US3691655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine tool with tool change device
Assignee: Toyoda Koki KK
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Filing: 1971-01-15
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A machine tool is provided with an automatic tool change device for permitting the same to perform a variety of machining operations on a workpiece. The tool change device comprises a tool storage magazine installed on the floor for removably storing diverse tools and a carriage mounted on an upstanding column of the machine and carrying a tool holding device thereon. The carriage follows the movement of a spindle head receiving a spindle therein so that a tool change operation can be effected between the tool holding device and the spindle by a main transfer arm immediately following a machine operation. Means are also provided for rendering the following movement of the carriage inoperative so that a tool change operation by a subtransfer arm may be performed between the tool holding device and the tool storage magazine during the machining operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Mikishi Kurimoto
- 👤 Yoshiki Ochiai
- 👤 Keniti Munekata
- 👤 Kenji Nomura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:53
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15773; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/13; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1748; Y10T483/1752; Y10T483/1755; Y10T483/1757; Y10T483/176; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1873; Y10T483/1891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for machining a workpiece comprising: a bed; an upstanding column mounted on said bed; a spindle head mounted on said upstanding column for movement vertically thereon; a spindle rotatably mounted in said spindle head and adapted to receive diverse machining tools; a tool storage magazine for removably storing said diverse tools being mounted in spaced relation with said bed; means for selectively indexing said diverse tools to a tool change position on said magazine; a carriage mounted on said column for parallel movement with said spindle head; tool holding means mounted on said carriage; means for moving said tool holding means between a first predetermined position with respect to the axis of said spindle and a second predetermined position with respect to said tool change position on said magazine; main trAnsfer means mounted on said spindle head for transferring a tool between said spindle and said tool holding means in said first predetermined position; sub-transfer means connected to said magazine for transferring a tool between said tool holding means in said second predetermined position and said tool change position on said magazine; first control means for permitting said carriage to follow the movement of said spindle head for maintaining said tool holding means in said first predetermined position so that the tool exchange by said main transfer means may be made between said spindle and said tool holding means; second control means for rendering the follow movement of said carriage with respect to said spindle head inoperative and for moving said tool holding means into said second predetermined position so that the tool change operation between said tool holding means and said tool change position on said magazine may be carried out by said sub-transfer means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for machining a workpiece comprising: a bed; an upstanding column mounted on said bed; a spindle head mounted on said upstanding column for movement vertically thereon; a spindle rotatably mounted in said spindle head and adapted to receive diverse machining tools; a tool storage magazine for removably storing said diverse tools being mounted in spaced relation with said bed; means for selectively indexing said diverse tools to a tool change position on said magazine; a carriage mounted on said column for parallel movement with said spindle head; tool holding means mounted on said carriage; means for moving said tool holding means between a first predetermined position with respect to the axis of said spindle and a second predetermined position with respect to said tool change position on said magazine; main trAnsfer means mounted on said spindle head for transferring a tool between said spindle and said tool holding means in said first predetermined position; sub-transfer means connected to said magazine for transferring a tool between said tool holding means in said second predetermined position and said tool change position on said magazine; first control means for permitting said carriage to follow the movement of said spindle head for maintaining said tool holding means in said first predetermined position so that the tool exchange by said main transfer means may be made between said spindle and said tool holding means; second control means for rendering the follow movement of said carriage with respect to said spindle head inoperative and for moving said tool holding means into said second predetermined position so that the tool change operation between said tool holding means and said tool change position on said magazine may be carried out by said sub-transfer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tool holding means is rotatably mounted on said carriage, and further including: means for rotating said tool holding means to position said tool holding means in predetermined angularly displaced relation with respect to the axis of said spindle during a machining operation and to position said tool holding means in parallel relation with the axis of said spindle when a tool exchange is to be performed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tool storage magazine comprises upstanding brackets positioned in spaced relation with said bed; base plate means mounted on said brackets; a plurality of sprocket wheels rotatably mounted on said base plate means; flexible endless chain means engaged by said sprocket wheels; a plurality of tool sockets for removably storing said diverse tools being connected to said chain means; and drive means operably connected to one of said sprocket wheels for driving said endless chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising guide means on said base plate means for guiding a roller rotatably secured to each of said tool sockets to support the weight of each tool socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sub-transfer means further comprises a pair of tool grasping means, one of said tool grasping means being operable for extracting a tool in the tool change position on said magazine and to insert the same into said tool holding means in said second predetermined position, and the other of said tool grasping means being operable for extracting a previously used tool from said tool holding means in said second predetermined position to return the same to the magazine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first control means comprises: a pressure fluid supply source; servo valve means mounted on said carriage and slidably receiving a servo spool therein; and a hydraulic motor operably connected to said tool holding means moving means to drive the same; said servo spool being movable in response to movement of said spindle head to control distribution of a pressure fluid from said source to said hydraulic motor, thereby causing said carriage to follow the movement of said spindle head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising: a bracket mounted on said carriage; a control link pivotally supported on said bracket and having two arms; and said spool valve being resiliently urged to bear against one side of one of said arms, the other side of said one arm being adapted to bear against said spindle head, whereby said spool valve is movably responsive to movement of said spindle head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said second control means comprises a push shaft slidably received in said bracket and being resiliently urged to disengage from the other of said arms of said control link; and a solenoid secured to said bracket and operable upon energiZation thereof for moving said push shaft into engagement with the other arm of said control link to disengage said one arm of said control link from said spindle head.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
278 words
An apparatus for machining a workpiece comprising: a bed; a column mounted on said bed; a spindle head mounted on said column for movement thereon; a spindle rotatably mounted on said spindle head and adapted to receive a machining tool therein; a tool storage magazine for removably storing diverse tools being disposed in independent relation with said spindle head; means for selectively indexing a desired tool to a tool change position on said magazine; a carriage mounted on said column for movement in a path parallel with that of the movement of said spindle head; tool holding means mounted on said carriage; power means for moving said carriage; main transfer means for transferring a tool between said spindle and said tool holding on said carriage; first control means for controlling the operation of said power means in a manner such that said carriage may follow the movement of said spindle head to maintain said tool holding means on said carriage adjacent to said spindle so that the tool transferring operation may be performed by the main transfer means between said spindle and said tool holding means; sub-transfer means for transferring a tool between the tool holding means on said carriage and the tool change position on said magazine; and second control means for rendering said first control means inoperative and for controlling the operation of said power means in a manner such that said carriage may be moved to a position near the tool change position on said magazine so that the tool transferring operation may be performed by the sub-transfer means between said tool holding means on said carriage and the tool change position on said magazine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
278 words
An apparatus for machining a workpiece comprising: a bed; a column mounted on said bed; a spindle head mounted on said column for movement thereon; a spindle rotatably mounted on said spindle head and adapted to receive a machining tool therein; a tool storage magazine for removably storing diverse tools being disposed in independent relation with said spindle head; means for selectively indexing a desired tool to a tool change position on said magazine; a carriage mounted on said column for movement in a path parallel with that of the movement of said spindle head; tool holding means mounted on said carriage; power means for moving said carriage; main transfer means for transferring a tool between said spindle and said tool holding on said carriage; first control means for controlling the operation of said power means in a manner such that said carriage may follow the movement of said spindle head to maintain said tool holding means on said carriage adjacent to said spindle so that the tool transferring operation may be performed by the main transfer means between said spindle and said tool holding means; sub-transfer means for transferring a tool between the tool holding means on said carriage and the tool change position on said magazine; and second control means for rendering said first control means inoperative and for controlling the operation of said power means in a manner such that said carriage may be moved to a position near the tool change position on said magazine so that the tool transferring operation may be performed by the sub-transfer means between said tool holding means on said carriage and the tool change position on said magazine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |