Abstract The detection of the degree of opening or closing of an electrically driven chuck on a machine tool or the like has a first shaft rotated synchronously with the main shaft of the machine tool, an externally threaded shaft parallel thereto rotated synchronously with the chuck drive motor shaft controlling the opening and closing of the chuck jaws. The casing for the externally threaded shaft is provided with a limit switch dog and rotatively supports a first bushing capable of rotating concurrently with said first shaft and a second bushing having an internal thread which engages the external threaded shaft and supported movably relative to the shaft axis with at least one limit switch positioned in the path of movement of the limit switch dog for providing a signal representing the degree of opening of the jaws as a result of contact by the axially movable limit switch dog.
A system for automatically controlling the size of the opening of the jaws of a chuck having a rotatable main shaft, a motor having a shaft connected to said main shaft for rotation therewith and connected to means associated with said main shaft for controlling the size of the opening of the jaws of the chuck, said system comprising: a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis and being mechanically connected to said main shaft for rotation synchronously therewith, an externally threaded, second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis and being operatively coupled with said motor shaft and being driven thereby, a casing having a limit switch dog secured thereto and rotatably supporting therein, first and second bushings, said first bushing being splined to said first shaft for rotation therewith, but movable axially thereof, said second bushing being threadably engaged with said second shaft and being movable with said casing in the axial direction of said first and second shafts, means coupling said bushings such that said bushings rotate in synchronism; and at least one limit switch for operating said motor and mounted in the path of movement of said limit switch dog to stop the motor anD thereby control the size of the opening of the jaws of said chuck upon movement of said limit switch dog into contact therewith.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
223 words
A system for automatically controlling the size of the opening of the jaws of a chuck having a rotatable main shaft, a motor having a shaft connected to said main shaft for rotation therewith and connected to means associated with said main shaft for controlling the size of the opening of the jaws of the chuck, said system comprising: a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis and being mechanically connected to said main shaft for rotation synchronously therewith, an externally threaded, second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis and being operatively coupled with said motor shaft and being driven thereby, a casing having a limit switch dog secured thereto and rotatably supporting therein, first and second bushings, said first bushing being splined to said first shaft for rotation therewith, but movable axially thereof, said second bushing being threadably engaged with said second shaft and being movable with said casing in the axial direction of said first and second shafts, means coupling said bushings such that said bushings rotate in synchronism; and at least one limit switch for operating said motor and mounted in the path of movement of said limit switch dog to stop the motor anD thereby control the size of the opening of the jaws of said chuck upon movement of said limit switch dog into contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein; a sprocket is carried by said first shaft, a sprocket is carried by said main shaft, and a timing belt operatively couples said sprockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing supports said first and second bushings for rotation about axes which are parallel to each other, each bushing includes a sprocket member and a timing belt, operatively couples said bushing sprockets together such that rotation of one bushing about its axis causes the other to rotate synchronously therewith.