Automatic clamping device and small-angle clamping mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses a small-angle clamping mechanism, which comprises a clamping unit and a clamping driving mechanism; the clamping unit includes a clamping arm, a clamping arm bracket and a linkage mechanism; a chuck is provided at the front end of the clamping arm, and a guide groove is provided at the rear end; a guide pin corresponding to the guide groove is provided on the clamping arm bracket, and the guide pin is inserted into the guide groove to enable the clamping arm to slide along the guide groove and rotate around the guide pin; the linkage mechanism includes a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, the first end of the first connecting rod is hinged to the clamping arm, the second end is hinged to the first end of the second connecting rod, an ear part is provided on the clamping arm bracket, and the middle part of the first connecting rod is hinged to the ear part; the clamping driving mechanism includes a transmission rod, a connecting head is provided at the front end of the transmission rod, a power device for driving the transmission rod to perform linear motion along the axial direction is provided at the rear end of the transmission rod, and the second ends of the two second connecting rods are respectively hinged to both ends of the connecting head. The present invention also discloses an automatic clamping device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp, in particular to an automatic clamping device and a small opening angle clamping mechanism. Background Art

[0002] In aircraft panel structures, angle pieces are riveted to the stringers and skin, transferring loads. Some aircraft panel structures have angle pieces with flanged edges, similar to frames. During assembly, these angle pieces are typically positioned and drilled by workers holding them, with some tooling also using manual clamps to assist with assembly. These assembly methods present the following challenges:

[0003] (1) The hand-held assembly method used by workers may cause the corner pieces to be not held firmly, causing the installation position to deviate and affecting the quality of the wall panel assembly;

[0004] (2) The installation of corner pieces is often carried out in a relatively narrow space. Workers have to hold the corner pieces and make holes at the same time, which is inconvenient.

[0005] (3) There are many corner pieces in the fuselage wall panels, which requires a lot of work for workers;

[0006] (4) Among the existing finished quick clamps, only products with flanged corner pieces can be used. However, when the clamp is opened, the opening angle of the clamp is often large, which takes up space, making it difficult to install and position the corner piece and easily causing interference. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic clamping device and a small-angle clamping mechanism that can meet the clamping and fixing requirements of the workpiece and has the advantage of a small chuck angle, and can be suitable for use in the narrow spaces and more complex structural areas of aircraft components.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0009] A small opening angle clamping mechanism comprises two symmetrically arranged clamping units and a clamping drive mechanism for driving the two clamping units to perform clamping or loosening actions;

[0010] The clamping unit includes a clamping arm, a clamping arm bracket and a connecting rod mechanism; the front end of the clamping arm is provided with a clamping head, and the rear end is provided with a guide groove; the clamping arm bracket is provided with a guide pin corresponding to the guide groove, and the guide pin is inserted into the guide groove so that the clamping arm can slide along the guide groove and rotate around the guide pin;

[0011] The link mechanism includes a first link and a second link. The first end of the first link is hinged to the clamping arm, and the second end is hinged to the first end of the second link. An ear portion is provided on the clamping arm bracket, and the middle portion of the first link is hinged to the ear portion.

[0012] The clamping drive mechanism includes a transmission rod located between the two clamping units. The axis of the transmission rod is parallel to the symmetry plane of the two clamping units. A connecting head is provided at the front end of the transmission rod, and a power device for driving the transmission rod to perform a linear motion along the axial direction is provided at the rear end of the transmission rod. The second ends of the two second links are respectively hinged to both ends of the connecting head.

[0013] Furthermore, the position where the first link is hinged to the clamping arm is located between the chuck and the guiding groove.

[0014] Furthermore, the middle portion of the first link is bent to increase the distance between the second ends of the two first links; the position where the ear portion is hinged to the first link is located at the bending position of the first link.

[0015] Furthermore, the power device adopts a cylinder or an electric cylinder.

[0016] Furthermore, the two clamping arm brackets belonging to the two clamping units are separately arranged or integrally arranged.

[0017] Furthermore, a through hole is provided at the front end of the clamping arm. The chuck includes a rubber head and a screw rod fixedly connected to the rubber head. The screw rod passes through the through hole and is installed and fixed by a nut.

[0018] An automatic clamping device includes a clamping plate. A relief hole is provided on the clamping plate. A clamping station is provided on one side of the relief hole, and an installation station for installing the small-angle clamping mechanism as described above is provided on the other side.

[0019] An installation hole communicating with the relief hole is provided in the installation station. The transmission rod is sleeved in the installation hole. The front end of the transmission rod extends into the relief hole, and the connecting head is located in the relief hole; the two clamping units are respectively located on both sides of the clamping plate, and the two clamping arm brackets are respectively fixedly installed on the side walls on both sides of the clamping plate, and the power device is fixedly installed on the clamping plate.

[0020] Further, the mounting hole includes a large-diameter section at the rear end and a small-diameter section at the front end. A linear bearing sleeved on the transmission rod and in transitional fit with the transmission rod is provided in the small-diameter section. The rear end of the linear bearing extends into the large-diameter section. A sleeve sleeved outside the linear bearing is provided in the large-diameter section. A limiting structure for preventing the axial displacement of the linear bearing is provided between the sleeve and the linear bearing.

[0021] Further, the limiting structure includes a snap ring mounted on the linear bearing, and the snap ring is located between the front end face of the sleeve and the shoulder between the large-diameter section and the small-diameter section.

[0022] Further, a connecting plate is provided on the power device, and the connecting plate is fixedly mounted on the rear end face of the mounting hole.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] In the small-angle clamping mechanism of the present invention, by providing a guide groove on the clamping arm and enabling the clamping arm to slide along the guide groove and rotate around the guide pin, the included angle of the clamping arm during the clamping action and the loosening action can be made smaller; specifically, when the clamping action is performed, the transmission rod moves axially backward. Under the action of the second connecting rod, the first connecting rod rotates around the ear part, reducing the distance between the first ends of the two first connecting rods. While the rotating first connecting rod drives the clamping arm to rotate around the guide pin and move forward along the guide groove, the distance between the two chucks decreases; when the loosening action is performed, the transmission rod moves forward. Under the action of the second connecting rod, the first connecting rod rotates around the ear part, increasing the distance between the first ends of the two first connecting rods. While the rotating first connecting rod drives the clamping arm to rotate around the guide pin and move backward along the guide groove, the distance between the two chucks increases; that is, the small-angle clamping mechanism of the present invention can achieve the clamping purpose of clamping forward and loosening backward.

[0025] In the automatic clamping device of the present invention, by providing a relief hole on the clamping plate and respectively providing a clamping station and a mounting station on both sides of the relief hole. During clamping, the workpiece to be clamped is positioned at the clamping station. When the clamping arm of the small-angle clamping mechanism moves forward to the clamping station, the workpiece is clamped. When loosening, the clamping arm of the small-angle clamping mechanism moves forward to the area where the relief hole is located, without interfering with the clamping station; since the included angle of the clamping arm during the clamping action and the loosening action is smaller, it is suitable for use in the narrow space and relatively complex area of aircraft components.

[0026] The automatic clamping device of the present invention also has the following advantages:

[0027] 1) Driven by a power device, automatic clamping of the angle piece is realized. Operation buttons can be arranged to control the power device, which is convenient for workers to operate and improves production efficiency;

[0028] 2) Parts such as linear bearings, sleeves, and transmission rods are installed in an embedded manner inside the clamping plate, saving installation space and being suitable for the position characteristics of narrow assembly space of the angle piece;

[0029] 3) In view of the problem of the flanged angle piece, the movement trajectory of the clamping arm is optimized so that its movement can bypass the flange of the angle piece while occupying the smallest movement space;

[0030] 4) In the unclamped state, the chuck is located behind the clamping station, that is, behind the flange of the angle piece to be clamped, facilitating the positioning operation of the angle piece;

[0031] 5) The mechanism is symmetrically arranged and can meet the assembly requirements of mirror parts;

[0032] 6) The mechanism not only has a beneficial assembly effect on the flanged aircraft angle piece, but also can be applied to aircraft frame parts with similar structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the following drawings are provided for description:

[0034] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the automatic clamping device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 Stereogram of the automatic clamping device of this embodiment;

[0036] Figure 3 Reference diagram of the usage state when the automatic clamping device of this embodiment is loosened;

[0037] Figure 4 Reference diagram of the usage state when the automatic clamping device of this embodiment is clamped;

[0038] Figure 5 Structural schematic diagram of the small-angle clamping mechanism of this embodiment;

[0039] Figure 6 Structural schematic diagram of the chuck;

[0040] Figure 7 Structural schematic diagram of the clamping arm;

[0041] Figure 8 Structural schematic diagram of the clamping arm bracket;

[0042] Figure 9 Structural schematic diagram of the flanged aircraft angle piece;

[0043] Description of reference numerals:

[0044] 1 - Chuck; 1a - Rubber head; 1b - Screw; 2. Clamping arm; 2a - Guide groove; 3. First connecting rod; 4 - Second connecting rod; 5 - Clamping arm bracket; 5a - Ear; 5b - Groove; 5c - Countersunk screw hole; 5d - Pin hole; 6 - Connector; 7 - Transmission rod; 8 - Linear bearing; 9 - Sleeve; 10 - Connecting plate; 11 - Power device; 12 - Clamping plate; 12a - Relief hole; 12b - Large diameter section; 12c - Small diameter section; 13 - Workpiece; 14 - Snap ring. Detailed implementation manner

[0045] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and be able to implement it, but the embodiments cited do not limit the present invention.

[0046] As Figure 1 shown, it is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the automatic clamping device of the present invention. The automatic clamping device of this embodiment includes a clamping plate 12. A relief hole 12a is provided on the clamping plate 12. A clamping station is provided on one side of the relief hole 12a, and an installation station for installing a small-angle clamping mechanism is provided on the other side.

[0047] As Figure 4 shown, the small-angle clamping mechanism of this embodiment includes two symmetrically arranged clamping units and a clamping drive mechanism for driving the two clamping units to perform clamping or loosening actions. The clamping unit of this embodiment includes a clamping arm 2, a clamping arm bracket 5 and a link mechanism; a chuck 1 is provided at the front end of the clamping arm 2, and a guide groove 2a is provided at the rear end; a guide pin is provided on the clamping arm bracket 5 corresponding to the guide groove 2a, and the guide pin is inserted into the guide groove 2a so that the clamping arm 2 can slide along the guide groove 2a and rotate around the guide pin. The link mechanism includes a first connecting rod 3 and a second connecting rod 4. The first end of the first connecting rod 3 is hinged to the clamping arm 2, and the second end is hinged to the first end of the second connecting rod 4. An ear 5a extending forward is provided on the clamping arm bracket 5, and the middle of the first connecting rod 3 is hinged to the ear 5a.

[0048] Specifically, a groove 5b for connecting the first connecting rod 3 and countersunk screw holes 5c located on both sides of the groove 5b are provided on the clamping arm bracket 5. The height of the groove 5b is greater than the thickness of the clamping arm 2. A pin hole 5d perpendicular to the axis of the countersunk screw hole 5c is provided on the side wall of the countersunk screw hole 5c of the countersunk screw hole 5c. The pin hole 5d penetrates the side wall of the groove 5b, and the pin holes 5d on both side walls of the groove 5b are coaxially arranged. Guide pins are inserted into the two pin holes 5d, a nylon sleeve can be sleeved outside the guide pins, the guide pins can slide in the guide groove 2a of the clamping arm 2, and the clamping arm 2 can also rotate around the guide pins to realize the connection between the clamping arm bracket 5 and the clamping arm 2.

[0049] The clamping drive mechanism of this embodiment includes a transmission rod 7 located between the two clamping units. The axis of the transmission rod 7 is parallel to the symmetry planes of the two clamping units. The axis of the transmission rod 7 of this embodiment is located parallel to the symmetry planes of the two clamping units. The front end of the transmission rod 7 is provided with a connector 6, and the rear end of the transmission rod 7 is provided with a power device 11 for driving it to perform linear motion along the axial direction. The second ends of the two second connecting rods 4 are respectively hingedly connected to the two ends of the connector 6. Specifically, the power device 11 adopts a cylinder or an electric cylinder. The power device 11 of this embodiment adopts a cylinder. Of course, the power device 11 can also be implemented in many other existing ways, which will not be repeated.

[0050] A mounting hole connected to the clearance hole 12a is provided in the installation station, the transmission rod 7 is inserted into the mounting hole, the front end of the transmission rod 7 extends into the clearance hole 12a, and the connecting head 6 is located in the clearance hole 12a; the two clamping units are respectively located on both sides of the card plate 12, and the two clamping arm brackets 5 are respectively fixedly installed on the side walls of the card plate 12, and the power device 11 is fixedly installed on the card plate 12.

[0051] The small-angle clamping mechanism of this embodiment provides a guide groove on the clamping arm, and enables the clamping arm to slide along the guide groove and rotate around the guide pin, so that the angle of the clamping arm during the clamping and releasing actions is small; specifically, when performing the clamping action, the transmission rod moves axially backward, and under the action of the second connecting rod, the first connecting rod rotates around the ear portion, so that the spacing between the first ends of the two first connecting rods is reduced, and the rotating first connecting rod drives the clamping arm to rotate around the guide pin while moving forward along the guide groove, and the spacing between the two clamping heads is reduced; when performing the releasing action, the transmission rod moves forward, and under the action of the second connecting rod, the first connecting rod rotates around the ear portion, so that the spacing between the first ends of the two first connecting rods is increased, and the rotating first connecting rod drives the clamping arm to rotate around the guide pin while moving backward along the guide groove, and the spacing between the two clamping heads is increased; that is, the small-angle clamping mechanism of this embodiment can achieve the clamping purpose of clamping forward and releasing backward.

[0052] Furthermore, the hinged connection between the first connecting rod 3 and the clamping arm 2 is located between the clamping head 1 and the guide groove 2a. In this embodiment, the middle portion of the first connecting rod 3 is bent, thereby increasing the spacing between the second ends of the two first connecting rods 3. The hinged connection between the ear portion 5a and the first connecting rod 3 is located at the bend of the first connecting rod 3, effectively increasing the spacing between the two first connecting rods 3, facilitating the arrangement of the second connecting rod 4 and the connector 6, and effectively reducing the space.

[0053] Furthermore, the two clamping arm brackets 5 belonging to the two clamping units are separately or integrally provided. In this embodiment, the two clamping arm brackets 5 are separately provided. Even if the two clamping arm brackets 5 are separately provided, the relative position relationship between the two clamping arm brackets 5 should be kept unchanged during use.

[0054] Furthermore, a through hole is provided at the front end of the clamping arm 2. The chuck 1 includes a rubber head 1a and a screw 1b fixedly connected to the rubber head 1a. The screw 1b passes through the through hole and is fixed with a nut. In this way, the installation position of the chuck 1 can be adjusted according to the actual site to meet the requirements of clamping the workpiece 13. In this embodiment, the workpiece 13 is an aircraft corner piece.

[0055] Furthermore, the mounting hole includes a large diameter section 12b at the rear end and a small diameter section 12c at the front end. A linear bearing 8 is provided in the small diameter section 12c, which is mounted on the transmission rod 7 and transitionally matched with the transmission rod 7. The rear end of the linear bearing 8 extends into the large diameter section 12b. A sleeve 9 is provided in the large diameter section 12b, which is mounted on the outside of the linear bearing 8. A limiting structure is provided between the sleeve 9 and the linear bearing 8 to prevent axial movement of the linear bearing 8. The limiting structure of this embodiment includes a retaining spring 14 mounted on the linear bearing 8. The retaining spring 14 is located between the front end face of the sleeve 9 and the axial shoulders of the large diameter section 12b and the small diameter section 12c. A connecting plate 10 is provided on the power device 11 of this embodiment. The connecting plate 10 is fixedly mounted on the rear end face of the mounting hole. Specifically, the rear end of the sleeve 9 of this embodiment abuts against the connecting plate 10 to achieve limiting.

[0056] The automatic clamping device of this embodiment provides a clearance hole on the clamping plate, and provides a clamping station and an installation station on both sides of the clearance hole. When clamping, the workpiece to be clamped is positioned on the clamping station, and the clamping arm of the small-angle clamping mechanism moves forward to the clamping station to clamp the workpiece. When loosening, the clamping arm of the small-angle clamping mechanism moves forward to the area where the clearance hole is located, and will not interfere with the clamping station. Since the angle of the clamping arm during the clamping and loosening actions is relatively small, it can be used in the narrow spaces and areas with relatively complex structures of aircraft components.

[0057] The automatic clamping device of this embodiment also has the following advantages:

[0058] 1) It is driven by a power device to realize automatic clamping of the corner piece. An operation button can be arranged to control the power device, which is convenient for workers to operate and improve production efficiency;

[0059] 2) Linear bearings, sleeves, transmission rods and other parts are installed in the form of embedded inside the card plate, saving installation space and suitable for the location characteristics of narrow space for corner piece assembly;

[0060] 3) To address the issue of corner piece flanges, the trajectory of the gripping arm movement was optimized so that it can move around the corner piece flanges while occupying the smallest possible movement space.

[0061] 4) In the unclamped state, the chuck is located at the rear side of the clamping station, that is, at the rear side of the flange of the corner piece to be clamped, which facilitates the positioning operation of the corner piece;

[0062] 5) The mechanism is symmetrically arranged, which can meet the assembly requirements of mirror parts;

[0063] 6) The mechanism not only has a beneficial assembly effect on the aircraft corner pieces with flanges, but also can be applied to the aircraft frame parts with similar structures.

[0064] The above embodiments are only the preferred embodiments given to fully illustrate the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or transformations made by those skilled in the art on the basis of the present invention are all within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the claims.

Claims

1. A small-angle clamping mechanism, characterized in that: It includes two clamping units symmetrically arranged and a clamping drive mechanism for driving the two clamping units to perform clamping or loosening actions; The clamping unit includes a clamping arm (2), a clamping arm bracket (5) and a linkage mechanism; a chuck (1) is provided at the front end of the clamping arm (2), and a guide groove (2a) is provided at the rear end; a guide pin is provided on the clamping arm bracket (5) corresponding to the guide groove (2a), and the guide pin is inserted into the guide groove (2a) to enable the clamping arm (2) to slide along the guide groove (2a) and rotate around the guide pin; The linkage mechanism includes a first link (3) and a second link (4). The first end of the first link (3) is hinged to the clamping arm (2), and the second end is hinged to the first end of the second link (4). An ear (5a) is provided on the clamping arm bracket (5), and the middle of the first link (3) is hinged to the ear (5a); the position where the first link (3) is hinged to the clamping arm (2) is between the chuck (1) and the guide groove (2a); the middle of the first link (3) is bent to increase the distance between the second ends of the two first links (3); the position where the ear (5a) is hinged to the first link (3) is at the bent part of the first link (3); The clamping drive mechanism includes a transmission rod (7) located between the two clamping units. The axis of the transmission rod (7) is parallel to the symmetry plane of the two clamping units. A connecting head (6) is provided at the front end of the transmission rod (7), and a power device (11) for driving it to perform a linear motion along the axis is provided at the rear end of the transmission rod (7). The second ends of the two second links (4) are respectively hinged to both ends of the connecting head (6); When performing a clamping action, the transmission rod (7) moves axially backward. Under the action of the second link (4), the first link (3) rotates around the ear (5a), reducing the distance between the first ends of the two first links (3). The rotating first link (3) drives the clamping arm (2) to rotate around the guide pin and move forward along the guide groove (2a) at the same time, reducing the distance between the two chucks (1); when performing a loosening action, the transmission rod (7) moves forward. Under the action of the second link (4), the first link (3) rotates around the ear, increasing the distance between the first ends of the two first links (3). The rotating first link (3) drives the clamping arm (2) to rotate around the guide pin and move backward along the guide groove (2a) at the same time, increasing the distance between the two chucks (1).

2. The small-angle clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power device (11) uses a cylinder or an electric cylinder.

3. The small-angle clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two clamping arm brackets (5) belonging to the two clamping units are separately arranged or integrally arranged.

4. The small-angle clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A through hole is provided at the front end of the clamping arm (2). The chuck (1) includes a rubber head (1a) and a screw (1b) fixedly connected to the rubber head (1a). The screw (1b) passes through the through hole and is installed and fixed with a nut.

5. An automatic clamping device, characterized in that: It includes a clamping plate (12), a relief hole (12a) is provided on the clamping plate (12), a clamping station is provided on one side of the relief hole (12a), and an installation station for installing the small-angle clamping mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-4 is provided on the other side; An installation hole communicating with the relief hole (12a) is provided in the installation station, the transmission rod (7) is sleeved in the installation hole, the front end of the transmission rod (7) extends into the relief hole (12a), and the connecting head (6) is located in the relief hole (12a); the two clamping units are respectively located on both sides of the clamping plate (12), and the two clamping arm brackets (5) are respectively fixedly installed on the side walls on both sides of the clamping plate (12), and the power device (11) is fixedly installed on the clamping plate (12).

6. The automatic clamping device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The installation hole includes a large-diameter section (12b) at the rear end and a small-diameter section (12c) at the front end. A linear bearing (8) sleeved on the transmission rod (7) and having an interference fit with the transmission rod (7) is provided in the small-diameter section (12c). The rear end of the linear bearing (8) extends into the large-diameter section (12b), and a sleeve (9) sleeved outside the linear bearing (8) is provided in the large-diameter section (12b). A limiting structure for preventing the axial movement of the linear bearing (8) is provided between the sleeve (9) and the linear bearing (8).

7. The automatic clamping device according to claim 6, wherein: The limiting structure includes a snap ring (14) installed on the linear bearing (8), and the snap ring (14) is located between the front end face of the sleeve (9) and the shoulder between the large-diameter section (12b) and the small-diameter section (12c).

8. The automatic clamping device according to claim 5, wherein: A connecting plate (10) is provided on the power device (11), and the connecting plate (10) is fixedly installed on the rear end face of the installation hole.

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