Lubrication device for machine tools

Abstract

The machine tool lubrication device comprises connection means grippable automatically by a manipulator of the machine tool, lubricant dispensing means, and dispensing control means operable by the machine tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A machine tool lubrication device comprising connection means grippable automatically by a manipulator of the machine tool, lubricant dispensing means, and dispensing control means operable by said machine tool.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dispensing means comprise a pump.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pump comprises a dispensing cylinder defining a dispensing chamber and provided with an orifice for exit of said lubricant, in said dispensing cylinder being slidable a dispensing piston to dispense lubricant from said orifice.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a non-return valve at said orifice.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising means for regulating the pressure at which said non-return valve opens.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for regulating the pressure at which the non-return valve opens comprise a nozzle screwed downstream of the non-return valve and provided with an end which presses on said non-return valve, in order to regulate the preload applied thereon which defines the pressure at which the non-return valve opens.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said dispensing cylinder presents an aperture closed by a removable plug, said plug presenting a through hole which defines said orifice and in which said non-return valve and said nozzle are housed.

8. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control means comprise a control piston, movable within a control cylinder and connected to the dispensing piston.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein an end of said control cylinder presents at least one feed conduit which opens into said control cylinder, said feed conduit being connectable to the fluid delivery of said machine tool.

10. A device (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said connection means comprise an automatic connector provided with a through hole aligned with said feed conduit such that the tool manipulator is able to grip the device at the automatic connector and cause it to operate by feeding fluid through the through hole of the automatic connector and the feed conduit.

11. A device (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein at that end opposite the end to which the automatic connector is connected, said control cylinder carries said dispensing cylinder connected to it, the top of said control cylinder being at least partially defined by said dispensing piston.

12. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control piston presents a surface greater than said dispensing piston.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the surface of the control piston is double that of the dispensing piston.

14. A device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a first connection channel between said feed conduit and said nozzle, to enable the fluid to be mixed with the lubricant being dispensed.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said first channel is intercepted by a shutoff valve able to regulate the fluid flow fed to the nozzle, in order to regulate the quantity of fluid mixed with the lubricant.

16. A device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a second channel connecting the feed conduit to a safety valve which discharges the fluid when the pressure in the feed conduit exceeds a preset pressure.

17. A device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an indicator to indicate the position of the dispensing piston, this indicating when the dispensing piston reaches the top of the dispensing cylinder.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said indicator comprises a rod which projects from the top of the dispensing cylinder into the dispensing chamber, said rod operating against a spring such that when the dispensing piston reaches the top of the dispensing cylinder, it urges the rod outwards from the dispensing chamber.

19. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one portion of the wall of said dispensing cylinder and/or control cylinder is transparent.

20. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is air and the lubricant is oil.