Tool abnormality detector

• US 4,664,571 A
• Filed: 05/22/1986
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Pneumatic Mfg. Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nippon Pneumatic Mfg. Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Aoki, Tsutomu, Takada, Reiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bishop, Steven C.
• Application Number:
  US06/865,720
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• Field of Search: 408/6, 408/8, 408/11, 408/16, 409/134, 409/148, 409/187, 409/194, 409/231, 409/232, 409/234, 83/62, 83/62.1
• US Class Current: 409/134
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/005 by measuring a force, a pressure or a deformation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/14 Responsive to condition of Tool or tool-drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/16 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30392 with means to protect operative or machine [e.g., guard, safety device, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/304704 In response to cutter or cutter carriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306888 In response to cutter condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30728 In response to cutter condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/089 Responsive to tool characteristic

Abstract

A tool abnormality detector for use with a machine tool for detecting any abnormality of a tool mounted on the tool mounting shaft. When the tool mounting shaft is in a correct position with respect to the tubular body secured to the spindle, the air pressure is kept constant. When an abnormal resistance is applied to the tool mounting shaft, the latter will lag in rotation with respect to the tubular body, so that the exhaust air passage will be blocked. A pressure sensor detects an abnormal increase in the air supply line, giving a signal for stopping the spindle of the machine tool. This prevents the tool from damage.

Claims

1. A tool abnormality detecting device for use with a machine tool having a main body, a spindle, an adapter removably mounted in the spindle, a tubular body secured to the adapter, and a tool mounting shaft rotatably mounted in the tubular body to carry a tool, said device comprising:

a ring mounted on said tubular body so as to allow said tubular body to rotate, a hollow pin mounted in said ring at part of the outer periphery of said ring so as to extend parallel to said adapter, said hollow pin being adapted to be received by said main body, a coupling means for coupling said tool mounting shaft with said tubular body until the resistance applied to said tool mounting shaft exceeds a predetermined value, the bore in said hollow pin being connected to a source of compressed air when said hollow pin is received in said main body of the machine tool, said ring being formed with a radial passage for compressed air, said tubular body being formed with an exhaust passage communicating with said radial passage in said ring, said tool mounting shaft being formed with a passage extending therethrough diametrically, said exhaust passage in said tubular body being communicated with the outside air by said passage in said tool mounting shaft in one condition and being blocked by said tool mounting shaft in another condition, and a pressure sensor provided in a line connected to said source of compressed air for detecting any sharp increase in the air pressure in said line.

2. A tool abnormality detecting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a spring for urging said hollow pin toward said machine tool.

3. A tool abnormality detecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a ball partially received in an axial groove formed in the inner wall of said tubular body, a flange integrally formed on said tool mounting shaft, a ball presser, and a spring for pressing said ball presser and said ball against said flange.