Clamping device

Abstract

The clamp device is provided with an operation member (7) which is rotatably disposed on the base end-side end surface of the output rod (4) and which moves the output rod (4) by pressing the output rod (4) in the direction of the distal end in the axial direction. Furthermore, the clamp device is provided with a biasing member (9) that is disposed inside a cylindrical hole (5) formed on the base end side of the housing (1) or that is filled inside the cylindrical hole (5), and that moves the output rod (4) by pressing the output rod (4) in the base end side direction in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device suitable for detachably fixing a clamping object such as a workpiece pallet, a workpiece, a mold, a tool or a clamp to a clamping pallet, a stage or a robot arm as a base. Background Art

[0002] As such a clamping device, there is a clamping device described in the following Patent Document 1. This conventional clamping device is configured as follows.

[0003] The clamping device is composed of a cylindrical plug portion protruding from a housing, an output rod, a ball for engagement, a piston, etc. A clamping chamber and a non-clamping chamber for supplying and discharging a pressure fluid are provided in the housing constituting the clamping device. In the driving of the clamping device, i.e., the driving of the piston and the output rod, for example, compressed air is used, and compressed air is supplied and discharged to the clamping chamber and the non-clamping chamber each time the driving is performed.

[0004] Prior Art Literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2021 / 177385 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] When multiple clamping devices such as the above are provided, a large-scale device is required as a compressed air supply device. In addition, the number of piping devices for supplying and discharging compressed air is large and complicated. These aspects cannot be said to be preferred from the perspective of energy saving and environmental measures. Therefore, it is desired that compressed air is not required as a driving source or that it is minimized even if it is required.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device which does not require a pressure fluid such as compressed air when being driven, or which can be operated even if the pressure fluid is not supplied every time it is driven.

[0010] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the clamping device of the present invention is as follows Figures 1 to 10 As shown, it is constructed as follows.

[0012] (1) The clamping device disclosed in the present application comprises: a housing 1; a cylindrical plug portion 3 protruding from the housing 1; an output rod 4 inserted into the plug portion cylindrical hole 3a of the plug portion 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof; and a locking member 14 inserted into a through hole 13 formed in a peripheral wall of the plug portion 3 and movable in the through hole 13 by the output rod 4 moving in the axial direction so as to be able to engage with a mounting hole 24 provided in the clamping object WP so as to enable the plug portion 3 to be inserted into the mounting hole 24. 4 abuts against the locking portion 25 possessed by the housing 1; a cylindrical hole 5 formed on the base end side of the housing 1, and the output rod 4 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 5 in a manner that can move along the axial direction; an operating member 7 is arranged on the base end side end face of the output rod 4 in a rotatable state, and pushes the output rod 4 in the terminal side direction in the axial direction to move it; and a force applying member 9 is arranged inside the cylindrical hole 5 or filled inside the cylindrical hole 5, and pushes the output rod 4 in the base end side direction in the axial direction to move it. The force applying member 9 is, for example, a spring or compressed gas (pressure gas).

[0013] The clamping device disclosed in the present application has the following effects. The clamping device does not have a chamber for supplying and discharging a pressure fluid each time a drive is performed, as in the clamping chamber and non-clamping chamber of the existing clamping device. In the clamping device, the operating member is moved (pressed into the barrel hole) manually or by external force to drive the output rod in the terminal side direction in the axial direction. In the base end side direction which is another direction in the axial direction, the output rod is driven by the force-applying member. Therefore, the clamping device does not need to drive a pressure fluid such as compressed air, or can operate even if the pressure fluid is not supplied each time a drive is performed.

[0014] (2) In the clamp device of (1), a recessed portion 6 may be formed on a base end surface of the output rod 4 , and the operation member 7 may be rotatably accommodated in the recessed portion 6 .

[0015] According to this structure, it is easy to arrange the operation member on the base end side end surface of the output rod.

[0016] (3) In the clamping device of (1) or (2), the operating member 7 may be a ball or a roller.

[0017] According to this configuration, the output rod can be smoothly moved toward the distal end side in the axial direction.

[0018] (4) In any one of the clamping devices (1) to (3), it is also possible that, for example, Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the clamping device further includes a guide member 27 mounted at the base end of the cylindrical hole 5. The guide member 27 has a sliding surface 27a formed in such a way as to sandwich the operating member 7 and facing the operating member 7, and a protrusion 27b protruding toward the operating member 7 to prevent the operating member 7 from falling.

[0019] According to this structure, when a force in a direction inclined relative to the axial direction acts on the operating member, the component of the force in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction can be borne by the housing via the guide member having the above-mentioned sliding surface. Therefore, the application of the above-mentioned component of force to the output rod can be suppressed, and the output rod can be smoothly moved toward the end side. In addition, the above-mentioned protrusion can prevent the operating member from falling due to gravity.

[0020] (5) In the clamping device of (4), the guide member 27 may be annular.

[0021] According to this structure, the operating member is surrounded by the guide member. Therefore, the receiving of the operating member by the housing of the guide member becomes more reliable. In addition, the falling of the operating member can be further prevented.

[0022] (6) In the clamping device of (2), it is also possible that, for example, Figure 6 As shown, a hole 41 extending in the axial direction is provided at the bottom center of the recess 6, and the clamping device further includes a magnet 42 accommodated in the hole 41. In this case, the output rod 4 and the operating member 7 are formed of a magnetic material attracted by a magnet.

[0023] According to this configuration, the magnet can prevent the operation member from falling due to gravity.

[0024] (7) In the clamping device of (2) or (6), it may be, for example, Fig.10 As shown, a plurality of balls 45 are rotatably mounted between the bottom surface of the recess 6 and the operation member 7 .

[0025] According to this structure, the rotation of the operating member becomes smoother.

[0026] (8) In the clamping device of (7), it may be, for example, Fig.10 As shown, a disengagement prevention ring 46 for preventing the ball 45 from disengaging from between the bottom surface of the recess 6 and the operating member 7 is fixed to the base end of the output rod 4. The disengagement prevention ring 46 has a protrusion 46a that protrudes toward the operating member 7 to prevent the operating member 7 from falling.

[0027] According to this structure, the spherical body can be prevented from being separated from the bottom surface of the recessed portion and the operating member. In addition, the protrusion can prevent the operating member from falling due to gravity.

[0028] Effects of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clamping device which does not require a pressure fluid such as compressed air when being driven, or which can be operated even if the pressure fluid is not supplied every time when being driven. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing a usage example of the clamping device disclosed in the present application.

[0031] Figure 2 The first embodiment of the present invention is shown, and is a side cross-sectional view of a clamping device in a released state.

[0032] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of the clamping device is shown in the locked state.

[0033] Figure 4 It shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a side cross-sectional view of a clamping device in a released state.

[0034] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view of the clamping device is shown in the locked state.

[0035] Figure 6 The third embodiment of the present invention is shown, and is a side cross-sectional view of a clamp device in a locked state.

[0036] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of part A.

[0037] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a clamping device in a released state.

[0038] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A side cross-sectional view of the clamping device is shown in the locked state.

[0039] Fig.10 FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention and is a side cross-sectional view of a clamp device in a locked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, a use example of the clamping device in which the workpiece pallet WP as the clamping target is fixed to the clamp pallet CP as the base is exemplified.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the clamping tray CP to which the clamping device 101 is fixed is configured to travel on two rails 50 arranged at a predetermined interval. A long plate-shaped cam member 51 extending in the same direction as the rails 50 is arranged between the rails 50. The cam member 51 has a cam portion 52. Figure 2 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1B , the cam portion 52 is in a trapezoidal shape that is convex upward in a side view.

[0042] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the structure of the clamping device 101 of the first embodiment is described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a released state of the clamping device 101, and is Figure 1 XX cross-sectional view.

[0043] The housing 1 of the clamping device 101 is fixed to the clamping tray CP by a plurality of bolts 2. A cylindrical plug portion 3 is integrally provided to protrude upward from the housing 1. An upper rod portion 4a of an output rod 4 is inserted into the plug portion bore 3a of the plug portion 3 so as to be movable in the up-down direction (the axial direction of the plug portion bore 3a). The axial direction of the output rod 4 is in the same direction as the axial direction of the plug portion bore 3a.

[0044] A cylindrical hole 5 is formed on the base end side of the housing 1, and the lower rod portion 4b of the output rod 4 can be inserted into the cylindrical hole 5 so as to be movable in the up-down direction. The cylindrical hole 5 is a hole with a larger diameter than the plug portion cylindrical hole 3a. The cylindrical hole 5 and the plug portion cylindrical hole 3a are connected to each other up and down. The axial direction of the cylindrical hole 5 is the same direction as the axial direction of the plug portion cylindrical hole 3a.

[0045] In the recessed portion 6 formed on the end surface of the base end of the lower rod portion 4b, a ball 7 (spherical body, rotating body) as an operating member is accommodated in a rotatable state. A part of the ball 7 protrudes outward in the axial direction of the cylindrical hole 5. In addition, as an operating member, a rotating body such as a roller (not shown) can be used instead of the ball 7 (the same applies to other embodiments).

[0046] In addition, the recess 6 may not be formed (the same applies to other embodiments). That is, the base end side surface of the lower rod portion 4b may be, for example, a flat surface. In this case, a rotating body such as a ball 7 or a roller is rotatably mounted on the base end side surface of the lower rod portion 4b via a supporting member (not shown).

[0047] The base end of the lower rod portion 4b formed with the above-mentioned recess 6 is a piston portion 8 (large diameter portion), which has a larger diameter than other portions of the output rod 4. A spring 9 is arranged in the space above the piston portion 8 in the cylinder hole 5 as a force-applying member that pushes the piston portion 8 downward (toward the base end side). The spring 9 is a compression coil spring. The spring 9 of this embodiment is composed of a first spring 9a and a second spring 9b. The diameter of the second spring 9b is larger than the diameter of the first spring 9a. On the upper surface (end side) of the piston portion 8, a first step portion 8a receiving the lower end of the first spring 9a and a second step portion 8b receiving the lower end of the second spring 9b are provided in sequence from the inside. An annular spring seat 10 receiving the upper end of the first spring 9a is provided on the first spring 9a, and an annular spring seat 11 receiving the upper end of the second spring 9b is provided on the second spring 9b. An annular stopper 12 (stop wheel) is installed at the base end of the cylinder hole 5 to prevent the output rod 4 from slipping out of the cylinder hole 5.

[0048] In addition, the spring 9 is not limited to the structure consisting of two springs. In addition, as a spring, other types of springs such as a disc spring can also be used instead of the compression coil spring (the same applies to other embodiments).

[0049] A plurality of through holes 13 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper portion of the peripheral wall of the plug portion 3. A ball 14 (engaging ball) serving as an engaging member is inserted into each through hole 13. Each ball 14 is inserted into the inner side of the through hole 13 in the radial direction. Figure 2 The position shown is radially outward Figure 3 The housing is supported so as to be movable between the positions shown (outer positions).

[0050] On the outer peripheral wall of the upper rod portion 4a of the output rod 4, a pushing surface 15 and a retreat groove 16 are formed in correspondence with each ball 14 in the upper and lower parts. The pushing surface 15 is formed to expand as it moves upward. By moving to a position where the pushing surface 15 faces the ball 14, the ball 14 moves to the outer position in a manner that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion 3. In addition, by moving to a position where the retreat groove 16 faces the ball 14 and the ball 14 can be inserted into the retreat position, the ball 14 can move radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion 3. In the present embodiment, the four balls 14 are inserted into each through hole 13 one by one, but the balls 14 are not limited to four.

[0051] An annular collet 17 is fitted outside the lower part (root) of the peripheral wall of the plug part 3. The collet 17 has a tapered outer peripheral surface 17a that is narrowed at the top, and is elastically reduced in diameter by a slit 17b extending in the vertical direction. The collet 17 is prevented from coming out of the plug part 3 by a stopper wheel 18 (the upward movement is restricted). A plurality of through holes 20 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper surface 1a of the housing 1 for inserting a pressing member 19 that presses the collet 17 upward (toward the end side). The pressing member 19 is cylindrical in shape and has a large diameter portion 19a (flange portion) at the lower end. The pressing member 19 is supported from below by the spring seat 10 at the large diameter portion 19a. The collet 17 is urged upward by the first spring 9a via the pressing member 19 and the spring seat 10. Therefore, the collet 17 that is restricted from moving upward by the stopper wheel 18 is small but can move in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the three pressing members 19 are inserted into the through holes 20 one by one, respectively. However, the number of the pressing members 19 is not limited to three.

[0052] The recess 21 is formed on the lower surface of the workpiece pallet WP. A ring member 22 is mounted on the recess 21 and fixed to the workpiece pallet WP by a plurality of bolts 23. The mounting hole 24 is formed by the inner peripheral hole of the ring member 22, and the plug 3 can be inserted into the mounting hole 24.

[0053] The locking portion 25 is formed in a tapered shape in the mounting hole 24 of the ring member 22 so as to expand upward. In addition, a tapered inner peripheral surface 26 is formed below the locking portion 25 to engage with the tapered outer peripheral surface 17a of the collet 17. The tapered inner peripheral surface 26 is a surface that is narrowed at the top, in other words, is formed so as to become narrower upward.

[0054] In this embodiment, the mounting hole 24 is formed in the ring member 22, but the mounting hole 24 may be formed by the inner peripheral hole of the recessed portion 21 of the workpiece pallet WP. That is, the locking portion 25 and the tapered inner peripheral surface 26 may be formed in the inner peripheral hole of the recessed portion 21 of the workpiece pallet WP.

[0055] The clamping device 101 having the above-described structure operates as follows.

[0056] exist Figure 2 In the released state shown in FIG. 1 , the ball 7 is pushed upward by the cam portion 52 of the cam member 51, that is, by an external force. Figure 3 Compared with the locked state shown in the figure, the ball 7 is pressed into the cylindrical hole 5 of the housing 1. As a result, the ball 7 overcomes the force of the spring 9 and pushes the output rod 4 upward (toward the end side) to rise. As the output rod 4 rises, the ball 14 of the plug part 3 can move to the retreat position in the retreat groove 16. The workpiece pallet WP is loaded Figure 2 The top of the clamping device 101 is shown in a released state.

[0057] When the workpiece pallet WP is clamped on the clamping pallet CP, the workpiece pallet WP is first lowered to a state where the plug portion 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 24 of the ring member 22. At this time, the tapered inner circumferential surface 26 formed in the mounting hole 24 abuts against the tapered outer circumferential surface 17a of the collet 17 in the expanded state, and a slight gap is formed between the upper surface 1a (seat surface) of the housing 1 and the lower surface of the ring member 22. Thereafter, the cam portion 52 of the cam member 51 is separated from the ball 7 by making the clamping pallet CP run on the track 50. As a result, the external force generated by the cam portion 52 is released, and the spring 9 pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end side), and the output rod 4 is lowered. When the output rod 4 is lowered, the extrusion portion 16a, which constitutes a part of the retreat groove 16 formed on the output rod 4, presses the ball 14 of the plug portion 3 to the radially outer protruding position. Then, the pressing surface 15 formed on the output rod 4 pushes down the locking portion 25 of the workpiece pallet WP (ring member 22) via the ball 14. As a result, the collet 17 is reduced in diameter and slightly lowered together with the workpiece pallet WP. As a result, the lower surface of the ring member 22 is received by the upper surface 1a of the housing 1, and the clamping device 101 is moved downward. Figure 2 The release state shown is Figure 3 The lock status toggle shown.

[0058] When the clamping device 101 is removed from Figure 3 The lock status shown is Figure 2 When the release state shown is switched, the clamping tray CP is moved on the track 50, so that the ball 7 abuts against the cam portion 52 of the cam member 51, and the ball 7 is placed on the cam portion 52. As a result, the ball 7 overcomes the force of the spring 9 and pushes the output rod 4 upward (toward the end side), and the output rod 4 rises. When the output rod 4 rises, the retreat groove 16 formed on the output rod 4 becomes facing the ball 14 of the plug portion 3, and the ball 14 can move into the retreat groove 16 (radially inward of the output rod 4). As a result, Figure 2 As shown, the workpiece pallet WP can be smoothly removed from the clamping pallet CP. In addition, since the ball 7 rotates, when the ball 7 abuts against the cam portion 52, the lateral reaction force from the cam portion 52 can be partially released by the ball 7, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder hole 5 and the piston portion 8 of the output rod 4 can be prevented from interfering. As a result, the output rod 4 can be smoothly moved toward the end side.

[0059] The clamping device 101 does not have a chamber for supplying and discharging a pressure fluid each time the clamping chamber and the non-clamping chamber are driven, as in the conventional clamping device. In the clamping device 101, the ball 14 is moved by an external force (pressed into the barrel hole 5), and the output rod 4 is driven toward the end side. In the direction opposite to the end side direction, that is, the base end side direction, the output rod 4 is driven by the spring 9. Therefore, the clamping device 101 does not need to drive a pressure fluid such as compressed air. Alternatively, the ball 7 can be moved by pushing it with a human hand.

[0060] Figure 4 and Figure 5 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The clamping device of the second embodiment is different from the clamping device of the first embodiment in that it further includes a guide member 27 mounted on the base end of the cylindrical hole 5 of the housing 1. In addition, for each component constituting the clamping device of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components that are the same as the components constituting the clamping device of the first embodiment ( Figure 6 The same also applies to the following embodiments).

[0061] The guide member 27 has a sliding surface 27a that faces the ball 7 and is formed so as to sandwich the ball 7. In addition, a protrusion 27b that protrudes toward the ball 7 is provided below the sliding surface 27a. The protrusion 27b is used to prevent the ball 7 from falling due to gravity. The sliding surface 27a and the protrusion 27b are formed so as to be connected up and down.

[0062] The guide member 27 of this embodiment is an annular member, and the sliding surface 27a is a circular surface in a plan view, which is formed by a surface parallel (straight) to the axial direction of the output rod 4. A small gap is provided between the ball 7 and the sliding surface 27a.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, when the clamping device is in the locked state, the ball 7 is not supported from below by the cam member 51. However, the ball 7 will not fall due to the protrusion 27b. By making the clamping tray CP run on the track 50, when the ball 7 abuts against the cam portion 52 of the cam member 51, the lateral reaction force from the cam portion 52 is received by the housing 1 via the guide member 27 having the sliding surface 27a. Therefore, the lateral reaction force applied to the output rod 4 can be suppressed, and the output rod 4 can be moved more smoothly toward the end side direction.

[0064] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The third embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the clamping device of the third embodiment, the force-applying member that pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end side) to move it is different from the clamping device of the first embodiment. In addition, the member that prevents the ball 7 from falling in the clamping device of the third embodiment is different from the clamping device of the second embodiment.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the space above the piston portion 8 in the cylinder hole 5 is the pressure gas chamber 28. The piston portion 8 of the output rod 4 is inserted into the cylinder hole 5 in a sealed state via the sealing member 29. The upper rod portion 4a of the output rod 4 is inserted into the plug portion cylinder hole 3a in a sealed state via the sealing member 30. In addition, the pressing member 19 is inserted into the through hole 20 in a sealed state via the sealing member 31. Thus, the space above the piston portion 8 in the cylinder hole 5 becomes the pressure gas chamber 28.

[0066] Compressed air as a pressure gas for locking (clamping) is filled into the pressure gas chamber 28 via the filling port 32. The compressed air filled into the pressure gas chamber 28 is a force-applying member that pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end side) to move it. The filling port 32 and the pressure gas chamber 28 are connected by a port-side passage 33 formed in the housing 1. An air filling member 34 is installed at the filling port 32.

[0067] like Figure 7 As shown, the air filling member 34 includes a cylindrical body 35, a ball 36, a spring 37, a retaining tube 38, etc. The body 35 is fixed to the filling port 32 in a sealed manner via a sealing member 39. The retaining tube 38 is pressed and fixed in a sealed manner to the end of the port side passage 33 in the body 35 via an O-ring 40. The ball 36 and the spring 37 are accommodated in the retaining tube 38. An air filling pipe (not shown) is connected to the internal threaded hole 35a of the body 35. The pressure of compressed air is always applied to the air filling pipe. Only the amount of compressed air leaking from the pressure gas chamber 28 is supplied from the air filling pipe to the pressure gas chamber 28 via the air filling member 34 and the port side passage 33. The ball 36, the spring 37 and the O-ring 40 constitute a check valve, which allows the compressed air to flow from the air filling pipe to the port side passage 33 and does not allow the reverse flow. The ball 36 is a valve core, and the O-ring 40 is a valve seat. When the pressure of the compressed air in the pressure gas chamber 28 reaches a specified value, the ball 36 is pushed onto the O-ring 40 by the spring 37, and the check valve is closed.

[0068] According to the above structure, when the clamping device is moved from the released state to Figure 6 When the locked state shown is switched, the compressed air filled in the pressure gas chamber 28 pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end side) to move it. Since only the amount of compressed air leaking from the pressure gas chamber 28 is supplied to the pressure gas chamber 28, the amount of compressed air used is very small. Therefore, although a compressed air supply device such as an air compressor is required, the scale of the device can be very small.

[0069] A bottomed hole 41 extending in the axial direction of the output rod 4 is provided at the center of the bottom of the recess 6 formed in the output rod 4, and a magnet 42 is accommodated at the bottom of the hole 41. The magnet 42 is fixed to the hole 41 by screwing a plug 43 as a gap filling member under the magnet 42. The output rod 4, the plug 43 and the ball 7 are formed of a magnetic material such as iron that is attracted by the magnet.

[0070] According to the above configuration, the magnet 42 can prevent the ball 7 from falling due to gravity.

[0071] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The clamping device of the first embodiment pushes the output rod 4 upward (toward the end side) by the ball 7 to move it to a released state, and pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end side) by the spring 9 to move it to a locked state. In contrast, the clamping device of the fourth embodiment pushes the output rod 4 upward (toward the end side) by the ball 7 to move it to a locked state, and pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end side) by the spring 9 to move it to a released state.

[0072] On the outer peripheral wall of the upper rod portion 4a of the output rod 4, a retreat groove 16 and a support surface 44 are formed in a vertical connection corresponding to the ball 14. By moving the retreat groove 16 to a position facing the ball 14 and to a retreat position where the ball 14 can be inserted, the ball 14 can move radially inward of the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion 3. The support surface 44 is formed to be parallel (straight) to the axial direction of the plug portion cylindrical hole 3a. The support surface 44 is formed in a manner perpendicular to the axial direction of the through hole 13. By moving the support surface 44 to a position facing the ball 14, the ball 14 is moved to an outer position in a manner protruding radially outward of the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion 3.

[0073] exist Figure 8 In the released state shown, the spring 9 pushes the output rod 4 downward (toward the base end), and the output rod 4 is in a lowered state. As the output rod 4 is lowered, the ball 14 of the plug portion 3 can move to the retreat position in the retreat groove 16.

[0074] When clamping the workpiece pallet WP on the clamping pallet CP, first, the workpiece pallet WP is lowered so that the plug portion 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 24 of the ring member 22. After that, by making the clamping pallet CP run on the track 50, the ball 7 is brought into contact with the cam portion 52 of the cam member 51, so that the ball 7 is mounted on the cam portion 52. As a result, the ball 7 overcomes the force of the spring 9 and pushes the output rod 4 upward (toward the end side), and the output rod 4 rises. When the output rod 4 rises, the extrusion portion 16a, which is a part of the retreat groove 16 formed on the output rod 4, presses the ball 14 of the plug portion 3 to the radially outer protruding position, and the ball 14 is stopped by the stopping portion 25. As a result, the clamping device is moved from Figure 8 The release state shown is Fig. 9 The lock status toggle shown.

[0075] Fig.10 The fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the clamping device of the fifth embodiment, a plurality of spheres 45 are installed between the bottom surface of the recess 6 for accommodating the ball 7 and the ball 7 in a rotatable state. This point of the clamping device of the fifth embodiment is different from the clamping device of the first embodiment. According to this structure, the rotation of the ball 7 becomes smoother. As a result, when the ball 7 abuts against the cam portion 52, the lateral reaction force from the cam portion 52 can be more effectively released by the ball 14 portion.

[0076] The anti-escape ring 46 for preventing the spherical body 45 from being separated from the bottom surface of the recessed portion 6 and the ball 7 is pressed and fixed to a circular embedded portion 47 formed at the base end of the output rod 4. The inner circumferential surface of the anti-escape ring 46 is formed to be narrowed as it goes downward, and has a protrusion 46a protruding toward the ball 7 at the lower end. The protrusion 46a is used to prevent the ball 7 from falling due to gravity.

[0077] According to this structure, the spherical body 45 can be prevented from being separated from between the bottom surface of the recessed portion 6 and the ball 7, and the protrusion 46a can be prevented from falling due to gravity.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the elements of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined or various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0079] For example, the above-mentioned embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0080] Alternatively, the ball 7 (operating member) may be pushed by a human hand (manually) to move the output rod 4 toward the distal end side.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the cam member 51 is stationary (fixed), but the cam member 51 may be moved to push the ball 7 (operating member) with the cam portion 52. The component generating the external force for moving the ball 7 (operating member) is not limited to the cam member 51.

[0082] exist Figure 6 In the clamping device shown, as the pressurized gas (biasing member) filled in the pressurized gas chamber 28, a pressurized gas other than compressed air such as compressed nitrogen may be used instead of compressed air.

[0083] The posture of the clamping device may also be upside down, sideways or even tilted relative to the illustrated up-and-down posture.

[0084] The clamping device may also be fixed to a stage or the end of a robot arm, etc. The clamping object may also be a workpiece, a mold, a tool, a fixture, etc.

[0085] Description of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1: housing, 3: plug part, 3a: plug part barrel hole, 4: output rod, 5: barrel hole, 6: recessed portion, 7: ball (operating member), 9: spring (force applying member), 13: through hole, 14: ball (engaging member), 24: mounting hole, 25: locking portion, 27: guide member, 27a: sliding surface, 27b: protrusion, 41: hole, 42: magnet, 45: sphere, 46: disengagement prevention ring, 46a: protrusion, 101: clamping device, WP: workpiece pallet (clamping object).

Claims

1. A clamping device, characterized in that: The clamping device comprises: Housing (1); A cylindrical plug portion (3) protrudes from the housing (1); An output rod (4) is inserted into the plug portion cylindrical hole (3a) of the plug portion (3) in a manner capable of moving along the axial direction of the plug portion cylindrical hole (3a); a locking member (14) inserted into a through hole (13) formed on a peripheral wall of the plug portion (3), and moved in the through hole (13) by the output rod (4) moving in the axial direction, and abutting against a locking portion (25) of the mounting hole (24) in such a manner that the plug portion (3) can be inserted into a mounting hole (24) provided in a clamping object (WP); A cylindrical hole (5) is formed on the base end side of the housing (1), and the output rod (4) is inserted into the cylindrical hole (5) in a manner that allows it to move in the axial direction; an operating member (7) rotatably disposed on the base end face of the output rod (4) and pushing the output rod (4) toward the distal end in the axial direction to move it; as well as A force applying member (9) is arranged inside the cylindrical hole (5) or fills the inside of the cylindrical hole (5) and pushes the output rod (4) toward the base end side in the axial direction to move it.

2. The clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that A recess (6) is formed on the base end side surface of the output rod (4). The operating member (7) is accommodated in the recess (6) in a rotatable state.

3. The clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The operating member (7) is a ball or a roller.

4. The clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The clamping device further comprises a guide member (27) mounted at the base end of the cylindrical hole (5). The guide member (27) has: a sliding surface (27a) formed in such a way as to sandwich the operating member (7) and facing the operating member (7); as well as The protrusion (27b) protrudes toward the operating member (7) to prevent the operating member (7) from falling.

5. The clamping device according to claim 4, characterized in that The guide member (27) is annular.

6. The clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A hole (41) extending along the axial direction is provided at the bottom center of the recess (6). The clamping device further comprises a magnet (42) received in the hole (41). The output rod (4) and the operating member (7) are formed of a magnetic material attracted by a magnet.

7. The clamping device according to claim 2 or 6, characterized in that: A plurality of balls (45) are rotatably mounted between the bottom surface of the recess (6) and the operating member (7).

8. The clamping device according to claim 7, characterized in that A disengagement prevention ring (46) is fixed to the base end of the output rod (4) to prevent the ball (45) from disengaging from between the bottom surface of the recess (6) and the operating member (7). The separation prevention ring (46) has a protrusion (46a) which protrudes toward the operating member (7) to prevent the operating member (7) from falling.

Images