COUPLING DEVICE

Abstract

In a coupling device (1), in particular for a man-machine interface (21) for operating inductively operated chucks (2), the coupling device comprising: an inductively operated chuck (2) for centering a workpiece (3) to be machined in space with at least one movable clamping jaw (4), an electric motor (6) drivingly connected to each of the said jaws (4), the said electric motor (6) being incorporated in the said chuck (2) and each jaw (4) being driven or fixed by the said electric motor (6), a first inductive transmission device (7) assigned to the chuck (2), a carrier or machine frame (10) spatially separated from the chuck (2), a second inductive transmission device (8) assigned to the frame (10), which is arranged in the region of the first inductive transmission device (7) of the chuck and exchanges measuring signals and voltages inductively therewith, and an external control device (11), by means of which command and monitoring data required for the operation and setting of the clamping jaws (4) and for the operation and locking of the electric motors (6) can be entered and/or read,
the intention is to ensure that, independently of the customer-specific electrical devices, complete operation of the chuck (2) and its monitoring during a machining operation is achieved immediately after coupling of the control devices (11) provided by the customer with the chuck.

This is achieved in that at least one programmable interface (21), which is electrically connected to the second inductive transmission device (8) and the control device (11), is provided between the second inductive transmission device (8) and the control device (11), each interface (21) has one or more command and control programs by means of which the chuck (2) can be set or selected by the control device (11), a plurality of measuring sensors (22) are provided which are assigned to the clamping jaws (4), electric motors (6) and/or the chuck (2) and by means of which their operating states are detected and transmitted to the respective interface (21), in that the respective interface (21) compares the actual data stored in the command programs with the measurement data determined by the measuring sensors (22), and in that this comparison of the selected operating state of the chuck (2) with an actual operating state generates data records which are evaluated by the respective interface (21) and forwarded to the control device (11) of the chuck (2), the clamping jaws (4) or the electric motors (6).

Claims

1. A coupling device (1), in particular for a man-machine interface (21) for operating inductively operated chucks (2), comprising: an inductively operated chuck (2) for centering a workpiece (3) to be machined in space with at least one movable clamping jaw (4), an electric motor (6) drivingly connected to each of the said jaws (4), the said electric motor (6) being incorporated in the said chuck (2) and each jaw (4) being driven or fixed by the said electric motor (6), a first inductive transmission device (7) assigned to the chuck (2), a carrier or machine frame (10) spatially separated from the chuck (2), a second inductive transmission device (8) which is assigned to the frame (10), is arranged in the region of the first inductive transmission device (7) of the chuck and exchanges measurement signals and voltages inductively with the latter, and an external control device (11) by means of which command and monitoring data required for the operation and setting of the clamping jaws (4) and for the operation and locking of the electric motors (6) can be entered and/or read, characterised in that, at least one programmable interface (21), which is electrically connected to the second inductive transmission device (8) and the control device (11), is provided between the second inductive transmission device (8) and the control device (11), each interface (21) has one or more command and control programs by means of which the chuck (2) can be set or selected by the control device (11), a multiplicity of measuring sensors (22) which are assigned to the clamping jaws (4), electric motors (6) and/or the chuck (2) and by means of which their operating states are detected and transmitted to the respective interface (21) are provided, the respective interface (21) compares the actual data stored in the command programs with the measurement data determined by the measuring sensors (22), and this comparison of the selected operating state of the chuck (2) with an actual operating state generates data records which are evaluated by the respective interface (21) and forwarded to the control device (11) of the chuck (2), the clamping jaws (4) or the electric motors (6).

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterised in that, two interfaces (21) carry out the comparison between the actual operating states of the chuck (2) and the predefined operating states independently of one another.

3. The coupling device according to claim 2, characterised in that, the interfaces (21) are interconnected in such a way that the respective results are compared with one another.

4. The coupling device according to claim 3, characterised in that, the release for the start of the machining process or the deactivation of the machining process is monitored and predetermined by the interfaces (21) in such a way that, in the event of a deviation in the data records between two interfaces (21), the machining process is automatically interrupted or released in the event of a match.

5. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterised in that, data records relating to the movement and position of the clamping jaws (4), the operating state of the electric motors (6) and the clamping force of the clamping jaws (4) are stored in the respective interface (21), and in that the data records are permanently compared with the measured measurement data which are recorded by the measuring sensors (22).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings show a coupling device, which is explained in more detail below. In the drawings,

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of two chucks, each connected to a control unit via an interface,

[0015] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the interface as shown in FIG. 1, and

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a redundant check of the functionality of the interfaces as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a coupling device 1 which is to be used to connect a chuck 2 to a control device 11 provided by the customer and to monitor it. The chuck 2 serves to keep a workpiece 3 to be machined centered in space while it is being machined by a machine tool that is not shown. The chuck 2 consists of one or more clamping jaws 4 which can be moved radially in the direction of the workpiece 3, so that the diameter which is enclosed or formed by the clamping jaws 4 can be changed in order to remove the workpiece 3 from the chuck 2 or to fix it in position. The clamping jaws 4 are held movably in guide grooves 5 and are each driven by an electric motor 6 assigned to them.

[0018] In order to supply the electric motor 6 with the necessary voltage, a first transmission device 7 is provided in the chuck 2, which is connected to the electric motors 6 and a plurality of measuring sensors 22 via electrical cables 13. The position of the clamping jaws 4 and the voltages of the electric motors 6 or their revolutions should be measured by the measuring sensors 22. Other measurement data required for the operation of the chuck 2 are also recorded by the measuring sensors 22 and forwarded to the first transmission device 7.

[0019] Since the chuck 2 rotates during the machining process, it must be spaced apart from a machine or support frame 10. The frame 10 is assigned a second transmission device 8, which is aligned with the first transmission device 7 of the chuck 2. This creates an air gap between the two transmission devices 7 and 8 so that the chuck 2 can be moved relative to the frame 10. Due to the inductive transmission between the two transmission devices 7, 8, the measurement data determined by the measuring sensors 22 as well as the voltages required for the operation of the electric motors 6 can be transmitted between them. The data records entered at the control unit 11 can also be passed on to the chuck 2.

[0020] The second transmission device 8 is connected to a programmable interface 21 via the electrical cables 13. The respective interface 21 is coupled to the control unit 11 via an electrical cable 13.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the schematic structure of the programmable interface 21. The interface 21 has several command levels, namely Motion, Control and Safety. These command levels are used to control and permanently monitor the chuck 2. In particular, the positions of the clamping jaws 4 and the voltages at the electric motors 6, which are permanently determined by the measuring sensors 22, are transmitted to the interface 21 and evaluated by it.

[0022] Several operating data records for the respective chuck 2 are stored in interface 21. The respective user selects one of the stored operating programs via control unit 11 and also sets the desired clamping force at control unit 11, which then transmits it via the interface 21 to the respective electric motors 6. Once these setting parameters have been selected or set, the electric motors 6 are activated by interface 21 so that the clamping jaws 4 move in the direction of the workpiece 3 to be machined. These motion states or sequences of the clamping jaws 4 and the electric motors 6 are stored in the Motion command level. If these sequences correspond to the stored data records, the interface 21 can determine that these motion sequences correspond to the stored motion sequences, which results in an initial safety release.

[0023] As soon as the clamping jaws 4 have reached their clamping positionwhich can be determined, for example, by an increase in the voltage at the electric motors 6 by the measuring sensors 22the electric motors 6 must be switched off and fixed so that the clamping jaws 4 are no longer movable but rather locked. These operating states are stored in the control command levels and the measurement data permanently recorded by the measuring sensors 22 during the voltage state are compared with the stored measurement data in the respective interface 21. If there are no corresponding deviations between the stored data records of the operating state and the actual data records of the operating state, a further safety release takes place via interface 22 so that the machining process is not interrupted or can be released during the infeed movement of the clamping jaws 4.

[0024] In order to ensure monitoring of the function of the chuck 2 during the machining process, additional Safety command levels are provided in interface 21, which in particular monitor mechanical friction brakes. These friction brakes monitor the locking of the clamping jaws 4. The electric motors 6 are switched off when the clamping position is reached. During the clamping process, the electric motors 6 compress spring packs, which then exert a required clamping force on the clamping jaw 4. This means that these measurement data must also be recorded through the respective interface 21 and forwarded to the control unit 11.

[0025] The measurement data permanently determined by the measuring sensors 22 are compared in a stored operating state data record and as soon as a correspondingly specified deviation is present, the respective interface 21 generates a corresponding control signal, by means of which the machining process is interrupted by the control device 11. As long as the measurement data records received match the stored operating states in the form of corresponding data records, the machining process is not disturbed and can be continued.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows redundant monitoring of chuck 2, as two interfaces 21 are electrically coupled to the second inductive transmission device 8. Both of the interfaces 21 receive the measurement data records of the measuring sensors 22 independently of one another and evaluate them independently of one another. The two interfaces 21 are electrically connected to one another and as soon as the comparison between the received measurement data records and the stored operating states has been carried out, the interfaces 21 communicate with one another and if their measurement results or comparisons match, the control device 11 receives a release signal so that the machining process can be initiated because the chucks 2 are aligned in their clamping position.

[0027] However, if the measurement results or calibrations in the two interfaces 21 differ, the machining process must be interrupted or cannot be enabled, as there may be a malfunction on the chuck 2 or its clamping jaws 4 or electric motors 6. Such a malfunction must first be checked.

[0028] The two interconnected interfaces 21 therefore increase the safety for operation and the setting of the chuck 2, they therefore have a redundant function which increases safety. Both interfaces 21 work independently of one another and receive the measurement data determined by the measuring sensors 22.