[Document Type] Specification
[Title of the Invention] Chip Transport Conveyor System
[Detailed Description of the Invention]
[0001]
[Technical Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a chip transport conveyor system, wherein chips of assorted sizes contained in coolant or dry chips of assorted sizes, including cutting or grinding chips of iron-, aluminum-, or copper-based metal that have been discharged from machine tools during a metal working process such as cutting or grinding are charged into a conveyor case from above, and transported to a chip discharge portion by a hinged belt conveyor comprising an endless hinged belt which circulates in an approximately horizontal direction within the conveyor case, to discharge the chips of assorted sizes contained in coolant or the dry chips of assorted sizes to the outside of the conveyor case.
[0002] [Prior Art] hen a machine tool cuts or grinds metal material, a coolant such as cutting oil or lubricant dissolved in water is used to cool the cutting or grinding tool, or a workpiece. Conventionally, as a chip transport conveyor system for catching and removing chips from dirty coolant discharged from a machine tool, a conveyor system comprising a hinged belt conveyor with a hinged belt is used. [0003]
' Figures 1 1 and 12 show one example of such a conventional chip transport conveyor system. Chip transport conveyor system 1' is equipped with a hinged belt conveyor 4 comprising an endless hinged belt 3 (See Figure 2 for a hinged belt.) which runs and circulates in a horizontal direction in a conveyor case 2, a driving sprocket 4a around which a side chain 32 of the hinged belt conveyor 4 is wound, and a driven tail disk 4b for slidable contact with the side chain 32 at a conveyor tail portion T. [0004]
In the figures, 2a denotes a horizontal bottom plate of the conveyor case 2, 2b denotes chip discharge provided at a chip discharge portion, 2c denotes a curved section where the conveyor case at the conveyor tail portion has an approximately semicircular shape, 2d denotes a coolant outlet provided on a side panel of the conveyor case 2, A denotes dirty coolant which contains chips of assorted sizes, G denotes an external shell case, Gl denotes a chip discharge opening, L denotes a machine tool, LI denotes a main spindle, M denotes a bed to set up a workpiece, and N denotes a chip collection box. [0005]
In the chip transport conveyor system 1', when dirty coolant A which contains chips of assorted sizes is charged into the conveyor case 2 from above, large chips Kl (such as curled chips, solid dumpling-like chips, and long chips) and some small chips K2 are caught on a running transport hinged belt 3a, and the chips are then transported to a discharge portion H by the transport hinged belt 3a to be discharged outward from a chip discharge 2b and the chip discharge opening G l . Meanwhile, some of small chips K2 which are not caught by the transport hinged bell 3a are caught on the inner circumferential surface of a return hinged belt 3b, and the remainder precipitates and accumulates on the horizontal bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2.
[0006]
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
'In a conventional chip transport conveyor system comprising a hinged belt, when dirty coolant contains chips of assorted sizes, large chips Kl and some of small chips K2 are caught on the transport hinged belt 3a as mentioned above. However, the remaining small chips K2 fall into a clearance between two adjacent hinged plates 31 of the transport hinged belt 3a, into a clearance between each longitudinal edge of the hinged belt 3 and the corresponding side wall of the conveyor case, and into a clearance of the side chain. Some of such small chips are caught on the inner circumferential surface of the return hinged belt 3b which runs at the bottom. The fine small chips K2 which are not caught here precipitate onto the bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2 and accumulate. [0007]
As shown in Figure 12, the small chips K2- caught on the inner circumferential surface of the return hinged belt 3b are carried to the conveyor tail portion T. When the return hinged belt 3b makes an upward turn from the bottom, such small chips K2 remain in a space at the tail disk 4b located the inside of the upturn belt section, and gradually grow to be a sausage-like mass K3. Small chips K2 also accumulate and grow to be like a sausage even when sprockets are provided instead of tail disks, and a shaft is provided to connect the sprockets.
[0008]
' When the mass of chips K3 gradually grows, it vertically pushes the hinged belt 3 from the inside of the upturn belt section, which consequently stops the hinged belt conveyor in due course. As a result, when the hinged belt conveyor 4 shuts down due to the mass of chips, the hinged belt conveyor 4 must be detached for removal of the mass of chips for cleaning of the inside. It should also be noted that small chips K2 deposited on the bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2 cannot be discharged toward the chip discharge 2b, utilizing the flow of the coolant, because the coolant outflows from the coolant outlet 2d provided in the side wall. [0009]
As mentioned above, a conventional chip conveyor system cannot discharge chips of assorted sizes contained in coolant by a single conveyor system. To deal with this problem, conventional solutions were to install a scraper conveyor (which can transport small chips, but not large chips) and a hinged belt conveyor (which can transport large chips, but not small chips) side by side or one above another. However, this arrangement requires a large space and two separate drive sources, along with poor electricity consumption and cost efficiency. Additional drawbacks associated with the double-stack arrangement include deterioration of maintainability of a bottom conveyor. [0010]
'Since the conventional chip transport conveyor system V is also used without any modification to transport dry chips of assorted sizes, problems arise which are exactly like those which' arise in transporting chips contained in dirty coolant. Dry chips mean those chips which neither contain coolant nor are contained in coolant. [001 1]
It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a chip transport conveyor system using a hinged belt, which can prevent a hinged belt conveyor from shutting down through a means to prevent small chips which pass through a transport hinged belt and are caught on a return hinged belt from retaining inside an upturn belt section at a conveyor tail portion and growing a mass of chips, and at the same time, catch and transport large chips by the transport hinged belt while transporting the small chips which passed through the transport hinged belt on and along a partition plate to discharge them from a conveyor case, thereby ensuring chips of assorted sizes contained in coolant or dry chips can be transported and discharged by a single chip transport conveyor system.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
• To achieve the foregoing object, there is provided a chip transport conveyor system including an endless hinge belt in a conveyor case in a manner that the endless hinged belt runs and circulates in an approximately horizontal direction while making an upward turn at a conveyor tail portion and a chip discharge portion, wherein dirty coolant containing chips of assorted sizes is charged into the conveyor case from above, the chips of assorted sizes contained in dirty coolant are caught and then transported to the chip discharge portion where the chips are discharged outside of the conveyor case, comprising a partition plate provided below a hinged belt for transporting which transports in proximally confronted relation to the transport belt along the length thereof, and a cylindrical member provided inside the conveyor tail portion where a return run of the hinged belt makes an upward turn, in a proximally confronted relation to the hinged belt in the width direction of the conveyor tail portion. Furthermore, in the chip transport conveyor system comprises large chips which are caught and transported by the transport hinged belt, small chips which are caught by the partition plate, and small chips which are caught on the return hinged belt and transported along the cylindrical member onto the partition plate, are transported on the partition plate via an outer circumferential surface of the hinged belt conveyor or via inner cleats.
[0013]
In the present invention, the term " longitudinal direction" is used herein to refer to the direction parallel to the direction that an endless hinged belt runs, while the term "width direction" is used herein to refer to the direction perpendicular to the direction that the hinged belt runs.
[0014] [Operation]
When dirty coolant containing chips of assorted sizes is or dry chips of assorted sizes are charged to a conveyor case of the chip transport conveyor system as previously described, large chips are caught on a transport hinged belt and transported to a chip discharge portion, and discharged where the hinged belt makes an upward turn to discharge chips by gravity outside the conveyor case. [0015]
Furthermore, small chips which pass through the transport hinged belt are caught by a partition plate or on a return hinged belt (rear side of a hinged belt which runs along the bottom), or precipitate onto the conveyor case bottom plate. However, as explained hereinafter, these small chips are transported to the chip discharge portion and discharged outside the conveyor case. [0016]
More specifically, small chips caught on the return hinged 'belt are transported along the cylindrical member at the conveyor tail portion to be transferred onto the partition plate, and then, together with small chips caught on the partition plate, such small chips are transported on and along the partition plate to the chip discharge portion via the projection of hinged pipe below the transport hinged belt or via inner cleats to be discharged in the lateral outward direction by a discharge mechanism of the conveyor case.
[0017]
[Embodiments of the Invention]
A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a chip transport conveyor system in this embodiment which transports chips of assorted sizes contained in coolant. Hereinafter, explanations are given, using reference symbols identical with those of the aforementioned conventional chip transport conveyor system. [0018]
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the chip transport conveyor system 1 is provided with a hinged belt conveyor 4 comprising an endless hinged belt 3 which runs and circulates in horizontal direction in a conveyor case 2, a driving sprocket 4a around which the side chain 32 of the hinged belt conveyor 4 is wound at a chip discharge portion H, a driven tail disk 4b for slidable contact with the side chain 32 at the conveyor tail portion T, a cylindrical member 6 provided between tail disks 4b, and a partition plate 5 provided between a transport hinged belt 3a which runs on the top and a return hinged belt 3b which runs on the bottom. [0019]
In Figure 1, 2a denotes a horizontal bottom plate of the conveyor case 2 , 2b denotes chip discharge provided at a chip discharge portion, 2c denotes a curved section where the conveyor case at the conveyor tail portion has an approximately semicircular shape, G denotes an external shell case, Gl denotes a chip discharge opening, L denotes a machine tool, LI denotes a main spindle, M denotes a bed to set up a workpiece, and N denotes a chip collection box. [0020]
As shown in Figure 2, the hinged belt is composed of a number of hinged plates 31 connected with one another by belt pins 33 inserted through hinge sleeves 31a. The hinged plates 31 are longitudinally arranged between a pair of side chains 32 each consisting of a roller chain. The hinge sleeves 31a each form together with one belt pin 33 a joint portion of the hinged plate 31 , the hinge sleeve projecting outward from both the front and rear surface of the hinged belt 3. [0021]
The side chain 32 is composed of link plates 34 and rollers 35.
The rollers 35 are provided on respective belt pins 33. The hinged plates 31 used herein are formed of a plain plate free from projections, openings or the like. [0022]"
Each of the hinged plates 31 has a pair of side wings 36 attached to opposite ends thereof in the width direction of the hinged belt 3. As shown in Figure 3, each of the side wings 36 is composed of a wing plate 36a and a mounting plate 36b and is attached to the hinged plate 31 via the mounting plate 36b. [0023]
The wing plate 36a is to prevent chips from dropping from both ends of the hinged conveyor 4. Adjacent wing plates 36a of one side wing 36 overlap with each other in the width direction of the hinged belt 3 so that there is no space formed between adjacent two wing plates 36a even when the hinged belt 3 makes an upward turn at the conveyor tail portion T and the chip discharge portion H. [0024] '
The flat surface partition plate 5 provided between the transport hinged belt 3a and the return belt 3b of the hinged belt 3 is comprising a flat plate extending longitudinally below the transport belt 3a in proximally confronted relation to the transport belt 3a. The partition plate 5 has opposite longitudinal edge portions serving as guide rails for the transport belt 3a.
[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of tail disks 4b for slidable contact with the side chain 32 is provided a turning portion where the circulating hinged belt 3 makes an upward turn at the conveyor tail portion T. The cylindrical member 6 comprises a pipe or a tube provided between the pair of tail disks 4b in proximally confronted relation to the hinged belt 3. [0026]
The cylindrical member 6 functions, as an assistant member, to guide and support the small chips K2 caught on the return hinged belt 3b on and along the outer circumferential surface the cylindrical member 6 by means of the projection of a hinged sleeve 31a to transfer the small chips K2 to the partition plate 5 when the hinged belt 3 makes an upward turn. Therefore, the cylindrical member 6 doesn't need to rotate. [0027]
As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a discharge mechanism 7 is provided to a dead end of the partition plate 5 at the chip discharge portion H to discharge the small chips' K2 carried onto the partition plate 5. [0028]
The discharge mechanism 7 comprises a screw conveyor 7b provided in a recessed chute 7a, and the screw conveyor 7b is driven by sprocket 7c which engages with the side chain 32 (not shown in Figure
6). It should be noted that 4a' in Figure 6 is a shaft which connects the drive sprockets 4a.
[0029]
_The operation of the aforementioned chip transport conveyor system is as follows. When dirty coolant containing chips of assorted sizes is charged into the conveyor case from above, large chips Kl are caught on the transport hinged belt 3a, then transported to the chip discharge portion H, and discharged outside by gravity from the chip discharge opening 2b when the transport hinged belt 3a makes an upward turn. [0030]
Small chips K2 which pass through the transport hinged belt 3a are caught on the partition plate 5. Some small chips which are not caught hereby are caught on the return hinged belt 3b (rear side of the hinged belt conveyor 4), and the remaining small chips K2 precipitate onto the bottom plate 2a. [0031]
The small chips K2 caught on the return hinged belt 3b stay on the return hinged belt to be transported to the conveyor tail portion T. When the return hinged belt makes an upward turn at an upturn belt section, the chips provided between the hinged belt and outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 6 are supported by a projection of the hinged sleeve 31a and carried along the cylindrical member 6 to be transferred onto the partition plate 5. Consequently, retention of chips inside the upward belt section and development of mass of , chips can be prevented. [0032]
The small chips K2 transferred onto the partition plate 5 as well as the small chips K2 which pass through the transport hinged belt 3a caught on the partition plate 5 are transported on and along the partition plate 5, and then discharged by the screw conveyor 7b of the discharge mechanism 7 in the lateral outward direction of the conveyor case 2. [0033]
• The small chips precipitate onto the bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2 are discharged from the chip discharge opening 2b due to coolant which flows on the botto plate 2a toward the chip discharge portion in a space formed between the tips of the side wings 36 of the hinged belt conveyor 4 and the bottom plate 21a or between the side wings and the corresponding side wall of the conveyor case 2. [0034]
Additionally, as a variation of embodiment 1, outer cleats 8 for use in cleaning can be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor 4 as shown in Figures 7 and 8, if necessary. The total number of the outer cleats for cleaning 8 is one or two for the entire hinged conveyor 4. When the amount of small chips K2
accumulated on the bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2 increases, such small chips K2 are transferred to the conveyor tail portion T by the outer cleats for cleaning 8, transported upward along a curved section 2c of the conveyor case, and then loaded onto the transport hinged belt 3a. [0035]
In embodiment 1, the explanation is given to the horizontal bottom plate of the conveyor case. However, the bottom plate can be inclined downward from the conveyor tail portion to the chip discharge portion, or the conveyor case can be sloped to incline the bottom plate from the conveyor tail portion toward the chip discharge portion. When the bottom plate is inclined, coolant flow becomes greater, which helps efficient discharge of small chips settled down on the bottom plate. [0036]
Embodiment 2 is explained, referring to Figures 9 and 10. As shown in the figures, the chip transport conveyor system of embodiment 2 has a structure which is similar to the chip transport conveyor system 1 described in embodiment 1, except that relatively low inner cleats 9 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor 4, keeping certain distance between the inner cleats. Since the construction does not differ in any other way, the operation of embodiment 2 will be explained hereinafter. [0037]
When the inner cleats 9 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor 4 and when the return hinged belt 3b makes an upward turn at the upturn belt section, the small chips K2 caught on the return hinged belt 3b are provided between the hinged belt 3 and the cylindrical member 6, while being supported by the inner cleats 9, to be transported upward along the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 6, and then transferred to the partition plate 5. The small chips K2 transferred onto the partition 'plate 5 as well as the small chips K2 which pass through the transport hinged belt 3a and caught on the partition plate 5 are transported on and along the partition plate 5. [0038]
The inner cleats 9 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hinged belt conveyor 4 enhance efficiency of performance such as the transfer of small chips onto the .partition plate at the upturn belt section, and the transport of the chips on the partition plate. [0039]
When inner cleats are provided, the partition plates are not necessarily limited to flat plates, but the center part of partition plates in the width direction may be recessed longitudinally, making both ends to be sloped surfaces to help draw chips into the center part. At the same time, the inner cleats are adjusted and formed to the recessed part of the partition plates, to completely accommodate the inner cleats.
Accordingly, this invention is suitable for transporting when a large quantity of chips is present.
[0040] "
Furthermore, the outer cleats 8 for use in cleaning can be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor 4 if necessary, as described in the variation of the embodiment 1. [0041]
Embodiments 1 . and 2 of the present invention have been explained as one usage of the chip transport conveyor system which transports chips of assorted sizes contained in coolant. Another usage is to use the chip transport conveyor system 1 for transport of dry chips of assorted sizes. [0042]
When dry chips of assorted sizes are charged into the conveyor case, large chips are caught on the transport hinged belt 3b and transported to the chip discharge portion H to be discharged, as described in embodiments 1 and 2. Small chips K2 which pass through the transport hinged belt 3a are caught by the partition plate 5 or on the return hinged belt 3b, or fall down on the bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2. As explained hereinafter, such small chips K2 are transported to the chip discharge portion and discharged in the lateral outward direction of the conveyor case 2. [0043]
. More specifically, small chips caught on the return hinged belt 3b are transported along the cylindrical member 6 at the conveyor tail portion T to be transferred onto the partition plate 5, and then, together with small chips caught on the partition plate 5, such small chips are transported on and along the partition plate to the chip discharge portion H via the projection of hinged pipe below the transport hinged belt 3a or inner cleats 9 to be discharged in the lateral outward direction by a discharge mechanism of the conveyor case 2. [0044]
Additionally, when the outer cleats for cleaning 8 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor 4, the small chips deposited on the bottom plate 2a of the conveyor case 2 are transported to the conveyor tail portion T and transferred onto the transport hinged belt 3a when the return hinged belt 3b makes an upward turn. [0045]
Embodiments of the present invention of the chip transport conveyor system have been explained, however, instead of a screw conveyor, a' coil conveyor can be used as the discharge mechanism to discharge the small chips transported on and along the partition plate, The side chain of the hinged belt which is used as a drive source for the discharge mechanism in the embodiment can be replaced with a separate drive using a separately installed motor, such as a geared
motor or hypoid gear motor. [0046]
- Instead of mounting a screw conveyor, a coil conveyor or the like, a recessed trough which inclines downward toward the lateral outward direction of the conveyor case can be provided on the dead end of the partition plate at the chip discharge portion, and such a recessed trough can be connected with a downward inclining trough-like chute at the outside of the conveyor case to slide small chips into the chip collection box N. [0047]
The hinged plates may comprise a plane plate with no holes as in the explained embodiments, a plate having a number of small holes or perforations, a dimpled plate having a number of small hollows or dimples in one surface, or any combination of these. The hinge plates are preferably made of steel, but plastic hinge plates can be used. [0048]
As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor tail portion T where the hinged belt makes an upward turn is arranged such that the hinged belt runs around the tail disk at 180 degree at the upturn belt section, making the transport hinged belt and the return hinged belt parallel. Another possible form of the conveyor tail portion may be one wherein the conveyor tail portion where the hinged belt makes an upward turn is arranged such that the hinged belt runs around the tail disk at an angle greater than 180 degree at the upturn belt section, leaves from the tail disk, moves obliquely downward, and then advances horizontally, making the transport hinged belt and the return hinged belt parallel (see Figures 11 and 12).
[0049]
[Effects of the Invention]
As described above, since the chip ' transport conveyor system according to the present invention is provided with a partition plate provided below a hinged belt for transporting, in proximally confronted relation to the belt for transporting in the longitudinal direction, the partition plate catches small chips that are not caught by the transport belt, but pass there through. [0050]
Since a cylindrical member is provided in the width direction inside an upturn belt section where the return hinged belt run makes an upward turn at a conveyor tail portion, small chips caught on the hinged belt return run can be transported along the cylindrical member at the conveyor tail portion, and then be transferred onto the partition plate via the hinged belt. Consequently, development of a mass of chips inside the upturn belt section can be prevented, which will prevent conveyor shut down due to jamming of chips and will reduce the frequency of maintenance.
[0051]
Since the partition plate is below the transport hinged belt , in proximally confronted relation to the transport belt extending over the longitudinal direction, the small chips transferred onto the partition plate at the upturn belt section as mentioned above as well as the small chips caught on the partition plate can be transported on and along the partition plate to a chip discharge portion via the inner circumferential surface of the hinged belt conveyor. [0052]
The small chips caught on the return hinged belt can be transported along the cylindrical member and transferred to the partition plate by the projection of a hinge sleeve which connects hinged plates when inner cleats are not provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor, or by the inner cleats when inner cleats are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hinged conveyor. At the same time, the transferred chips and the chips caught on the partition plate can be transported on and along the partition plate. [0053]
Since a discharge mechanism which discharges the small chips transported on and along the partition plate in the lateral outward direction of a conveyor case is provided to a partition plate dead end at the chip discharge portion, the small chips can be discharged in the lateral outward direction of the conveyor case. [0054] ■
When a bottom plate of the conveyor case is horizontal, or inclines downward from the conveyor tail portion to the chip discharge portion, a side panel of the conveyor case has no coolant outlet provided, which is different from prior art, and thus, small chips which precipitate onto the bottom plate can be discharged by coolant which flows toward the chip discharge portion. [0055]
The chip discharge conveyor system of the present invention, as distinct from the conventional one, is able to transport and discharge chips of assorted sizes contained in dirty coolant, without requiring an additional conveyor to be installed side by side or one above the other. This achieves a considerable reduction of the space needed for installation of the conveyor system.
(Brief Description of the Drawings]
(Figure 1) Schematic side view of a chip transport conveyor system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
[Figure 2] Fragmentary plan view of a hinged belt
[Figure 3] Perspective view of a side wing
[Figure 4] Enlarged cross-sectional view showing a conveyor tail portion shown in Figure 1
[Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 4 [Figure 6] Schematic plan view of the vicinity of a chip discharge mechanism
[Figure 7] Enlarged cross-sectional view of a conveyor tail according to a variation of the first embodiment
[Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 7 [Figure 9] Enlarged cross-sectional view of a conveyor tail according to a second embodiment
[Figure 10] Cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 9 [Figure 11] Schematic side view of a conventional chip transport conveyor system
[Figure 12] Enlarged cross-sectional view of a conveyor tail shown in Figure 11
(Description of the Reference Symbols]
1 chip transport conveyor system
2 conveyor case
2a bottom plate 2b chip discharge 2c a curved section
3 hinged belt
3a transport hinged belt
3b return hinged belt
31 1 hinged plate 31a hinge sleeve
32 side chain
33 belt pin 34 link plate 35 roller
36 side wing
4 hinged belt conveyor 4a sprocket
4b tail disk
5 partition plate 6 cylindrical member 7 discharge mechanism
7a recessed trough
7b screw conveyor 7c sprocket 8 outer cleats
9 inner cleats
A dirty coolant G external shell case
Gl discharge opening
H chip discharge portion N chip collection box conveyor tail portion