Detachable machine control panel with display

There is provided a machine control panel with a display connected to a numerical controller of a machine tool. A part of a display section and an operation section are detachable from a main body. When a detachable section configured from the part of the display section and the operation section is detached from the main body, the detachable section is usable as a portable control panel. On the other hand, in a state in which the detachable section is attached to the main body, the display section and another display section fixed to the main body are combined as one screen to perform display.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Application number 2014-030994, filed Feb. 20, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a machine control panel with a display and, more particularly, to a machine control panel with a display connected to a numerical controller of a machine tool.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in numerical controllers that numerically control a machine tool, a control panel including switches, keys, and the like and a display for checking work content for creating and editing a machining program for machine tools and for performing selection and execution of an already-created machining program are provided. In general, the control panel and the display are attached to a power panel cabinet of the machine tool or an exclusive housing for attaching the control panel and the display is prepared and set in the vicinity of the machine tool.

In these numerical controllers, it is necessary to perform a test for checking whether the created machining program has an error or not. When the test is performed, in some case, movement of a tool is checked near a workpiece and, if there is a problem in the movement of the tool, editing work for the machining program is performed on the site. Consequently, since editing of the machining program can be quickly performed, convenience for an operator increases.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 6-198541 discloses a technique for providing, in a machine tool, a portable control panel including a display section. Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 3-116405 discloses a technique for making, in a numerical controller that performs control of a machine tool, an operation section thereof detachable and portable.

Concerning a display provided side by side with an installation-type control panel of a machine tool, machine tool manufacturers demand to clearly display various kinds of information. Therefore, an increase in the size of a screen is ongoing. On the other hand, to make a control panel including a display section portable, there is a limit in the size of the control panel when portability of the control panel is taken into account. The size of the display section cannot be designed so large.

Therefore, when the control panel itself is made portable as in the technique disclosed in Japanese. Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 3-116405 mentioned above, it is difficult to simultaneously meet the two demands for the increase in the size of the screen and the portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine control panel with a display connected to a numerical controller of a machine tool, the machine control panel with the display satisfying both of an increase in the size of a screen of the display set in a main body of the control panel and portability of the display detached from the main body.

The machine control panel with the display according to the present invention performs exchange of data with the numerical controller that controls the machine tool. The machine control panel with the display is set in the machine tool or set in the vicinity of the machine tool in order to operate the machine tool.

In a first aspect of the machine control panel with the display, a main body of the machine control panel with the display includes: a first display section; a second display section disposed side by side with the first display section; and an operation section including a switch. The second display section and the operation section are integrally configured as a detachable section. The detachable section is configured to be detachable from the main body and attachable to the main body. In a state in which the detachable section is attached to the main body, the first display section and the second display section are combined as one screen to perform display.

In the machine control panel with the display in this aspect, in a state in which the display (the detachable section) is attached to the main body of the machine control panel with the display, display is performed on a large one screen formed by combining the first display section and the second display section. Consequently, a demand for an increase in the size of a screen can be satisfied. On the other hand, in a state in which the display (the detachable section) is detached from the main body of the machine control panel with the display, a display screen of the display is small. However, a demand for portability of the display can be satisfied.

When control panels of two types, i.e., an installation type and a portable type, are prepared and a machine tool is large and the two control panels of the installation type and the portable type are apart from each other, it is possible to solve a problem in that it is hard for an operator viewing one control panel to clearly grasp a state of use of the other control panel. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the state of use.

In the first display section and the second display section, congruent rectangles are disposed side by side on the left and right, with the long sides thereof set in contact with each other. The operation section is disposed on the opposite side of the first display section to the second display section. The shape of the screen formed by combining the first display section and the second display section is similar to the shape of a screen of the second display section. The main body of the machine control panel with the display can further include: a detector that detects detachment of the detachable section from the main body; and a memory that stores image data for performing, when the detachable section is detached from the main body and rotated 90 degrees from a set state in the main body to be set in a direction in which the operation section is on the lower side of the second display section, on the second display section, display reduced at the same rate longitudinally and laterally with respect to screen display in a state in which the first display section and the second display section are disposed side by side on the right and left. The main body may further include an image processing unit that performs a reduction or the reduction and rotation of the image data. Alternatively, image processing for performing the reduction or the reduction and the rotation of the data may be performed in the numerical controller connected to the machine control panel with the display.

In this embodiment, the screen during carrying is only displayed by rotating the screen during setting 90 degrees and reducing the screen. Therefore, it is unnecessary to prepare a new screen configuration. Since display panels of the same size are used, it is easy to procure components. The image processing such as the reduction and the rotation of the image data is performed in the numerical controller to which the machine control panel with the display is connected. Consequently, since an image processing circuit is unnecessary on the side of the machine control panel with the display, it is possible to reduce costs.

The main body of the machine control panel with the display can further include an operation section rotating mechanism that rotates the operation section 90 degrees.

In a second aspect of the machine control panel with the display, a main body of the machine control panel with the display includes: a first display section; a second display section disposed side by side with the first display section; and an operation section including a switch. The second display section is detachable from the main body and attachable to the main body. Moreover, the second display section is configured by a touch panel. A switch disposed unit, in which switches configured by the touch panel are disposed in a part of the second display section to enable the switches to be used as the operation section, is provided in the second display section.

In the machine control panel with the display in this aspect, a part (the second display section) of a display section can be detached from the main body and used as the operation section. On the other hand, when the display section (the first display section and the second display section) is set in a control panel main body, the display section can be viewed as a large screen formed by combining the first display section and the second display section.

In the first display section and the second display section, congruent rectangles are disposed side by side, with the long sides thereof set in contact with each other. The shape of a screen formed by combining the first display section and the second display section is similar to a region used for screen display of the second display section. The switch disposed unit, in which the switches are disposed, is provided in the second display section. The main body of the machine control panel with the display can further include: a detector that detects detachment of the second display section from the main body; and a memory that stores image data for performing, when the second display section is detached from the main body and used such that the long side thereof is set in a longitudinal direction, on the second display section, display reduced at the same rate longitudinally and laterally with respect to screen display in a state in which the first display section and the second display section are disposed side by side. The main body may further include an image processing unit that performs a reduction or the reduction and rotation of the image data. Alternatively, image processing for performing the reduction or the reduction and the rotation of the data may be performed in the numerical controller connected to the machine control panel with the display.

In this embodiment, the screen during carrying is only displayed by reducing or reducing and rotating the screen during setting. Therefore, it is unnecessary to prepare a new screen configuration. Since display panels of the same size are used, it is easy to procure components. The image processing such as the reduction and the rotation of the image data is performed in the numerical controller to which the machine control panel with the display is connected. Consequently, since an image processing circuit is unnecessary on the side of the machine control panel with the display, it is possible to reduce costs.

The main body of the machine control panel with the display may further include a detector that detects detachment of the second display section. When detecting the detachment of the second display section, the detector may transmit a signal for limiting the speed of a spindle or a feed axis of the machine tool to the numerical controller.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the machine control panel with the display connected to the numerical controller of the machine tool, the machine control panel with the display satisfying both of an increase in the size of the screen during setting in the main body of the control panel and portability during detachment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First, a machine control panel with a display according to a first embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4.

A machine control panel with a display10according to this embodiment includes, as shown inFIG. 1, an operation section30and a display section40disposed side by side with the operation section30. The display section40is configured from two LCD panels having the same size, i.e., a first display section40aand a second display section40b.

The first display section40aand the second display section40bare disposed side by side on the left and right such that the long sides of the respective panels are in contact with each other as shown inFIG. 1. The first display section40ais fixed to a main body (a control panel main body) of the machine control panel with the display10. On the other hand, the second display section40bconfigures a detachable section20in conjunction with a part of the operation section30. As shown inFIG. 2, the second display section40bis configured to be detachable from the control panel main body together with the operation section30. When detached from the control panel main body, the detachable section20is usable as a control panel of a portable type. Note that, in this embodiment, a part of the operation section30is detachable (i.e., a part of the operation section30is included in the detachable section20). However, it is also possible to configure the entire operation section30to be detachable (the entire operation section30is included in the detachable section20).

In a state in which the detachable section20is attached to the control panel main body as shown inFIG. 1, the first display section40aand the second display section40bare combined as one screen to perform display. On the other hand, when the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body and used as a control panel of a portable type, as shown inFIG. 2, the detachable section20is rotated 90 degrees from a direction during attachment to the control panel main body and used.

In both of the first display section40aand the second display section40bconfiguring the display section40, the length of the long side is root two times as large as the length of the short side. Therefore, a screen obtained when the first display section40aand the second display section40bare combined as one screen is similar to a screen of the control panel of the portable type. As shown inFIG. 2, when the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body and used as the control panel of the portable type, the detachable section20is rotated 90 degrees and used. Therefore, a ratio of the short side and the long side of the display screen is equal during attachment to the control panel main body and during detachment from the control panel main body.

The control section30of the detachable section20has a configuration in which a plurality of switches are disposed on the upper surface of a disc-like rotating section. As indicated by an arrow inFIG. 3A, the operation section30rotates 90 degrees from a posture shown inFIG. 3Ato a posture shown inFIG. 3B.

FIGS. 3C and 3Dare diagrams for explaining a rotation mechanism of a rotation operation section31in the operation section30. As shown inFIGS. 3C and 3D, the rotation operation section31is rotatably fit in a rotating shaft36in substantially the center of a case32. A groove31ahaving certain depth is formed along the entire circumference at an outer circumferential end edge of the rotation operation section31. A bent section32aformed at an end of the case32opposed to the rotation operation section31enters the circumferential groove31a.

FIG. 3Cshows the rotation opera on section31in a normal state (not pressed). The inner side end portion of the case32and the outer side end portion of the rotation operation section31keep a state in which the inner side end portion and the outer side end portion are in contact with and combined with each other across a gasket33. Therefore, in this state, rotation of the rotation operation section31with respect to the case32is restrained. A rotating plate35is rotatably fit in the rotating shaft36below the rotation operation section31. The rotation operation section31and the rotating plate35are coupled by a spring34. Reference numeral37denotes a cable that transmits a signal of a switch input of the rotation operation section31to the outside.

When an operator presses down the rotation operation section31shown inFIG. 3Cby hand, as shown inFIG. 3D, the state in which the inner side end portion of the case32and the outer side end portion of the rotation operation section31are combined with each other across the gasket33is released. The spring34contracts and the rotation operation section31and the rotating plate35come into contact with each other, whereby the rotation operation section31becomes rotatable. In this state, the rotation operation section31is rotated 90 degrees to make it easy to use the operation section30during carrying. After the rotation, when the pressed state is released, the rotation operation section31returns to the state shown inFIG. 3Cwith the elastic force of the spring34.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing a relation between the machine control panel with the display10shown inFIG. 1and a numerical controller62of a machine tool60to which the machine control panel10is connected.

The numerical controller62is provided on the inside of the machine tool60. A CPU64, a ROM65, a DRAM66, and a communication control section67are provided on the inside of the numerical controller62and are connected to one another by a bus68. The communication control section67and a communication control section102in the machine control panel with the display10are connected by a communication line69and exchange signals.

The inside of the machine control panel with the display10is mainly configured from a main body side control section70and the detachable section20.

The main body side control section70includes a communication control section102, an attachment and detachment state detecting section104, a DMA controller106, a graphic control section108, an LCD control section110, a radio communication section112, a power supply section114, a radio power supply section116, a VRAM118, and an I/O control section120. The communication control section102, the DMA controller106, the graphic control section108, the LCD control section110, the radio communication section112, the VRAM118, and the I/O communication section120are connected to one another by a bus100. The LCD control section110is connected to a first display section40a(an LCD) fixed to the control panel main body side.

The attachment and detachment state detecting section104is connected to the DMA controller106, the graphic control section108, and the LCD control section110by a signal line105a. The I/O control section120is connected to a switch42afixed to the main body side. The radio communication section112performs, through radio communication, exchange of data with a radio communication section142on the detachable section side which is explained below. The radio power supply section116supplies, by radio, electric power to a radio power receiving section146on the detachable section side which is explained below.

On the other hand, a detachable section side control section200is provided on the inside of the detachable section20. A radio communication section142, a VRAM148, an I/O control section150, and an LCD control section152are provided on the inside of the detachable section side control section200and are connected to one another by a bus140. Further, a battery144and radio power-receiving section146are provided in the control section200. The LCD control section152is connected to the second display section40bon the detachable section side. The I/O control section150is connected to a switch42bon the detachable section side.

The CPU64in the numerical controller62controls a main body of the numerical controller62according to a program stored in the ROM65. Further, the CPU64accesses, according to the program stored in the ROM65, the graphic control section108in the main body side control section70via the communication line69and issues a command for creating screen data.

The attachment and detachment state detecting section104in the main body side control section70detects a state of attachment and detachment of the detachable section20to and from the control panel main body and notifies the DMA controller106, the graphic control section108, and the LCD control section110of the attachment and detachment state.

The graphic control section108creates screen data according to the command issued from the CPU64. In creating the screen data, when the detachable section20is attached and a signal to that effect is input from the attachment and detachment state detecting section104, the graphic control section108writes, in the VRAM118, screen data for two display sections, i.e., the first display section40aand the second display section40b. When the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body and a signal to that effect is input from the attachment and detachment state detecting section104, the graphic control section108writes screen data for one display section in the VRAM118of the main body side control section70.

When the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the DMA controller106of the main body side control section70periodically transfers the screen data for the one display section from the VRAM118of the main body side control section70to the VRAM148of the detachable section side control section200. On the other hand, when the detachable section20is attached to the control panel main body, the DMA controller106of the main body side control section70periodically transfers screen data for one LCD displayed on the detachable section side, among the screen data for the two display sections, from the VRAM118of the main body side control section70to the VRAM148of the detachable section side control section200.

Only when the detachable section20is attached to the control panel main body, the LCD control section110of the main body side control section70sends, to the first display section40a, screen data for one display section to be displayed on the first display section40aon the main body side, among the screen data for the two display sections on the VRAM118of the main body side control section70. On the other hand, when the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the LCD control section110does not send screen data to the first display section40a.

The LCD control section152of the detachable section side control section200sends a signal to the second display section40busing the screen data sent from the main body side control section70present on the VRAM148of the detachable section side control section200.

The DMA controller106on the main body control section70side periodically transfers data indicating states of the switches42, which are respectively connected to the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70and the I/O control section150of the detachable section side control section200, from the respective I/O control sections120and150to the DRAM66of the numerical controller62. In transferring the data, the DMA controller106transfers data of I/O of the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70to an I/O region on the main body side in the DRAM66and transfers data of the I/O control section150of the detachable section side control section200to an I/O region for the detachable section side in the DRAM66.

When the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the DMA controller106transfers data of all 0's instead of the data of the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70.

The CPU64reflects the data indicating the states of the switches42on control of a connected machine and screen display of the display section40.

Concerning power supply to the detachable section side, when the detachable section20is attached to the control panel main body, the radio power supply section116on the main body side and the radio power receiving section146on the detachable section side are contiguous with each other. Power supply by radio is performed from the control panel main body side to the detachable section side. In this case, the radio power receiving section146on the detachable section side also performs charging in a battery144. Conversely, when the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, power supply is performed from the battery144.

A machine control panel with a display according to a second embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.

The machine control panel with the display10according to this embodiment includes, as shown inFIG. 5, the operation section30and the display section40disposed side by side with the operation section30. The display section40is configured from two LCD panels having the same size, i.e., the first display section40aand the second display section40b.

The first display section40aand the second display section40bare disposed side by side on the left and right such that the long sides of the respective panels are in contact with each other as shown inFIG. 5. The first display section40ais fixed to a main body (a control panel main body) of the machine control panel with the display10. On the other hand, the second display section40bis configured to be independently detachable from the control panel main body as shown inFIG. 6Ain a state in which the second display section40bis connected to the detachable section20.

In a state in which the detachable section20including the second display section40bis attached to the control panel main body, as shown inFIG. 5, the first display section40aand the second display section40bare combined as one screen to perform display. On the other hand, when the detachable section20including the second display section40bis detached from the control panel main body, as shown inFIG. 6A, a part of the second display section40bconnected to the detached detachable section20functions as a display section44. An operation section46by a touch panel is disposed in the remaining portion and functions as a control panel of a portable type.

In the second display section40bdetached from the control panel main body, as shown in a sectional view ofFIG. 6B, like a normal touch panel, a touch panel54is disposed on the surface of an LCD58, and the LCD58and the touch panel54are combined and fixed by a frame52. Note that reference numeral56denotes a touch panel support.

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing a relation between the machine control panel with the display10shown inFIG. 5and the numerical controller62of the machine tool60to which the machine control panel10is connected. In the figure, components same as the components of the block diagram in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4are denoted by the same names and explanation of the components is omitted.

In this embodiment, a touch panel VRAM119is provided in the main body side control section70and connected to the bus100that connects the communication control section102, the LCD control section110, the I/O control section120, and the like. A touch panel control section150is provided in the detachable section20and connected to the detachable second display section40b(a touch panel43).

The CPU64of the numerical controller62sends, to the graphic control section108, a command for causing the graphic control section103to create screen data for a half of a panel to be used when the detachable section20is detached, in which switches for the operation section46are arranged, on the touch panel43of the second operation section40b, at the time of startup. The graphic control section108creates the screen data of the half of the panel based on the command from the CPU64of the numerical controller62and writes the screen data in the touch panel VRAM119in advance.

The graphic control section108creates screen data according to the command issued from the CPU64of the numerical controller62. In creating the screen data, when the detachable section20(the second display section40b) is attached to the control panel main body, the graphic control section108writes, in the VRAM118of the main body side control section70, screen data for two panels formed by the first display section40aand the second display section40b. On the other hand, when the detachable section20(the second display section40b) is detached from the control panel main body, the graphic control section108reduces the screen data for the two panels to the screen data for the half of the panel and writes the screen data in the VRAM118of the main body side control section70.

When the detachable section20(the second display section40b) is detached from the control panel main body, the DMA controller106periodically transfers, to the VRAM148of the detachable section side control section200, the screen data for the half of the panel from the VRAM118and the screen data for the remaining half of the panel, in which the switches are arranged, from the VRAM119. The touch panel control section150of the detachable section side control section200performs control of the touch panel43and, when the operator touches the screen on which the switches are arranged, acquires coordinate data on the screen of a touched position.

When the detachable section20(the second display section40b) is attached to the control panel main body, the DMA controller106on the main body control section side transfers data of the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70to an I/O region (not shown in the figure) for the control panel main body side in the DRAM66of the numerical controller62. On the other hand, when the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the DMA controller106on the main body control section side transfers the coordinate data of the touched position of the touch panel control section150of the detachable section side control section200to an I/O region (not shown in the figure) for the detachable section side in the DRAM66of the numerical controller62.

Further, when the detachable section20(the second display section40b) is detached from the control panel main body, the DMA controller106on the main body control section side transfers data of all 0's to an I/O region (not shown in the figure) for the main body side in the DRAM66of the numerical controller62. Data of 1 is always separately prepared in the data of the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70. The CPU64of the numerical controller62reads data in a place to which 1 is always transferred in the DRAM66. If the data is 1, the CPU64determines that the detachable section20is attached to the control panel main body. Otherwise, the CPU64determines that the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body. When determining that the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the CPU64determines, from coordinate data in the I/O region (not shown in the figure) for the detachable section side in the DRAM66, which of the switches is pressed.

A machine control panel with a display according to a third embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIG. 8.

FIG. 8is a block diagram showing the machine control panel with the display10according to the third embodiment of the present invention and the numerical controller62of the machine tool60to which the machine control panel10is connected. In the figure, components same as the components in the block diagram in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4are denoted by the same names and explanation of the components is omitted.

In this embodiment, the graphic control section108in the main body side control section70in the first embodiment is omitted. Creation of image data performed by the graphic control section108in the first embodiment is performed by the CPU64of the numerical controller62. The image data is written in the DRAM66. The DMA controller106of the main body side control section70transfers the image data written in the DRAM66of the numerical controller62to the VRAM118of the main body side control section70and the VRAM148of the detachable section side control section200.

In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, data of 1 is always separately prepared in the data of the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70. When the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the DMA controller106of the main body side control section70transfers data of all 0's to the DRAM66of the numerical controller62without transferring the data of the I/O control section120of the main body side control section70. Consequently, the CPU64of the numerical controller62reads data in a place to which 1 is always transferred in the DRAM66. If the data is 1, the CPU64determines that the detachable section20is attached to the control panel main body. Otherwise, the CPU64determines that the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body. The CPU64creates, on the basis of this information, screen data adjusted to a state of the detachable section20.

A machine control panel with a display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIG. 9.

FIG. 9is a block diagram showing the machine control panel with the display10according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and the numerical controller62of the machine tool60to which the machine control panel10is connected. In the figure, components same as the components in the block diagram in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4are denoted by the same names and explanation of the components is omitted.

The machine tool60includes servo motors84a,84b, and84cthat drive feed axes and a spindle motor84dthat drives a spindle. Servo amplifiers82a,82b, and82cand a spindle amplifier83, configured by inverters and the like, functioning as driving power supply for the motors are provided. The servo amplifiers82a,82b, and82cand the spindle amplifiers83are connected to a communication control section86in a daisy-chain system. A servo/spindle control section88performs feedback control of the positions and the speeds of the servo motors84a,84b, and84c, speed control of the spindle motor84d, and the like. The servo/spindle control section88is connected to the CPU64, the ROM65, the DRAM66, and the communication control section67by a bus in the numerical controller62. The servo/spindle control section88gives commands to the servo amplifiers82a,82b, and82cand the spindle amplifier83via the communication control section86.

When detecting that the detachable section20is detached from the control panel main body, the attachment and detachment state detecting section104of the main body side control section70notifies the communication control section102of the main body side control section70to that effect via a signal line105b. The communication control section102receives the notification and preferentially communicates this information to the communication control section67of the numerical controller62. The communication control section67of the numerical controller62receives the preferential communication and causes an interrupt to the CPU64via an interrupt signal line63. By receiving the interrupt, the CPU64commands the servo/spindle control section88to perform speed control of the servo motors84a,84b, and84cand the spindle motor84d.

Note that, in these embodiments, exchange of data between the detachable section20and the main body side control section70is performed using radio communication. However, the exchange of data can also be performed by wired communication. Instead of communicating with the main body side control section70, the detachable section20can also directly communicate with the numerical controller62.