TOOL HOLDER HAVING AT LEAST ONE SENSOR

Abstract

A tool holder having at least one sensor and a transmission device for transmitting the data captured by the sensor to a higher-level controller. The power supply to the sensor or the data module can be interrupted without contact when the tool holder is removed from the machining space of a machine tool. This prevents, for example, the power supply from being discharged while the tool holder is in a magazine outside the machine, and, for example, significantly increases the availability and service life of the tool holder before a battery is replaced, and/or before the accumulator and/or charge storage device is recharged.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A tool holder comprising: a receptacle for a tool; a data module; a power supply, wherein the data module has at least one sensor configured and/or programmed to capture operating and/or status data, and a transmitter configured and/or programmed to transmit the operating and/or status data to a receiver; and a switching unit is capable of electrically connecting or disconnecting the data module to or from the power supply, wherein the switching unit is designed in such a manner that the switching unit is actuated without contact, the switching unit is a reed switch, and the reed switch is designed to be actuated by a magnet located outside of the tool holder.

19. The tool holder according to claim 18, wherein the reed switch is designed as an opener or as a changeover contact.

20. A tool holder comprising: a receptacle for a tool; a data module; a power supply, wherein the data module comprises at least one sensor configured and/or programmed to capture operating and/or status data, and a transmitter configured and/or programmed to transmit the data to a receiver; and a switching unit which is capable of electrically connecting or disconnecting the data module to or from the power supply, the switching unit is designed in such a manner that the switching unit is actuated without contact, the switching unit comprises an electrically actuatable switch, and the switching unit is supplied wirelessly with electrical energy by a transmitter located outside of the tool holder.

21. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein the switching unit comprises a receiver configured and/or programmed to receive the electrical energy emitted by the transmitter, by means of electromagnetic waves.

22. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein the data module has a rotation speed or angle of rotation sensor, at least one temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, a microphone, and/or a sensor for capturing the charge status of the power supply.

23. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein the data module comprises an evaluation unit for evaluating and/or processing the data captured by the at least one sensor.

24. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein the data module comprises a storage unit for storing the data captured by the at least one sensor and/or the data evaluated or captured by the evaluation unit.

25. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein the data module and the power supply unit are accommodated in the housing of the tool holder and/or in a separate housing.

26. The tool holder according to claim 25, wherein the housing of the tool holder or the separate housing has a cover.

27. The tool holder according to claim 26, wherein the separate housing and/or the cover consists of a non-ferromagnetic material.

28. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein the power supply unit is an accumulator and/or charge storage device.

29. The tool holder according to claim 28, further comprising: a nanogenerator or a generator, wherein the nanogenerator or the generator is configured and/or programmed to charge the accumulator and/or charge storage device.

30. The tool holder according to claim 29, wherein the nanogenerator or the generator at least partially supplies the data module with electrical energy during operation.

31. The tool holder according to claim 28, further comprising: a receiving coil; and a rectifier, wherein the receiving coil is designed for coupling to a transmitting coil situated outside of the tool holder for the purpose of inductively charging the battery and/or charge storage device.

32. The tool holder according to claim 20, further comprising: a housing and/or an additional housing, wherein the data module and/or the power supply are accommodated in the housing or in the additional housing.

33. The tool holder according to claim 20, further comprising: a plurality of modules.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0043] In the drawings:

[0044] FIG. 1: is a driven tool holder according to the invention, greatly simplified and in longitudinal section;

[0045] FIG. 2: is the tool holder according to FIG. 1 in a machine tool;

[0046] FIG. 3: is the tool holder according to FIG. 1 in a magazine;

[0047] FIGS. 4 and 5: show an embodiment of an interruption of the power supply according to the invention, in two switching states;

[0048] FIGS. 6 to 8: are further exemplary embodiments of an interruption of the power supply according to the invention, and

[0049] FIG. 9: shows further exemplary embodiments of tool holders according to the invention (with accumulator and/or charge storage device, and inductive charging).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a driven tool holder 10 according to the invention. It comprises a housing 11 and a spindle 12. The spindle 12 is rotatably accommodated in the housing 11 via bearings 13. At the end of the spindle 12, on the left in the figure, there is a receptacle 14 for a tool 15—for example, a milling cutter or drill bit. The end of the tool holder 10, on the right in FIG. 1, is designed in such a way that it is compatible with a receptacle (for example, a turret) of a machine tool. At the right end of the spindle 12, a dihedron is formed. It is used to connect the spindle 12 to a drive shaft (not shown) of the machine tool in a rotationally fixed manner. So far, everything is well known to the relevant person skilled in the art.

[0051] In this exemplary embodiment, a separate housing 20 is attached to the housing 11 of the tool holder. It accommodates a data module 23 and a power supply 22, i.e., a battery, an accumulator or a further type of charge storage device. Alternatively, the data module 23 and the power supply 22 can also be accommodated in the housing 11 of the tool holder 10. A cover 21 is present on the separate housing 20 in this exemplary embodiment. The cover can be detached, for example by means of screws, and connected to the separate housing 20 in a liquid-tight manner. The screws and an optional seal are not shown. For the purpose of replacing the power supply 22, the cover 21 can be removed.

[0052] The data module 23 and the power supply 22 are electrically connected to each other via lines (not shown). A switching unit 26 according to the invention, that can be actuated without contact (see FIG. 4 and subsequent figures), is in the line.

[0053] The data module 23 includes at least one sensor for capturing operating and/or status data. A Hall sensor 24, shown as an example in FIG. 1, is used to detect the rotational speed of the spindle 12. The invention is not limited to this Hall sensor; rather, any conceivable sensors that are suitable for capturing operating data and/or the state of the tool holder 10 or tool 15 can be installed at a suitable point in or on the housing 11 of the tool holder 10, the spindle 12 and/or the separate housing 20.

[0054] The data module 23 can also include an evaluation unit which evaluates the output signals or data captured by the at least one sensor for the purpose of capturing operating and/or status data.

[0055] The housings 11, 20 and the housing cover 21 can be made of different materials. In general, the housing 1 is made of steel; the separate housing 20 and the housing cover 21 can also be made of a ferromagnetic material, or of aluminum, a mineral material, or a preferably fiber-reinforced plastics material.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a highly simplified machine tool 30. The tool holder 10 according to the invention is situated in its working space 31. In this case, it is attached to a receptacle 32 for tool holders. A workpiece 33 is machined by the cutting tool 15. The separate housing 20 is visible in FIG. 2; it accommodates the data module 23 and the power supply 22 as described above. If the tool holder 10 is situated in the working space 31 of a machine tool 30, then the data module 23 and the sensors connected to it (not shown) must be supplied with electrical energy from the power supply 22. This means that a switching unit 26 according to the invention arranged between the data module 23 and the power supply 22 is closed, such that the data module 23 is electrically connected to the power supply 26 and is supplied with electrical energy by it.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows the machine tool 30 without the tool holder 10. The tool holder 10 is located outside the machine tool 30 in a storage location 34. The electrical connection between the power supply 22 and the data module 23 or the sensors should be interrupted there in order to prevent the power supply 22 from being discharged.

[0058] A switching unit 26 is integrated into the tool holder 10 according to the invention, and can be designed, for example, as a reed switch. A reed switch is actuated by creating a magnetic field. Normally, the reed switch closes when placed in a magnetic field.

[0059] In the tool holder according to the invention, the reed switch is preferably designed as an opener (normally closed (NC)). This means that it opens when it is in a suitably aligned magnetic field with sufficient field strength.

[0060] A (permanent) magnet 19 is attached to the tool holder 10. The position and alignment of the magnet 19 relative to the reed switch are selected in such a way that the reed switch opens, and the power supply 22 is electrically isolated from the data module 23 and the sensors. This effectively prevents the power supply 22 from discharging. The magnet 19 is preferably embedded in a clearly visible cover made of plastic or another non-ferromagnetic material. This enables a very simple and effective visual check as to whether the power supply has been interrupted for all tool holders 10 located in the storage 34. If, on one of the tool holders 10, one of the magnets 19 does not have a—for example—red, covering, this is immediately apparent, and the missing magnet 19 can be attached.

[0061] In the case of an automated storage, the presence of the magnet 19 during storage can be detected via the magnetic field of the magnet 19. If the magnet 19 is missing, a corresponding signal can be issued, and/or entry into the storage can be refused.

[0062] The function of the switching unit according to the invention will be explained using the example of a reed switch 26, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the data module 23 is electrically connected via lines 25 to the power supply 22 in the form of a battery and/or an accumulator and/or a further type of charge storage device. A switching unit 26 is installed in one of the lines 25. The data module 23, the lines 25, the power supply 22 and the switching unit 26 are located within the housing or housings 11, 20 and the cover 21, and are sealed off from the environment in a liquid-tight manner.

[0063] The switching unit 26 is closed in FIG. 4, such that the power supply (battery and/or accumulator and/or further type of charge storage device) and the data module 23 are electrically connected to one another. The data module 23 and the sensors connected to it (not shown) are in operation. The operating state can be a standby operation. In this switching position, the tool holder 10 is usually located in the working space 31 of the machine tool 30, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows the same structure as FIG. 4, but the tool holder 10 is located outside of the working space 31 of the machine tool 30. A magnet 19 is arranged on the outside of the tool holder 10, the housing 20, and/or 11 in such a way that the field lines of the magnetic field it generates open the switching unit 26—in this case, a reed switch. As a result, the circuit is interrupted between the power supply 22 and the data module 23.

[0065] If the housing 20, 11 is made of a ferromagnetic material, then the magnet 19 is held on the housing (20 and/or 11) by the magnetic effect (illustrated by the double arrows 27 in FIG. 5).

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a construction similar to that of FIG. 5. In this case, the cover 21 is made of a non-ferromagnetic material. In order to still be able to hold the magnet 19 on the cover 21 by means of magnetic force, there is a ferromagnetic component 28 inside the housing 11. Due to the magnetic effect 27 between the magnet 19 and the component 28, the magnet 19 is held firmly enough on the cover 21 that it does not fall down “on its own.” The component 28 can be a part—for example, the housing—of the power supply 22.

[0067] For this purpose, the four components 28, 26, 21 and 19 mentioned are adapted to each other in terms of their dimensions, shapes and geometric arrangement, in such a manner that the magnet 19 can actuate the switching unit 26.

[0068] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 19 is also used to hold the magnet 19 on the tool holder 10—more precisely, the housing 20, 11 and/or the cover 21. In this way, the magnet 19 is fixed to the tool holder 10 securely, sufficiently firmly and, if required, in a manually detachable manner, without any additional structural complexity.

[0069] It is of course also possible to attach the magnet 19 to the housing 11, 20 and/or the cover 21 in a different way, for example by means of a detachable snap connection, or quite simply by means of a (conspicuously colored) rubber band or a band with a Velcro fastener.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows a structure similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the switching unit 26 comprises an electrically actuatable switch, wherein, in order to switch the electrically actuatable switch, the switching unit 26 is supplied with electrical energy wirelessly by a transmitter 41 located outside the tool holder. In this case, electrical energy is transmitted without contact from the transmitter 41 to the switching unit 26 by means of electromagnetic waves or fields (keyword: energy harvesting). The transmitter 41 emits electromagnetic waves 43, for example in the form of high-frequency radio waves. According to the illustrated embodiment, the switching unit 26 comprises a receiver 42 for receiving the electromagnetic waves 43 emitted by the transmitter 41.

[0071] These electromagnetic waves 43 penetrate the wall of the housing 20, 11 and/or the cover 21 and reach the switching unit 26, which is thereby supplied with energy for actuating the switch. As a result, the switch of the switching unit 26 can be actuated. Advantageously, the electrically actuatable switch is designed in such a manner that the switch remains in its selected position when power from the transmitter 41 is interrupted.

[0072] The transmitter 41 is, for example, a device that generates electromagnetic waves, in particular a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone or a tablet.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows a stationary tool holder 50 of modular construction according to the invention, which is composed of several tool holder modules 51, 52 and 53. A second tool holder module 52 (in this case, a boring bar) is accommodated in the receptacle of the first tool holder module 51. A third tool holder module 53 (in this case, an adapter) is fastened to the left-hand end of the boring bar and holds the cutting tool 15 (in this case, an indexable insert).

[0074] A separate housing 20 accommodating the data module 23, the power supply 22 and a sensor 24 is fastened to the boring bar 52. In this case, the sensor 24 can be an acceleration sensor, for example, in order to detect the oscillations of the tool holder 50.

[0075] As shown, the sensor or sensors can be integrated into the separate housing 20. It is also possible, however, for one or more sensors (not shown) to be arranged, for example, in the third tool holder module 53 in the immediate vicinity of the cutting tool 15. It can be advantageous to provide an acceleration sensor and/or a temperature sensor there.

[0076] For example, chattering of the cutting tool 15, and/or the wear thereof—can be detected by means of the acceleration sensor.

[0077] The temperature prevailing at the cutting tool 15 can be detected by means of the temperature sensor. The operating temperatures are an indicator of the stress on the cutting tool 15; if the temperatures rise, all other things being equal, this indicates that the cutting tool 15 is wearing out.

[0078] The signal can be transmitted from the sensor or sensors to the data module 23 via signal lines inside the tool holder modules 53 and 52.

[0079] Inside the separate housing 20, there is also a switching unit 26 according to the invention, which is not shown for reasons of clarity. By means of the switching unit, the power supply 22 can be electrically isolated from the data module 23 or connected to it in the manner described above.

[0080] A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. The power supply 22 is designed as a rechargeable accumulator and/or charge storage device 22A that can be charged inductively. FIG. 9 is based on FIG. 6; however, the inductive charging of the accumulator and/or charge storage device 22A can also be implemented in all other embodiments. Instead of the inductive charging, it is also possible to integrate a nanogenerator or a generator (not shown) into the tool holder. The nanogenerator or the generator generates electrical energy when the tool holder is operated. The data module 23 and/or the accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A can be supplied and/or charged with this electrical energy.

[0081] The accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A is indirectly connected to a receiving coil 29 which is located inside the separate housing 20, the housing 11, and/or the cover 21. It is therefore protected against cooling lubricant and chips to the same degree as the data module 23, the sensors, and the accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A.

[0082] Since the receiving coil 29 emits alternating current, but the accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A has to be charged with direct current, a rectifier is required, which is only shown schematically as a block 36 in FIG. 9.

[0083] The charging process takes place outside of the machine tool 30, for example at the storage location 34. A transmitting coil 35 is provided there. The transmitting coil 35 and the receiving coil 29 are positioned relative to one another in such a way that energy is transmitted from the transmitting coil 35 to the receiving coil 29 when the tool holder is in a correspondingly equipped storage location 34.

[0084] If the storage location 34 is provided with a transmitting coil 35, then all tool holders stored in such a storage location can be charged either on a regular basis or according to the state of charge of the accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A. It is also possible for the accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A to be charged before a tool holder is removed from the storage location 34, such that the full capacity of the accumulator and/or the charge storage device 22A is available for the upcoming machining process.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0085] 10 tool holder [0086] 11 housing [0087] 12 spindle [0088] 13 bearing [0089] 14 tool holder [0090] 15 cutting tool [0091] 19 magnet [0092] 20 separate housing [0093] 21 housing cover [0094] 22 battery [0095] 22A accumulator/charge storage device [0096] 23 data module [0097] 24 sensor [0098] 25 line [0099] 26 switch [0100] 27 magnetic effect [0101] 28 magnetically acting component [0102] 29 receiving coil [0103] 30 machine tool [0104] 31 working space [0105] 32 receptacle for a tool holder [0106] 33 workpiece [0107] 34 storage location [0108] 35 transmitting coil [0109] 36 rectifier [0110] 41 transmitter [0111] 42 receiver [0112] 43 waves, fields [0113] 50 tool holder [0114] 51 first tool holder module [0115] 52 second tool holder module [0116] 53 third tool holder module