US3789501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine tool with tool change device
Assignee: Toyoda Koki KK
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Filing: 1971-11-30
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-11-30
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 adjacent the machine for removably storing a plurality of diverse tools, a carriage mounted on an upstanding column of the machine and an intermediate transfer device mounted on the carriage 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 device immediately following a machining operation. Means are also provided for rendering the following movement of the carriage inoperative so that the intermediate transfer device may be rotated, while being retractable and extendable, in the direction of the tool storage magazine to permit a tool change operation by a sub-transfer device to be performed between the tool holding device and the tool storage magazine during the machining operation.
Inventors
- 👤 M Kurimoto
- 👤 K Munekata
- 👤 Y Kamiya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:10
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15773; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S483/00; Y10S483/902; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1748; Y10T483/1752; Y10T483/1755; Y10T483/1757; Y10T483/176; Y10T483/1767; Y10T483/1783; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1873; Y10T483/1891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
324 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; intermediate transfer means rotatably mounted on said carriage and being extensible with respect to the axis of rotation thereof; tool holding means mounted on said intermediate transfer means; 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; 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; first control means for causing 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; means for rotating said intermediate transfer means to move said tool holding means between said second predetermined position and a third predetermined position with respect to said tool change position on said magazine; means for shortening said intermediate transfer means during the turning movement thereof and for extending the same at the turning ends thereof; and sub-transfer means for transferring a tool between said tool holding means in said third predetermined position and said tool change position on said magazine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
324 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; intermediate transfer means rotatably mounted on said carriage and being extensible with respect to the axis of rotation thereof; tool holding means mounted on said intermediate transfer means; 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; 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; first control means for causing 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; means for rotating said intermediate transfer means to move said tool holding means between said second predetermined position and a third predetermined position with respect to said tool change position on said magazine; means for shortening said intermediate transfer means during the turning movement thereof and for extending the same at the turning ends thereof; and sub-transfer means for transferring a tool between said tool holding means in said third predetermined position and said tool change position on said magazine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said intermediate transfer means comprises: a supporting member rotatably mounted on said carriage; a holding member slidably but non-rotatably received in said supporting member and carrying said tool holding means; and wherein said means for shortening and extending said intermediate transfer means comprises a roller rotatably mounted in said holding member, and a guide member mounted on said carriage, said roller being held in slidable engagement with said guide member, and said guide member being formed in such a manner that the distance between the axes of rotation of said supporting member and of said roller is substantially maximum at the opposite ends of said guide member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide member has an arcuate shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said intermediate transfer means comprises: a supporting member rotatably mounted on said carriage; a holding member slidably but non-rotatably received in said supporting member and carrying said tool holding means; and wherein said mEans for shortening and extending said intermediate transfer means comprises a hydraulic cylinder, the piston rod thereof being connected to said holding member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said intermediate transfer means comprises: a crank mechanism for changing the rotational speed of said intermediate transfer means along a sine curve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said crank mechanism comprises: a motor mounted on said carriage; a worm drivingly connected to said motor; a worm wheel engaged with said worm; a link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to a side wall of said worm wheel in spaced relation with the axis thereof; and a shaft slidably received in said carriage, the other end of said link member being pivotally connected to said shaft, and said shaft being drivingly connected to said intermediate transfer means through a rack and pinion mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tool storage magazine removably stores said diverse tools in perpendicular relation with said spindle, and wherein said sub-transfer means is rotatable in a horizontal plane through 90* for transferring a tool between said tool holding means in said third position and said tool change position on said magazine.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
320 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 about an axis in 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 movement of the spindle head; first power means for moving said carriage; intermediate transfer means movably mounted on said carriage and adapted to hold a tool therein; main transfer means for transferring a tool between the spindle and the intermediate transfer means at a first position rear the spindle; first control means for controlling the operation of the first power means in a manner such that the carriage may follow the movement of the spindle head to maintain the intermediate transfer means at the first position so that the tool transfer operation may be preformed by the main transfer means between the spindle and the intermediate transfer means at the first position; second control means for rendering said first control means inoperative and for controlling the operation of the first power means in a manner such that the carriage may be moved to move the intermediate transfer means into a second position; second power means for rotating said intermediate transfer means about an axis parallel to the spindle axis between the second position and a third position near the tool change position on the magazine, wherein said tool storage means is installed near the column on the opposite side thereof from the spindle head and sub-transfer means for transferring a tool between the intermediate transfer means at the third position and the tool change position on the magazine.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
320 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 about an axis in 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 movement of the spindle head; first power means for moving said carriage; intermediate transfer means movably mounted on said carriage and adapted to hold a tool therein; main transfer means for transferring a tool between the spindle and the intermediate transfer means at a first position rear the spindle; first control means for controlling the operation of the first power means in a manner such that the carriage may follow the movement of the spindle head to maintain the intermediate transfer means at the first position so that the tool transfer operation may be preformed by the main transfer means between the spindle and the intermediate transfer means at the first position; second control means for rendering said first control means inoperative and for controlling the operation of the first power means in a manner such that the carriage may be moved to move the intermediate transfer means into a second position; second power means for rotating said intermediate transfer means about an axis parallel to the spindle axis between the second position and a third position near the tool change position on the magazine, wherein said tool storage means is installed near the column on the opposite side thereof from the spindle head and sub-transfer means for transferring a tool between the intermediate transfer means at the third position and the tool change position on the magazine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said intermediate transfer means comprises: a holding member moveably mounted on said carriage; tool holding means for holding a tool therein being rotatably mounted on said holding member; a third power means for rotating said tool holding means between a position where the tool held therein is disposed in parallel relation with the spindle and a position where the tool held therein is disposed in perpendicular relation with the spindle.
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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |