Patent ID: 9089942
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: B23Q,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for protecting a work spindle that is rotatably supported in a spindle head of a processing machine and/or a tool clamped in the work spindle from collisions with obstacles in a processing chamber of the processing machine, comprising: a plurality of distance sensor modules arranged on or in a spindle nose that forms a termination of the spindle head toward the processing chamber such that the plurality of distance sensor modules point toward the processing chamber with a detection area of each of the plurality of distance sensors modules directed into the processing chamber, the plurality of distance sensor modules connected to a common signal processing unit; the common signal processing unit generates a warning signal based on measuring signals delivered by individual distance sensor modules of the plurality of distance sensor modules if an obstacle is present in a predetermined area of the processing chamber; an output of the common signal processing unit, at which the warning signal is generated, is connected to a machine control of the processing machine, which is changing a motion of the spindle head or work piece carrier in order to avoid an impending collision when receiving the warning signal; and the plurality of distance sensor modules are arranged radially symmetrical at such a distance from one another that sensed areas of each sensor overlap to form a coherent overall detection area.