Patent Description:
<NUM> A known example of a touching detection device as mentioned above is disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> listed below. This detection device includes a probe to be touched by an object to be detected such as a tool, and a sensor sensing displacement of the probe and outputting a detection signal when the probe is displaced by the object to be touched touching the probe.

<NUM> The probe has a touch surface (touched part) to be touched by the object to be detected, and consists of a first shaft configured to swing in the touching direction of the object when the object touches the touch surface, and a second shaft connected to the first shaft and configured to be displaced in an axial direction thereof by swing of the first shaft. The sensor is configured to sense displacement of the second shaft in the axial direction of the support shaft and output a detection signal.

<NUM> In this detection device, if, in order to improve responsiveness of the sensor to displacement of the probe, the sensor is set to sense a very small amount of displacement of the probe, the problem of erroneous detection occurs, e.g., the sensor outputs a detection signal even though the object to be detected does not touch the probe. In particular, in the case where this detection device is installed inside a machine tool, erroneous detection is likely to occur because vibration generated by operation of motion mechanisms of the machine tool and vibration generated in subtractive machining are propagated to the detection device and the probe is displaced due to the vibrations.

<NUM> Accordingly, in this detection device, to prevent such erroneous detection, an angular area up to the first shaft being tilted to a predetermined angle is designated as a dead zone, and the sensor is configured to sense the second shaft and output a detection signal when the first shaft is tilted by the predetermined angle and the second shaft is displaced in the axial direction thereof in accordance with the tilt angle of the first shaft. The tilt angle of the first shaft as the dead zone and the displacement of the second shaft corresponding to the tilt angle of the first shaft are appropriately set, whereby the occurrence of erroneous detection as described above is prevented.

<CIT> describes a detecting device, which detects a contact with an object. The device comprises a probe, which has a shaft portion with a base portion and a body with a fixed portion. The base portion and the shaft portion incline with respect to a fixed portion by pressing a force from an object an the stylus of the shaft portion. A sensor measures the displacement resulting from the inclination of the base portion and sends a signal to a control portion. The control portion then determines if a contact has been occurred or not based on the measured displacement.

<CIT> describes another measuring instrument for determining a contact with an object.

<NUM> The detection device disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> is improved so as to prevent erroneous detection caused by vibration; however, in terms of operational efficiency and detection accuracy, it is not necessarily able to provide both sufficiently satisfying operational efficiency and detection accuracy, and has some points to be improved.

<NUM> For example, in the field of machine tool, in setting offset amounts in a tool length direction, a distal end of each setting target tool is pressed against the touched part of the probe by manually operating the machine tool. The reason for this is that, because the amount of protrusion from a tool holder varies widely among the tools, automatic operation using an appropriate NC program does not allow the operation of pressing the distal end of each tool against the touched part of the probe to be performed in an appropriate state which involves no interference.

<NUM> In view of this background, the operation of pressing the distal end of each tool against the touched part of the probe is performed manually. However, if the touched part has a very small touch surface, the operation of pressing the distal end of each tool against the touch surface has to be performed carefully and finely so as to precisely press the distal end of each tool against the touch surface, which reduces operational efficiency.

<NUM> A possible solution for improving operational efficiency is to design the touched part to have a large touch surface so as to precisely press the distal end of each tool against the touch surface by rough operation. However, such a large touch surface causes the problem that an error occurs in the tool detection position in the pressing direction. That is to say, if the touched part is designed to have a large touch surface so as to press the distal end of each tool against the touch surface by rough operation, the position of touching of the tool with the touch surface varies widely in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, and this variation causes a difference (error) in the position of the tool distal end in the pressing direction at the time when the first shaft is tilted by the predetermined angle. This error causes the problem that the offset amounts in the tool length direction are inaccurately set.

<NUM> The present invention has been achieved in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touching detection device using a swing-type probe which enables the position of the tool distal end in the pressing direction at the time when the sensor outputs a detection signal to be approximately uniform even in the case where the touch surface to be touched by tools is so large enough to bring each tool into contact with the touch surface by rough operation.

<NUM> To solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a touching detection device according to claim <NUM>.

<NUM> With the touching detection device having this configuration (first configuration), an object to be detected is detected in the manner described below. That is to say, an object to be detected is first linearly moved in the swingable direction of the support part so that the object to be detected touches the touch surface of the touched part. Thereby, the support part is swung and the sensed part is displaced in accordance with the amount of swing of the support part. When the support part is swung to a predetermined angle and thereby the sensed part is displaced by a displacement amount corresponding to the swing, the sensed part is sensed by the sensor and the sensor outputs a detection signal.

<NUM> In this touching detection device, the touched part of is arranged such that the angle of the touch surface in the swinging direction of the support part is adjustable by means of the angle adjustment mechanism. By adjusting the support relation (support angle) between the touched part and the support part by means of the angle adjustment mechanism, the touched part can be set such that, when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal, the touch surface of the touched part is perpendicular to the touching direction of the object to be detected.

<NUM> Therefore, even in the case where the touched part is designed to have a large touch surface so as to improve operational efficiency and this causes the position of touching of the object to be detected with the touch surface to vary widely in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be detected is pressed against the touched part, the position of the object to be detected in the pressed direction when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal is approximately uniform.

<NUM> Therefore, using this touching detection device to set tool offset amounts in a machine tool enables accurately calculating the tool offset amounts.

<NUM> The touching detection device having the first configuration is configured such that:.

<NUM> With the touching detection device having this configuration (first configuration), an object to be detected is moved in each of the two perpendicular directions so that the object to be detected is pressed against the corresponding touch surface of the touched part. Thereby, the support part is swung in the pressed direction of the object to be detected and the sensed part is displaced in accordance with the amount of swing of the support part. When the support part is swung to a predetermined angle and thereby the sensed part is displaced by a displacement amount corresponding to the swing, the sensed part is sensed by the sensor and the sensor outputs a detection signal.

<NUM> In this touching detection device having the first configuration, the touched part is arranged such that the angles of the touch surfaces in the two swinging directions of the support part are adjustable by means of the angle adjustment mechanism. By adjusting the support relation (support angle) between the touched part and the support part in the two directions by means of the angle adjustment mechanism, the touched part can be set such that, when the support part is swung, in each of the swinging directions, to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal, the corresponding touch surface of the touched part is perpendicular to the touching direction of the object to be detected.

<NUM> Therefore, also in this touching detection device having the first configuration, even in the case where the position of touching of the object to be detected with the touch surface varies widely in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be detected is pressed against the touched part, the position of the object to be detected in the pressed direction when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal is approximately uniform. Therefore, using this touching detection device to set offset amounts in a tool length direction and tool diameter compensation amounts (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "tool offset amounts") in a machine tool enables accurately calculating the tool offset amounts.

<NUM> The touching detection device having the first configuration may further include an adjustment jig detachably attached to the body to tilt the support part in the swinging direction or directions. With the touching detection device having this configuration (second configuration), the adjustment of the support relation (support angle) between the touched part and the support part by means of the angle adjustment mechanism is facilitated by tilting the support part in the swinging direction or directions by means of the adjustment jig.

<NUM> The present invention further provides a touching detection device according to claim <NUM>.

<NUM> In the touching detection device having this configuration (third configuration), the touched part is coupled to the support part such that, when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal, the touch surface of the touched part is perpendicular to the touching direction of the object to be detected. Therefore, this touching detection device achieves the same effect as the touching detection device having the first configuration described above. That is to say, even in the case where the touched part is designed to have a large touch surface so as to improve operational efficiency and this causes the position of touching of the object to be detected with the touch surface to vary widely in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be detected is pressed against the touched part, the position of the object to be detected in the pressed direction when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal is approximately uniform. Therefore, using this touching detection device having the third configuration to set tool offset amounts in a machine tool enables accurately calculating the tool offset amounts.

<NUM> The touching detection device having the third configuration is configured such that:.

<NUM> In the touching detection device having this configuration (third configuration), the touched part is coupled to the support part such that, when the support part is swung, in each of the swinging directions, to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal, the corresponding touch surface of the touched part is perpendicular to the touching direction of the object to be detected. Therefore, this touching detection device achieves the same effect as the touching detection device having the first configuration described above. That is to say, even in the case where the position of touching of the object to be detected with the touch surface varies widely in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be detected is pressed against the touched part, the position of the object to be detected in the pressed direction when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal is approximately uniform. Therefore, using this touching detection device to set tool offset amounts in a machine tool enables accurately calculating the tool offset amounts.

<NUM> As described above, with the touching detection device according to the present invention having the first configuration or the third configuration, even in the case where the touched part is designed to have a large touch surface so as to improve operational efficiency and this causes the position of touching of the object to be detected with the touch surface to vary widely in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be detected is pressed against the touched part, the position of the object to be detected in the pressed direction when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal is approximately uniform. Therefore, using this touching detection device to set tool offset amounts in a machine tool enables accurately calculating the tool offset amounts.

<NUM> Further, also with the touching detection device according to the present invention having the first configuration or the third configuration, even in the case where the position of touching of the object to be detected with the touch surface varies widely in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be detected is pressed against the touched part, the position of the object to be detected in the pressed direction when the support part is swung to the angle at which the sensor outputs the detection signal is approximately uniform. Therefore, using this touching detection device to set tool offset amounts in a machine tool enables accurately calculating the tool offset amounts.

<NUM> Further, with the touching detection device having the second configuration, the adjustment of the support relation between the touched part and the support part by means of the angle adjustment mechanism in the touching detection device having the first configuration configuration is facilitated by tilting the support part in the swinging direction or directions by means of the adjustment jig.

<NUM> Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a touching detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described on the basis of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the touching detection device <NUM> according to the first embodiment includes a probe <NUM>, a sensor S, a body <NUM>, and an adjustment jig <NUM>. These components are each described in detail below. Note that illustration of the adjustment jig <NUM> is omitted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<NUM> The body <NUM> consists of an upper body <NUM> and a lower body <NUM> coupled to each other vertically, and holds the probe <NUM> and the sensor S. The upper body <NUM> is composed of an annular member having openings in upper and lower faces thereof. The lower body <NUM> is of a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening in an upper face thereof and is coupled to the lower face of the upper body <NUM>. Further, a lid <NUM>, which is of a cup shape having openings in upper and lower faces thereof, is arranged on the upper opening 3a of the upper body <NUM>.

<NUM> The probe <NUM> consists of a touched body <NUM> as a touched part, a support shaft <NUM> as a support part, a sensed shaft <NUM> as a sensed part, and other components. The touched body <NUM> has touch surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d to be touched by an object to be detected (not illustrated) such as a tool. The support shaft <NUM> supports the touched body <NUM> via an angle adjustment mechanism <NUM>. The sensed shaft <NUM> is connected to the support shaft <NUM>.

<NUM> The touched body <NUM> is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped member, and the touch surfaces 11a and 11b are formed by a pair of opposed side surfaces of the touched body <NUM> and the touch surfaces 11c and 11d are formed by another pair of opposed side surfaces of the touched body <NUM>. Further, the touched body <NUM> has a holding hole 11e formed therein that penetrates vertically.

<NUM> The angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> consists of a fork end <NUM>, a joint <NUM> coupled to the fork end <NUM>, and a bolt <NUM> for tightening a fork portion of the fork end <NUM>. The joint <NUM> is inserted in the holding hole 11e of the touched body <NUM>. The joint <NUM> in this state is fastened to the touched body <NUM> by tightening of a bolt <NUM>. The fork end <NUM> has a screw hole formed that has an opening in a lower surface of the fork end <NUM>, in which screw hole one end (a screw portion of an upper end) of the support shaft <NUM> is screwed. Note that loosening of the support shaft <NUM> screwed in the fork end <NUM> is prevented by a set screw <NUM>.

<NUM> The other end (lower end) of the support shaft <NUM> is inserted in the lid <NUM> through an opening 5a of the lid <NUM> and swingably held by an elastic holding member <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> is fixed to a fixing member <NUM> by a bolt <NUM> via a presser plate <NUM>. Note that the fixing member <NUM> is of an annular shape having openings in upper and lower faces thereof and is fixed to the upper body <NUM> inside the upper body <NUM>. Further, a cover <NUM> is fitted around the support shaft <NUM> at a position higher than the holding member <NUM> so that the opening 5a of the lid <NUM> is closed by the cover <NUM>.

<NUM> Further, a swinging board <NUM> is fitted around a lower end portion of the support shaft <NUM>, and the swinging board <NUM> is fixedly attached to the lower end portion of the support shaft <NUM> by a suitable method such as shrink fitting. The swinging board <NUM> is of a circular plate shape and has a boss portion 35a formed on a central portion of an upper surface thereof. The boss portion 35a has a through hole 35b formed therein that penetrates vertically, and has a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof.

<NUM> As illustrated also in <FIG>, the swinging board <NUM> has receiving grooves 35c formed in the upper surface thereof, and the receiving grooves 35c form a quadrangle centered at the boss portion 35a in plan view. Each receiving groove <NUM> receives a reference pin <NUM> therein. Further, a presser plate <NUM> having a cross shape in plan view is fitted around the boss portion 35a. The presser plate <NUM> is pressed downward by a nut <NUM> screwed with the boss portion 35a, and each reference pin <NUM> is pressed against an outer-side inner wall of the corresponding receiving groove 35c by the presser plate <NUM>.

<NUM> Inside each corner of the quadrangle formed by the four reference pins <NUM>, a support pin <NUM> is arranged such that it is in contact with the two corresponding reference pins <NUM>. The support pins <NUM> are implanted in a lower surface of the fixing member <NUM>. The swinging board <NUM> further has relief holes 35d, which penetrate vertically, bored at positions corresponding to the support pins <NUM>.

<NUM> The support shaft <NUM> and the sensed shaft <NUM> are connected to each other via a pair of spheres <NUM>, <NUM>. The sphere <NUM> is received by a holding hole formed in a lower end surface of the support shaft <NUM>, while the sphere <NUM> is received by a holding hole formed in an upper end surface of the sensed shaft <NUM>. The spheres <NUM> and <NUM> are supported by a holding ring <NUM>.

<NUM> The sensed shaft <NUM> is held by a sleeve <NUM> to be movable in an axial direction thereof. The sleeve <NUM> is held by a support ring <NUM> in a state of being fitted in a center hole of the support ring <NUM>. The support ring <NUM> is fixedly attached to a flange 4a formed to protrude from an inner peripheral surface of the lower body <NUM>.

<NUM> Further, a compressed coil spring <NUM> is fitted around the sleeve <NUM>. The compressed coil spring <NUM> is compressed downward via a presser plate <NUM> by tightening of a presser nut <NUM> screwed with a screw portion of the upper end of the sensed shaft <NUM>. Thereby, the sensed shaft <NUM> is biased upward by the action of the compressed coil spring <NUM> so that the pair of spheres <NUM>, <NUM> is maintained in a state of being in contact with each other. Further, the support shaft <NUM> and the swinging board <NUM> are biased upward via the spheres <NUM> and <NUM> so that the reference pins <NUM> are in contact with the lower surface of the fixing member <NUM>.

<NUM> A support plate <NUM> is provided on a lower surface of the support ring <NUM> such that it hangs down from the lower surface of the support ring <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> has a cut 7a formed to allow the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> to move in the axial direction thereof, and has the sensor S provided thereon. When the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is displaced downward by a predetermined amount, the sensor S senses the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> and outputs a detection signal.

<NUM> The adjustment jig <NUM> is composed of a block-shaped member and is detachably attached on the upper face of the upper body <NUM>. The adjustment jig <NUM> has an adjustment bolt <NUM> screwed in an arm portion <NUM> thereof that extends to the fork end <NUM> side from a base portion 53b thereof when the adjustment jig <NUM> is mounted on the upper body <NUM>. The adjustment bolt <NUM> is screwed in the arm portion <NUM> at a position facing a shaft portion of the fork end <NUM> in the mounted state. The adjustment bolt <NUM> is movable forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 11a of the touched body <NUM>.

Next, a basic manner of touching detection in the touching detection device <NUM> according to this embodiment is described. Note that the angle of the touched body <NUM> in a rotation direction about an axis of the joint <NUM> (the direction indicated by an arrow in <FIG>) has been adjusted so that the touch surfaces 11a and 11b are parallel to one of the two pairs of parallel-disposed reference pins <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, the touch surfaces 11c and 11d are parallel to the other pair of reference pins <NUM>, <NUM>.

<NUM> First, an object to be detected (not illustrated) is moved in a direction perpendicular to the touch surfaces 11a and 11b, for example, in the -Z direction shown in <FIG>, so that the object is pressed against the touch surface 11a of the touched body <NUM>. Thereby, as shown in <FIG>, the support shaft <NUM> supporting the touched body <NUM> as well as the swinging board <NUM> fixedly attached to the support shaft <NUM> are swung so that they are tilted in the E direction with respect to the reference pin <NUM> arranged perpendicularly to the moving direction of the object (not illustrated), i.e., the arrow Z direction, and positioned on the +Z side. This swing displaces the connection between the support shaft <NUM> and the sensed shaft <NUM>, that is to say, the position of contact between the spheres <NUM> and <NUM>, downward, so that the sensed shaft <NUM> is displaced downward along the axial direction thereof against the biasing force of the compressed coil spring <NUM>. Consequently, the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is sensed by the sensor S and the sensor S outputs a detection signal. Note that the tilt angle θ of the support shaft <NUM> at the time when the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is sensed by the sensor S is hereinafter referred to as "detection angle θ".

<NUM> After the touching of the object (not illustrated) is detected in the above-described manner, the object (not illustrated) is retracted in the +Z direction. Thereby, the support shaft <NUM> and the swinging board <NUM> are swung in the F direction by the biasing force of the compressed coil spring <NUM> so that they return to the original position.

<NUM> Similarly, when an object to be detected (not illustrated) is moved in the +Z direction from the -Z side so that the object is pressed against the touch surface 11b of the touched body <NUM>, the support shaft <NUM> and the swinging board <NUM> are swung in the F direction with respect to the reference pin <NUM> arranged perpendicularly to the arrow Z direction and positioned on the -Z side. This swing causes the sensed shaft <NUM> to be displaced downward along the axial direction thereof against the biasing force of the compressed coil spring <NUM>. Consequently, the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is sensed by the sensor S and the sensor S outputs a detection signal.

<NUM> Further, also when an object to be detected (not illustrated) is moved in either one of two directions (-X direction and +X direction) perpendicular to the Z direction so that the object is pressed against the side surface 11c or 11d of the touched body <NUM>, the support shaft <NUM> and the swinging board <NUM> are swung similarly to the above-described manner. Thereby, the sensed shaft <NUM> is displaced downward along the axial direction thereof; consequently, the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is sensed by the sensor S and the sensor S outputs a detection signal.

Next, angle adjustment in the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> of the touching detection device <NUM> according to this embodiment is described.

Note that the joint <NUM> and the fork end <NUM> of the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> have been adjusted so that they are arranged coaxially with each other as shown in <FIG>.

<NUM> First, the adjustment jig <NUM> is mounted onto the upper body <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Subsequently, the adjustment bolt <NUM> is tightened so that its distal end is pressed against the shaft portion of the fork end <NUM> and then the shaft portion of the fork end <NUM> is pushed further in the direction (-Z direction) perpendicular to the side surface 11a of the touched body <NUM>. Thereby, the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> and the support shaft <NUM> are tilted in the pushed direction (-Z direction) as shown in <FIG>. While monitoring output of the sensor S, the support shaft <NUM> is further tilted by tightening the adjustment bolt <NUM> so that the sensed shaft <NUM> is displaced downward. When the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is sensed by the sensor S and the sensor S outputs a detection signal, that is to say, when the tilt angle of the support shaft <NUM> reaches the detection angle θ, the tightening of the adjustment bolt <NUM> is stopped.

<NUM> Subsequently, the bolt <NUM> of the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> is loosened, and then the angle of the touched body <NUM> is adjusted with a measurement device as appropriate so that the side surfaces 11a and 11b of the touched body <NUM> become vertical to the arrow Z direction as shown in <FIG>. Thereafter, the bolt <NUM> is tightened. Thus, the angle of the touched body <NUM> in the arrow E-F direction that is the swinging direction of the support shaft <NUM> is adjusted. After the angle of the touched body <NUM> is adjusted in this manner, the adjustment jig <NUM> is detached from the upper body <NUM>.

In the touching detection device <NUM> according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the touching of an object to be detected (not illustrated) with the touched body <NUM> is detected in the manner described below. Note that the angle of the touched body <NUM> in the arrow E-F direction has previously been adjusted to the state shown in <FIG>.

<NUM> For example, in a case where the touching detection device <NUM> is installed on a table of a machining center, which is a machine tool, to set an offset amount in a tool length direction, the touching detection device <NUM> in the state shown in <FIG> is first installed onto the table such that the arrow Z direction coincides with an axial direction of the tool. Subsequently, the tool that is attached to a spindle is moved manually in the -Z direction along the axis of the tool so that it is pressed against the side surface 11a of the touched body <NUM>. In this process, the tool is first positioned manually in the vertical direction (the arrow Y direction perpendicular to the arrow Z direction) and then moved in the -Z direction so that it is pressed against the side surface 11a. Thereby, the support shaft <NUM> and the swinging board <NUM> are swung in the E direction and the sensed shaft <NUM> is displaced downward. When the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is displaced to the sensed position, the lower end of the sensed shaft <NUM> is sensed by the sensor S and the sensor S outputs a detection signal. The position of the tool in the Z direction at the time when the sensor S outputs the detection signal is recognized by the machine tool.

<NUM> In this process, as described above, the tool is positioned manually in the arrow Y direction. Therefore, when the touching detection is carried out with respect to two or more tools, manually positioning each tool in the arrow Y direction results in that the position at which each tool is positioned is not uniform but varies among the tools. For example, in the case of positioning two tools in the arrow Y direction, as shown in <FIG>, the tools are positioned at different positions Y<NUM> and Y<NUM>. If the angle of the touched body <NUM> in the arrow E-F direction is not adjusted to the state described in this embodiment, that is to say, if the joint <NUM> and the fork end <NUM> of the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> are arranged coaxially with each other as shown in <FIG>, in the case where tools are positioned at different positions Y<NUM> and Y<NUM> (Y<NUM>>Y<NUM>) in the arrow Y direction, the positions Z<NUM> and Z<NUM> of the tools in the Z direction at the time when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ are not equal in value and have the relation of Z<NUM><Z<NUM> as shown in <FIG>. This causes an error of ΔZ (=Z<NUM>-Z<NUM>) to occur between the detected positions of the tools T in the Z direction.

<NUM> In contrast, in the touching detection device <NUM> according to this embodiment, the angle of the touched body <NUM> in the arrow E-F direction is adjusted such that the side surface 11a as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> is vertical to the Z direction in the state where the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, even in the case where tools are positioned at different positions Y<NUM> and Y<NUM> (Y<NUM>>Y<NUM>) in the Y direction, the positions Z<NUM>' and Z<NUM>' of the tools in the Z direction at the time when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ are equal in value. Therefore, in theory, there is no error in the detected position of each tool in the Z direction, except for errors relevant to operation of motion units of the machine tool and the like. Accordingly, a touching position of each tool in the Z direction is accurately and precisely detected. Therefore, when this touching detection device <NUM> is used to set tool length offset amounts in a machine tool, even in the case where the touched body <NUM> is designed to have a large side surface (touch surface) 11a so as to improve operational efficiency and the like, a touching position each tool in the Z direction is accurately and precisely detected, so that the tool offset amounts are accurately set.

Next, a touching detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<NUM> As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the touching detection device <NUM>' according to the second embodiment is configured differently from the touching detection device <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that the touching detection device <NUM>' includes an angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> instead of the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM>. Accordingly, the same components as those of the touching detection device <NUM> are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description of such components is omitted in the description below. Note that reference numeral <NUM>' denotes a probe having the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM>.

<NUM> In the touching detection device <NUM>' according to the second embodiment, the touched body <NUM> is supported by the support shaft <NUM> via the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM>. The angle adjustment mechanism <NUM> consists of a first fork end <NUM>, a second fork end <NUM> coupled to the first fork end <NUM>, a joint <NUM> coupled to the second fork end <NUM>, a bolt <NUM> for tightening a fork portion of the first fork end <NUM>, and a bolt <NUM> for tightening a fork portion of the second fork end <NUM>. The joint <NUM> is inserted in the holding hole 11e of the touched body <NUM>, and the joint <NUM> in this state is fastened to the touched body <NUM> by tightening of the bolt <NUM>.

<NUM> The first fork end <NUM> has a screw hole formed that has an opening in a lower surface of the first fork end <NUM>, in which screw hole the upper end of the support shaft <NUM> is screwed. Loosening of the support shaft <NUM> screwed in the first fork end <NUM> is prevented by the set screw <NUM>.

<NUM> The first fork end <NUM> and the second fork end <NUM> are coupled to each other by tightening of the bolt <NUM> such that an axis of the second fork end <NUM> and the side surface 11d as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> become vertical to the arrow X direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted by the detection angle θ in the I direction.

<NUM> Further, the second fork end <NUM> and the joint <NUM> are coupled to each other by tightening of the bolt <NUM> such that the side surface (touch surface) 11a of the touched body <NUM> becomes vertical to the Z direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted by the detection angle θ in the E direction.

<NUM> Thus, in the touching detection device <NUM>' according to the second embodiment, similarly to the touching detection device <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the angle of the touched body <NUM> in the arrow E-F direction is adjusted such that the side surface 11a as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> is vertical to the Z direction in the state where the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ in the E direction. Therefore, as described above, for example, in the case of detecting touching positions of tools in the Z direction, the position (touching detection position) of each tool in the Z direction at the time when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ is equal in value even if the position in the Y-axis direction of the contact with the touch surface 11a of the touched body <NUM> varies among the tools; therefore, in theory, there is no error in the detected position of each tool in the Z direction, except for errors relevant to operation of motion units of the machine tool and the like.

<NUM> Further, in the touching detection device <NUM>' according to the second embodiment, the angle of the touched body <NUM> in the arrow G-H direction is adjusted such that the side surface 11d as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> is vertical to the X direction in the state where the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ in the I direction. Therefore, for example, in the case of detecting touching positions of tools in the X direction that is perpendicular to the Z direction and the Y direction, the position (touching detection position) of each tool in the X direction at the time when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle is equal in value even if the position in the Y direction of the contact with the touch surface 11d of the touched body <NUM> varies among the tools; therefore, in theory, there is no error in the detected position of each tool in the X direction, except for errors relevant to operation of the motion units of the machine tool and the like.

<NUM> As described above, with this touching detection device <NUM>', touching positions of an object to be detected such as a tool in two perpendicular directions, namely, in the Z direction and the X direction, are accurately and precisely detected. Therefore, when the touching detection device <NUM>' is used in a machine tool to set offset amounts in a tool length direction (i.e., tool length compensation) and set tool diameter compensation amounts in a direction perpendicular to the tool length direction, touching positions of each tool in the Z direction and the X direction are accurately and precisely detected even in the case where the touched body <NUM> is designed to have large side surfaces 11a (touch surface), 11b, 11c, and 11d (touch surface) so as to improve operational efficiency. Therefore, the tool offset amounts are accurately set.

Next, a touching detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<NUM> As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the touching detection device <NUM>" according to the third embodiment is configured differently from the touching detection device <NUM>' according to the second embodiment in that the touching detection device <NUM>" includes an inclined shaft <NUM> as a support part instead of the angle adjustment mechanism <NUM>. Accordingly, the same components as those of the touching detection devices <NUM> and <NUM>' are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description of such components is omitted in the description below. Note that reference numeral <NUM>" denotes a probe having the inclined shaft <NUM>.

<NUM> In the touching detection device <NUM>" according to the third embodiment, the touched body <NUM> is supported by the support shaft <NUM> via the inclined shaft <NUM> that is coupled to the support shaft <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the axis of the inclined shaft <NUM> is bent such that the side surface 11d as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> becomes vertical to the X direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted by the detection angle θ in the I direction.

<NUM> Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the axis of the inclined shaft <NUM> is bent such that the side surface 11a as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> becomes vertical to the Z direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted by the detection angle θ in the E direction.

<NUM> Thus, similarly to the touching detection device <NUM>' according to the second embodiment, the touching detection device <NUM>" according to the third embodiment is configured such that the side surface 11a as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> is vertical to the Z direction in the state where the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle in the E direction. Therefore, as described above, for example, in the case of detecting touching positions of tools in the Z direction, the position (touching detection position) of each tool in the Z direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle is equal in value even if the position in the Y direction of the contact with the touch surface 11a of the touched body <NUM> varies among the tools; therefore, in theory, there is no error in the detected position of each tool in the Z direction, except for errors relevant to operation of motion units of the machine tool and the like.

<NUM> The touching detection device <NUM>" according to the third embodiment is further configured such that the side surface 11d as a touch surface of the touched body <NUM> becomes vertical to the X direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle θ in the I direction. Therefore, for example, in the case of detecting touching positions of tools in the X direction that is perpendicular to the Z direction and the Y direction, the position (touching detection position) of each tool in the X direction when the support shaft <NUM> is tilted to the detection angle is equal in value even if the position in the Y direction of the contact with the touch surface 11d of the touched body <NUM> varies among the tools; therefore, in theory, there is no error in the detected position of each tool in the X direction, except for errors relevant to operation of the motion units of the machine tool and the like.

<NUM> As described above, with this touching detection device <NUM>", touching positions of an object to be detected such as a tool in two perpendicular directions, namely, in the Z direction and the X direction, are accurately and precisely detected. Therefore, when the touching detection device <NUM>" is used in a machine tool to set tool offset amounts, touching positions of each tool in the Z direction and the X direction are accurately and precisely detected even in the case where the touched body <NUM> is designed to have large side surfaces 11a (touch surface), 11b, 11c, and 11d (touch surface) so as to improve operational efficiency. Therefore, the tool offset amounts are accurately set.

<NUM> Hereinbefore, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the foregoing description of the embodiments is not limitative, but illustrative in all aspects. The scope of the present invention is not defined by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A touching detection device (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising:
a probe (<NUM>) having a touched part (<NUM>), a support part (<NUM>) supporting the touched part (<NUM>), and a sensed part, the touched part (<NUM>) having a touch surface to be touched by an object to be detected;
a sensor (S) sensing the sensed part (<NUM>) of the probe (<NUM>); and
a body (<NUM>) holding the probe (<NUM>) and the sensor (S),
wherein:
the touched part (<NUM>) has two touch surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) to be touched by the object to be detected, the two touch surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) being perpendicular to each other;
the support part (<NUM>) is held by the body (<NUM>) to be swingable in each of two directions in which the object to be detected touches each of the two touch surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of the touched part (<NUM>);
the sensed part (<NUM>) is configured to be displaced in accordance with an amount of swing of the support part (<NUM>) in each of the two directions;
the sensor (S) is configured to, when the sensed part (<NUM>) is displaced by a preset displacement amount in accordance with the amount of swing of the support part (<NUM>) in each of the two directions, sense the sensed part (<NUM>) and output a detection signal; and
the support part (<NUM>) is configured to support the touched part (<NUM>) via an angle adjustment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to be able to adjust an angle of each of the two touch surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) in a corresponding swinging direction of the support part (<NUM>).