Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool – Means to drive tool
Patent
1996-03-11
1998-08-11
Pitts, A. L.
Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
Means to drive tool
408238, 409136, B23C 100
Patent
active
057918368
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a tool head for use in machine tools, comprising a base body, a tool shaft which protrudes axially over the base body and which is removably coupled to a machine spindle which rotates in a stator positioned at the machine side, at least one power consumer which is preferably formed to be an adjusting motor for a slider positioned in the base body and/or measuring electronics, and an external power supply device for the power consumer, wherein the power supply device has an inductive current transfer path having a primary coil positioned in a coil housing located on the machine side, and a secondary coil positioned in a coil housing located on the tool side and which encloses the tool shaft in a ring-like manner, and wherein the two coil housings are separated from each other by a small air gap when the tool shaft is coupled to the machine spindle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A tool head of this type is known from EP-B-0 229 399. In this tool head the coil casing which is located at the machine side is integrated in the tool holder of the rotating machine spindle and the coil housing which is located at the tool head side is integrated in the tool shaft such that they are separated from each other in the coupled state by an essentially radial air gap. In this arrangement the complicated construction which has an additional electric rotary transmission lead through between the machine spindle and the machine stator is considered to be disadvantageous. Further, the arrangement of the two coils in the immediate area of coupling within the tool holder is susceptible to disturbances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Starting from this, it is the object of the invention to improve the tool head of the type described above such that the inductive current transfer path may be mounted--also retrofitted--in a simple manner without the presence interfering contours and still enabling an automatic change of tools.
This object is solved by the combination of features stated in patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.
The solution according to the invention is based on the idea that the coil housing, which is located on the machine side, extends on the stator side into a free axial space between the machine spindle and the tool head, the space surrounds the tool shaft in a ring-like manner, such that the coil housing embraces the tool shaft only partially in a segment-like fashion in the circumferential direction while leaving a clearance zone in order to enable the radial access to the tool shaft, and that the coil housing is separated from the coil housing, which is positioned on the tool head side, by an axial air gap. These measures ensure that no interfering contours exist which extend radially beyond the tool head so as to limit the movement of the tool head.
Advantageously, the coil housing, which is located on the stator side, surrounds the tool shaft only over an angle of 50.degree. to 100.degree., so that sufficient free space for the radial access by a tool holder, which can be introduced from the side opposing the coil housing at the stator side, remains. To this end, the tool shaft may be provided with a clamp groove radially accessible through the clearance zone.
In order to enable an optimal setting of the air gap within compensating tolerances, it is suggested according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the coil housing which is positioned on the stator side be adjustable with respect to the stator axially and/or in its rotational position about an axis which is parallel to the tool axis.
In order to facilitate the removal of heat generated by the rate of transferred power, the coil housing preferably consisting of metal, such as aluminum, has cooling fins which preferably protrude radially.
In order to make the air gap between the primary and secondary coils as small as possible, the coil housings are open at their face areas which face each other in the axial direc
REFERENCES:
patent: 4761101 (1988-08-01), Zettl
patent: 5009554 (1991-04-01), Kameyama et al.
patent: 5193953 (1993-03-01), Jesinger
patent: 5350263 (1994-09-01), Fedeli
Komet Praezisionswerkzeuge Robert Breuning GmbH
Pitts A. L.
Tsai Henry W. H.
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