JPH06320373A - Elevation drive device for elevation frame used in tool exchanging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent breakage of a drive pinion by providing a spring which absorbs by its vertical resilient force, a force by means of which a rack is driven downward by a drive pinion after an elevating frame or a tool support bed comes into contact with a stopper. CONSTITUTION:When lowering of an elevating frame 26 is forcibly stopped, a motor 49 for elevation is electrically brought into a stop state once but a drive pinion 51 is consecutively rotated through its inertia, and a downward drive force is transmitted to a rack 47. In this case, the rack 47 is moved downward in relation to a body frame 27 and inertia rotational drive of the motor 49 is absorbed. Further, a spring 53 is gradually stretched from its compressed state and through the restoration action of the spring, the rack 47 is energized as it is always stretched downward, whereby any backlash is prevented from occurring between the rack 47 and the drive pinion 51. Thus, no unreasonable force is exerted on any place and breakage of a part is also prevented from occurring.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lifting / lowering drive device for a lifting / lowering frame used in a tool changing device.

[0002]

[Technology already developed] This applicant has already shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
Has applied for a tool changer as shown in. That is, the space between the mounting station 8 of the tool holder 15 and the machine tool 1 is in the left-right direction (the left means the left side in FIG. 5 and the right means the right side in FIG. 5).
The traveling frame 3 provided so as to be able to travel along the upper rail 11 passed to the vehicle, and the elevating frame 4 provided for elevating along the elevating guide base frame 12 provided downward on the traveling frame 3.
And a pair of left and right holding devices 5 which are provided below the elevating frame 4 and which can hold and release the tool holder 15 below the elevating frame 4.
And the holding device 5 provided on the lower surface of the elevating frame 4.
A tool for delivering the tool 16 or 17 along the front-back direction (the front means the front side in FIG. 5 and the rear means the back side) between the tool cradle 15 and the machine tool 1 in the holding state by It is a tool changer with a transfer device 6.

A pair of left and right tools 16 (punch) or 17 (die) required for the machine tool 1 are arranged in the left-right direction on the tool cradle 15 so that they can be supported at one time. , A plurality of sets of tool support rails 9 are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. Further, a plurality of tool transfer devices 6 (five in the drawing) are provided so as to correspond to each set of tool support rails 9. Then, the tool support rail 9 and the tool transfer device 6 of each of these sets are attached to the machine tool 1
In order to enable highly accurate positioning with respect to the set parts of the tools 16 and 17 in FIG.
0, a stopper receiving piece 33 (see FIG. 7) having a stepped recess 34 that opens downward and forward is attached, and the left and right side walls 21 are provided with adjusting bolts 32 at their rear portions. On the other hand, the machine tool 1 is provided with a stepped stopper shaft 1a which engages with the stopper receiving piece 33 in the front part of the working space 2 and the adjustment bolt 32 in the rear part thereof. A stopper piece 1b for receiving is provided. The elevating frame 4 receives the driving force from the motor 22 provided on the traveling frame 3 via a driving force transmission mechanism such as a ball screw (not shown) and moves up and down. When the frame 4 descends and approaches the so-called hit stop position of the tool cradle 15 as described above, the operation of the motor 22 is previously decelerated by a signal from a limit switch or the like (not shown) at that stage. In addition, the motor 22 is stopped and the lowering of the elevating and lowering frame 4 is stopped at the moment when another limit switch or the like (not shown) detects the actual hit stop condition.

[0004]

The operation of the above-mentioned technique will be described below. Now, the traveling frame 3 is stopped above the mounting station 8, and at the mounting station 8, an empty tool receiving base 15 (which does not support the tools 16 and 17) is mounted on the waiting carriage 7. Suppose it was placed. The elevating frame 4 descends to move the lifting cylinder 13 of the holding device 5 into a pair of front and rear suspended pieces 14 provided at the left and right ends of the tool holder 15.
These suspension cylinders 1
3 extends the rod to the front and the rear to engage with the suspended piece 14 and bring the tool holder 15 into the holding state. After this, the elevating frame 4 rises, the traveling frame 3 travels to the right and stops above the working space 2 of the machine tool 1, the elevating frame 4 descends again, and the stopper receiving piece of the tool holder 15 is moved. Three
3 is engaged with the stepped stopper shaft 1a, and the adjustment bolt 32 is brought into contact with the stopper piece 1b.
By the lowering of the elevating frame 4 at this time, the front-rear moving plate 10 of the tool transfer device 6 is brought into a state of being engaged with the upper half of the recess 16a formed on the outer peripheral surface of each tool 16. By moving the front-back moving plate 10 forward (to the left in FIG. 6), the tool 1
6 is pulled out from the machine tool 1 side and slid onto the tool support rail 9. Next, when the elevating frame 4 rises and the traveling frame 3 travels leftward and returns above the mounting station 8, the elevating frame 4 lowers the tool pedestal 15 onto the carrier vehicle 7 (7a is a positioning pin). As much as possible, the holding device 5 performs the releasing operation.

Next, the elevating frame 4 is slightly raised, and the carriage 7 is moved.
When is transported to the front or the rear, at this same position, the transport carriage 7 on which another tool pedestal 15 for carrying the replacement tool 16 is mounted is positioned. Therefore, after the elevating frame 4 is slightly lowered, an operation similar to the above is performed and the machine tool 1
The replacement tool 16 is set to.

[0006]

[Problems in the above technology] In the above technology, there are the following problems with respect to lowering the elevating frame 4. That is, the stopper receiving piece 33 of the tool receiving base 15 engages with the stepped stopper shaft 1a of the machine tool 1,
The adjusting bolt 32 of the stopper piece 1 of the machine tool 1
It is extremely difficult to instantaneously stop the motor 22 for raising and lowering the elevating frame 4 (as an actual movement) aiming at the moment of contact with b, and the tool pedestal 15 stops lowering. Nevertheless, the motor 22 sometimes operates to further lower the elevating frame 4 by inertia or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that the motor 22 and the drive force transmission mechanism may be damaged. Such a situation could occur even when the tool receiving table 15 is lowered onto the carrier vehicle 7 of the mounting station 8.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the problems. That is, the present invention relates to a lifting / lowering drive device for a lifting / lowering frame used in the above tool changing device, wherein at least one of the placing station or the machine tool is provided with a stopper that abuts against the lifting / lowering frame or tool cradle. The traveling frame is provided with a drive pinion, and the elevating frame is
A rack with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically that meshes with the drive pinion is provided so as to be movable up and down, and the force that the drive pinion attempts to drive the rack downward after the elevating frame or the tool pedestal contacts the stopper. A spring is provided which absorbs elastic force in the vertical direction. In contrast to the above, it is also possible to provide a drive pinion on the elevating frame and a rack on the traveling frame so that the rack can move up and down, and in this case, the spring acts against the force to drive the rack upward. A vertical elastic force shall be applied.

[0008]

The present invention has the following functions. Even if the drive pinion provided on the traveling frame continues to drive the rack provided on the elevating frame downward after the tool holder comes into contact with the stopper piece, etc. As it moves downward with respect to the lifting frame while receiving the elastic force in the vertical direction,
No excessive force acts between the drive pinion and the rack. When the relationship between the drive pinion and the rack is reversed between the elevating frame and the traveling frame, the action is also substantially opposite to the above.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to six embodiments shown in the drawings.

Example 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) In this Example 1, the front means the front side of FIG.
The rear means the back side, the left means the left side in FIG. 1, and the right means the right side in the figure. 1 and 2, reference numeral 25 denotes a traveling frame, which can travel in the left-right direction along a pair of upper and lower upper rails 30 provided on the front surface of the girder square pipe 29 and is parallel to the upper rail 30. As described above, the drive pinion 41 of the traveling motor 40 is engaged with the rack 31 provided on the front surface of the square pipe 29 to self-propel. Reference numeral 26 is an elevating frame, which is a body frame 27 that is assembled in a ladder shape and is long in the vertical direction.
And a suspension frame 28 provided at the lower end thereof. At the lower part of the suspension frame 28, a pair of left and right holding devices 5 are provided.
Also, a total of five tool transfer devices 6 arranged in the left-right direction are provided. Reference numeral 15 is a tool pedestal. On the rear surface of the body frame 27, a pair of left and right rails 4 whose longitudinal direction is vertically oriented.
5 are provided, and these rails 45 are used for the traveling frame 25.
Since it is held and guided by a slide holder 46 provided on the front surface of the traveling frame 25, the elevating frame 26 as a whole can be raised and lowered with respect to the traveling frame 25. Further, a rack 47 whose longitudinal direction is oriented vertically is provided at the left and right central portions of the rear surface portion of the main body frame 27.
Is provided, and the traveling frame 25 is provided with a drive pinion 51 that meshes with the rack 47. The drive pinion 51 is a motor 49 for raising and lowering through a speed reducer 50.
It is connected to the. Therefore, the operation of the motor 49 moves the elevating frame 26 up and down.

Sliding rods 42 and 43 are connected to the upper and lower ends of a rack 47 provided on the main body frame 27, and these sliding rods 42 and 43 are wider than the vertical dimension of the rack 47. It is vertically movably inserted into brackets 44 provided on the upper and lower portions of the main body frame 27 at intervals. Therefore, the rack 47 and the main body frame 27 are relatively movable up and down. A spring 53 having spring receiving seats 52 arranged on both upper and lower sides is fitted to the lower sliding rod 43 below the lower bracket 44, and a nut 55 is screwed to a lower end portion thereof to appropriately compress the spring 53. It is fitted. Since the rack 47 is held in mesh with the drive pinion 51 of the traveling frame 25, if this is considered to be the fixed state of the rack 47, the entire elevating frame 26 is urged upward by the compression reaction force of the spring 53. It can be said that the total load of the elevating frame 26 acting downward is balanced with the elastic force of the spring 53 trying to restore upward. However, in some cases, the spring 53 may be in a completely compressed state, so that the elevating frame 26 is not necessarily pushed upward and biased. In the present embodiment, the spring 53 has a spring force sufficient to maintain a compressible state even when the tool holder 15 supporting the tool 16 or 17 (see FIG. 6) is held by the holding device 5. I made it.

Operation of Embodiment 1 The elevating frame 26 is lowered toward the working space 2 of the machine tool 1 (see FIG. 6), and the stopper receiving piece 33 of the tool receiving base 15 is engaged with the stepped stopper shaft 1a. In addition, a case will be described in which the adjustment bolts 32 are brought into contact with the stopper pieces 1b to forcibly stop the descent of the tool support 15 and the elevating frame 26 together. And now, the lifting motor 4
9 is also temporarily stopped electrically, but it is assumed that the drive pinion 51 continues to rotate due to inertia or the like, and the downward drive force is transmitted to the rack 47. Rack 4 at this time
Since 7 moves downward with respect to the main body frame 27, the inertial rotation drive of the motor 49 is absorbed by this movement. Further, the spring 53 gradually extends from the compressed state, but due to the restoring action at this time, the rack 47 is always urged downward, so that the rack 47 and the drive pinion 51 are urged. It is also possible to prevent rattling. Therefore, the unreasonable force does not act anywhere and the parts are not damaged. on the other hand,
When the motor 49 is rotated in the reverse direction from this state, only the rack 47 moves upward until the spring 53 extends to a predetermined compression state, and after the spring 53 is compressed, the elevating frame 26 as a whole rises. Like As described above, the spring 53 is still in a compressible state even after the elevating frame 26 has started to rise, so the elevating frame 26 and the tool holder 1
Even if the drive pinion 51 continues to rotate due to some obstacles such as the drive pinion 5 being prevented from moving upward, only the upward movement of the rack 47 is allowed within a predetermined range, and the drive pinion 51 and the rack 47 are allowed to move upward. The unreasonable force that is about to occur in between is also absorbed and absorbed. Such an abnormal rack 4
The upward movement of 7 is detected by detection means such as a limit switch (not shown) provided on the main body frame 27 and sent to the motor 49, and the rotation of the drive pinion 51 is stopped.

Second embodiment and its operation (see FIG. 3 (a)) As shown in FIG. 3 (a), a drive pinion 51 is provided on the traveling frame 25, and a rack is provided on the elevating frame 26 by upper and lower brackets 44. When 47 is held movably up and down and the elevating frame 26 is not in contact with the stopper piece 1b or the like, the elevating frame is in a state where the lower surface of the upper bracket 44 is in contact with the upper end of the rack 47. 26 is held, and a sliding rod 42 connected to the upper part of the rack 47.
On the other hand, the spring 53 is fitted to the upper protruding portion of the upper bracket 44 in an uncompressed state, the spring receiving seat 52 is fitted, and the nut 55 is screwed to the upper end portion. ing. With such a configuration, when the elevating frame 26 (tool receiving base 15) comes into contact with the stopper piece 1b and the like and is prevented from further descending, the rack 47 is driven downward by the drive pinion 51. The spring 53 is pushed down by the nut 55 via the spring receiving seat 52 and is compressed between the spring 53 and the bracket 44. As a result, the inertial rotation drive of the drive pinion 51 is absorbed. When the spring 53 is compressed, the rack 47
Is urged so as to be pulled upward, and there is no rattling with the drive pinion 51.

Third Embodiment and Its Action (See FIG. 3B) As shown in FIG. 3B, a drive pinion 51 is provided on the traveling frame 25, and a rack is provided on the elevating frame 26 by upper and lower brackets 44. When 47 is held movably up and down and the elevating frame 26 is not in contact with the stopper piece 1b or the like, the elevating frame is in a state where the lower surface of the upper bracket 44 is in contact with the upper end of the rack 47. 26 is held, and a sliding rod 43 connected to the lower part of the rack 47.
On the other hand, the spring 53 is fitted between the rack 47 and the lower bracket 44 in an uncompressed state. With such a configuration, the elevating frame 26 (tool support 15) contacts the stopper piece 1b and the like,
When the rack 47 is driven downward by the drive pinion 51 after it is not lowered, the spring 53 causes the rack 4 to move downward.
It is pushed down by 7 and is compressed between itself and the lower bracket 44. As a result, the inertial rotation drive of the drive pinion 51 is absorbed. When the spring 53 is compressed, the rack 47 is biased so as to be pushed upward,
No rattling occurs with the drive pinion 51.

Fourth Embodiment (See FIG. 4A) As shown in FIG. 4A, a drive pinion 51 is provided on the elevating frame 26, and the rack 47 is moved up and down by the upper and lower brackets 44 on the traveling frame 25. In the case of being held movably, the spring 53 and the spring receiving seat 52 are fitted to the portion of the upper rod 44 protruding upward with respect to the sliding rod 42 connected to the upper portion of the rack 47. A nut 55 is screwed onto the upper end portion so as to appropriately compress the spring 53. In addition, the elevating frame 26 is the stopper piece 1b.
Whether or not the lower end of the rack 47 is in contact with the upper surface of the lower bracket 44 of the traveling frame 25 or is in a floating state when not in contact with the traveling frame 25 depends on the spring force of the spring 53 used. And either is acceptable. However, if it is in a floating state, it is almost the same as the case of the first embodiment,
When the elevating frame 26 may be hindered from ascending, only the rack 47 can move downward with the rotation of the drive pinion 51 thereafter, and the rack 47 can move downward between the drive pinion 51 and the rack 47. There is an advantage that the unreasonable force that is about to occur is alleviated and absorbed. Of course, in this case as well, it is preferable to detect an abnormal downward movement of the rack 47 by a limit switch or the like (not shown) to stop the rotation of the drive pinion 51 (operation of the motor 49) in an emergency.

Operation of the Fourth Embodiment After the elevating frame 26 (tool receiving base 15) comes into contact with the stopper piece 1b and the like and is prevented from descending further, the rack 47 is driven upward by the drive pinion 51. Then, the rack 47 moves upward as it is, and the drive pinion 5
The inertial rotation drive of 1 is absorbed. Due to the restoring action when the spring 53 is gradually extended from the compressed state, the rack 47 is biased so as to be pulled upward, and the rack 4
No rattling occurs between 7 and the drive pinion 51.

Fifth embodiment and its operation (see FIG. 4 (b)) As shown in FIG. 4 (b), a drive pinion 51 is provided on the elevating frame 26, and the traveling frame 25 is racked by upper and lower brackets 44. When the lifting frame 26 is held movably up and down and the lifting frame 26 is not in contact with the stopper piece 1b or the like, the lifting frame is held with the lower end of the rack 47 in contact with the upper surface of the lower bracket 44. 26 is held, and a sliding rod 43 connected to the lower part of the rack 47.
On the other hand, the spring 53 is fitted to the lower protruding portion of the lower bracket 44 in the uncompressed state, the spring seat 52 is fitted, and the nut 55 is screwed to the lower end. ing. With such a configuration, when the elevating frame 26 (tool receiving base 15) comes into contact with the stopper piece 1b and the like and is prevented from further descending, the rack 47 is driven upward by the drive pinion 51. The spring 53 is pushed up by the nut 55 via the spring seat 52 and is compressed between the spring 53 and the lower bracket 44. As a result, the inertial rotation drive of the drive pinion 51 is absorbed. When the spring 53 is compressed, the rack 47 is urged so as to be pulled downward, and rattling with the drive pinion 51 does not occur.

Sixth embodiment and its operation (see FIG. 4 (c)) As shown in FIG. 4 (c), a drive pinion 51 is provided on the elevating frame 26, and the traveling frame 25 is racked by the upper and lower brackets 44. When the lifting frame 26 is held movably up and down and the lifting frame 26 is not in contact with the stopper piece 1b or the like, the lifting frame is held with the lower end of the rack 47 in contact with the upper surface of the lower bracket 44. 26 is held, and a sliding rod 42 connected to the upper part of the rack 47.
On the other hand, the spring 53 is fitted between the rack 47 and the upper bracket 44 in an uncompressed state. With such a configuration, the elevating frame 26 (tool support 15) contacts the stopper piece 1b and the like,
When the rack 47 is driven upward by the drive pinion 51 after it is not lowered, the spring 53 causes the rack 4 to move.
It is pushed up by 7 and is compressed with the upper bracket 44. As a result, the inertial rotation drive of the drive pinion 51 is absorbed. When the spring 53 is compressed, the rack 47 is urged so as to be pushed downward,
No rattling occurs with the drive pinion 51.

[0019]

The present invention has the following effects due to the above-mentioned configuration. According to the invention of claim 1, in the case where the drive frame is provided with the drive pinion and the elevating frame is provided with the rack, even if the elevating frame is not lowered further, the inertia of the drive pinion is reduced. Since the rack moves further downward while receiving the elastic force of the spring according to the rotation and the like, not only the rack and the drive pinion but also the speed reducer and the motor are not damaged. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the elevating frame is provided with the drive pinion and the traveling frame is provided with the rack, even if the elevating frame is not lowered further, the inertia of the drive pinion is reduced. Since the rack moves further upward while receiving the elastic force of the spring according to the rotation and the like, not only the rack and the drive pinion but also the speed reducer, the motor and the like are not damaged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II in which a part of FIG. 1 is crushed.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing the third embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
(C) is a schematic diagram showing the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing a technology already developed.

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the VI-VI line view portion of FIG. 5 operates in the machine tool.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an engagement state of a stopper receiving piece and a stepped stopper shaft.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Machine Tool 5 Holding Device 6 Tool Transfer Device 8 Loading Station 15 Tool Stand 16, 17 Tool 25 Travel Frame 26 Elevating Frame 30 Upper Rail 47 Rack 51 Drive Pinion 53 Spring

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A traveling frame provided so as to be able to travel along an upper rail provided between the mounting station of the tool receiving stand and the machine tool, and an elevating frame provided so as to be able to move up and down on the traveling frame. And a holding device provided on the lifting frame to hold and release the tool receiving base below the lifting frame, and a tool provided on the lifting frame to transfer tools between the holding tool receiving base and the machine tool. A lifting / lowering drive device for a lifting / lowering frame used in a tool exchanging device having a tool transfer device for performing, wherein at least one of the placing station or the machine tool has a stopper that abuts the lifting / lowering frame or the tool pedestal. The drive frame is provided with a drive pinion, and the elevating frame is provided with a rack which vertically engages with the drive pinion and which is vertically movable in the longitudinal direction. Or tool receiver An elevating / lowering drive device for an elevating / lowering frame used in a tool changing device, which is provided with a spring that absorbs a force of a drive pinion that drives a rack downward after the table comes into contact with a stopper with elastic force in the vertical direction. 2. A traveling frame provided so as to be able to travel along an upper rail that is provided between the mounting station of the tool cradle and the machine tool, and an elevating frame provided so as to be vertically movable on the traveling frame. And a holding device provided on the lifting frame to hold and release the tool receiving base below the lifting frame, and a tool provided on the lifting frame to transfer tools between the holding tool receiving base and the machine tool. A lifting / lowering drive device for a lifting / lowering frame used in a tool exchanging device having a tool transfer device for performing, wherein at least one of the placing station or the machine tool has a stopper that abuts the lifting / lowering frame or the tool pedestal. The elevating frame is provided with a drive pinion, and the traveling frame is provided with a rack which vertically engages with the drive pinion and whose longitudinal direction is oriented vertically, and is vertically movable. Or tool receiver An elevating and lowering drive device for an elevating and lowering frame used in a tool changing device, which is provided with a spring that absorbs a force of a drive pinion that drives a rack upward after the table comes into contact with a stopper with elastic force in the vertical direction.