Rod locking device

Abstract

The present invention provides a simple and powerful locking device for a rod. The locking device has a plurality of locking units (2) arranged along the rod (R). Each locking unit (2) has a housing (4) through which the rod (R) is inserted and a cover (5) covering the housing (4). Inside the housing (4) are a locking member (6) that fastens and locks the rod (R) and a release piston (15) that releases the locking member (6) under the action of fluid pressure. A release pressure chamber (17) is formed between the release piston (15) and the cover (5) for applying fluid pressure to the release piston (15). A release port (18) and a connecting passage (19) connecting the release port (18) and the release pressure chamber (17) are formed on the cover (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rod locking device for locking a rod, such as a piston rod of a fluid pressure cylinder, that moves linearly to a stop position. Background Technology

[0002] Locking devices that lock a rod that moves linearly, such as the piston rod of a fluid pressure cylinder, to a stop position are known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] The locking device is configured such that a lever is inserted into a U-shaped or C-shaped metal locking member (braking member), which secures the lever to the stop position. To release the lever, a locking release piston of a cylinder mechanism pushes open the locking member, releasing the lever from its secured state.

[0004] In such locking devices, in order to increase the fastening force (locking force) of the locking member, methods such as increasing the elastic force by changing the material and thickness of the locking member, increasing the friction of the fastening surface (the surface in contact with the rod) of the locking member, and setting up a mechanism to apply force to the locking member in the fastening direction can be considered.

[0005] However, while increasing the elasticity of the locking component or improving the friction of the fastening surface can relatively easily increase the locking force, there is a limit to the magnitude of the increased locking force, which may not be able to cope with rods with large propulsion forces.

[0006] In addition, the method of setting a mechanism to apply force to the locking member in the fastening direction complicates the construction of the locking device.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-68567

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-110980 Summary of the Invention

[0011] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0012] The technical challenge of this invention is to provide a rod locking device with a simple structure and a large locking force when locking the rod.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] To address the aforementioned issues, the locking device of the present invention is a locking device for locking a rod that moves linearly in the axial direction to a stop position. The locking device is characterized by having a plurality of locking units arranged and interconnected along the rod. Each locking unit has a housing through which the rod passes and a cover covering the housing. Inside the housing are a locking member that fastens and locks the rod, and a release piston that releases the locking member under fluid pressure. A release pressure chamber is formed between the housing and the cover for applying fluid pressure to the release piston. The cover has a release port for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid, and a connecting passage that connects the release port to the release pressure chamber.

[0015] In this invention, the housing may also be independent for each locking unit, and the cover may be composed of a single member having a length that spans the length of the housing across all locking units, having a release port and a plurality of communication paths that connect the single release port to the release pressure chambers of the plurality of locking units.

[0016] Alternatively, in this invention, an annular connecting spacer may be provided between the housings of adjacent locking units in a manner coaxial with the rod, the housings being connected to each other via the connecting spacer, and the rod being inserted into the center hole of the connecting spacer.

[0017] In this case, it is preferable that annular recesses of the same diameter are formed at a first end on one side of the axial direction and at a second end on the opposite side of the housing, coaxial with the rod, and half of the connecting spacer in the thickness direction is fitted into the recesses of adjacent housings.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, the connecting spacer has an annular recess on its side that surrounds the central hole, and the protrusion formed on the side of the locking member engages with the recess.

[0019] Furthermore, in this invention, it is preferred that the object to be detected is mounted on the release piston in a manner that allows it to be detected from the outside of the cover, wherein a sensor for detecting the object to be detected is mounted on the cover.

[0020] In this case, preferably, the detected component is configured such that it protrudes outside the cover when the release piston is in the locked position and is recessed inside the cover when the release piston is in the unlocked position. The sensor has a U-shaped top view and is arranged to surround the detected component from three directions. The height of the sensor is greater than the height of the detected component when it protrudes outside the cover, thereby the sensor also serves as a safety component to prevent the detected component from being misoperated.

[0021] Invention Effects

[0022] The locking device of the present invention can obtain a locking force that is proportional to the number of locking units. Therefore, the locking force is much larger than that of conventional locking devices with one locking unit. Moreover, a locking device with the necessary locking force can be easily obtained simply by determining the number of locking units based on the pushing force of the rod. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a top view showing a first embodiment of the locking device of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view along line II-II is a diagram showing the locking unit in the state of locking the lever.

[0025] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0026] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0027] Figure 5 It means Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the state when the locking unit on the left is switched to the unlocked state.

[0028] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view along line VI-VI.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the locking device of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the locking device directly connected to a fluid pressure cylinder.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a top view showing a third embodiment of the locking device of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the IX-IX line.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0033] 1A, 1B, 1C Locking devices; 2 Locking unit; 4 Housing; 4b First end;

[0034] 4c Second end; 5 Cover; 6 Locking component; 6c Protrusion; 15 Release piston;

[0035] 17. Release pressure chamber; 18. Release port; 19. Connecting path; 26. Tested item; 30. Transmitter

[0036] Sensor; 34 Connecting spacer; 35 Center hole; 36 Recess; 37 Recessed platform. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Figures 1-6 This illustrates a first embodiment of the locking device of the present invention, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the locking device 1A is mounted on the body 50 of a device, such as a fluid pressure cylinder, via a bracket 51, and locks the rod R in a stop position. Figure 2 and Figure 3 This diagram shows the locking device 1A in the locked state and the locking member 6 locking rod R. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the locking device 1A in the unlocked state and the locking member 6 releasing the lever R.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the locking device 1A has multiple (two in the illustrated example) locking units 2, 2. The multiple locking units 2, 2 are arranged in a row along the rod R and are clamped together with rod guide collars 7A and 7B located at one end of the row and the other end of the row between press plates 8A and 8B located at one end of the row and the other end of the row. They are connected to each other by multiple bolts 9 passing through the multiple locking units 2 from one press plate 8A and screwing into the other press plate 8B.

[0039] Also refer to Figure 3 The locking unit 2 has a metal housing 4 with an open upper surface and a plate-shaped metal cover 5 covering the upper surface of the housing 4, with a rod R penetrating the interior of the housing 4.

[0040] The housing 4 is independent for each locking unit 2, but the cover 5 is composed of a single component having the length of the housing 4 that spans all the locking units 2. The cover 5 is mounted on the upper surface of the multiple housings 4, 4 by multiple cover screws 5a.

[0041] It should be noted that the shell 4 and the cover 5 can be formed of the same metal, but they can also be formed of different kinds of metals. For example, the shell 4 can be formed of aluminum alloy and the cover 5 can be formed of steel.

[0042] The locking member 6 is housed inside the housing 4. The locking member 6 is a U-shaped or C-shaped metal member with a pair of opposing locking arms 6a, 6a. A rod insertion hole 10 is formed at the part where the base ends of the pair of locking arms 6a, 6a are connected to each other, and the rod R is inserted through the rod insertion hole 10.

[0043] A closing tendency (Japanese: 閉じ癖) in the direction of narrowing the interval between the pair of locking arms 6a, 6a of the locking member 6 is formed, and by this closing tendency, the pair of locking arms 6a, 6a fasten the fastening rod R from both sides and lock it as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 .

[0044] As shown in the locking unit 2 on the right side of Figure 2 , a spiral groove 10a is formed on the inner surface of the rod insertion through-hole 10. This spiral groove 10a serves as a retreat groove for wear powder, grease, etc. adhering to the inner surface of the rod insertion through-hole 10 and the outer surface of the rod R, or functions as a discharge path for these wear powder, grease, etc.

[0045] In addition, a locking release mechanism 13 is provided inside the housing 4. This locking release mechanism 13 moves the locking member 6 from the locking position of the fastening rod R (refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 ) to the non-locking position of the release rod R (refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 ), and has a piston chamber 14 formed between the housing 4 and the cover 5, a release piston 15 housed inside the piston chamber 14 so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, a wedge-shaped operation portion 15a provided on a part of the release piston 15, and a pair of needle rollers 16, 16 displaceable in the direction of narrowing or widening the interval between them. Inside the piston chamber 14, a release pressure chamber 17 is formed between the upper surface of the release piston 15 and the lower surface of the cover 5, and this release pressure chamber 17 communicates with one release port 18 formed at the center of the upper surface of the cover 5 through a communication path 19 formed inside the cover 5.

[0046] The position where the release port 18 is formed is the position where the release pressure chambers 17, 17 of the adjacent locking units 2, 2 are closest to each other. Therefore, the release port 18 can be connected to the two release pressure chambers 17, 17 by the shortest communication paths 19, 19.

[0047] In addition, since pressure fluid is supplied from one release port 18 to the plurality of release pressure chambers 17, 17, only one pipe needs to be connected to this release port 18, so the piping becomes simple.

[0048] From Figure 3It is understood that the operating part 15a of the release piston 15 is composed of a component whose thickness gradually decreases towards the lower end (end). It is connected to the central part of the lower surface of the release piston 15 by a connecting screw 15b. The lower end of the operating part 15a enters between a pair of needle rollers 16, 16, so that one side of the operating part 15a contacts one of the needle rollers 16, and the other side of the operating part 15a contacts the other needle roller 16. The release piston 15 and the operating part 15a are both made of metal, and the needle rollers 16 are also made of metal.

[0049] And, when from Figure 2 and Figure 3 When compressed air or other pressurized fluid is supplied to the release pressure chamber 17 through the release port 18, the release piston 15 descends, as shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the wedge-shaped operating part 15a pushes a pair of rollers 16, 16 to the left and right, thus pushing a pair of locking arms 6a, 6a of the locking member 6 to the left and right by the rollers 16, 16, releasing the locking arms 6a, 6a from the rod R. Therefore, the rod R is able to move along the axis L. Therefore, the position where the release piston 15 has descended is the unlocked position (unlocked position) of the release piston 15.

[0050] In addition, the component marked with reference numeral 20 is a metal roller support installed on the inner side of the upper end of a pair of locking arms 6a, 6a, and is a component used to prevent damage, wear, etc. of the locking arms 6a, 6a caused by contact with the needle rollers 16, 16.

[0051] Additionally, a return spring 21 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the release piston 15 and the upper end surface of the locking member 6 to exert an upward force on the release piston 15. Figure 6 When pressurized fluid is supplied to the release pressure chamber 17 and the release piston 15 is descending towards the lock-out position, the pressurized fluid in the release pressure chamber 17 is discharged. Figure 3 The release piston 15 is then released and returned to the locked position by the rise of the return spring 21. At the same time, the state of the pair of needle rollers 16, 16 pushing the locking arms 6a, 6a is released, so the locking member 6 returns to the locked position due to the closing tendency, and the locking arms 6a, 6a lock the lever R.

[0052] This action is performed simultaneously in the two locking units 2, 2. Therefore, the locking force of the locking device 1A when locking lever R is twice that of a locking device with only one locking unit 2.

[0053] A pair of needle rollers 16, 16 are supported by a roller holder 22. The roller holder 22 has a cylindrical main body 22a and a flange 22b formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the main body 22a. It is located inside the housing 4, below the release piston 15, and is coaxially arranged with the release piston 15. The upper ends 6b, 6b of a pair of locking arms 6a, 6a are fitted inside the main body 22a, and the needle rollers 16, 16 are sandwiched between these upper ends 6b, 6b. Furthermore, transversely elongated support holes 22c are formed at opposite positions on the peripheral wall of the main body 22a. One end and the other end of the pair of needle rollers 16, 16 are fitted into the interior of the opposing support holes 22c in a manner that allows them to move freely laterally along the support holes 22c. The width of the upper ends 6b, 6b of the locking arms 6a, 6a in the axial direction L is narrower than the width of the other parts of the locking arms 6a, 6a.

[0054] Furthermore, the roller holder 22 is capable of vertical displacement, and a compression spring 23 is sandwiched between the flange portion 22b and the stepped portion 4a formed in the housing 4. Thus, the roller holder 22 can move vertically, such as... Figure 6 As shown, when the piston 15 is released from its lowering position and the operating part 15a pushes open a pair of needle rollers 16, 16, the needle rollers 16, 16 and the roller holder 22 descend slightly together, so that the needle rollers 16, 16 can rotate easily, and thus the pair of locking arms 6a, 6a can be easily pushed open.

[0055] Additionally, when the release piston 15 rises to the locked position, the roller holder 22 is pushed upward by the compression spring 23. Figure 3 The initial position is shown.

[0056] A pin-shaped test piece 26 is mounted at the center of the upper surface of the release piston 15. The test piece 26 is slidably inserted into the test hole 27 formed in the cover body 5 via the sealing member 28. As the release piston 15 moves up and down, the end of the test piece 26 protrudes from the upper surface of the cover body 5. The test piece 26 has a circular plate-shaped mounting portion 26a at its base end. By fitting the mounting portion 26a into the recess 29 formed on the upper surface of the release piston 15, it is fixedly mounted to the release piston 15.

[0057] A sensor 30 for detecting the detected component 26 is mounted on the upper surface of the cover 5. This sensor 30 is a transmission-type photoelectric sensor, comprising: a sensor head 31 with a light-projecting part 31a and a light-receiving part 31b; and a lead wire 32 that transmits a detection signal to a control device (not shown). Detection light is projected from the light-projecting part 31a to the light-receiving part 31b, and the presence or absence of the detected component 26 is detected based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving part 31b. Specifically, when the release piston 15 rises and is in the locked position, the detected component 26 protrudes towards the upper surface of the cover 5, blocking the detection light, and the amount of light received by the light-receiving part 31b decreases. Therefore, the sensor 30 detects that the locking unit 2 is in a locked state. Conversely, when the release piston 15 descends and is in the unlocked position, the detected component 26 also descends and is embedded inside the cover 5, and the amount of light received by the light-receiving part 31b increases. Therefore, the sensor 30 detects that the locking unit 2 is in an unlocked state.

[0058] However, the sensor 30 can also be a reflective photoelectric sensor. In this case, a light-projecting part and a light-receiving part are arranged inside the sensor head 31. Detection light is projected from the light-projecting part toward the detected object 26, and the light-receiving part receives the reflected light reflected by the detected object 26, converts the received reflected light into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the lead wire. Moreover, when the release piston 15 rises and is in the locked position, the detected object 26 protrudes from the upper surface of the cover 5 and reflects the detection light, so the sensor 30 detects that the locking unit 2 is in the locked state. When the release piston 15 falls and is in the unlocked position, the detected object 26 also falls and is submerged inside the cover 5, and does not reflect the detection light from the light-projecting part, so the sensor 30 detects that the locking unit 2 is in the unlocked state.

[0059] Furthermore, the sensor head 31 of the sensor 30 has a U-shaped top view, surrounding the detected element 26 from three directions, and the height of the sensor head 31 is higher than the height of the detected element 26 when it protrudes onto the cover 5. Therefore, when locked, it can prevent the detected element 26 from being locked due to accidental pressing with a finger or tool. Therefore, the sensor 30 also serves as a safety component to prevent accidental operation of the locking unit 2.

[0060] Multiple locking units 2 are interconnected via a ring-shaped connecting spacer 34. For example... Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the connecting spacer 34 has a central hole 35 through which the rod R is inserted, and an annular recess 36 formed on one side and the other side in the thickness direction (axis L direction) in a manner coaxial with the central hole 35. The inner diameter of the central hole 35 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod R. In addition, the recess 36 on one side and the recess 36 on the other side have the same diameter and the same depth.

[0061] On the other hand, in the housing 4 of each locking unit 2, on the first end 4b on one side and the second end 4c on the other side, annular recesses 37 of the same diameter and coaxiality are formed, respectively, coaxial with the rod R. The depth of the recess 37 on the first end 4b side and the depth of the recess 37 on the second end 4c side are equal to each other and equal to 1 / 2 the thickness of the connecting spacer 34.

[0062] Furthermore, the housings 4 of the two adjacent locking units 2 are arranged such that the first end 4b of one housing 4 faces the second end 4c of the other housing 4, and half of the connecting spacer 34 in the thickness direction is fitted into the opposite recesses 37.

[0063] In addition, one end of the locking member 6 is supported by the connecting spacer 34 by fitting the protrusion 6c formed on the side of the locking member 6 into the recess 36 of the connecting spacer 34.

[0064] By clamping such a connecting spacer 34, the adjacent housings 4, 4 can be accurately positioned relative to each other and to the rod R. As a result, multiple locking units 2, 2 can be connected simply and with high precision.

[0065] Additionally, collars 7A and 7B have a cylindrical body portion 7a, an annular fitting portion 7b formed at the end of the body portion 7a, a guide hole 7c for inserting the rod R, and a recess 7d surrounding the guide hole 7c. The outer diameter of the fitting portion 7b is the same as the outer diameter of the connecting spacer 34. A bushing 40 and a rod washer 41 that contact the outer peripheral surface of the rod R are installed inside the guide hole 7c. Furthermore, the fitting portion 7b of one collar 7A is fitted into one end of the locking device 1A ( Figure 2 The locking unit 2 is positioned on the left side of the first end 4b within the recess 37, and the engagement portion 7b of the collar 7B on the other side is engaged with the other end of the locking device 1A. Figure 2 The second end 4c of the locking unit 2 is recessed in the 37 on the right side. In addition, a protrusion 6d formed on the side of the locking member 6 is fitted into the recess 7d of the collars 7A and 7B.

[0066] The pressing plates 8A and 8B, which are disposed at one end and the other end of the locking device 1A, are rectangular plates and have an outlet hole 8a at the center for extending the body portion 7a of the collars 7A and 7B to the outside.

[0067] On one end of the locking device 1A ( Figure 2 On the left side of the pressing plate 8A, there are the same number of through holes for inserting the bolt 9 and countersunk holes for receiving the head of the bolt 9 with hexagonal holes, respectively. On the other end of the locking device 1A ( Figure 2On the right side of the pressing plate 8B, there are the same number of threaded holes as the bolt 9 for screwing into the external threaded portion of the end of the bolt 9.

[0068] Furthermore, the multiple housings 4 are connected to each other by screwing the bolts 9 through the insertion holes 4d formed in the housings 4 of each locking unit 2 from the side of the pressing plate 8A on one side and into the threaded holes formed in the pressing plate 8B on the other side.

[0069] However, the construction used for such a connection with bolt 9 is a general construction, so detailed illustrations of it are omitted.

[0070] On the upper surface of the connected housings 4, 4, a cover 5 is fixed by a cover screw 5a, thereby forming a locking device 1A.

[0071] Since multiple housings 4, 4 and cover 5 can be separated, the number of locking units 2 can be increased or decreased. When increasing or decreasing, cover 5 and bolts 9 are replaced with components of a length corresponding to the number of locking units 2.

[0072] In addition, the bracket 51 that fixes the locking device 1A to the body is installed on the pressing plates 8A and 8B.

[0073] exist Figure 7 In the second embodiment of the locking device 1A, a locking device 1B directly connected to the fluid pressure cylinder 52 is shown. In this second embodiment of the locking device 1B, the pressing plate 8B and the second collar 7B installed on the right side of the locking device 1A of the first embodiment are removed and replaced. The fitting portion 53a of the rod cover 53 of the fluid pressure cylinder 52 is fitted into the recessed portion 37 of the second end 4c of the right side of the locking unit 2, and the bolt 9 (see reference) is then used. Figure 3 The external threaded portion of the locking device 1B is screwed into the threaded hole of the rod cap 53, thereby installing the locking device 1B onto the rod cap 53. In this case, the bracket 51 used in the locking device 1A of the first embodiment is not required.

[0074] The other structures and functions of the locking device 1B are substantially the same as those of the locking device 1A in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the structure of the locking device 1B, the main structural parts that are the same as those in the locking device 1A are labeled with the same reference numerals as those in the locking device 1A, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0075] Figure 8 and Figure 9The third embodiment of the locking device 1C is indicated. This locking device 1C differs from the locking device 1A of the first embodiment in that it has three locking units 2. However, the structure and connection method of each locking unit 2 are the same as those of each locking unit 2 in the locking device 1A. Therefore, regarding the structure of this locking device 1C, the main structural parts that are the same as those in the locking device 1A are labeled with the same reference numerals as those in the locking device 1A, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] The locking force of the locking device 1C in the third embodiment is 1.5 times that of the locking device 1A in the first embodiment, and 3 times that of the locking device with only one locking unit 2.

[0077] Furthermore, in the locking devices 1A, 1B, and 1C of each embodiment, a cover 5 is installed on multiple locking units 2, but the cover 5 can also be independent for each locking unit 2. In this case, each cover 5 has a release port 18 formed therein.

[0078] Thus, the locking device of the present invention can obtain a locking force proportional to the number of locking units 2. Therefore, the locking force is much larger than that of conventional locking devices with only one locking unit. Moreover, during the design phase, a locking device with the necessary locking force can be easily obtained simply by determining the number of locking units 2 based on the pushing force of the rod.

Claims

1. A locking device for a rod, characterized in that it locks a rod that moves linearly in the axial direction to a stop position, and is further characterized in that... The locking device has a plurality of locking units arranged and interconnected along the rod. The locking unit has a housing through which the rod is inserted and a cover that covers the housing. The housing contains: a locking member that secures and locks the rod; and a release piston that, under fluid pressure, releases the locking member. A pressure release chamber is formed between the housing and the cover to allow fluid pressure to act on the release piston. In the interconnected plurality of locking units, The housing is independent for each locking unit. The cover is composed of a single member having a length spanning all the housings of the plurality of locking units. The cover has a release port for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid and a plurality of connecting passages connecting the release port to the respective release pressure chambers of the plurality of locking units. The release piston reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the rod according to the supply and discharge of pressurized fluid relative to the release pressure chamber. A detection element for detecting the locking of the rod is mounted on the release piston. The tested component is configured to slide freely into a detection hole formed in the cover, be discharged from the pressure release chamber by pressurized fluid, protrude outside the cover when the release piston is in the locked position, be supplied to the pressure release chamber by pressurized fluid, and be submerged inside the cover when the release piston is in the unlocked position. A sensor for detecting the object being tested is installed on the outer surface of the cover, and the sensor detects the object being tested that protrudes from the outside of the cover.

2. The locking device for a rod according to claim 1, characterized in that, Between the housings of adjacent locking units, an annular connecting spacer is clamped coaxially with the rod, the housings being connected to each other via the connecting spacer, and the rod being inserted into the center hole of the connecting spacer.

3. The locking device for a rod according to claim 2, characterized in that, At a first end on one side of the axial direction and at a second end on the opposite side of the housing, annular recesses of the same diameter are formed coaxially with the rod. Half of the connecting spacer in the thickness direction is fitted into the recesses of adjacent housings.

4. The locking device for a rod according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting spacer has an annular recess on its side that surrounds the central hole, and a protrusion formed on the side of the locking member fits into the recess.

5. The locking device for a rod according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor has a U-shaped top view and is arranged to surround the object being detected from three directions. The height of the sensor is greater than the height of the object being detected when it protrudes outside the cover. Thus, the sensor also serves as a safety component to prevent the object being detected from being misoperated.

Images