A modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proofing and retention function

Abstract

This invention is a modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proof and retaining functions, comprising a frame (12), a base plate (4), an arc guide rail (5), a clamping component (6), and a support component (9); the clamping component (6) and the support component (9) are installed on the inner wall of the base plate (4); the concave surface of the frame (12) is connected to a linear guide rail slider (13), which slides on the track to position the frame (12) in the Y and Z directions; an arc guide rail (5) is installed on one side of the annular base plate (4), and multiple arc guide rail sliders (36) are provided on the semi-annular part of the upper part of the frame (12), with the arc guide rail (5) installed in the multiple arc guide rail sliders (36); this invention ensures that the arc guide rail is prevented from derailing while saving a lot of time in the installation process. It improves the safety of the production process and increases production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of assembly, and discloses a cylindrical product tooling with error prevention and retention functions, particularly relating to the safety assurance of product tooling. Background Technology

[0002] In my country's aerospace industry, there are numerous tasks involving the docking and assembly of cylindrical products. Against this backdrop, new requirements have been placed on the fixing, clamping, and positional consistency of these products. Faced with the diverse functional needs of complex assembly scenarios, traditional tooling typically only addresses a single function, failing to achieve a balance between ease of use and functional integration. Common tooling for cylindrical products employs basic support structures such as V-blocks and U-grooves for simple support; cylindrical and V-shaped rollers for product rolling, but with limited motion accuracy; and attitude adjustment mechanisms to maintain positional consistency, but these add redundant structures and increase operation time. Discontinuous, split designs require multiple sets of bolts for opening and closing, making operation cumbersome.

[0003] Invention Patent Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the prior art by designing a modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proofing and retention functions.

[0005] A modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proof and retaining functions includes a frame 12, a base plate 4, an arc guide rail 5, a clamping component 6, and a support component 9. The clamping component 6 and the support component 9 are installed on the inner wall of the base plate 4. The concave surface of the frame 12 is connected to a linear guide rail slider 13, which slides on the track to position the frame 12 in the Y and Z directions. An arc guide rail 5 is installed on one side of the annular base plate 4, and multiple arc guide rail sliders 36 are provided on the semi-annular part of the upper part of the frame 12. The arc guide rail 5 is installed in the multiple arc guide rail sliders 36, and the arc guide rail 5 can drive the annular base plate 4 to slide in the multiple arc guide rail sliders 36. The frame 12 has a stop pin 11 at one end of its upper part; it is characterized by further including an error-proof retaining mechanism 10, which includes an error-proof limiting boss 32 and an error-proof retaining device. Multiple error-proof limiting bosses 32 are arranged on the frame 12 on the same side as the arc guide rail slider 36, and are alternately arranged. The error-proof limiting bosses 32 are integrally machined with the frame. During normal use, the error-proof limiting bosses 32 and the arc guide rail have a clearance fit. The error-proof retaining device specifically includes an error-proof retaining frame 33 and an error-proof limiting block 34. The error-proof retaining frame 33 is installed at one end of the frame 12 via an oil-free bushing, on the same side as the base plate rotation shaft 26. The multiple pairs of error-proof limiting blocks 34 are installed in pairs on the error-proof retaining frame 33 via threads.

[0006] Under normal use, the error-proof retaining device rotates coaxially with the upper and lower base plates and does not function. When the retaining ring is opened, the stop pin 11 is not in the locked position. When the retaining ring base plate 4 rotates slightly, the error-proof retaining frame 33 is not aligned with the rotation axis 26 of the base plate. The error-proof limit block 34 on the error-proof retaining device will interfere with the arc guide rail 5, preventing the retaining ring from opening normally.

[0007] The installation distance between each pair of anti-error limiting blocks 34 on the anti-error retaining frame 33 is adjustable. After adjustment, when there is a set angle of less than 10° between the anti-error retaining device and the base plate rotation axis 26, the retaining ring can still open normally, which not only provides a certain angular adjustment margin for the product held by the retaining ring, but also avoids the occurrence of derailment failure of the arc guide rail.

[0008] The aforementioned multiple anti-misalignment limiting bosses are four in number, evenly distributed and arranged on one side of the frame 12, on the same side as the arc guide rail slider 36.

[0009] The objective of this invention is achieved as follows: a modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proofing and retention functions, comprising a worktable, a linear guide rail, and a modular cylindrical product tooling (i.e., a retainer). Further, the worktable's mounting surface adopts an optical platform design to provide sufficient installation accuracy for the guide rail. The linear guide rail is mounted on the optical plane of the worktable, and its installation and adjustment are performed by the worktable's lateral positioning groove and wedge blocks, ensuring the guide rail's straightness and flatness. The retainer consists of a frame, a base plate, an arc-shaped guide rail, an error-proofing and retention device, and functional components. Further, the base plate is the central structure of the retainer; the arc-shaped guide rail and functional components are mounted on the base plate, and the basic positioning of the guide rail and functional components is achieved with the help of a positioning reference surface, ultimately reflected in the Z, Y, pitch, and yaw attitude control of the cylindrical product. The frame connects the base plate to the linear guide slider and provides stable X-axis movement for the product. The arc guide is the product's rotary motion component; through the base plate positioning structure and installation, it provides high-precision smooth rolling motion. The error-proof retaining device is a foolproof design of the retaining ring, installed on the frame. Considering the risk of derailment and damage to the arc guide due to the retaining ring rotating if the upper and lower base plates are not closed during actual operation, the error-proof retaining device effectively avoids this risk.

[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0011] (1) The present invention solves the long-standing problem that the error prevention mechanism requires a long time to tighten with bolts and cannot be opened quickly. The error prevention mechanism of the present invention enables the base plate of the present invention to be opened quickly and prevents incorrect opening. While satisfying the functionality and practicality of the tooling, it solves the risk of derailment and damage that may occur on the vertical arc guide rail.

[0012] (2) This invention is simple to operate and easy to use. It has a powerful function in preventing the circular arc guide rail from derailing, thus preventing the risk of damage. It can contribute to safe production.

[0013] (3) This invention ensures that the arc guide rail is prevented from derailing while saving a lot of time during the installation process. It improves the safety of the production process and increases production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the application of the present invention on a machine tool.

[0015] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 , are exploded views of various parts of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 The diagram shows more than 10 installation states of the error-proofing and retention mechanism of the present invention.

[0018] The components include: 1. Clamping ring; 2. Linear guide rail; 3. Worktable; 4. Base plate; 5. Arc guide rail; 6. Clamping module; 7. Automatic locking pin; 8. Frame side set screw; 9. Support assembly; 10. Error prevention and retention mechanism; 11. Stop pin; 12. Frame; 13. Linear guide rail slider; 14. Arc guide rail slider mounting bolt; 15. Handle; 16. Upper base plate; 17. Functional component mounting hole; 18. Lower base plate; 19. Frame mounting bolt; 20. Positioning pin hole; 21. Spring ball plug. 22 Automatic locking pin (locker); 23 Arc guide rail mounting groove; 24. Functional component positioning reference surface; 25. Arc guide rail positioning set screw; 26. Base plate rotation shaft; 27. Arc guide rail slider clamping set screw; 28. Arc guide rail slider positioning wedge; 29. ​​Arc guide rail slider positioning surface; 30. Positioning cylinder; 31 Automatic locking pin (pin); 32. Anti-misalignment limit boss; 33. Anti-misalignment retainer; 34. Anti-misalignment limit block; 35. Anti-misalignment retaining device rotation shaft; 36. Arc guide rail slider. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0020] A modular cylindrical product tooling with error prevention and retention function, specifically including a worktable, a linear guide rail, and a modular cylindrical product tooling (hereinafter referred to as "grip").

[0021] The linear guide rail is installed on the worktable surface and is installed and adjusted by the positioning groove and wedge block on the side of the worktable to ensure that the straightness of the guide rail meets the requirements. In addition, fastening bolts are used to fix the guide rail to the platform base surface to ensure the flatness of the guide rail.

[0022] The clamping ring consists of a frame, a clamping ring base plate, an arc-shaped guide rail, a mistake-proof retaining mechanism, and functional components. Further explanation:

[0023] The frame specifically includes a bottom mounting hole, a base positioning hole, a radial stop pin, an arc-shaped guide rail slider and its mounting positioning hole, and an arc-shaped guide rail limiting groove. The frame is fixedly mounted to the linear guide rail slider through the bottom mounting hole, and the Y-axis positioning of the frame and the linear guide rail slider is completed by the base positioning hole and two pairs of frame side set screws 8, ensuring that the product has a reference in the Y-axis when multiple sets of clamping rings are used together. At the same time, it is mounted on the linear guide rail through the slider-guide rail cooperation relationship, providing the product with high-precision and stable X-axis movement capability. The clamping ring designed in this invention uses an arc-shaped guide rail as the rolling motion component of the product. Specifically, the arc-shaped guide rail acts as the moving part, and the slider acts as the stationary part. The slider is connected to the frame through the mounting hole, and the positioning and installation of the slider are completed by the radial arc-shaped guide rail slider pressing set screw 27 and the end face wedge block. In addition, the stop pin is connected to the frame through the threaded hole, with the tip facing the radial direction of the cylindrical product, serving as the purpose of limiting the clamping ring in the angular direction.

[0024] The base plate 4 specifically includes an upper base plate 16, a lower base plate 18, an automatic locking pin, and an arc-shaped guide rail. Both the upper and lower base plates are semi-circular arc-shaped and connected on one side via oil-free bushings to ensure a tight connection and smooth movement. The outer diameter surface of the base plate serves as the mounting surface for limiting and locking components. Further, the outer diameter surfaces of the upper and lower base plates are arranged with locating pin holes at 60° intervals, which cooperate with the stop pins mounted on the frame to limit the rolling movement. The automatic locking pin is installed at the connection point of the upper and lower base plates, providing a self-locking function for the retaining ring. One side of the upper and lower base plates is machined with an arc-shaped guide rail mounting groove; the outer diameter surface of the groove serves as the mounting and positioning surface for the arc-shaped guide rail. The other side is arranged with mounting threaded holes at 10° intervals for the installation of various functional components.

[0025] The functional components specifically include support, clamping, and measurement modules, which can realize the clamping and positioning tasks of cylindrical products of various types and sizes.

[0026] The error-proof retaining mechanism specifically includes a frame error-proof limiting boss and an error-proof retaining device. Further, the frame error-proof limiting boss is arranged on the same side of the arc guide rail slider of the clamping ring frame and is integrally machined from the frame. The error-proof limiting boss is divided into four sections, and under normal use, it has a clearance fit with the arc guide rail. When the clamping ring opens but the stop pin is not locked, causing the clamping ring to rotate, the error-proof limiting boss can prevent the arc guide rail at the clamping ring opening (i.e., the connection between the upper and lower base plates) from entering the frame, thereby avoiding damage to the tooling caused by the arc guide rail derailing. When the clamping ring opening rotates into the frame, the limiting boss will prevent the clamping ring from opening abnormally, ensuring that the opening gap of the arc guide rail slider is less than 2mm, ensuring that the guide rail safely and stably passes the slider. The error-proof retaining device specifically includes a retainer and limiting blocks. The retainer is installed on the retaining frame via an oil-free bushing and is on the same side as the base plate rotation axis. The multiple pairs of error-proof limiting blocks are installed in pairs on the retainer via threads. Under normal use, the error-proof retainer rotates coaxially with the upper and lower base plates, and the error-proof retainer does not function. Before the retaining ring opens, the stop pin is not in the locked position. When the retaining ring rotates slightly, the rotation axis of the error-proof retainer and the base plate is not aligned. The error-proof limit block on the error-proof retainer will interfere with the arc guide rail, preventing the retaining ring from opening normally. Furthermore, the installation distance between each pair of error-proof limit blocks on the retainer is adjustable. After adjustment, when there is a certain angle (≤10°) between the error-proof retainer and the rotation axis of the base plate, the retaining ring can still open normally, providing a certain angular adjustment margin for the product held by the retaining ring and preventing the arc guide rail from derailing.

[0027] The implementation method will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a modular cylindrical tooling application, including a retainer 1, which is installed on a workbench 3 through the cooperation between the linear guide slider 13 and the linear guide 2. Multiple sets of retainers can be used to support and clamp cylindrical products of various shapes and sizes.

[0029] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the clamping ring, including a base plate 4, an arc-shaped guide rail 5, a fault-prevention mechanism 10, and various functional components (clamping module 6, support component 9). In use, the frame 12 and the linear guide rail slider 13 are positioned in the Y and Z directions using the side-mounted set screws 8 and the frame mounting bolts 19. This extends to cylindrical products achieving high-precision Y and Z direction positioning, as well as pitch and yaw positioning, through the functional components (clamping module 6, support component 9) mounted on the base plate 4. Simultaneously, the arc-shaped guide rail 5 and the linear guide rail slider 13 provide stable and smooth X-direction and rolling motion capabilities, helping the cylindrical product to quickly position itself before docking. Furthermore, the automatic locking pin 7 enables the clamping ring to close and lock, simplifying operation; the stop pin 11 engages with the limiting holes arranged at 60° intervals along the outer diameter of the base plate 4, providing safe operation and opening / closing positions for the clamping ring.

[0030] The error-proofing mechanism 10 is installed on the frame to ensure the safe and stable operation of the retaining ring.

[0031] Figure 3This is an exploded view of the retaining ring. In this invention, the arc-shaped guide rail slider 36 serves as the stationary component of the retaining ring's moving parts. During installation, the outer contour and upper surface of the slider serve as radial and axial references, respectively. The outer contour of the slider is mounted on the arc-shaped guide rail slider positioning surface 29 of the frame and is pressed tightly by the arc-shaped guide rail slider clamping screw 27. At the same time, the wedge block 28 restricts the lateral movement of the slider. The upper surface of the slider is fitted to the frame surface through the arc-shaped guide rail slider mounting bolt 14 to complete the slider installation. Two sets of 180° arc-shaped guide rails 5 serve as the moving parts of the retaining ring's moving parts, respectively mounted on the upper base plate 16 and the lower base plate 18. They cooperate with the guide rail sliders and, with the help of these components, drive the cylindrical product compartment to perform high-precision rolling motion. During installation, the outer diameter of the arc-shaped guide rail 5 and the guide rail mounting groove 23 on the upper and lower base plates 16 / 18 are used as positioning references. The guide rail is radially pressed by the arc-shaped guide rail positioning screw 25 and axially pressed by the end face threaded hole. The automatic locking pin 7, consisting of an automatic locking pin (locking device) and an automatic locking pin (pin), is installed at the open ends of the upper base plate 16 and the lower base plate 18, respectively. Together, they achieve self-locking when the retaining ring closes. The positioning pin holes 20 and positioning cylindrical pins 30 installed on the upper base plate 16 and the lower base plate 18 provide axial positioning of the upper / lower base plates and increase stability after the retaining ring closes. The spring ball plug 21 installed on the upper base plate provides a buffering effect when the retaining ring closes. The upper base plate 16 and the lower base plate 18 have threaded holes arranged at 10° intervals for installing various functional components such as the clamping module 6 and the support assembly 9. The base plate rotation shaft 26 is connected via an oil-free bushing, minimizing the assembly gap between the upper and lower retaining rings while providing rotational functionality, thus improving the Y-axis accuracy of the retaining ring. In addition, when installing functional components, the inner diameter of the base plate is also used as the positioning reference surface 24 for the functional components. The contact surface of the functional components that are in direct contact with the product surface has the same curvature or surface characteristics as the outer diameter of the product. With the help of positioning methods and machining accuracy, the good interchangeability ensures the consistency of product posture when multiple and various types of clamping rings are used together.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-error retaining device for the retaining ring. Addressing the two fault modes of retaining the ring identified during the trial operation phase, the anti-error retaining design specifically includes an anti-error limiting boss 32 on the frame and the anti-error retaining device itself. Further explanation: the anti-error limiting boss 32 is integrally machined from the frame and consists of four sections. During normal use, it has a clearance fit with the arc guide rail 5.

[0033] When the retaining ring opens but the stop pin 11 is not locked, causing the retaining ring to rotate, the anti-misalignment limit boss 32 can prevent the arc guide rail at the opening of the retaining ring (i.e., the connection between the upper and lower base plates) from entering the machine frame. Figure 4 -d), thus avoiding damage to the tooling caused by the derailment of the arc guide rail; when the clamping ring opening rotates into the machine frame, the limiting boss will prevent the clamping ring from opening abnormally ( Figure 4-e), ensuring that the opening gap of the arc guide rail 5 is less than 2mm when it passes through the arc guide rail slider 36, thus ensuring the safe and stable operation of the guide rail. The error-proof retaining device specifically includes an error-proof retaining frame 33, error-proof limiting blocks 34, and an error-proof retaining device rotation shaft 35. Further, the error-proof retaining frame 33 is connected to the frame 12 via the error-proof retaining device rotation shaft 35, and is located on the same side as the base plate rotation shaft 26, also using an oil-free bushing as the connecting shaft rotation component. Multiple sets of error-proof limiting blocks 34 are arranged axially and installed in pairs on the error-proof retaining frame 33 via threads. Under normal use, the error-proof retaining device rotates coaxially with the upper base plate 16 and the lower base plate 18 around the base plate rotation shaft 26, and the error-proof retaining device does not function. Before the retaining ring opens, if the stop pin 11 is not in the locked position, the retaining ring will rotate under manual intervention. At this time, the rotation shaft 35 of the error-proof holding device and the rotation shaft 26 of the base plate will not be aligned, and the error-proof limit block 34 on the error-proof device will interfere with the arc guide rail 5, preventing the retaining ring from opening normally. Furthermore, the installation distance between each pair of error-proof limit blocks 34 on the error-proof holding frame 33 is adjustable. After adjustment, when there is a certain angle (≤±10°) between the rotation shaft 35 of the error-proof holding device and the rotation shaft 26 of the base plate, the retaining ring can still open normally, providing a certain angular adjustment margin for the product held by the retaining ring and preventing the arc guide rail 5 from derailing.

[0034] Before using this invention, the frame is first installed on the linear guide slider 13 using the frame mounting bolts 19, and the Y-axis and yaw attitude of the entire clamping ring is adjusted using the side set screws 8 of the frame. After the clamping ring is installed, the center elevation of the clamping ring and the relative Y-axis positions of multiple clamping rings are calibrated using a coordinate measuring machine, and the positional accuracy of all skid systems is adjusted to within the tolerance range based on the external reference.

[0035] In use of this invention, once the logistics are transferred to the workstation, the operator manually presses the automatic locking pin 7, unlocking the upper and lower retaining rings 16 / 18. Simultaneously, the operator uses handle 15 to open the upper retaining ring, allowing the product to be loaded. The product is placed on the two sets of retaining ring support components 9 via hoisting or manual handling. Then, the operator manually pulls handle 15 to close the upper retaining ring, during which the polyurethane flexible material used in the clamping module 6 clamps the product. After the upper and lower retaining rings are closed, the automatic locking pin 7 automatically locks. During product docking, the operator pulls up the stop pin 11 and rotates it 90° to the empty position, at which point the retaining ring's rolling direction is in an active state. The operator then easily rotates the retaining ring and the product using handle 15. After the product's angular adjustment is complete, the operator lowers the stop pin 11 to the locked position, stabilizing the retaining ring's ball bearing direction. Subsequently, the operator pushes the skid system axially along the linear guide rail 2 until the two products are docked. After docking, the operator releases the automatic locking pin 7, the product is removed from the fully positioned state, and then the retaining ring is opened, allowing the docked product to be hoisted out of the current workstation.

[0036] In summary, a modular cylindrical product fixture with error-proofing and retention functions is applied to the clamping, positioning, and docking of cylindrical products in assembly lines. This fixture application specifically requires a worktable, linear guide rails, and clamping rings. The worktable uses an optical platform as its work surface, integrating a linear module and multiple clamping rings. Each clamping ring includes a frame, a base plate, an arc guide rail, error-proofing and retention devices, and functional components, mounted on the linear guide rail slider via the frame. After integrated design, processing, and initial calibration and debugging, the clamping rings ensure good positional consistency among multiple cylindrical product parts, providing a foundation for docking. Furthermore, the modular skid system design, while meeting docking accuracy requirements, possesses good functionality and ease of use. The quick-release attributes and good interchangeability of the functional components allow this invention to provide a unified solution for similar builds of different product models and with different task requirements by updating different functional components. The improved clamping rings incorporate error-proofing and retention designs to ensure stable operation under different fault modes.

Claims

1. A modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proof and retaining function, comprising a frame (12), a base plate (4), an arc guide rail (5), a clamping component (6), and a support component (9); the clamping component (6) and the support component (9) are installed on the inner wall of the base plate (4); the concave surface of the frame (12) is connected to a linear guide rail slider (13), the linear guide rail slider (13) slides on the track to position the frame (12) in the Y and Z directions; an arc guide rail (5) is installed on one side of the annular base plate (4), and multiple arc guide rail sliders (36) are provided on the semi-annular part of the upper part of the frame (12), the arc guide rail (5) is installed in the multiple arc guide rail sliders (36), and the arc guide rail (5) can drive the annular base plate (4) to slide in the multiple arc guide rail sliders (36); a stop pin (11) is provided at one end of the upper part of the frame (12); characterized in that, It also includes a fault-prevention retaining mechanism (10), which includes fault-prevention limiting bosses (32) and fault-prevention retaining devices. There are multiple fault-prevention limiting bosses (32), which are arranged on the same side of the frame (12) and the arc guide rail slider (36), and are arranged alternately. The fault-prevention limiting bosses (32) are integrally processed with the frame. When the fault-prevention limiting bosses (32) are in normal use, they are in clearance fit with the arc guide rail. The fault-prevention retaining device specifically includes a fault-prevention retaining frame (33) and multiple pairs of fault-prevention limiting blocks (34). The fault-prevention retaining frame (33) is installed on one end of the frame (12) through an oil-free bushing and is on the same side as the base plate rotation shaft (26). The multiple pairs of fault-prevention limiting blocks (34) are installed on the fault-prevention retaining frame (33) in pairs by threads. Under normal use, the error-proof retaining device rotates coaxially with the base plate and does not function. Before the retaining ring opens, the stop pin (11) is not in the locked position. When the base plate (4) rotates slightly, the error-proof retaining frame (33) and the base plate rotation axis (26) are not aligned. The error-proof limit block (34) on the error-proof retaining device will interfere with the arc guide rail (5) and prevent the retaining ring from opening normally.

2. The modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proofing and retention function of the mold support component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The installation distance between each pair of anti-error limiting blocks (34) on the anti-error retaining frame (33) is adjustable. After adjustment, when there is a set angle of less than 10° between the anti-error retaining device and the rotating shaft of the retaining ring, the retaining ring can still open normally, which not only provides a certain angular adjustment margin for the product held by the retaining ring, but also avoids the occurrence of derailment failure of the arc guide rail.

3. The modular cylindrical product tooling with error-proofing and retention function of the mold support component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple anti-misalignment limiting bosses are four in number, evenly distributed and arranged on one side of the frame (12) on the same side as the arc guide rail slider (36).

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