Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to machine tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a feeding mechanism for a machine tool.

Background of the invention

[0002] Feeding mechanisms are widely used in machine tools such as drilling, milling, broaching etc., to provide continuous motion of either a machining tool or a work towards or away from each other. These mechanisms typically require feeding mechanisms to control the movement of tools such as drill bits towards a workpiece. In existing machine tools, feeding mechanisms are both hand operated or machine operated, i.e., in the case of manual drilling or machines, a handle is provided for feeding the drill bit towards the workpiece or in the case of automated drilling operation, a linear actuator is used to provide feeding motion.

[0003] The traditional feeding mechanisms for machine tool do not provide with ease of use by having different modes of operation. A fully automatic or a fully manual mode of operation is available which do not provide the required results with increase in complexity. These traditional feeding mechanisms can be expensive to automate, leading to increased human efforts and awareness in operating the machine tools. Also, automated machine tools are of higher cost and involve complex mechanisms. Further, in the case of manual machine tools, a skilled person is required to provide proper feed to ensure accurate machining of the workpiece.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a system for a feeding mechanism for a machine tool that simplifies the transition between manual and automatic modes while maintaining a straightforward and simple construction.

Objects of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a system for a feeding mechanism for a machine tool.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for a feeding mechanism for a machine tool, which reduces human efforts in machining a workpiece.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for a feeding mechanism for a machine tool, having both a manual and automated mode of operation. [0008] Further object of the present invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for a machine tool, which is simple in construction and cost- effective.

Summary of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a feeding mechanism for a machine tool having a manual and automatic mode of operation. The machine tool is a drilling, milling or broaching machine, and the feeding mechanism is the movement of the feeder towards a workpiece to perform the operation. The feeding mechanism comprises of a motor with a shaft. A worm gear is coupled to the shaft of the motor. Also, a feeder shaft is arranged on a side portion of the machine tool to provide rotary motion to drive cutting tools or workpieces, thereby enabling the machining processes. Further, a handle (51) is coupled to the feeder shaft at an outward end to adjust the feeding motion of the feeder shaft. A worm wheel is mounted over a portion of the feeder shaft which is adjacent to the handle (51). The worm wheel is adapted to engage with the worm gear associated with the motor. Furthermore, a locking shaft is arranged inside a hollow interior of the feeder shaft with one end of the locking shaft in connection with the handle (51) such that the operation of the handle (51) enables an axial movement of the locking shaft within the feeder shaft.

[0010] Also, a locking clutch is arranged on the feeder shaft and is in connection with the worm wheel. The locking clutch facilitates in engaging or disengaging the worm wheel of the feeder shaft from the worm gear to transfer rotary motion. Further, at least one locking ball is arranged in a recess portion within the feeder shaft. The locking balls are engageably connected with the locking shaft and the locking clutch and the movement of the locking shaft enables the locking ball to engage or disengage the locking clutch with the worm wheel. The locking shaft is restored to its original position which comprises a means to reengage the locking balls with the locking clutch when handle is released, thereby transmitting rotational motion from the worm wheel to the feeder shaft, enabling automated operation of the handle of the machine tool.

[0011] Furthermore, a locking piece with a tapered end is surrounding a portion of the locking shaft. Also, a locking spring is arranged on an end portion of the locking shaft. The locking spring surrounds a portion of the locking shaft and is connected to the locking piece at one end and to a stopper at the other end wherein the locking spring biases the locking piece. The feeder shaft is operable manually in a first position and is operable automatically in a second position. The motor continuously performs the rotational motion, which in turn rotates the worm wheel by the worm gear. The first position is having a manual operation in which the handle is pulled to an outward direction away from the feeder shaft causing displacement of the locking shaft in the outward direction and enabling the contact of the locking balls with an engagement portion of the locking piece. The locking clutch disengages the worm wheel from the worm gear of the motor shaft enabling manual operation of the handle of the machine tool. Now, in the second position having an automatic operation, the handle is released in an inward direction and the locking balls engage with the locking clutch further disabling the contact with the recessed portion, thereby allowing for the transfer of rotational motion from the worm wheel to the feeder shaft and to rotate the handle in accordance with the rotation of the motor. Also, an operator can manually operate the handle to interrupt the transfer of the rotational motion from the motor to the feeder shaft. An easy switching between automatic and manual operation is provided to reduce human efforts during machine tool operation.

Brief Description of drawings

[0012] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0013] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a feeding mechanism for a machine tool in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of the feeding mechanism for a machine tool in accordance with the present invention; and [0015] Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the feeding mechanism for a machine tool in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0016] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0017] The disclosed feeding mechanism for a machine tool comprises several components. These components include a motor with a shaft, a worm gear connected to the shaft of the motor, a feeder shaft, a handle linked to the feeder shaft, and a worm wheel mounted over the feeder shaft. Crucially, the worm gear continuously engages with the worm wheel, and the motor continuously performs rotational motion, transmitting this motion to the worm wheel through the worm gear. The mechanism also features a locking clutch, at least one locking ball, and a locking shaft. The locking shaft is connected to the feeder shaft and has a locking piece with a tapered end and a recessed portion in contact with the locking balls. Further, a locking spring is connected to an end of the locking shaft. The mechanism operates in two modes: a manual mode and an automatic mode. [0018] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

[0019] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0020] Referring to figure 1, an isometric view of a feeding mechanism (100) for a machine tool (10) is illustrated. The machine tool (10) can be any tool such as a drilling machine, milling machine, broaching machine, lathe machine which is used in metal removing operation. In the present embodiment, the machine tool (10) is a drilling machine, and the feeding operation is the movement of a drill bit towards a workpiece to perform a drilling operation. The feeding mechanism (100) is hereinafter referred to as the mechanism (100).

[0021] The feeding mechanism (100) includes a feeder shaft (40), a handle (51) and a motor (20). The feeder shaft (40) is arranged on a side portion of the machine tool (10). The feeder shaft (40) is a cylindrical component or an outer shaft to transmit rotational motion to various parts of the machine tool (10). The rotary motion of the feeder shaft (40) is controlled manually or automatically. An outward end of the feeder shaft (40) is connected to the handle (51). The handle (51) is a manual control device, enabling the operator to directly control the rotation and movement of the feeder shaft (40) using their hands. The handle (51) is securely attached to the feeder shaft (40), allowing the operator's movements to be directly translated into rotational motion of the feeder shaft (40). In an embodiment, the handle (51) may include knobs, levers, or other mechanisms that allow the operator to fine-tune the feeding rate, direction, or other parameters.

[0022] Referring again to figure 1, the feeder shaft (40) is engageably connected to the motor (20). The motor (20) has an extended shaft with a worm gear (30) coupled therewith. The worm gear (30) is engageable with a worm wheel (50) mounted over a portion of the feeder shaft (40) adjacent to the handle (51) (as shown in figure 1). The worm wheel (50) is adapted to engage with the worm gear (30) associated with the motor (20). The engagement between the worm gear (30) and the worm wheel (50) is essential for transferring rotational motion from the motor (20) to the feeder shaft (40). When the motor (20) rotates its extended shaft with the worm gear (30), the engaged worm gear (30) drives the worm wheel (50), initiating rotation of the feeder shaft (40). The motor (20) with the shaft performs rotational motion, which in turn rotates the worm wheel (50) through the worm gear (30).

[0023] Referring now to figure 2, the mechanism (100) includes a locking shaft (80) arranged inside a hollow interior of the feeder shaft (40), a locking clutch (60) arranged on the feeder shaft (40), at least one locking ball (70) arranged in a recessed portion (130) within the feeder shaft (40), a locking piece (90) with a tapered end is surrounding a portion of the locking shaft (80), and a locking spring (120) is arranged on an end portion of the locking shaft (80) (as shown in figures 2 and 3). The locking shaft (80) is an inner shaft arranged on the bore of the feeder shaft (40) which is movable between a first position (100a) and a second position (100b). Mounting points or flanges may be present at specific locations on the locking shaft, allowing for secure attachment to other parts of the machinery.

[0024] The one end of the locking shaft (80) is in connection with the handle (51) such that the operation of the handle (51) enables an axial movement of the locking shaft (80) within the feeder shaft (40). Also, the locking clutch (60) is in connection with the worm wheel (50) which facilitates in engaging or disengaging the worm wheel (50) of the feeder shaft (40) from the worm gear (30) to transfer rotary motion. Further, the locking balls (70) are engageably connected with the locking shaft (80) and the locking clutch (60). The movement of the locking shaft (80) enables the locking ball (70) to engage or disengage the locking clutch (60) with the worm wheel (50). Further, the locking spring (120) surrounds a portion of the locking shaft (80) and is connected to the locking piece (90) at one end and to a stopper (140) at the other end wherein the locking (120) spring biases the locking piece (90).

[0025] The mechanism (100) or the feeder shaft (40) is operable in two modes - a manual mode and an automatic mode. In the manual mode, the locking shaft (80) is in a first position (100a) (as shown in figure 2) and in the automatic mode the locking shaft (80) is in a second position (100b) (as shown in figure 3). During manual mode, in the first position (100a) (as shown in figure 2), the handle (51) is pulled in an outward direction away from the feeder shaft (40) (i.e., towards the operator). Due to the pulling of the handle (51), the locking shaft (80) is displaced in the outward direction which enables the contact of the locking balls (70) with an engagement portion (110) of the locking piece (90). The locking clutch (60) disengages the worm wheel (50) from the worm gear (30) of the motor shaft which enables manual operation of the handle (51) of the machine tool. In the manual mode, the operator can directly control the rotation and movement of the feeder shaft (40) using their hands. In such condition, the locking shaft (80) is locked on a locking slot arranged on the locking shaft (80). A plunger with a spring release mechanism is arranged adjacent to the handle (51). The plunger locks on the slot arranged on the locking shaft (80) to prevent the movement of the locking shaft (80) towards the second position.

[0026] In an embodiment, an extended portion of the handle (51) is pushed towards the direction of the feeder shaft (40), the handle (51) which is engageably connected with the locking shaft (80) pulls the locking shaft (800 towards the handle (51). While pushing the extended portion of the handle (51), the locking shaft (80) is displaced in the outward direction which enables the contact of the locking balls (70) with an engagement portion (110) of the locking piece (90). The locking clutch (60) disengages the worm wheel (50) from the worm gear (30) of the motor shaft. [0027] Now, in automatic mode of operation as shown in figure 3, the locking shaft (80) is positioned in the second position (100b). In such position, the locking balls (70) are in contact and engage with the locking clutch (60). When the locking balls (70) are in contact with the locking clutch (60), the locking balls (70) push the locking clutch (60) in contact with the worm wheel (50) and transfer the rotational motion from the worm wheel (50) to the feeder shaft (40). The locking balls (70) disables the contact with the engagement portion (110). Due to the transfer of the rotational motion from the worm wheel (50) to the feeder shaft (40), the handle (51) rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor (20). In this case, the feeding motion is achieved by the rotation of the handle (51), and the handle (51) is getting rotated due to the transfer of rotational motion from the motor (20).

[0028] The contact of the locking balls (70) with the engagement portion (110) having the tapered end of the locking piece (90) unlocks the locking balls (70) from the locking clutch (60), thereby cutting off the contact between the feeder shaft (40) and the worm wheel (50) and an operator can operate the handle (51) manually. The operator can perform manual feeding by pulling the handle (51) to interrupt the transfer of rotational motion from the motor (20) to the feeder shaft (40). [0029] Further, when the handle (51) is released, the locking spring

(120) restores the locking shaft (80) to reengage the locking balls (70) with the locking clutch (60), thereby transmitting the rotational motion from the worm wheel (50) to the feeder shaft (40) to rotate the handle (51) in accordance with the rotation of the motor (20). The easy switching between automatic and manual mode of operation is provided which reduces human efforts during machine tool (10) operation and with a simplified construction for the operation, the cost of full automation of the machine tool (10) is avoided.

[0030] Therefore, the present mechanism (100) provides easy switching between the automatic and manual mode, thereby reducing human efforts while operating the machine tool (10).

[0031] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.