the large diameter section (22c) at a position close to the lower end of the large diameter section (22c). In addition, each frame-side communication channel (22e, 22f) is formed to open at a position opposite to the worm shaft (26c) side with respect to the inclined drive shaft (8) on the outer side (22d). Thus, each frame-side communication channel (22e, 22f) is formed such that, with respect to the front-rear direction, the portion communicating with the large diameter portion (22c) extends to a position beyond the inclined drive shaft (8), and is also formed to be bent at a position opposite to the worm shaft (26c) side relative to the inclined drive shaft (8) and open on the outer side (22d).

[0083] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first detection device (61) is installed in a manner that is mounted on the outer side (22d) of the frame body part (22) of the inclined drive unit (3). The first detection device (61) consists of a main body block (61a) mounted on the frame body part (22) of the inclined drive unit (3) and a detector (61h) mounted on the main body block (61a).

[0084] Among these, the main body block (61a) is formed as a roughly rectangular parallepiped member having four sides that are rectangular and an upper and lower surface that is roughly square. The main body block (61a) is mounted on one of its four sides to the drive support (5b) of the inclined drive unit (3). Thus, that side becomes the mounting surface (6lb). Additionally, the main body block (61a) has a hole (61c) formed therein, which is open on the upper surface and has a bottom that is closed on the lower side, as a hole (61c) in which a detector (61h) described later is installed (hereinafter also referred to as the "detection hole") (61c).

[0085] In addition, in the main body block (61a), two passages (hereinafter also referred to as "detector-side passages") (61d, 61e) are formed so as not to overlap in the depth direction of the detection hole (61c) and are connected to the detection hole (61c) and also open to the mounting surface (6lb) described above. And, among these two detector-side passages (61d, 61e), the upper first detector-side passage (61d) and the lower second detector-side passage (61e) are formed such that the spacing between them matches the spacing in the vertical direction of the first frame-side passage (22e) and the second frame-side passage (22f) described above.

[0086] In addition, the detector (61h) is installed in a manner that is mounted on the upper surface of the main body block (61a). In this embodiment, the detector (61h) is a so-called guide pulse type level sensor that detects the position of the detection target (the above oil surface) by microwaves. Specifically, the detector (61h) is composed of a detector main body part (61i) that is mounted on the upper surface of the main body block (61a) and a rod-shaped detection rod (61j) that is installed in a manner that protrudes from the detector main body part (61i).

[0087] Furthermore, the detector (61h) calculates the distance to the detection target by the time it takes for the microwave transmitted from the detector body (61i) toward the detection target to be reflected from the detection target (the above-mentioned oil surface) and received by the detector body (61i). Additionally, the detection rod (61j) is intended to assist in the transmission and reception of microwaves in the detector body (61i). Furthermore, the detector (61h) is mounted on the upper surface of the main body block (61a) in the detector body (61i) in such a manner that the detection rod (61j) is positioned within the detection hole (61c) of the main body block (61a).

[0088] In addition, the first detection device (61) is mounted on the outer side (22d) of the frame body (22) on the driving support (5b) of the inclined driving unit (3) on its mounting surface (6lb), in a configuration where the first detector-side communication channel (61d) communicates with the first frame-side communication channel (22e) and the second detector-side communication channel (61e) communicates with the second frame-side communication channel (22f). Thus, the detection hole (61c) in the first detection device (61) is in a state of being in communication with the first reservoir (31) through each detector-side communication channel (61d, 61e) and each frame-side communication channel (22e, 22f). Additionally, an O-ring (61p) is interposed between the opening of the first detector-side communication channel (61d) on the mounting surface (6lb) of the main body block (61a) and the outer side (22d) of the frame main body part (22). Furthermore, an O-ring (61q) is interposed between the opening of the second detector-side communication channel (61e) on the mounting surface (6lb) of the main body block (61a) and the outer side (22d) of the frame main body part (22).

[0089] As a result, when the oil level of the lubricating oil stored in the first reservoir (31) to lubricate the above-mentioned worm mechanism (44) exists between the first frame-side communication channel (22e) and the second frame-side communication channel (22f) in the large diameter section (22c) with respect to the vertical direction, the lubricating oil flows into the detection hole (61c) through the second frame-side communication channel (22f) and the second detector-side communication channel (61e), and the height position within the detection hole (61c) and the height position in the first reservoir (31) are in a state where they coincide.

[0090] And, regarding the lubricating oil stored in the first reservoir (31), in this embodiment, the upper and lower bearings (B4, B5) supporting the worm shaft (26c) are also subject to lubrication by the lubricating oil. Therefore, the height position in the first reservoir (31) needs to be at least higher than the upper bearing (B4). Thus, the lower limit of the height position is set at a position slightly higher than the upper bearing (B4).

[0091] In addition, in the first reservoir (31), the above-mentioned large diameter portion (22c) is formed directly above the upper bearing (B4), and the lower second frame-side communication passage (22f) among the two frame-side communication passages (22e, 22f) is formed to communicate with the large diameter portion (22c) at a position close to the lower side of the above-mentioned large diameter portion (22c). Thus, even if the height position in the first reservoir (31) is at the lower limit, the height position in the detection hole (61c) is set to coincide with the height position in the first reservoir (31). Accordingly, it is possible to detect the state in which the height position in the first reservoir (31) is at the lower limit by the first detection device (61).

[0092] In addition, regarding the upper limit of the above height position, in the inclined circular table device (2), the temperature of the lubricating oil may rise during operation, and the volume of the lubricating oil may expand as the temperature rises. In that case, if the size of the space above the oil surface of the first reservoir (31) in the initial state before operating the inclined circular table device (2) is too small to allow for expansion, the pressure of the lubricating oil will rise during operation due to the expansion. Therefore, it is desired that the above height position in the initial state is a position where a space of a size that allows for expansion during operation is formed above the oil surface. Accordingly, the above height position in the initial state is determined to be a position where such a space is formed above the oil surface.

[0093] Furthermore, the upper first frame-side communication channel (22e) is formed to communicate with the large diameter section (22c) at a position close to the top of the large diameter section (22c) as described above. That is, the first frame-side communication channel (22e) is formed to communicate with the space formed above the liquid surface in the first reservoir section (31) where the detection hole (61c) is formed. As a result, air can move between the first reservoir section (31) and the detection hole (61c). Thus, even if the height position in the first reservoir section (31) is located near the top of the first reservoir section (31), the height position in the detection hole (61c) is set to coincide with the height position in the first reservoir section (31). Accordingly, it is possible to detect by the first detection device (61) that the height position of the first reservoir (31) is located near the top of the first reservoir (31).

[0094] Next, a detection device (hereinafter also referred to as the "second detection device") (62) corresponding to the second reservoir (32) and a configuration related thereto will be described. The configuration of the second detection device (62) itself is approximately the same as the configuration of the first detection device (61) described above.

[0095] First, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second reservoir (32) includes the internal space (23a) of the motor mounting portion (23) in the drive support (5b) of the inclined drive portion (3) as described above. Furthermore, in the motor mounting portion (23), two through holes (22i, 22j) are formed in an upward and downward direction with respect to a side wall (22h) that includes a side [outer side (23d)] facing the same side as the outer side (22d) of the frame main body (22) where the first detection device (61) is mounted. Accordingly, the internal space (23a) of the motor mounting part (23) and the outside are connected by the through holes (22i, 22j), and the two through holes (22i, 22j) correspond to the frame-side communication passages (22e, 22f) in the configuration of the first detection device (61) described above.

[0096] And, the upper through hole (22i) of the two through holes (22i, 22j) is installed so as to open into the internal space (23a) at a position close to the top of the internal space (23a). Meanwhile, the lower through hole (22j) is installed so as to open into the internal space (23a) at a position lower than the gear train (27) in the motor mounting part (23).

[0097] In addition, the second detection device (62) is installed in a manner that is mounted on the outer side (23d) of the motor mounting part (23). However, in the second detection device (62), the spacing of the two detector-side communication passages [the upper first detector-side communication passage (62d), the lower second detector-side communication passage (62e)] in the main body block (62a) is set to match the spacing of the two through holes (22i, 22j) in the motor mounting part (23) mentioned above.

[0098] And, the second detection device (62) is mounted on the outer side (23d) of the motor mounting part (23) on its mounting surface (62b) in a configuration where the first detector-side communication channel (62d) is connected to the upper through hole (22i) of the motor mounting part (23) and the second detector-side communication channel (62e) is connected to the lower through hole (22j). Thus, the detection hole (62c) of the second detection device (62) is connected to the second reservoir part (32) through each detector-side communication channel (62d, 62e) and each through hole (22i, 22j).

[0099] And, regarding the lubricating oil stored in the second reservoir (32), the height position in the initial state is determined at a position where a space of a size that allows for expansion during operation is formed above the oil surface, just like the height position in the first reservoir (31). And, the upper through hole (22i) is formed at a position close to the top of the internal space (23a) as described above, and the height position within the detection hole (62c) is aligned with the height position in the internal space (23a) so that the height position can be detected by the second detection device (62).

[0100] Additionally, the above height position needs to be above the lower surface of the gear train (27) that is to be lubricated. Therefore, the lower through hole (22j) is formed below the gear train (27) as described above. That is, the second detection device (62) is installed so as to detect the above height position up to a position below the gear train (27). However, the lower limit of the above height position regarding the lubricating oil in the second reservoir (32) is set at a position slightly above the lower surface of all gears (27a, 27b, 27c) included in the above gear train (27). And, an O-ring (62p) is interposed between the opening of the first detector-side communication passage (62d) on the mounting surface (62b) of the main body block (62a) and the outer side (23d) of the motor mounting part (23). Additionally, an O-ring (62q) is also opened between the opening of the second detector-side communication passage (62e) on the mounting surface (62b) of the main body block (62a) and the outer side (23d) of the motor mounting part (23).

[0101] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a detection device (hereinafter also referred to as the “third detection device”) (63) corresponding to the third reservoir (33) and a configuration thereof will be described.

[0102] First, in the above-described inclined table (14), the receiving hole (14b) for the rotation axis in the third reservoir (33) is formed such that the part where the worm (44b) is received is a large diameter part (hereinafter also referred to as the “large diameter part for the worm”) (14d) in which the inner diameter is enlarged compared to the other parts. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, in the inclined table (14), two through holes (14h, 14i) are formed in the shape of being arranged in the direction of the plate thickness with respect to the front wall (14f) including the front side surface (14e) of the inclined table (14).

[0103] And, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper through hole (14h) of the two through holes (14h, 14i) is formed to open into the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm at a position close to the upper surface side (top) of the inclined table (14) in the direction of the plate thickness of the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm. Meanwhile, the lower through hole (14i) is formed to open into the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm at a position close to the lower surface side (bottom) of the inclined table (14) in the direction of the plate thickness of the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm.

[0104] In addition, the third detection device (63) is installed in a manner that is mounted on the front side surface (14e) of the inclined table (14). Furthermore, in the third detection device (63), the main body block (63a) is formed such that its upper and lower surfaces also form a rectangular shape with respect to the main body blocks (61a, 62a) of the first and second detection devices (61, 62). However, the upper and lower surfaces forming the rectangular shape are surfaces formed such that the dimensions in the long side direction are sufficiently larger than the dimensions in the short side direction. Accordingly, two of the four sides are also surfaces formed such that the dimensions in the long side direction are sufficiently larger than the dimensions in the short side direction (hereinafter also referred to as "horizontal long sides"). Furthermore, the third detection device (63) is mounted on the inclined table (14) on one side of the horizontal long side, and the horizontal long side is formed as the mounting surface (63b).

[0105] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, in the main body block (63a), the detection hole (63c) that opens on the upper surface is formed at a position close to one end in the long side direction. Also, in the main body block (63a), two detector-side communication passages (63d, 63e) communicating with the detection hole (63c) are formed to open on the mounting surface (63b) at a position close to the other end in the long side direction. Additionally, the spacing of the openings on the mounting surface (63b) of the two detector-side communication passages (the first detector-side communication passage on the upper side and the second detector-side communication passage on the lower side) (63d, 63e) in the main body block (63a) is set to match the spacing of the two through holes (14h, 14i) in the inclined table (14) described above.

[0106] In addition, the third detection device (63) is mounted on the front side surface (14e) of the inclined table (14) on its mounting surface (63b) in a configuration where the first detector-side communication channel (63d) communicates with the upper through hole (14h) of the inclined table (14) and the second detector-side communication channel (61e) communicates with the lower through hole (14i). Accordingly, the two through holes (14h, 14i) in the inclined table (14) correspond to the frame-side communication channels (22e, 22f) in the configuration of the first detection device (61) described above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, an O-ring (63p) is interposed between the opening of the first detector-side communication channel (63d) on the mounting surface (63b) of the main body block (63a) and the front side surface (14e) of the inclined table (14). Additionally, an O-ring is interposed between the opening of the second detector-side communication channel (63e) on the mounting surface (63b) of the main body block (63a) and the front side surface (14e) of the inclined frame (14).

[0107] And, regarding the lubricating oil stored in the third reservoir (33), in the state of the inclined circular table device (2) (hereinafter also referred to simply as the "horizontal state") in which the upper surface of the rotating table (7) is parallel to the horizontal direction, the height position needs to be higher than the engagement position of the worm mechanism (44) [worm (44b), worm wheel (44a)] that is the object of lubrication. Therefore, the lower through hole (14i) is formed at a position close to the bottom of the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm. However, the lower limit of the height position regarding the lubricating oil in the third reservoir (33) is set at a position slightly higher than the engagement position.

[0108] In addition, regarding the upper limit of the height position, the third reservoir (33) includes a receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft as described above, and the receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft has a portion that is higher than the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm in the horizontal state. Accordingly, the third reservoir (33) is configured to allow the expansion of the lubricating oil during the operation of the inclined circular table device (2) through the receiving hole (14a) for the support shaft, even if the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm is filled with lubricating oil.

[0109] However, if the large diameter portion (14d) for the worm is filled with lubricant, in a configuration where the through hole (frame-side communication passage) (14h, 14i) is formed in the position as described above, air cannot move between the reservoir [large diameter portion (14d) for the worm] (33) and the detection hole (63c). Therefore, regarding the third reservoir (33), the upper limit of the height position is set to a position slightly lower than the upper through hole (frame-side communication passage) (14h) in the horizontal state. And, by setting the upper limit of the height position with respect to the upper through hole (14h) in this way, it becomes possible to detect the height position of the third reservoir (33) in the third detection device (63).

[0110] Next, a detection device (hereinafter also referred to as the "fourth detection device") (64) corresponding to the fourth reservoir (34) and a configuration related thereto will be described. The configuration of the fourth detection device (64) itself is approximately the same as the configuration of the first detection device (61) described above.

[0111] First, the fourth reservoir (34) includes a space (16a) for a gear train in the arm (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9) as described above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the arm (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9) of the rotary drive unit (4) has two through holes (16h, 16i) arranged in an up-and-down direction with respect to a front wall (16e) that includes a side facing the same side as the front side surface (14e) of the inclined table (14) described above [front side surface (16d) on the arm (16) on the side of the driven shaft (9)]. Accordingly, the gear train space (16a) of the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9) side is connected to the outside by the through holes (16h, 16i), and the two through holes (16h, 16i) correspond to the frame-side communication passages (22e, 22f) in the configuration of the first detection device (61) described above.

[0112] And, the lower through hole (16i) of the two through holes (16h, 16i) is formed to penetrate the front wall (16e) at a position that is lower than the transmission gear (45b) in the gear train space (16a) in the horizontal state. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the upper through hole (16h) is formed to penetrate the front wall (16e) at a position where the distance from the lower through hole (16i) matches the distance between the two detector-side communication passages (64d, 64e) in the main body block (64a) of the fourth detection device (64).

[0113] And, the fourth detection device (64) is mounted on the front side surface (16d) of the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9) side on its mounting surface (64b), in a configuration where the first detector-side communication channel (64d) is connected to the upper through hole (16h) of the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9) side and the second detector-side communication channel (64e) is connected to the lower through hole (16i). Thus, the detection hole (64c) of the fourth detection device (64) is connected to the fourth reservoir (34) through each detector-side communication channel (64d, 64e) and each through hole (16h, 16i). Additionally, an O-ring (64p) is interposed between the opening of the first detector-side communication channel (64d) on the mounting surface (64b) of the main body block (64a) and the front side surface (16d) of the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9). Furthermore, an O-ring is also interposed between the opening of the second detector-side communication channel (64e) on the mounting surface (64b) of the main body block (64a) and the front side surface (16d) of the arm (16) on the driven shaft (9).

[0114] And, regarding the lubricating oil stored in the fourth reservoir (34), the driving gear (45a), which is the uppermost gear in the horizontal state among the gear train (45) to be lubricated, is indirectly lubricated by the transmission gear (45b) that meshes with the driving gear (45a) being lubricated. Therefore, the height position must be a position where at least the transmission gear (45b) is lubricated by the lubricating oil. Thus, the lower limit of the height position is set at a position slightly above the meshing position of the transmission gear (45b) and the driven gear (45c) in the horizontal state.

[0115] In addition, regarding the upper limit of the above height position, the fourth reservoir (34) includes a space (16a) for the gear train as described above, and the space (16a) for the gear train is a space where a large space exists above the gear train (45) [drive gear (45a)]. Accordingly, the fourth reservoir (34) is configured to allow for the expansion of the lubricating oil during the operation of the inclined circular table device (2), even if the space (16a) for the gear train is filled with lubricating oil to contain the gear train (45).

[0116] However, just like other detection devices (61-64), it is necessary to ensure that air can move between the space for the gear train (16a) and the detection hole (64c). Therefore, for the fourth reservoir (34), just like the third reservoir (33), the upper limit of the height position is set at a position slightly lower than the upper through hole (frame-side communication passage) (16h) in the horizontal state. And, by setting the upper limit of the height position with respect to the upper through hole (16h) in this way, it becomes possible to detect the height position of the fourth reservoir (34) with the fourth detection device (64).

[0117] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the inclined circular table device (2) is connected to the detection devices (61-64) and includes a display device (71-74) that displays information regarding the height position detected by the detection devices (61-64). In this embodiment, the display device (71-74) is installed on a one-to-one basis for each detection device. Accordingly, four display devices (71-74) are installed in the inclined circular table device (2) of this embodiment. However, in this embodiment, each display device (71-74) is installed integrally with the detector (61h-64h) ​​in a manner such that it is mounted on the upper part of the detector body (61i-64i) of the detector (61h-64h) ​​of the corresponding detection device (61-64). Furthermore, the configuration of the display device (71-74) itself is made identical for each one installed in each detection device (61-64).

[0118] Additionally, the information regarding the height position displayed by the display device (71-74) is the detection result [distance from the detector body (61i-64i) to the liquid surface] by the detector (61h-64h) ​​in each detection device (61-64). Furthermore, the display device (71-74) is configured to display the detection result as a number. Accordingly, each display device (71-74) includes a display unit (71a-74a) that displays a number according to the detection result in the corresponding detection device (61-64).

[0119] Additionally, each display device (71-74) is formed integrally with the detector (61h-64h) ​​as described above and is installed on the inside of the outer cover (1f) of the machine tool (1). Thus, each display device (71-74) is installed in a direction such that, in the initial state and horizontal state described above, the operator can visually see the display portion (71a-74a) from the outside of the outer cover (1f).

[0120] According to the machine tool (1) including the inclined circular table device (2) described above, for the first to fourth reservoirs (31 to 34) that are the reservoirs to be detected, the height position of the lubricating oil stored in each reservoir (31 to 34) is detected by a detection device (61 to 64) installed in a one-to-one correspondence with each reservoir (31 to 34). Then, the detection result by each detection device (61 to 64) is displayed on the display part (71a to 74a) of the display device (71 to 74) which is integrally installed with respect to the detector (61h to 64h) in each detection device (61 to 64). Accordingly, the operator can confirm the detection result by looking at the display part (71a to 74a) (display content) with the naked eye.

[0121] And, as described above, the detection result is the distance from the detector (61h to 64h) [detector main body (61i to 64i)] to the oil level. However, since the relationship between the height position (oil amount) of the oil level at each reservoir (31 to 34) and the distance is unique, the operator can determine the height position by checking the distance. In addition, for each reservoir (31 to 34), the upper and lower limits of the height position are determined as described above, but the state of the height position with respect to the upper and lower limits can also be determined. For example, for each reservoir (31 to 34), the upper and lower limits of the height position are converted into the distance, and the value is made available for the operator to check, thereby making it easier to compare the upper and lower limits with the detection result.

[0122] In addition, as described above, each display device (71-74) is installed so that the display section (71a-74a) can be visually seen from the outside of the outer cover (1f) of the machine tool (1). For example, before the operation of the machine tool (1) in which the inclined circular table device (2) is in the initial state (the horizontal state), the state of the height position in each reservoir section (31-34) can be checked more easily from the outside of the outer cover (1f). Therefore, with such a machine tool (1), compared to a machine tool (1) that includes a conventional rotary indexing device in which the oil amount is managed using an oil gauge, it becomes easier for an operator to determine the state of the height position in each reservoir section (31-34).

[0123] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above (the above examples), and can be implemented in other embodiments (modified examples) as follows.

[0124] (1) Regarding the rotary indexing device included in the machine tool that is the premise of the present invention, in the above embodiment, a rotary indexing device (2) including two types of rotary indexing devices (3, 4), an inclined circular table device (2) including an inclined driving unit (3) and a rotary driving unit (4) is employed. However, the rotary indexing device in the present invention is not limited to such an inclined circular table device, and may be an inclined table device composed only of a rotary indexing device corresponding to the inclined driving unit (3) of the above embodiment, or a circular table device composed only of a rotary indexing device corresponding to the rotary driving unit of the above embodiment.

[0125] In addition, regarding the circular table device, it may be a so-called vertically arranged circular table device configured to calculate the angular position of a member to be rotated around a horizontal axis, or a so-called horizontally arranged circular table device configured to calculate the angular position of a member to be rotated around a vertical axis.

[0126] In addition, for each rotary indexing device, in the above embodiment, a rotary shaft [inclined drive shaft (8), support shaft (17)] on which a rotating member is mounted and a drive motor are connected through two gear mechanisms, such as a worm mechanism and a gear train. As a result, each rotary indexing device has two reservoirs. However, in the present invention, the rotary indexing device may be configured to connect the rotary shaft and the drive motor by a single gear mechanism, such as a worm mechanism. In that case, there is only one reservoir in the rotary indexing device.

[0127] (2) Regarding the storage units to be detected, in the above embodiment, in a configuration where four storage units (31 to 34) are included in a rotary indexing device, all four storage units (31 to 34) are set as storage units to be detected. That is, all storage units (31 to 34) included in the rotary indexing device are set as storage units to be detected. However, the present invention is not limited to all of the storage units being set as storage units to be detected even if the rotary indexing device includes a plurality of storage units, and only some of the storage units may be set as storage units to be detected.

[0128] (3) Regarding the detection device, in the above embodiment, the detection device is configured to use a guide pulse type level sensor as the detector (61h to 64h). However, in the present invention, the detection device may use, for example, an ultrasonic type level sensor or a laser type level sensor as the detector.

[0129] In addition, the detection device in the present invention is not limited to employing a detector capable of linearly detecting the position of such a detection target (the oil surface), but may also employ a detector capable of detecting that the detection target (the oil surface) has reached (or exceeded) a predetermined detection position (e.g., an optical level sensor, a float-type level sensor).

[0130] Furthermore, such a detector cannot detect the height position itself as in the detectors of the above embodiments, but by setting, for example, the lower limit of the aforementioned height position as the detection position, it is possible to identify that the height position, which becomes an issue after lubricating the gear mechanism, has fallen below the lower limit, thereby enabling management of the oil amount in this regard. Therefore, regarding the management of the oil amount aimed at by the present invention, the detector can be a detection device of this type. Moreover, the detection device in the present invention "detects the height position," but the "detection of the height position" also includes detecting the state of the height position.

[0131] (4) Regarding the display device, the above embodiment is an example in which a display device (71-74) is installed to display information regarding the height position detected by the detection device (61-64). Furthermore, the display device (71-74) is installed integrally with the detector (61h-64h) ​​of the corresponding detection device (61-64). However, even if the machine tool is equipped with such a display device, the display device is not limited to being installed integrally with the detector in the present invention. For example, the display device may be installed in a form mounted on the outer surface of the outer wall (1h) of the outer cover (1f) on the outer side of the outer cover (1f) of the machine tool (1). In addition, the display device is not limited to displaying the detection result by the detection device as a number as in the above embodiment, but may also display a message according to the detection result as text, or light up a warning light according to the detection result.

[0132] However, in the present invention, the installation of such a display device is not mandatory, and the machine tool according to the present invention may not be equipped with a display device. For example, instead of the above-mentioned display device, an alarm that emits a warning sound according to the detection result of the detection device may be installed. Furthermore, information regarding the height position detected by the detection device may be output to the control device of the machine tool and utilized by the control device of the machine tool. The method of utilization by the control device may be, for example, a method of preventing the operation of the machine tool when information corresponding to the height position falling below a lower limit is input to the control device.

[0133] (5) Regarding the machine tool, the above embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a machine tool (1) (so-called horizontal machining center) in which the direction of the rotation axis of the main spindle (1a) is horizontal. However, the machine tool to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a horizontal machining center, and, for example, may be a machine tool in which the direction of the rotation axis of the main spindle is vertical (so-called vertical machining center).

[0134] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to any of the embodiments described above and can be appropriately modified within the scope without departing from the spirit thereof. Explanation of the symbols

[0135] 1 : Machine tools 1a : Major axis 1b : Bed 1c : Column 1d: Spindle head 1e : table 1f : Exterior cover (cover) 1h : Surrounding wall 2 : Inclined circular table device (rotary indexing device) 3 : Inclined drive unit (rotary indexing device) 4 : Rotary drive unit (rotary indexing device) 5 : Expectation Frame 5a : Stand 5b : Support (drive support) 5c : Support (driven support) 6 : Inclined frame (rotation target member) 7 : Rotary table (rotation target member) 8 : Rotation shaft (inclined drive shaft) 9 : Rotation axis (driven axis) 9a : shaft 9b : Wall 9c : Penetrating hole 14: Inclined table 14a : Receiving hole for support shaft 14b: Receiving hole for rotating shaft 14c: Inclined table-side space 14d: Large diameter for worms 14e : Front side 14f : Front wall 14h : Penetrating hole 14i : Penetrating hole 15 : Arm (arm on the inclined drive shaft side) 16 : Ambus (Ambus on the follower side) 16a: Space for gear train 16b : Penetrating hole 16c : through hole 16d : Front side 16e : Front wall 16h : Penetrating hole 16i : Penetrating hole 17 : Support axis 19 : Back cover 19a : Penetrating hole 21: Inclined drive motor 21a : Output shaft 22: Frame main body 22a : Receiving hole for inclined shaft 22b : Receiving hole for worm shaft 22c : Daegyeongbu 22d: Lateral side 22e : Frame-side passage (1st frame-side passage) 22f : Frame-side passage (2nd frame-side passage) 22h : Side wall 22i : Through hole 22j : Penetrating hole 22r : Front side 22s: Lower space 23: Motor mounting section 23a : Internal space 23b : Wall part 23c : Penetrating hole 23d : Lateral side 24: Back cover 24a : Penetrating hole 25: Oil seal 26 : Worm mechanism (gear mechanism) 26a : Worm wheel 26b : Worm 26c : Worm axis 27 : Gear train 27a: Drive gear 27b: Transmission gear 27c: Driven gear 28: Drive transmission mechanism 29 : Cover member 31 : Reservoir (1st Reservoir) 31a : Space on the main body side 32 : Reservoir (2nd Reservoir) 33 : Reservoir (3rd Reservoir) 34 : Reservoir (4th Reservoir) 35: Oil seal 36 : O-ring 37 : First sealing member 38 : Second sealing member 39: Oil seal 41 : Rotary drive motor (drive motor) 41a : Output shaft 43: Drive transmission mechanism 44 : Worm mechanism (gear mechanism) 44a : Worm wheel 44b : Worm 44c: Rotary drive shaft 45 : Gear train 45a: Drive gear 45b: Transmission gear 45c: Driven gear 51: Oil seal 52: Oil seal 53 : O-ring 54 : Third sealing member (oil seal) 55: Oil seal 56 : O-ring 57 : 4th sealing member (oil seal) 61 : Detector (First Detector) 61a : Main body block 6lb: Mounting surface 61c: Detection hole 61d : Detector-side communication channel (first detector-side communication channel) 61e : Detector-side communication channel (second detector-side communication channel) 61h : Detector 61i: Detector main body 61j: Detection Load 61p : O-ring 61q : O-ring 62 : Detector (Second Detector) 62a : Main body block 62b : Mounting surface 62c: Detection hole 62d : Detector-side communication channel (first detector-side communication channel) 62e : Detector-side communication channel (second detector-side communication channel) 62h : Detector 62i: Detector main body 62j : Detection Load 62p : O-ring 62q : O-ring 63 : Detector (Third Detector) 63a : Main body block 63b : Mounting surface 63c: Detection hole 63d : Detector-side communication channel (first detector-side communication channel) 63e : Detector-side communication channel (second detector-side communication channel) 63h : Detector 63i: Detector body 63j: Detection Load 63p : O-ring 64 : Detector (4th Detector) 64a : Main body block 64b : Mounting surface 64c: Detection hole 64d : Detector-side communication channel (first detector-side communication channel) 64e : Detector-side communication channel (second detector-side communication channel) 64h : Detector 64i: Detector body 64j: Detection Load 64p : O-ring 71 : Display device 71a : Display unit 72 : Display device 72a : Display unit 73 : Display device 73a : Display unit 74 : Display device 74a : Display unit L1 : Axis L1' : Axis L2 : Axis L3 : Axis L4 : Axis B1 : Bearing B2 : Bearing B3 : Bearing B4 : Bearing B5 : Bearing B6 : Bearing B7 : Bearing

Claims

Claim 1 A machine tool comprising a rotation indexing device for calculating the angular position of a target rotation member mounted on the end of a rotation axis, wherein the rotation indexing device comprises a frame that accommodates the rotation axis in a state of rotatably supporting the rotation axis, a drive motor that rotates and drives the rotation axis, a drive transmission mechanism that is accommodated in the internal space of the frame and transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the drive motor to the rotation axis, a gear mechanism comprising a plurality of gears that mesh with each other, and wherein the space corresponds to the gear mechanism and comprises one or more reservoirs that store lubricating oil for lubricating the gear mechanism, and wherein the reservoirs are partitioned by a sealing member with respect to other parts in the internal space of the frame. The machine tool comprising a rotation indexing device further comprises a detection device for detecting the height position of the oil surface of the lubricating oil stored in the reservoirs, wherein the detection device is installed in a one-to-one manner with respect to a detection target reservoir set as a detection target among the one or more reservoirs. machine. Claim 2 A machine tool comprising a rotary indexing device according to claim 1, the device comprising a display device connected to the detection device and also displaying information regarding the height position detected by the detection device. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the display device is a machine tool comprising a rotary indexing device installed on the outer side of a cover covering a processing area where the rotary indexing device is positioned and processing of a workpiece is performed.

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