Key cutting machine

Abstract

Key cutting machine (1) with a base (2), wherein a clamp (4) for locking a key to be cut, a milling tool (8), means for moving said clamp (4) and said milling tool (8), means for operating said clamp (4) in its closing and opening and mechanical, electric and electronic components operationally coordinated with each other for the operation of said machine (1) by command of a control unit based on a predefined management software are mounted, characterised in that it comprises a clamping unit (12) removably mounted on said base (2), wherein the clamping unit (12) comprises: said clamp (4), an electric motor (14) for operating the opening and closing of the jaws (16) of said clamp (4), and at least one button (18, 20) for activating said electric motor (14).

Description

[0001] KEY CUTTING MACHINE.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention concerns a key cutting machine and, preferably, a cutting machine of the so-called "code" type, since the cutting of a blank key does not require the presence of an original key to be copied but simply requires the bitting code of that key to be duplicated.

[0004] More preferably, the cutting machine can have an internal memory, or it can connect to a remote unit, wherein the corresponding encryption instructions for each code are stored and with the code it is able to encrypt a key according to that code.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Key code cutting machines are already known; they generally have a base, on which a milling tool with the relative movement apparatus, configured to impart to the tool both the working motion (rotation) and an axial translation motion with respect to the key to be cut, a clamp for locking the key to be cut with the relative movement apparatus with respect to the milling tool, an operating unit to manage the operation of the machine and a screen, generally a touch screen, through which the operator provides the machine with the correct instructions based on the processing it has to perform, are mounted.

[0007] Given the variety of types of keys, on which the cutting machine must be able to operate, it is generally expected that the clamp that locks the key during the intervention of the tool is of the multiple jaw type or even of the type which is interchangeable with other clamps having different jaw configurations. These clamps can be operated in their opening and closing manually or electrically or even pneumatically, and in this case their activation is carried out with buttons preferably located on the touch screen and operated by the operator positioned in front of the machine.

[0008] A drawback of the known cutting machines of this type with manual clamp operation is their slow operation and the laboriousness of their operation by the operator.

[0009] Another drawback is that manually operating the clamp does not allow for automation of the entire operating cycle of the machine. Another drawback is the difficulty in obtaining constant values of the clamp closing force on the key to be cut and the risk that this may not remain firmly locked during the intervention of the tool.

[0010] All these drawbacks have been practically overcome in key cutting machines with pneumatically operated clamps, even if the pneumatic actuation has introduced drawbacks of another nature.

[0011] One of these drawbacks is that the machine requires a compressed air supply circuit and this requires a compressed air supply and in any case involves a certain complexity of installation.

[0012] Another drawback is the potential danger of the machine, since the jet of compressed air that activates the clamp in its closing is not modulable and causes a substantially abrupt movement of the clamp itself with the risk of crushing the fingers of the operator which accidentally end up between the jaws of the clamp during its closing. Indeed, the relevance of this drawback is such that the machine with pneumatic clamp can only be used with the screen closed.

[0013] Another drawback is that the clamp closing control button, usually located on the machine's touch screen, is at a certain distance from the clamp itself, which is located in the tool's working area and therefore at a certain distance from the touch screen; and this distance creates a further potential danger for the operator, since his attention to operate the clamp is directed to the touch screen and therefore is distracted from the clamp.

[0014] Known types of cutting machines are described, for example, in EP3689519, US2022 / 193798 and US2020 / 406417.

[0015] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine that eliminates or at least reduces the drawbacks that can be found in both traditional key cutting machines with a manually operated clamp and traditional key cutting machines with a pneumatically or electrically operated clamp.

[0017] In particular, the object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine capable of operating on practically any type of key.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine, wherein the closing operation of the key locking clamp can be smooth and perfectly controllable by the operator. Another object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine wherein the force with which the key is locked in the clamp is practically constant.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine wherein the risk of the operator's fingers being crushed in the key locking clamp is extremely remote.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to propose a cutting machine that can be produced simply, quickly and at low cost.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to propose a cutting machine that is highly automated.

[0022] Another object of the invention is to propose a cutting machine that is suitable for professional or semi-professional use.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to propose a cutting machine that is simple, quick and intuitive to use.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to propose a cutting machine with reduced overall dimensions.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine that is an improvement and / or alternative to traditional solutions.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to propose a key cutting machine with an alternative characterization, both in functional and implementational terms, compared to traditional ones.

[0027] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0028] All these objects, whether individually or in any combination thereof, and others which will result from the following description are jointly or separately achieved according to the invention with a key cutting machine with interchangeable clamp as defined in claim 1.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] The present invention is further clarified below in some of its preferred forms of practical embodiment, reported for purely exemplifying and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: figure 1 shows a general perspective view of a key cutting machine according to the invention, figure 2 shows a perspective view of the clamping unit comprising the clamp and its electric drive motor, figure 3 shows said clamping unit in side view, figure 4 shows it in a longitudinal vertical section.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND SOME OF ITS PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] As can be seen from the figures, the key cutting machine according to the invention - indicated globally with the reference number 1 - comprises a base 2, with which the machine can be preferably placed on a table or a workbench.

[0033] Conveniently, the key cutting machine 1 is of the professional or semi- professional type, that is, of the type generally present and used in key duplication centers / shops. In particular, the key cutting machine 1 is of a type that is not suitable for use in an industrial field and / or in mass production.

[0034] The base 2 comprises a front portion facing an operator and intended to accommodate a clamp 4 for locking a blank key to be cut. This front portion has a small / reduced height compared to the height of a rear portion, which overlooks the front portion and contains the mechanical, electric and electronic components for the correct functioning of the machine.

[0035] The clamp 4 comprises jaws 16. Preferably, the clamp 4 comprises two jaws 16, at least one of which is movable towards / away from the other, so as to clamp / hold the key between them.

[0036] Preferably, the front portion comprises the processing area of the machine.

[0037] Conveniently, the machine 1 includes a protective casing 5 for the rear portion.

[0038] A support and drive unit 6 for at least one cutter 8, which can be mounted interchangeably on the support unit 6 and which is chosen according to the particular type of cut to be performed, protrudes from one of its substantially vertical walls facing the front portion of the machine.

[0039] Preferably, the group 6 comprises transmission and / or motorization means of said at least one cutter 8. Preferably, the processing area of machine 1 is defined by the area wherein the tools of group 6 can be operated and / or moved.

[0040] Preferably, a display 10, preferably of the touch screen type, is applied at the rear portion of the base 2, through which an operator positioned in front of the cutting machine can set the various operations that it has to perform and can also check their correct execution.

[0041] Conveniently, the cutting machine 1 comprises at least one control unit programmed to supervise the operation of the machine by means of a management software. Conveniently, therefore, said at least one control unit is programmed to control the movements of the tools of group 6.

[0042] A clamping unit 12 for the key to undergo the cutting operations can be removably mounted on the front portion of the base 2.

[0043] This clamping unit 12 comprises the locking clamp 4, an electric motor 14 for its opening and closing movement of its jaws 16, and at least one button 18 and / or 20 for activating said electric motor 14. Conveniently, the operator's action on said at least one button 18 and / or 20 thus controls the opening and closing of the jaws of said clamp 4. Preferably, said at least one button 18 and / or 20 is a button for activating and deactivating said electric motor 14.

[0044] Preferably, an opening button 18 is provided to control the opening of the clamp 4 (and in particular the approaching of the jaws 16) and a closing button 20 to control the closing of the clamp 4 (and in particular the moving apart of the jaws 16).

[0045] Conveniently, the opening button 18 controls the rotation of the electric motor 14 in a first direction, while the closing button 20 controls the rotation of the electric motor 14 in a direction opposite to said first direction.

[0046] Conveniently, the clamping unit 12 comprises control organs, defined by said at least one opening 18 and closing 20 button, for opening and closing the clamp 4. Preferably, the clamping unit 12 comprises two side by side buttons, for opening 18 and closing 20 respectively.

[0047] Preferably, the electric motor 14 can be configured so that it remains activated as long as the corresponding button (18, 20) is operated by the operator; therefore, in this case, the deactivation of the electric motor 14 is given by the interruption of the operation of the button (18, 20) by the operator. Preferably, the opening 18 and closing 20 button can be configured to control the initial activation of the electric motor 14 which then remains activated for a predefined time (in particular during the opening movement) and / or remains activated until it receives a stop signal from a limit switch or on the basis of the detections carried out by an appropriate sensor (for example from a sensor which detects a greater current absorption by the motor itself).

[0048] Preferably, the electric motor 14 can be configured to move a first jaw 16' (which is movable) of the clamp 4 towards / away from another jaw 16" of the same clamp, which is fixed.

[0049] Preferably, said at least one button 18 and / or 20 is positioned in proximity to said clamp 4.

[0050] The clamping unit 12 is preferably configured in such a way as to facilitate a rapid removable assembly on the base 2 and at the same time its precise and stable constraint in the correct processing position, at which the clamp 4 is located below the cutter 8 and can retain the key facing towards it between its jaws 16.

[0051] A preferred constraint system between the clamping unit 12 and the front portion of the base 2 can advantageously consist of a dovetail rib 22, which removably engages within a complementary groove obtained in the part of the base 2 wherein the clamping unit 12 is mounted.

[0052] More specifically, if the cutter 8 is only equipped with rotational motion and axial motion of approaching and distancing from the key, the clamping unit 12 is mounted on a first slide 24 which moves transversely with respect to the base 2 of the machine. This first slide is mounted on a second slide 26, which moves orthogonally with respect to the first slide 24 and therefore longitudinally with respect to the base of the machine (or vice versa). Both movements can be performed manually with traditional levers but more advantageously with electric motors housed inside the base 2 and preferably of the step type for more effective management by the machine software. Conveniently, the first slide 24 can be operated by a first motor placed between said first slide 24 and said second slide 26. Preferably, said second slide 26 can be operated by a second motor placed between said second slide 26 and said base 2. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the clamping unit 12 can also be moved vertically while the cutter 8 is fixed, or the cutter 8 can be configured to be able to move both vertically and horizontally in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction while the clamping unit 12 is fixed.

[0053] The clamping unit 12 may comprise an autonomous source of electrical energy or, preferably, an electric connector 28 for the electrical connection of said clamping unit 12 to the base 2 of the machine 1 . Preferably, the connector 28 is of the multi-pole type.

[0054] This connector 28 can be advantageously equipped with many (a plurality of) pins, to bring to the unit itself the power supply of the electric motor 14 which drives the jaws 16 as well as the commands for controlling the motor itself.

[0055] Preferably, the connector 28 also includes other pins, at least three, dedicated to the recognition of clamp 4 by the machine software.

[0056] More specifically, clamp 4 can be equipped with an electrical circuit designed to cause these three identification pins of the clamp itself to assume the value 0 or 1 and thus obtain eight possible combinations of the values of these three pins. Seven of these combinations correspond to seven different types of clamp, while the eighth combination (for example “0-0-0”) can advantageously correspond to the absence of a clamp.

[0057] This allows that, following the connection of the clamping unit 12 with the base 2 of the machine 1 , the software of the latter can detect the presence and absence of the clamp 4 and, if present, can also recognize the type of clamp and can therefore give the appropriate commands for its movement and that of the cutter 8 depending on the particular cutting to be performed on the key. In particular, the software loaded and / or executed on the control unit of the machine 1 is configured to identify from the sequence of values of each pin the type of clamp 4 associated with that sequence of values and to command the relative movements of said clamp 4 and said cutter 8 consistently with what is required for the cutting of the key locked in said clamp 4.

[0058] Preferably, the clamping unit 12 comprises a containment structure 11 - for example of a substantially box-like shape - wherein the electric motor 14 is housed for the opening and closing movement of the jaws 16 of the clamp 4. Preferably, said at least one opening 18 and closing 20 button are arranged on a wall of said containment structure 11 .

[0059] Preferably, said at least one opening 18 and closing 20 button and the multi-pole connector 28 are arranged on a wall of said containment structure 11 , more preferably on the same side wall.

[0060] Advantageously, the wall wherein the opening 18 and closing 20 button are located - and preferably also the multi-pole connector 28 - is facing the operator or in any case is positioned in such a way as to allow easy and direct access by the operator.

[0061] Preferably, the clamping unit 12 comprises a support structure 21 on which means for the removable mounting of the clamping unit 12 on the base 2 of the machine 1 are mounted (for example comprising the dovetail rib 22). Conveniently, the fixed jaw 16" of the clamp 4 is mounted on the support structure 21. Conveniently, the containment structure 11 of the electric motor 14 is mounted on the support structure 21 .

[0062] Conveniently, the clamping unit 12 comprises mechanical transmission means 23 (e.g. a screw-nut mechanism or other equivalent mechanisms) configured to convert the rotary output of the electric motor 14 into a linear translational movement of the movable jaw 16' towards / away from the fixed jaw 16".

[0063] Preferably, the clamping unit 12 has an overall elongated development along a direction X which is parallel to the direction of approach / distancing of the jaws 16 and, more preferably, of one jaw with respect to the other. Preferably, along the direction X, the movable jaw 16' is interposed between the fixed jaw 16" and the containment structure 11 with the electric motor 14.

[0064] The operation of the machine 1 according to the invention may be, for example, as follows. To perform the cutting of a key, the operator first mounts on the base 2 of the machine the clamping unit 12 suitable for the particular key to be cut and subsequently locks the key between the jaws 16 of the clamp 4, by acting on the closing button 20.

[0065] Subsequently, once the key has been locked, the operator sets the bitting code to be performed via the touch screen display 10 and commands its execution. The software of machine 1 , which has recognised the type of clamp 4 wherein the key is locked, is able to control the correct movement of the clamping unit 12 and of the cutter 8 in order to automatically perform the key cutting.

[0066] At the end of this process, the operator can reopen the clamp 4 by pressing the opening button 18, can then remove the cut key and mount another blank key onto the clamp 4 to perform the same or a different cutting on it. Naturally, if the blank key is the same, the operator will not have to replace the clamping unit 12, while if the blank key is different and requires a different clamp 4, it will first be necessary to remove the clamping unit 12 previously used and replace it with another equipped with a clamp suitable for this different blank key.

[0067] From what has been said it is clear that the cutting machine according to the invention is much more advantageous than traditional cutting machines and in particular:

[0068] - it can work with a large number of different keys that require different clamps, each time automatically identifying the type of clamp installed and adapting to it the specific commands provided by the machine software,

[0069] - allows the clamp to be operated in its closing in a smooth manner, eliminating the risks associated with its sudden and uncontrolled operation,

[0070] - ensures a practically constant clamping force of the keys,

[0071] - it offers high safety for the operator during the closing operation phase of the clamp thanks to the close proximity between the clamp and the button that controls its closing.

[0072] The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is understood that executive variations may be made to it in practice, without however departing from the scope of production of the present patent for industrial invention.

Claims

C L A I M S1. Key cutting machine (1 ) with a base (2), wherein a clamp (4) for locking a key to be cut, a milling tool (8), means for moving said clamp (4) and said milling tool (8), means for operating said clamp (4) in its closing and opening and mechanical, electric and electronic components operationally coordinated with each other for the operation of said machine (1 ) by command of a control unit based on a predefined management software are mounted, characterised in that it comprises a clamping unit (12) removably mounted on said base (2), wherein the clamping unit (12) comprises:- said clamp (4),- an electric motor (14) for operating the opening and closing of the jaws (16) of said clamp (4), and- at least one button (18, 20) for activating said electric motor (14).

2. Machine according to claim 1 , characterised in that said at least one button (18, 20) is positioned in proximity to said clamp (4).

3. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one button (18, 20) is an activation and deactivation button for said electric motor (14).

4. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an opening button (18), to thus control the opening operation of the clamp (4), and a closing button (20), to thus control the closing operation of the clamp (4).

5. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that:- said clamping unit (12) is mounted on a first slide (24), which is movable in a first direction with respect to a second slide (26) and is driven by a first motor placed between said first slide (24) and said second slide (26),- said second slide (26) is movable with respect to the base (2) of the machine (1 ) in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and is driven by a second motor placed between said second slide (26) and said base (2),- said first engine and said second engine are controlled by said software.

6. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said clamping unit (12) is removably constrained to said base (2) by means of a dovetail coupling (22).

7. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises an electrical connector (28) for connecting said clamping unit (12) to said base (2).

8. Machine according to the previous claim, characterised in that said electrical connector (28) is of the multi-polar type.

9. Machine according to claims 7 or 8, characterised in that at least three pins of said multipolar connector (28) are associated with the electrical circuit present in said clamp (4).

10. Machine according to one or more of claims 7 - 9, characterised in that some pins of said multipolar connector (28) are associated with an electrical circuit present in said clamp (4) and designed to assign to said pins a value of 1 or 0 in order to define different sequences for different clamps, to identify thus uniquely each of said clamps.11 . Machine according to the previous claim, characterised in that one of the sequences formed by said pins corresponds to the situation of the clamp (4) not mounted on said base (2).

12. Machine according to one or more of claims 7 to 11 , characterised in that said connector (28) is equipped with pins to bring the power supply of the electric motor (14) for operating the jaws (16) to the clamping unit (12) as well as the commands for controlling the motor (14) itself.

13. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that its management software is configured to identify from the sequence of values associated with each pin the type of clamp (4) corresponding to that sequence and to control the relative movements of said clamp (4) and said milling tool (8) consistently with what is required for the cutting of the key locked in said clamp (4).

14. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (2) comprises:- a front portion comprising the processing area of the machine (1 ), which faces an operator and which is intended to accommodate said clamping unit (12),- a rear portion which is covered by a protective casing (5).

15. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping unit (12) is configured so that the clamp (4) is easily interchangeable.

16. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamp (4) comprises two jaws (16), of which a fixed jaw (16') and a mobile jaw (16') which is moved towards / away from the fixed jaw (16') by means of the actuation provided by said electric motor (14).

17. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said clamping unit (12) comprises a containment structure (11 ) wherein the electric motor (14) for the opening and closing movement of the jaws (16) of the clamp (4) is housed.

18. Machine according to the previous claim, characterised in that said at least one button (18, 20) is arranged on a wall of said containment structure (11 ).

19. Machine according to claims 17 or 18, characterised in that it comprises an electrical connector (28) for connecting said clamping unit (12) to said base (2) and in that said electric connector (28) is arranged on a wall of said containment structure (11 ).

20. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that:- the clamping unit (12) comprises a support structure (21 ) on which means (22) for the removable mounting of the clamping unit (12) on the base (2) are mounted,- a fixed jaw (16") of said clamp (4) is mounted on the support structure (21 ),- the clamping unit (12) comprises mechanical transmission means (23) configured to convert the rotary output of the electric motor (14) into an approach / distancing translational movement of a movable jaw (16') of said clamp (4) with respect to said fixed jaw (16") of the clamp itself.

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