clamps

Abstract

A clamping device is suitable for gripping an object and includes a base unit, a gripper unit disposed on the base unit and usable for gripping the object, a support unit disposed on the base unit, a first drive unit controllable to drive the support unit, and a second drive unit controllable to drive the gripper unit. The support unit can be driven to shift between a retracted position and a support position laterally protruding from the base unit. When the support unit is in the support position, it can be used to support the object gripped by the gripper unit upwards. When the gripper unit grips the object, the object can be supported by the support unit to share part of the object's weight, preventing the gripper unit from deforming due to the object's weight, and ensuring smooth extension and retraction without jamming.

Claims

1. A clamp for gripping an object, comprising: a base unit; a gripper unit disposed on the base unit and usable for gripping the object, the gripper unit being drivable to vary displacement along a first direction between an initial position located in the base unit and an extended position laterally protruding from the base unit; a support unit disposed on the base unit, the support unit being drivable to vary displacement between a retracted position located in the base unit and a supported position laterally protruding from the base unit, the support unit being usable for upward support of the object gripped by the gripper unit when located in the supported position; a first drive unit disposed on the base unit and connected to the support unit, and controllable to drive the support unit to vary between the retracted position and the supported position; and a second drive unit disposed on the base unit and connected to the gripper unit, and controllable to drive the gripper unit to vary between the initial position and the extended position.

2. The fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The base unit includes a base, a first slide and a second slide disposed on the base. The first slide extends along the first direction and is provided for the support unit and the first drive unit. The second slide extends along the first direction and is provided for the gripper unit and the second drive unit. The support unit can be driven by the first drive unit to slide relative to the first slide along the first direction. The gripper unit can be driven by the second drive unit to slide relative to the second slide along the first direction.

3. The fixture as described in claim 2, wherein, The first driving unit includes a first driving mechanism disposed on the first slide table and a first transmission member disposed on the first slide table and driven by the first driving mechanism. The first slide table has a first slide groove extending along the first direction. The support unit includes a first sliding seat connected to the first transmission member and disposed in the first slide groove, and a support platform connected to the first sliding seat and used to abut against the bottom side of the object. The first sliding seat can be driven by the first transmission member and slide along the first slide groove.

4. The fixture as described in claim 3, wherein, The base unit also includes a first guide rail disposed on the base and extending along the first direction, and a first sliding seat disposed on the first guide rail and guided by the first guide rail to slide along the first direction.

5. The fixture as described in claim 3, wherein, The support platform has two supports spaced apart along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and used to abut against the bottom side of the object, each of the supports extending along the first direction.

6. The fixture as described in claim 5, wherein, Each of the support members has a support portion extending from the first sliding seat along the first direction for supporting the object, and an inclined portion extending downward from the end of the support portion.

7. The fixture as described in claim 5, wherein, The base unit also includes two load-bearing rollers disposed on the base, the first slide or the second slide, and the load-bearing rollers respectively abut against the bottom side of the support members.

8. The fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The second drive unit includes a second drive mechanism disposed on the second slide table and a second transmission member disposed on the second slide table and driven by the second drive mechanism. The second slide table has a second slide groove extending along the first direction. The gripper unit includes a second sliding seat connected to the second transmission member and disposed in the second slide groove, and a gripping mechanism connected to the second sliding seat for gripping the object. The second sliding seat can be driven by the second transmission member and slide along the second slide groove.

9. The clamp as claimed in claim 1 further comprises two support units spaced apart along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, each support unit comprising a frame disposed on the base unit and a guide plate disposed on the frame, the guide plates being spaced apart and facing each other, and being used to cooperate in guiding and limiting the object held by the gripper unit.

10. The clamp as claimed in claim 9, each of the guide plates having a limiting segment disposed on the corresponding frame and extending along the first direction, and a guide segment extending obliquely from the end of the limiting segment toward the other guide plate.

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