Apparatus for preparing and dispensing a lubricating and cooling liquid product for machine tools

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for preparing and dispensing a lubricant and coolant liquid product including a body with a base that defines a support surface for at least one container of an additive product and having a collection tank above which the container can be positioned, a storage reservoir of water suppliable from a water source, a mixing unit in communication with the reservoir and with the at least one container of the additive product, to mix the water and the additive product in a predetermined concentration, first pumping means adapted to pump the water from the reservoir toward the mixing unit, a control unit to control at least the first pumping means, and a dispensing circuit for dispensing the lubricant and coolant fluid obtained in the mixing unit. The body further includes a containing structure that encloses one, several or all the aforesaid components.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for preparing and dispensing a lubricant and coolant liquid product of the type used in machine tools comprising a mixture of water and at least one additive product, the apparatus comprising: a) a storage reservoir (20) of water suppliable from a water source; b) a mixing unit (30), in communication with said reservoir (20) and with the at least one container (F, C) of the additive product used to prepare the lubricant and coolant liquid product, configured to mix the water and the additive product in a predetermined concentration; c) first pumping means (25) adapted to pump the water from the reservoir toward the mixing unit (30); d) a control unit (40) for controlling at least the first pumping means; and e) a dispensing circuit (51, 52) for dispensing the lubricant and coolant liquid product obtained in the mixing unit (30); the apparatus further comprising a body (10) with a base (11) that defines a support surface (11a) adapted to accommodate said at least one container (F, C) of the additive product, said base comprising at least one collection tank (11b) above which said container can be positioned, and a containing structure (12) that encloses one, several or all the aforesaid components (a-e).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one flow meter (26), connected to the control unit (40), positioned on the water inlet of the mixing unit (30).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mixing unit (30) comprises second pumping means (31), adapted to collect the additive product from the container and send the additive product toward a mixing chamber (32), and, if necessary, a further flow meter (29), both connected to the control unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to control the first pumping means (25) and the second pumping means (31) to regulate the flow rate of the water and of the at least one additive product to obtain a lubricant and coolant liquid product with a predetermined concentration of the additive product.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing unit (30) comprises at least one mixing/dosing device (35) of volumetric or Venturi effect type.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mixing unit (30) comprises at least two mixing/dosing devices (35) to be placed in communication with the at least one container (F, C) of the additive product and regulated to obtain, individually, a lubricant and coolant liquid product with a different concentration of additive product.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, comprising at least one valve (36) positioned on the water inlet of each mixing/dosing device, said valve (36) being controlled by the control unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing circuit comprises at least one pipe (52) for conveying the lubricant and coolant liquid product into a reservoir (70) of a machine tool and wherein the apparatus comprises at least: a sensor (71) for measuring the level of the lubricant and coolant liquid product in the reservoir (70) of the machine tool; a sensor (72) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product contained in said reservoir (70); said sensors being connected to the control unit (40), the control unit being configured to calculate the amount and the correct concentration of the product to be prepared in the mixing unit to take the liquid in the reservoir of the machine tool to a predetermined concentration.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base (11) and the containing structure (12) are separate and can be stably coupled.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the containing structure (12) comprises a lower body (12b) in which the reservoir (20) is obtained and an upper body (12a) that encloses at least the other components (b-e) of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base (11) comprises two or more collection tanks placed side by side to form a single support surface for one or more containers (F, C) of the additive product.

13. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mixing unit (30) comprises at least one mixing/dosing device (35) of volumetric or Venturi effect type.

14. The apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

15. The apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

16. The apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

17. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

18. The apparatus according to claim 6, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

19. The apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a sensor (33) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product, said sensor (33) being installed downstream of the mixing unit (30) and being connected to the control unit (40).

20. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing circuit comprises at least one pipe (52) for conveying the lubricant and coolant liquid product into a reservoir (70) of a machine tool and wherein the apparatus comprises at least: a sensor (71) for measuring the level of the lubricant and coolant liquid product in the reservoir (70) of the machine tool; a sensor (72) for measuring the concentration of the at least one additive in the lubricant and coolant liquid product contained in said reservoir (70); said sensors being connected to the control unit (40), the control unit being configured to calculate the amount and the correct concentration of the product to be prepared in the mixing unit to take the liquid in the reservoir of the machine tool to a predetermined concentration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b represent perspective views of the apparatus according to the present invention;

(3) FIGS. 4a and 4b are exploded perspective views of the containing structure according to two variants of the invention;

(4) FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the components of the apparatus according to a variant of the invention;

(5) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the components of the apparatus according to another variant of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b, the number 1 indicates as a whole the apparatus according to the invention.

(7) The apparatus 1 comprises a body 10 with a base 11 and a containing structure 12. The base 11 has a support structure 11a on which the drums F (as in FIG. 2) or a container C (as in FIG. 1), containing an additive product to be mixed to the water to obtain a cutting fluid product, can be positioned. This additive product is typically an emulsifiable oil.

(8) The support surface 11a preferably consists at least partly of a grate that allows the liquid, which can accidentally spill during the operations to store or remove the drums or containers, to flow into a collection tank 11b below.

(9) According to a preferred variant, illustrated in the figures, the base substantially consists of the collection tank 11b.

(10) According to a preferred variant, the containing structure 12 comprises a lower body 12a, which forms the storage reservoir of the water used to produce the cutting fluid, and an upper body 12b, mounted on the lower body 12a, which encloses the other components of the apparatus. The upper and lower bodies are releasably coupled so that different upper bodies 12b can be mounted on the same lower body 12a (reservoir) as a function of the configuration of the plant of the apparatus and thus of the components present within it, as illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

(11) According to a preferred embodiment, the containing structure 12 is separate from the base 11 and couplable thereto, for example with interlocking connection means, hooks or the like, or simply placed thereon.

(12) Said containing structure 12 can be arranged side by side with the base 11, or with the collection tank 11b, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, placed on the support surface 11a, as shown in the example of FIG. 3a, or placed on the bottom of the collection tank 11b, as shown in the example of FIG. 3b.

(13) According to another variant of the invention, the containing structure 12 comprises at least one box-shaped element, such as a casing, adapted to enclose the components of the apparatus described in detail hereunder. Said containing structure is preferably integral with the base 11 and is arranged at least at one of its sides.

(14) It is specified that the shape and the dimensions of the containing structure 12 are illustrated by way of example and that it can be designed with different shapes according to the layout, dimensions and shape of the various internal components.

(15) The upper 12a and lower 12b body of the containing structure 12 and the base 11, or at least of the collection tank 12b, are preferably made of a polymer material and are typically produce by molding.

(16) FIG. 5 schematically represents the various components of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

(17) The apparatus comprises a reservoir 20 adapted to contain a supply of water for preparing the cutting fluid product. The capacity of the reservoir depends on the number and on the dimensions of the machine tools served by the apparatus. Typically, the capacity ranges from around 100 to 1000 liters. Its shape can also vary as a function of the dimensions and of the external shape to be given to the containing structure 12.

(18) The reservoir 20 can be connected to the water supply network 21 or to a well 22 by means of a pump 22a. If necessary, the water flowing into the reservoir 20 can be treated with a softening device or with a reverse osmosis filter 23 and/or analyzed by a sensor 24 to detect the conductivity, pH or other chemical or physical parameters.

(19) Preferably, the reservoir 20 is provided with a level sensor 20a.

(20) The water from the reservoir is pumped to a mixing unit 30, by means of at least a first pump 25. The pump 25 is preferably driven by an electric motor with adjustable speed (not illustrated in the figure).

(21) A flow meter 26 which, preferably, also performs the function of liter counter, is arranged downstream of the pump 25.

(22) The apparatus also comprises pipes that place the drums F or the containers C of the additive product/products in communication with the mixing unit 30. Preferably, the apparatus also comprises level sensors 27 to be arranged in said drums/containers.

(23) In the variant illustrated, the mixing unit 30 comprises at least a second pump 31 that collects the additive product from the drum/container and sends it to a mixing chamber 32. Said mixing chamber includes a static mixer 32a or similar devices.

(24) Where the apparatus is designed to use several different additives, alternatively or mixed together, a single pump 31 in communication with several drums/containers, or a dedicated pump for each of them, can be provided.

(25) In both cases, a shut-off valve 28 or, if necessary, a regulating valve, is provided upstream of the pump 31 to regulate the flow rate of additive product sent to the mixing chamber 32.

(26) Moreover, a flow meter 29, if necessary operating as liter counter, is provided upstream or downstream of the pump 31.

(27) A sensor 33 for measuring the concentration of the additive in the water is preferably provided downstream of the mixing chamber 32. If necessary, a further sensor 34 for chemical or physical analysis of the water (pH, conductivity, etc.) can also be installed.

(28) According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a control unit 40 in communication with the various components including the pumps, the sensors, the meters and the valves.

(29) The control unit 40 is also connected to at least one user interface 41, for example a touch screen installed on the body 10 of the apparatus, by means of which an operator can control the apparatus and set the operating parameters thereof.

(30) Said user interface 41 can, if necessary, be integrated in an external device, a smartphone, a tablet or a computer, connected to the control unit 40 via a dedicated network (wired or wireless) or via the Internet.

(31) As mentioned above, the control unit 40 performs all the control functions of the apparatus, such as control of the level and of filling of the water reservoir 20, regulation of the first pump 25 and of the second pump 31 to obtain the end product with the required concentration of additive product and control of the valves 27 to regulate the flow of the additive product toward the mixing unit. The control unit 40, in particular, can analyze the effective concentration value downstream of the mixing chamber 32 and, if this differs from the nominal value required, can regulate the first or the second pump, or both, accordingly.

(32) The control unit 40 can also detect the level of the additive product in the drums/containers and when this drops below a given threshold emit a warning signal for its replacement.

(33) The cutting fluid product prepared can be dispensed directly in the vicinity of the apparatus, for example by means of a gun 51 or can be conveyed from the mixing unit 32 directly into the reservoirs or collection tanks 70 of one or more machine tools via pipes 52 and respective valves 53.

(34) According to a preferred variant of the invention, the control unit 40 is programmed to interface with sensors mounted on the machine tool.

(35) Said sensors can already be present on the machine tool or can be part of the apparatus according to the invention. More in detail, said sensors are a sensor for measuring the level 71 of the cutting fluid product in the reservoir 70 and a sensor for measuring the concentration 72 of the additive product.

(36) The control unit 40 detects the data from said sensors and programs a top-up operation when the level in the reservoir 70 is below a given threshold or when the concentration differs by more than a maximum range from the optimal one established for the type of machine tool.

(37) If necessary, the need to top up the cutting fluid product can only be indicated, while preparation and dispensing of the product to the machine can be controlled by an operator, for example via the user interface 41 or via a remote control positioned in the vicinity of the machine.

(38) As explained previously, the control unit 40 is configured to calculate the concentration of the product to be prepared which, following top-up, allows the final concentration value of the product in the reservoir 70 of the machine to be taken as close as possible to the optimal value.

(39) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the apparatus according to an alternative variant of the present invention.

(40) With respect to the previously described variant, the main difference regards the mixing unit 30 which, in this case, comprises one or more m mixing/dosing devices 35 of volumetric/proportional or Venturi effect type.

(41) In the case in which only one mixing/dosing device 35 is provided, this can preferably be regulated to vary the concentration of the additive product. The regulation can take place with an automatic system managed by the control unit 40 or with a manual control.

(42) In the case in which there are two or more mixing/dosing devices 35, as in the example of the figure, they can be of adjustable type but, nonetheless, are preferably used with a calibration preset at a certain concentration, different from that of the other mixing/dosing devices of the apparatus.

(43) To prepare an amount of cutting fluid product with a different concentration to those set in the single mixing/dosing devices, the control unit 40 is programmed to calculate two or more respective partial amounts of product at the different concentrations of the single mixing/dosing devices 35 which, once mixed, have an average concentration equivalent to the one required.

(44) To this end, shut-off valves 36 are provided on the water inlets from the various mixing/dosing devices 35 for their activation or deactivation. The valves 36 are required in particular when a single first pump 25 is provided to pump the water from the reservoir 20.

(45) Where the apparatus provides one pump 25 for each mixing/dosing device 35, these can also operate simultaneously, as it is possible to regulate the respective water flow rates or activation times.

(46) The apparatus, in this version, may or may not be equipped with the sensor 33 for measuring the concentration delivered from the mixing unit 30. In the case in which said sensor is provided, the control unit 40 can detect and signal abnormalities in the concentration of the product being prepared and, if necessary, correct the concentration by managing activation and exclusion of the various mixing/dosing devices 35.

(47) In the case in which the apparatus is configured to interface with the sensors 71, 72 in the reservoirs 70 of the machine tools, the control unit 40 can operate in a manner similar to the one described previously, namely calculate the concentration required by the product to be topped up in order to obtain a final concentration in the reservoir 70 that is close to the optimal predetermined concentration.

(48) In this variant, the flow meters 29 on the pipes for collection of the additive product from drums F or containers C are also optional, as the mixing/dosing device operates with a substantially fixed concentration.

(49) In both the variants described, the data collected by the various sensors, both in the apparatus and those in the reservoirs of the machine, can be collected in a computing system 43, for example of cloud type, for example to monitor consumptions of additive products and manage supplies more rationally.

(50) The invention has been described by way of non-limiting illustration, according to some preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can find many other embodiments and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims.