Vertically sliding manual opening and closing door

A vertically sliding manual opening and closing door with good one-handed operability, including: a plate-like door member configured to open and close an opening section by being slid vertically; a support member configured to guide the vertical sliding of the door member by a support section configured to support left and right end sections of the door member; and a lock mechanism configured to position the door member that has been raised.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a door that is opened and closed by being slid vertically, in particular to a vertically sliding manual opening and closing door that can be opened and closed with one hand.

BACKGROUND ART

On a machine tool, a door is provided on a processing chamber covering a processing section such as a main shaft chuck such that an operator can perform work such as maintenance or component exchange inside the processing chamber from the outside. In patent literature 1 below, a safety door is provided that opens and closes around a rotation axis via a hinge, with opening and closing being performed by using a handle. With this conventional art, a small door is formed in the safety door such that a workpiece can be removed and inserted. The small door is a raising and lowering door that is raised and lowered along slide rails, with opening and closing being performed by holding a handle a raising and lowering the small door. A slanted channel is provided on the safety door and the small door to prevent the work floor becoming dirty by having liquid droplets collected by passing through the channel.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

When performing maintenance work or the like inside the processing chamber of a machine tool, in many cases one hand holds a tool and the other hand performs opening and closing of the door. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to open and close a door provided on a processing chamber with only one hand. Usually, because a handle is provided on the safety door and small door as above, it is easy to perform opening and closing using only one hand. However, for a safety door that is opened and closed by being pulled forwards, space is required on the outside for opening and closing, so for small work spaces, a sliding door such as the small door is desirable. However, to maintain an open state with a sliding door requires a lock mechanism that maintains the door in a raised position. Thus, with a sliding door, it is desirable that the lock mechanism for performing opening and closing can also being operated easily with one hand.

The present disclosure solves such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vertically sliding manual opening and closing door that can be operated well with one hand.

A form of the present disclosure of a vertically sliding manual opening and closing door includes: a plate-like door member configured to open and close an opening section by being slid vertically; a support member configured to guide the vertical sliding of the door member by a support section configured to support left and right end sections of the door member; and a lock mechanism configured to position the door member that has been raised, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock member attached to an external side surface of the door member, and biased to the external side by biasing force of a biasing member, an engaging member that is pushed in the outside direction with respect to the support member by the biasing force of the biasing member is formed on the lock member, and a receiving member is formed on the support member such that the engaging member of the lock member is inserted into the receiving member separating from the support member towards the outside.

Effects

According to the present disclosure, a receiving section is provided in the support member, and a lock member is integrally provided with the door member, such that when the door member is opened, the lock member provided with a biasing member automatically locks, thereby maintaining the door member in an open state, and when closing the door member, because releasing the lock and lowering the door member are performed by operation of the lock member, opening and closing operation is easy for an operator using only one hand.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure of a vertically sliding manual opening and closing door will be described with reference to the figures. With the present embodiment, as with the conventional example mentioned above, descriptions are given regarding a vertically sliding manual opening and closing door provided on a machine tool. In particular, the processing machine of the present embodiment configures a portion of processing machine line1ofFIG. 1. Processing machine line1has six machine tools5loaded on base2acting as a foundation. Each of the six machine tools5is the same type of NC lathe, with the same outer shape and dimensions. Also, a work conveyance device that performs transfer of work between the machine tools5is provided on processing machine line1.

Machine tool5has processing module3(refer toFIG. 2) loaded on base2, and the processing portion of processing module3is covered by external cover6. With processing machine line1, front cover7that is capable of being opened and closed is provided on the front side of external cover6, and the work conveyance device is arranged inside the conveyance chamber formed by front cover7.

With regard to this,FIG. 2is a perspective view of processing module3, which is the internal configuration of machine tool5, with processing module3shown loaded on trolley9in a state pulled out from the rear of base2. Only one processing module3is shown in the figure, but two processing modules3can be loaded on base2. Therefore, there are two sets of rails201each provided on base2to match the width of processing module3. Further, processing module3has wheels301to be loadable on base2in a state freely movable on rails201.

With processing machine line1, even with machine tools5adjacent as shown inFIG. 1, because processing modules3can be pulled forward, work such as maintenance or tool exchange can be performed on each machine tools5. Also, for machine tool5, because internal cover8is provided inside external cover8as shown inFIG. 3, a processing section of main shaft chuck315and turret316(refer toFIG. 2) of processing module3is covered.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a portion of machine tool5, but the processing module and work conveyance device are not shown.

Work door10is provided on an outer wall of internal cover8of machine tool5, and work such as maintenance or component exchange can be performed by opening work door10. This work door10is the embodiment described below of a vertically sliding manual opening and closing door. Work door10has a thin construction such that the thickness is about the same as the outer wall of internal cover8, so as not to encroach on the processing space of processing module3arranged inside the cover, and the configuration is such that the gap between work door10and external cover6arranged on the outside is extremely small. That is, work door10has a configuration that contributes to keeping the width dimension of outer cover6small while maintaining a large volume inside the processing chamber.

FIG. 4is an exploded view of work door10andFIG. 5shows work door10in an open state. With work door10, rectangular inside frame11and larger rectangular outside frame12are overlapping, and door member13is slidably attached to guide section42formed from the gap between frames11and12. Work door10is opened by door member13being moved from down to up, thereby forming opening section14that corresponds to the position of main shaft chuck314of processing module3. Quadrilateral opening hole111is formed in the lower half of inside frame11to match the size of door member13, and opening hole125is formed in outside frame12corresponding to the range in which door member13is raised and lowered.

Door member13is assembled as one unit from door frame15, door plate16, and lock plate17. Door frame15is formed as one unit from overlapping first frame31and second frame32screwed together. Second frame32is provided with frame section321and upper end section322, with a step formed between these two. Thus, upper end section322directly overlaps first frame31, but overlaps frame section321via a spacer. Also, door plate16is sandwiched by first frame31and second frame32, and forms one unit with door frame15to configure plate-shaped door member13.

Also, thin block handle33is joined to door frame15at a central portion of the lower end section of second frame32. When work door10is opened, an operator uses a finger to hold handle33, and opens work door10by lifting up door member13. Then, after door member13has been raised to open opening section14, the open state must be maintained by holding door member13at that position.

For this, a lock mechanism for maintaining the open state is provided on work door10.FIG. 6is a cross section view taken along A-A ofFIG. 5showing lock plate17that configures a lock mechanism.

With the lock mechanism on work door10, lock plate17is attached to door frame15, and receiver section18that supports lock plate17in a locked state is provided on outside frame12. Lock plate17is attached at a portion at which upper end section322of door frame15is positioned, and is formed from a wide flat plate formed to match the width dimension of second frame32. Spring hinge35is welded to upper end section322at two locations in the width direction, and lock plate17is welded to those spring hinges35.

As shown inFIG. 6, spring hinge35is formed such that biasing force is applied to the pair of pin-linked support plates351and352in the open direction by a coil spring that is not shown. Spring hinges35are attached such that, with rotation shaft353at the bottom, the gap between support plates351and352widens as you move up. Therefore, lock plate17is inclined around rotation shaft353as shown inFIG. 6Awith respect to vertical second frame32(door frame15), especially with the upper end side biased to widen toward the outside of work door10(the direction separating from second frame32.)

Further, the upper end of lock plate17extends both ways in the width direction to form protruding engaging sections171. Engaging sections171are formed from stepped section172being folded back to the second frame32side, that is, in the direction behind door member13. Engaging sections171are inserted into guide portion42between inside frame11and outside frame12. Therefore, usually with lock plate17, engaging sections171are pushed from the inside against outside frame12by the biasing force of spring hinges35, thus restricting the inclination and causing an upright state as shown inFIG. 6B.

Also, a section of a specified width is cut out from the lower central portion of lock plate17, thus forming handle section173that is recessed upwardly. Therefore, opening and closing operation of door member13may also be performed using handle section173as well as handle33. However, handle section173is formed with the purpose of performing closing operation as the locking is released. For example, an operator may support the entire door member13by holding handle section173with a middle finger, index finger, or ring finger, and in that state push against lock plate17with their thumb. By pushing in this manner, lock plate17changes from the locked state ofFIG. 6Ato the unlocked state ofFIG. 6B.

Next, receiving sections18that support lock plate17in a locked state are provided at the upper corners of opening hole125of outside frame12. This position is the position at which engaging portion171of lock plate17arrives when door member13is raised making work door10fully open. With regard to this,FIG. 7is a perspective view of receiving section18. Receiving section18is formed from cover plate38being joined as one unit with recessed receiving plate37that has cutout section371so as to cover cutout section371, with receiving plate37being screwed to outer frame12.

Cutout section121is formed in outside frame12at the upper corners of opening125at which receiving section18is positioned, with receiving plate37arranged to enclose this cutout section121, with cover plate38covering from the outside. Cutout section121of outside frame12is formed with a size such that engaging section171of lock plate17passes through. Also, because cutout section371of receiving plate37is larger than cutout section121, receiving channel181is formed as a space on the lower side of cutout section121by being surrounded by outside frame12, receiving plate37, and cover plate38. Receiving channel181is an item into which engaging section171of lock plate17passed through cutout section121is received. Therefore, door member13, by lock plate17being supported by receiving section18, is maintained in a locked state as shown inFIG. 5.

However, with work door10, an operator performs specified work by inserting a hand through opening section14that is open, but here there is a problem of liquid droplets dropping from raised door member13. That is, a large amount of coolant liquid supplied during processing scatters and sticks to the back side of the processing chamber surrounded by internal covers8. Here, when door member13is opened, because coolant liquid stuck to the back side falls towards opening section14, this is very troublesome for an operator who is performing work by inserting a hand through opening section14. Thus, in the present embodiment, inclined ends311that guide liquid droplets to the left and right sides are formed along the rear side of door member13. Inclined ends311are formed on the lower end of first frame31, and are inclined in a width direction from a central portion becoming lower towards the left and right sides. The inclination angle is about, for example, five to ten degrees.

Further, work door10is assembled as given below. That is, an opening section is formed at the rear wall of internal cover8, and work door10is attached to cover that opening section. The assembly of work door10is such that inside frame11and outside frame12overlap and are fixed as one unit to sandwich door member13. Here, a rear plate is welded to a circumferential edge portion of inside frame11, with screw holes being formed in that rear plate. Further, bolts41are inserted from the rear side into the through-holes formed in the circumferential edge portion of inside frame11, and attached to the screw holes of the rear plate. Here, guide section42that is the gap formed with outside frame12due to the rear plate is formed between inside frame11and outside frame12.

Multiple drop-shaped attachment holes122are formed in the circumferential edge portion of outside frame12positioned on the outside of overlapping inside frame11. Conversely, attachment screws43are fixed to the side wall of internal cover8at positions corresponding to attachment holes122. Therefore, assembled work door10is attached to internal cover8easily by passing the heads of attachment screws43through attachment holes122.

With work door10assembled in this manner, first frame31of door member13is inserted into guide portion42. With door member13, first frame31is guided and able to slide in a vertical direction by both end sections in the width direction being sandwiched in the thickness direction by inside frame11and outside frame12. With door member13, not only first frame31, but also engaging sections171of lock plate17are inserted into guide portion42that is the gap between inside frame11and outside frame12. Here, because lock plate17is biased to the outside by spring hinges35, engaging sections171are always pushed against outside frame12. Also, the biasing force of spring hinges35also acts on door member13, thus preventing play of door member13.

Next, when opening work door10, an operator uses a finger to raise handle33of door member13. Door member13slides up, and when in a fully open state, engaging sections171of lock plate17arrive at receiving sections18. Until that point, engaging sections171push against the sides of outside frame12, but upon arriving at receiving sections18, they are released from guide portion42due to cutout sections121, and enter receiving channels181. At this time, lock plate17changes to a forwardly inclined state, as shown inFIG. 6A. Then, when the operator stops supporting door member13, door member13lowers and engaging sections171fall into receiving channels181, thus a locked state is achieved. Door member13is maintained in an open state hanging via lock plate17.

Conversely, when closing work door10, an operator uses a finger to hold handle173of lock plate17, and raises door member13via lock plate17. Therefore, door member13is raised such that engaging sections171go from receiving channels181to the position of cutout sections121of outside frame12. Further, by the operator pushing lock plate17to the inside frame11side while keeping door member13raised, lock plate17changes to a vertical state, shown inFIG. 6B, against the biasing force of spring hinges35, and engaging sections171return to guide portion42. By this, the locking is released. Further, by the operator lowering door member13that is supported via lock plate17, door member13slides down, and work door10returns to a closed state.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, by receiving sections18being formed in outside frame12, and lock plate17being provided as one unit with door member13, when door member13is opened, lock plate17provided with spring hinges35is automatically locked, and door member13is maintained in an open state; and when door member13is closed, the locking is released and door member13is lowered by operation of lock plate17. Therefore, opening and closing of work door10can be performed by an operator using one hand.

Also, with the lock mechanism of work door10, it is extremely easy to perform operation of releasing the lock and lowering to close the door with one hand by pushing lock plate17while fully supporting door member13by holding handle section173with a finger. Specifically, because lock plate17has handle section173the underside of which can be held by a finger, and spring hinges35with a rotation shaft353at an intermediate height and pushing locations of upper end sections opened to the outside, an operator supporting lock plate17can perform hand operations naturally. Further, with the lock mechanism of work door10, lock plate17is a plate joined to spring hinges35, and receiving sections18are formed by receiving plate37and cover plate38being fixed to outer frame12in which cutout sections121are formed, therefore the above effects can be achieved with a simple configuration using a small quantity of components.

Work door10has a configuration in which lock plate17is attached to the outside of door member13by spring hinges35, and as shown inFIG. 6A, lock plate17slightly protrudes in the thickness direction of door member13. Also, receiving plate37and cover plate38that configure receiving section18are thin plates, such that the locations protruding with respect to outside frame12are extremely slight. Thus, work door10has a flat construction that has substantially no locations that protrude with respect to internal cover8. Therefore, external cover6can be arranged extremely close on the outside of internal cover8, contributing to the small size in the width direction of machine tool5. Further, with work door10of the present embodiment, liquid droplets are prevented from dropping onto opening section14by inclined ends311of door member13, making work easy.

The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure, but embodiments are not limited to these and various changes may be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the present embodiment is described using work door10of machine tool5, but a vertically sliding manual open and closing door may be applied to various items and is not limited to a machine tool.

Also, in the present embodiment, receiving channel181is formed in receiving section18, but for creating a locked state by engaging sections171being removed from guide portion42, the configuration may be such that cutout section371of receiving plate37is the same size as cutout section121, and there is no receiving channel181.

Also, in the present embodiment, receiving section18is formed to correspond to door member13in a fully open position, but receiving section18may be formed at multiple locations instead of just one.

Further, a lock member may be an item other than lock plate17, for example, an item formed by a frame. Also, instead of the lock member being attached to door member13by spring hinges35, the lock member may be attached to door member using separate members of a hinge and a spring member.

Also, for example, door member13may be attached flipped in the vertical direction, and receiving section18may be arranged at an intermediate position in the height direction of outside frame12.

Further, handle section173is an item for operating lock plate17using one hand. A different configuration may be used, so long as operation can be performed in a similar manner. For example, a handle may be arranged at the bottom of lock plate17in a similar manner to handle33at the bottom of door frame15.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST