Workpiece Spindle

Abstract

A workpiece spindle comprises a spindle, a spindle motor and an actuator. The spindle is dynamically connected to the spindle motor and has a first channel and a second channel connected to the first channel. The first channel is assembled with a lathe center, the actuator is provided with an actuating rod disposed outside the spindle corresponding to the second channel. The workpiece spindle limits rotation of the spindle by displacing the actuating rod of the actuator by a first actuation distance relative to the second channel, and the workpiece spindle drives the lathe center to displace in the first channel by displacing the actuating rod of the actuator by a second actuation distance relative to the second channel. Thereby, machining statuses of the lathe center are integrated for convenient operation, and the lathe center is driven and displaced in the channel to facilitate replacement.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the technical field of grinding machines, and more particularly to an easy-to-replaced workpiece spindle with high precision for grinding machines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

With the increasing demand for high-precision parts and the development of precision casting and precision forging processes, the performance and types of grinding machines continue to grow. The machining action of a grinding machine is grinding, grinding a workpiece to obtain the desired shape or size.

The workpiece spindle is one of the main components of a grinding machine. The workpiece spindle is composed of a spindle with a lathe center. Common driving methods are belt type or direct-drive type.

In the belt type, one side of the spindle is assembled with a spindle motor. The spindle motor drives the spindle to rotate through the belt, and the lathe center rotates along with the spindle at the front end of the spindle. The problem with the above-mentioned architecture is that there are many influencing factors for belt transmission, such as acceleration/deceleration time or assembly precision, will affect the precision of final molding.

In the direct-drive type, the back end of the spindle is assembled with a spindle motor. The spindle motor directly drives the spindle to rotate, and the lathe center rotates along with the spindle at the front end of the spindle. The problem with the aforementioned architecture is that the back end of the spindle is driven by the spindle motor, and the lathe center can only be replaced from the front end of the spindle, which requires tools and causes inconvenience.

Whether it is the belt type or the direct-drive type workpiece spindle, it uses a lathe center in a single machining status. According to the machining status of the lathe center, it is divided into a dead center and a revolving center. Different machining statuses require using different grinding machines, which makes the operation extremely inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a workpiece spindle to solve the above problems mentioned in the prior art.

In order to achieve the above object, according to embodiments disclosed in the invention, the workpiece spindle comprises: a spindle, the spindle has a front end and a rear end opposite to the front end, the front end of the spindle is formed with a first channel inwardly, a second channel connected to the first channel is formed inwardly from a side between the front end and the rear end of the spindle, the first channel of the spindle is assembled with a lathe center, and an end portion of the lathe center corresponds to the second channel of the spindle; a spindle motor, the spindle motor is connected to the rear end of the spindle, the spindle is driven by the spindle motor to rotate; and an actuator, the actuator is provided with an actuating rod, the actuating rod is disposed outside the spindle corresponding to the second channel of the spindle, and the actuating rod is displaced in the second channel relative to the second channel of the spindle to optionally limit the spindle or drive the lathe center.

In order to achieve the above object, according to embodiments disclosed in the invention, the actuating rod of the workpiece spindle displaces by a first actuation distance relative to the second channel of the spindle to limit rotation of the spindle, and the actuating rod displaces by a second actuation distance relative to the second channel of the spindle to drive the lathe center to displace in the first channel.

The invention integrates machining statuses of the lathe center for convenient operation, and drives the lathe center to displace in the channel to facilitate replacement.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembled view of a workpiece spindle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the workpiece spindle of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the actuated workpiece spindle of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional assembly view of the actuated workpiece spindle of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a workpiece spindle. Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 4. A workpiece spindle 10 is used in a grinding machine, and the grinding machine can be a cylindrical grinding machine. The workpiece spindle 10 comprises a spindle 20, a spindle motor 30 and an actuator 40.

The spindle 20 is a hollow cylinder. The spindle 20 has a front end and a rear end opposite to the front end. The spindle 20 has a first channel 21 and a second channel 22 connected to the first channel 21. The first channel 21 is formed inwardly from the front end of the spindle 20, and the second channel 22 is formed inwardly from a side between the front end and the rear end of the spindle 20. Both the first channel 21 and the second channel 22 can be in the form of holes, but are not limited to be implemented as holes.

The front end of the spindle 20 is assembled with a lathe center A. The lathe center A is assembled in the first channel 21 of the spindle 20. An inner wall surface of the first channel 21 and an outer wall surface of the lathe center A are shaped according to each other's contours. The lathe center A has a first working end A1 and a second working end A2 connected to the first working end A1. The first working end A1 and the second working end A2 can be coaxial with each other, but are not limited to be implemented as coaxial.

An end portion of the first working end A1 of the lathe center A is disposed outside the first channel 21 of the spindle 20 and cooperates with a workpiece (not shown in the figures, please refer to the workpiece disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. I733220, which will not be described herein). An end portion of the second working end A2 is disposed in the first channel 21 of the spindle 20, and corresponds to the second channel 22 and cooperates with the actuator 40, which will be described later.

The spindle motor 30 is dynamically connected to the rear end of the spindle 20. The spindle motor 30 and the spindle 20 can be coaxial with each other, but are not limited to be implemented as coaxial. The spindle motor 30 has a power source 31 and a drive shaft 32 driven by the power source 31. The drive shaft 32 is driven by the power source 31 to rotate.

The spindle motor 30 can adopt a servo mechanism, and the drive shaft 32 can be set to perform a working stroke by rotating at a rotation angle. The spindle motor 30 is further dynamically connected to the rear end of the spindle 20 by the drive shaft 32. The drive shaft 32 drives the spindle 20 to rotate with high precision. The lathe center A drives the workpiece to rotate along with rotation of the spindle 20 to avoid affecting a precision of final forming of the workpiece.

An encoder 33 is further assembled between the drive shaft 32 of the spindle motor 30 and the spindle 20. The encoder 33 converts a mechanical displacement generated by rotation of the drive shaft 32 of the spindle motor 30 into an electrical signal to detect rotation parameters (such as direction, position and rotation speed) of the drive shaft 32 to control the spindle motor 30 with high precision.

The actuator 40 is provided with an actuating rod 41, and the actuating rod 41 is a cylinder. The actuating rod 41 is disposed outside the spindle 20 corresponding to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20. The actuating rod 41 is displaced in the second channel 22 relative to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20 to optionally limit the spindle 20 or drive the lathe center A. The actuating rod 41 is displaced by a first actuation distance D1 relative to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20 to limit rotation of the spindle 20. The actuating rod 41 is displaced by a second actuation distance D2 relative to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20 to drive the lathe center A to displace in the first channel 21.

The actuating rod 41 further has an identification part 411, a driving part 412 connected with the identification part 411, and an actuating part 413 connected with the driving part 412. The driving part 412 is disposed between the identification part 411 and the actuating part 413.

The actuating rod 41 is further provided with a sensor 42 on one side of the identification part 411. The sensor 42 defines a first position L1, a second position L2 and a third position L3 according to a sensing source. The second position L2 is located between the first position L1 and the third position L3.

The identification part 411 is further assembled with an identification ring 4111 for identification by the sensor 42. The identification ring 4111 of the identification part 411 of the actuating rod 41 is located at the first position L1, and the actuating part 413 of the actuating rod 41 is located outside the spindle 20. The spindle 20 is driven by the spindle motor 30 to rotate, the lathe center A rotates with the spindle 20, and the lathe center A cooperates with the workpiece in a machining status of revolving center.

The spindle motor 30 obtains a position signal of the spindle 20 through the encoder 33, and ensures that the actuating rod 41 of the actuator 40 corresponds to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20, and then the driving part 412 of the actuating rod 41 is driven. The identification ring 4111 of the identification part 411 of the actuating rod 41 displaces from the first position L1 to the second position L2 to define the first actuation distance D1. An end portion of the actuating part 413 of the actuating rod 41 is inserted into the second channel 22 of the spindle 20 to limit the spindle 20. At this time, the spindle 20 is restricted from rotating by the actuating rod 41, and the lathe center A cannot rotate with the spindle 20, and the lathe center A cooperates with the workpiece in a machining status of dead center.

The actuating part 413 of the actuating rod 41 is still in the second channel 22 of the spindle 20, the driving part 412 of the actuating rod 41 is driven again, and the identification ring 4111 of the identification part 411 of the actuating rod 41 displaces from the second position L2 to the third position L3 to define the second actuation distance D2. The spindle 20 is still restricted from rotating by the actuating rod 41. The end portion of the actuating part 413 of the actuating rod 41 butts against the end portion of the second working end A2 of the lathe center A to drive the lathe center A, causing the end portion of the first working end A1 of the lathe center A to displace toward an outer side of the spindle 20 by a working distance, and the lathe center A can be pulled out for replacement. Considering that actuation of the rear end of the spindle 20 requires cooperation with the spindle motor 30, the lathe center A is pulled out easily from the front end of the spindle 20 without requiring any tool and without disassembling the spindle motor 30. Either an arcuate surface or an inclined surface respectively formed at a position where the end portion of the actuating part 413 of the actuating rod 41 butting against the end portion of the second working end A2 of the lathe center A is capable of reducing a friction force generated by contact between the end portion of the actuating part 413 and the end portion of the second working end A2.

The actuating rod 41 is further provided with an actuating cylinder 43 on a peripheral side of the driving part 412. The actuating cylinder 43 is a hollow cylinder. The actuating rod 41 is inserted relative to the actuating cylinder 43. The driving part 412 is further assembled with a driving ring 4121. The driving ring 4121 of the driving part 412 is disposed in the actuating cylinder 43. The actuating cylinder 43 cooperates with a power source to drive the driving ring 4121 of the driving part 412 to enable the actuating rod 41 to displace linearly in the actuating cylinder 43.

The actuating cylinder 43 further cooperates with a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is a five-port, three-position solenoid valve, but it is not limited thereto. The power source is distributed and supplied to the actuating cylinder 43 through the solenoid valve, so that the driving ring 4121 of the driving part 412 is driven by the distributed power source to drive the identification ring 4111 of the identification part 411 to displace between the first position L1, the second position L2 and the third position L3 corresponding to the sensor 42.

The workpiece spindle 10 further comprises a turntable 50. The turntable 50 is a hollow cylinder. The turntable 50 is rotatably assembled at the front end of the spindle 20. The turntable 50 and the spindle 20 can be coaxial with each other, but are not limited to be implemented as coaxial. The turntable 50 is assembled with a turn member 51 (please refer to the turntable and the turn member disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. I733220, which will not be described herein) on an end face. A turntable motor 60 is assembled on one side of the turntable 50. The turntable motor 60 and the spindle 20 are disposed side by side. The turntable motor 60 is dynamically connected to the turntable 50 through a transmission member 61. Either the spindle 20 or the turntable 50 rotates optionally according to machining requirements.

The workpiece spindle 10 further comprises at least two carriers 70, 80, and the carriers 70, 80 are hollow rectangular bodies. The carrier 70 is used to rotatably assemble the spindle 20 and the turntable 50. One side of the carrier 70 is assembled with the actuator 40, and another side of the carrier 70 is assembled with the turntable motor 60. The carrier 70 is further extended with a carrier frame 71 on the other side of the carrier 70 to assemble with the turntable motor 60. The spindle 20 and the spindle motor 30 are respectively assembled at opposite ends of the carrier 80, and the carrier 80 is further assembled with the encoder 33 between the spindle 20 and the spindle motor 30.

Summing up the above, the workpiece spindle 10 of the invention limits rotation of the spindle 20 by displacing the actuating rod 41 of the actuator 40 by the first actuation distance D1 relative to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20. Thereby, the spindle 10 is capable of integrating machining statuses of dead center and revolving center of the center A for convenient operation. According to machining requirements, the actuator 40 is capable of flexibly switching a machining status of the lathe center A determined by the spindle 20. The workpiece spindle 10 of the invention drives the lathe center A to displace in the first channel 21 by displacing the actuating rod 41 of the actuator 40 by the second actuation distance D2 relative to the second channel 22 of the spindle 20. Thereby, the actuator 40 is capable of quickly driving the lathe center A to displace according to machining requirements for replacement, and a replacement process does not require assistance of tools or disassembly of components.

The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A workpiece spindle comprising: a spindle, the spindle having a front end and a rear end opposite to the front end, the front end of the spindle being formed with a first channel inwardly, a second channel connected to the first channel being formed inwardly from a side between the front end and the rear end of the spindle, the first channel of the spindle being assembled with a lathe center, and an end portion of the lathe center corresponding to the second channel of the spindle;a spindle motor, the spindle motor being connected to the rear end of the spindle, the spindle being driven by the spindle motor to rotate; andan actuator, the actuator being provided with an actuating rod, the actuating rod being disposed outside the spindle corresponding to the second channel of the spindle, and the actuating rod being displaced in the second channel relative to the second channel of the spindle to optionally limit the spindle or drive the lathe center.

2. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating rod displaces by a first actuation distance relative to the second channel of the spindle to limit rotation of the spindle, and the actuating rod displaces by a second actuation distance relative to the second channel of the spindle to drive the lathe center to displace in the first channel.

3. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lathe center has a first working end and a second working end connected to the first working end, an end portion of the first working end of the lathe center is disposed outside the first channel of the spindle, an end portion of the second working end of the lathe center is disposed in the first channel of the spindle, and the end portion of the second working end corresponds to the second channel.

4. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle motor further has a power source and a drive shaft driven by the power source, the spindle motor is connected to the rear end of the spindle by the drive shaft, and an encoder is further assembled between the drive shaft of the spindle motor and the spindle.

5. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuating rod further has an identification part, a driving part connected with the identification part, and an actuating part connected with the driving part, the driving part is disposed between the identification part and the actuating part, the actuating rod is further provided with a sensor on one side of the identification part, the sensor defines a first position, a second position and a third position according to a sensing source, the second position is located between the first position and the third position, the driving part of the actuating rod is driven, the identification part of the actuating rod displaces from the first position to the second position to define the first actuation distance, and the identification part of the actuating rod displaces from the second position to the third position to define the second actuation distance.

6. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the identification part is further assembled with an identification ring, the identification ring of the identification part of the actuating rod is located at the first position, the actuating part of the actuating rod is located outside the spindle, the spindle is driven by the spindle motor to rotate, and the lathe center rotates with the spindle.

7. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the identification part is further assembled with an identification ring, the identification ring of the identification part of the actuating rod displaces from the first position to the second position to define the first actuation distance, an end portion of the actuating part of the actuating rod is inserted into the second channel of the spindle to limit the spindle, the spindle is restricted from rotating by the actuating rod, and the lathe center cannot rotate with the spindle.

8. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the identification part is further assembled with an identification ring, the identification ring of the identification part of the actuating rod displaces from the second position to the third position to define the second actuation distance, the spindle is still restricted from rotating by the actuating rod, the end portion of the actuating part of the actuating rod butts against the end portion of the second working end of the lathe center to drive the lathe center, causing the end portion of the first working end of the lathe center to displace toward an outer side of the spindle by a working distance, either an arcuate surface or an inclined surface is respectively formed at a position where the end portion of the actuating part of the actuating rod butting against the end portion of the second working end of the lathe center.

9. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuating rod is further provided with an actuating cylinder on a peripheral side of the driving part, the actuating rod is inserted relative to the actuating cylinder, the driving part is further assembled with a driving ring, the driving ring of the driving part is disposed in the actuating cylinder, the actuating cylinder cooperates with a power source to drive the driving ring of the driving part to enable the actuating rod to displace in the actuating cylinder, the actuating cylinder further cooperates with a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is a five-port, three-position solenoid valve, the power source is distributed and supplied to the actuating cylinder through the solenoid valve, so that the driving ring of the driving part is driven by the distributed power source to drive the identification ring of the identification part to displace between the first position, the second position and the third position corresponding to the sensor.

10. The workpiece spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workpiece spindle further comprises a turntable, the turntable is rotatably assembled at the front end of the spindle, the turntable is assembled with a turn member on an end face, a turntable motor is assembled on one side of the turntable, and the turntable motor is connected to the turntable through a transmission member.