Machine element or mechanism – Elements – Guard mechanisms
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-30
2003-12-16
Kim, Chong H. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Elements
Guard mechanisms
C074S608000, C451S451000, C451S455000, C409S134000, C408S234000, C277S645000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06662685
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a cover assembly used for a machine tool to prevent chips from flying and machining fluid from splashing outside the machine tool and also relates to an assembling method for such a cover assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
In a conventional machine tool, such as a machining center, a cover assembly is structured to enclose the machining area to prevent chips from flying and machining fluid from splashing outside the machine tool.
FIG. 6
shows an example of a conventional cover assembly. The cover assembly has a base
101
. Formed at an upper portion of the base
101
is a mount
102
on which a machine tool is installed and into which a cover
103
is screwed. A peripheral wall
107
is provided vertically on a periphery of the mount
102
. Accordingly, the upper portion of the base
101
is formed into a recess by the mount
102
and the peripheral wall
107
. A space
104
of approximately 10 mm is formed between a peripheral plate
103
a
of the cover
103
and the peripheral wall
107
. A packing
105
is squeezed into the space
104
from outside the cover
103
so as to prevent leakage of machining fluid or the like. The packing
105
is an elastic material, such as an urethane foam, having a thickness of approximately 15 mm. The packing
105
is compressed to a thickness of approximately 10 mm so as to be squeezed into the space
104
.
The cover
103
has an extending portion
103
b
that extends outwardly from a mounting flange
103
a
to provide ample machining space. However, the extending portion
103
b
will cause a problem. The extending portion
103
b
becomes an obstacle to assembling/replacing the packing
105
and, as a result, considerable time and labor is required for mounting/dismounting the packing
105
.
The base
101
and the cover
103
are 1000 mm to 1500 mm in diameter and may have a machining error of ±5 mm. Upon installation of the cover
103
having such a machining error on the base
101
also having such an error, variations in the amount of the space
104
may result. When the amount of space
104
is uneven from location to location, the packing
105
cannot be squeezed into the space
104
evenly. As a result, the upper surface of the packing
105
becomes unlevel and bad in appearance.
In another conventional cover assembly, the cover
103
is structured to extend vertically without an extending portion
103
b
, as shown by the dash-double dot lines. In this structure, the machining space is limited. Another problem with this structure is that a cosmetic cover
108
for hiding the packing
105
needs to be attached to the cover
103
to maintain a neat appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing problems, the invention provides a cover assembly, for a machine tool, that allows easy mounting/dismounting of a packing and has a neat appearance. The invention also provides an assembling method for such a cover assembly.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a cover assembly used for a machine tool may include a base having a mount on an upper portion thereof and a peripheral wall provided on a periphery of the mount; a splash cover to be attached to the mount of the base; and a packing that seals a gap between the splash cover and the mount of the base. The splash cover and the mount of the base define an accommodating space therebetween, and the packing is placed in the accommodating space.
In this structure, the packing can be placed in the accommodating space and can be placed in and removed from the accommodating space easily without interference from the splash cover. In addition, because the packing is invisible from outside, the appearance of the splash cover is improved.
The splash cover may include a flange at a lower end thereof and may be attached to the mount of the base at the flange. In the structure, the packing can be placed in the accommodating space defined between the flange and the mount.
The flange of the splash cover preferably extends in an inward direction of the machine tool. The structure allows the packing to be placed in and removed from the accommodating space inside the machine tool without interference from the splash cover.
The mount of the base may include a stepped-down portion lower than a flange attaching portion of the mount. The accommodating space is defined between the stepped-down portion and the flange of the splash cover. In the structure, the packing can be positioned in the accommodating space defined between the stepped-down portion and the flange.
The stepped-down portion preferably includes a protrusion that prevents the packing from projecting from the accommodating space. In this structure, the packing is prevented from projecting and can be kept in place.
The cover assembly may further include a packing holder that prevents the packing from projecting from the accommodating space. In this structure, the packing is prevented from projecting and can be kept in place.
Further, it is preferable that the splash cover is assembled to the mount by a screw and the packing holder has a notch and is assembled to the mount together with the splash cover by the screw being inserted into the notch. This facilitates the assembly of the packing holder to the mount. The screw is initially loosely screwed into the mount to assemble the splash cover to the mount, the notch of the packing holder is fitted around the screw, and then the screw is securely screwed into the mount.
The packing is preferably hollow. This makes the packing more flexible and enables it to deform elastically so as to compensate for variations in size in the accommodating space. Accordingly, the packing provides an excellent sealing ability without being affected by variations in the size of the accommodating space.
Further, a plurality of slits are preferably formed in the packing. In this case, the packing, which is, for example, circular in cross section, elastically deforms along the slits into an oval shape in a stable manner. Thus, the packing stably makes intimate contact with the target surface, and the sealing ability of the packing is enhanced.
The cover assembly according to the invention is assembled by provisionally assembling the splash cover to the mount of the base so as to provide the accommodating space between the splash cover and the mount; inserting the packing into the accommodating space; and securing the splash cover to the mount. By this assembling method, the packing can be mounted easily without the need for being forcibly squeezed into the accommodating space.
When the cover assembly includes a packing holder with a notch, it is assembled by provisionally assembling the splash cover to the mount of the base by a screw so as to provide the accommodating space between the splash cover and the mount; inserting the packing into the accommodating space; fitting the notch of the packing holder around the screw; and securing the packing holder and the splash cover to the mount by the screw. By this assembly method, the packing can be mounted easily without the need for being forcibly squeezed into the accommodating space. In addition, the packing holder can be assembled easily at the same time together with the splash cover.
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Ichino Toshio
Kuriki Kazuteru
Kim Chong H.
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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