Hydraulic T-shaped groove locker capable of being automatically unlocked and using method of hydraulic T-shaped groove locker

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of locking devices, in particular to a hydraulic T-shaped groove locking device capable of being automatically unlocked and a using method thereof.The hydraulic T-shaped groove locking device comprises a pull rod and a shell, a locking assembly comprises a disc spring, a disc spring pressing plate, a piston, a cylinder body and a rear cover, and the rear cover is provided with a plurality of oil injection ports; the shell is driven by an external mechanical arm to move, so that the T-shaped bolt is aligned with the T-shaped groove; high-pressure liquid is pumped out, the disc spring pressing plate is pushed to move by rebounding of the disc spring, and the disc spring pressing plate drives the pull rod to enter the shell again, so that the T-shaped bolt is matched with the T-shaped groove, and locking is completed; when unlocking is needed, the pull rod and the T-shaped bolt can be driven to extend out by introducing high-pressure liquid into the oil injection port again; therefore, unlocking of the T-shaped groove can be automatically completed by injecting the high-pressure liquid, the working efficiency of the locker is remarkably improved, then automatic switching operation of a production line is adapted, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of locking device technology, and in particular to an automatically unlocking hydraulic T-slot locking device and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, T-slot locking devices are key auxiliary devices for workpiece positioning and fixing in the field of mechanical engineering. They are widely used in machining tooling fixtures, CNC machine tool worktables, workpiece bearing platforms in automated production lines, and temporary fastening of heavy equipment. Their core function is to stably fix the workpiece to be processed, assembled, or transported on the reference surface by adapting to the T-slot structure of the equipment, so as to avoid displacement and vibration of the workpiece during processing (such as milling, grinding, drilling), assembly, or movement, thereby ensuring process accuracy, operational safety, and production stability.

[0003] In the aforementioned prior art, the T-bolt and nut combination scheme requires manual operation to first precisely insert the T-bolt head into the T-groove, and then repeatedly rotate the nut for pre-tightening and tightening. The entire process also requires experience-based judgment or tool assistance to confirm the tightness to avoid being too loose or too tight, which is time-consuming. If applied to multi-station automated production lines, the cumulative operation time increases exponentially, making it difficult to adapt to the high-frequency switching of automated production cycles and significantly affecting production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatically unlocking hydraulic T-slot locking device and its usage method, solving the problem of existing T-bolt and nut locking schemes, which require manual insertion of the T-bolt head into the T-slot before repeated rotation of the nut for pre-tightening and tightening. The entire process also requires experience or tools to confirm the tightness to avoid being too loose or too tight, resulting in a long operation time. If applied to multi-station automated production lines, the cumulative operation time increases exponentially, making it difficult to adapt to the high-frequency switching of automated production cycles and significantly affecting production efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automatically unlocking hydraulic T-slot locking device, comprising a pull rod and a housing, wherein the pull rod is disposed inside the housing and the locking assembly; The locking assembly includes a disc spring, a disc spring pressure plate, a piston, a cylinder, and a rear cover. The rear cover has multiple oil inlets. The disc spring and the disc spring pressure plate are both located inside the housing. The disc spring is sleeved on the outside of the pull rod. The disc spring pressure plate is located at one end of the pull rod and connected to the disc spring. A T-bolt is located at the other end of the pull rod. The cylinder is located above the housing. The rear cover is located above the cylinder. The piston is located inside the cylinder.

[0006] The locking assembly further includes a plug bolt and a test pressure post, the test pressure post being disposed inside the rear cover via the plug bolt.

[0007] The locking assembly further includes a piston seal ring, a guide ring, an anti-loosening bolt, and an anti-rotation pin. The piston seal ring and the guide ring are sequentially sleeved on the outside of the piston. The pull rod is connected to the disc spring pressure plate through the anti-loosening bolt. The housing has a sliding groove, and the anti-rotation pin is disposed inside the pull rod and is adapted to the sliding groove.

[0008] The locking assembly further includes a mounting block and a mounting pin. The mounting block is disposed at one end of the T-bolt and is connected to the pull rod via the mounting pin.

[0009] The locking assembly further includes an adjustment unit, which is disposed inside the housing.

[0010] The adjustment unit includes a rotating sleeve, a support plate, multiple gears, a gear ring, a throttle, multiple adjustment mechanisms, and an adjustment plate. The support plate is fixedly connected to the housing and sleeved on the outside of the housing. The two ends of the rotating sleeve are rotatably connected to the support plate and the housing, respectively. The gear ring is disposed inside the rotating sleeve. The multiple gears mesh with the gear ring. The multiple adjustment mechanisms are respectively disposed on the corresponding gears. The adjustment plate is connected to the end of the disc spring away from the disc spring pressure plate.

[0011] The adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting telescopic rod, a threaded rod, and a stabilizing telescopic rod. The housing has a threaded hole that is adapted to the threaded rod. One end of the threaded rod is rotatably connected to the adjustment plate. Both ends of the adjusting telescopic rod are fixedly connected to the gear and the other end of the threaded rod, respectively. Both ends of the stabilizing telescopic rod are fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the housing and the adjustment plate, respectively.

[0012] This invention also provides a method for using an automatically unlocking hydraulic T-slot locking device, which includes the following steps: Move the housing and the T-bolt to the T-slot where the fitting needs to be fixed; High-pressure liquid is introduced into the oil inlet through an external device, and the high-pressure liquid pushes the piston to move inside the cylinder. The piston drives the disc spring pressure plate to move downward, causing the disc spring pressure plate to drive the pull rod to extend out of the housing, while the disc spring is compressed. At this time, the housing is moved by an external robotic arm so that the T-bolt is aligned with the T-slot; The high-pressure liquid is extracted, and the disc spring rebounds to push the disc spring pressure plate to move. The disc spring pressure plate drives the pull rod to re-enter the housing, so that the T-bolt matches the T-slot and completes the locking. When unlocking is required, high-pressure liquid is reintroduced into the oil inlet to extend the pull rod and the T-bolt.

[0013] This invention discloses an automatically unlocking hydraulic T-slot locking device and its usage method. The device involves moving the housing and T-bolt to the T-slot to be fixed and fitted; introducing high-pressure liquid into the oil inlet via an external device, which pushes the piston to move inside the cylinder; the piston drives the disc spring pressure plate downwards, causing the disc spring pressure plate to pull the pull rod out of the housing, while simultaneously compressing the disc spring; at this time, an external robotic arm moves the housing, aligning the T-bolt with the T-slot; the high-pressure liquid is then extracted, and the disc spring rebounds, pushing the disc spring pressure plate to move, which in turn drives the pull rod back into the housing, allowing the T-bolt to fit into the T-slot and complete the locking; when unlocking is needed, high-pressure liquid is reintroduced into the oil inlet to extend the pull rod and T-bolt. Thus, unlocking the T-slot is automatically completed by injecting high-pressure liquid, significantly improving the locking device's working efficiency and adapting to automated switching operations on production lines, thereby increasing production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatically unlockable hydraulic T-slot locking device of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the automatically unlockable hydraulic T-slot locking device of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is the invention Figure 2 A sectional view along line AA.

[0018] Figure 4 This is the invention Figure 2 Enlarged view of the local structure at point B.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an internal structural diagram of the housing and cylinder of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of using the automatically unlockable hydraulic T-slot locking device of the present invention.

[0021] 1-Pull rod, 2-Housing, 3-Disc spring, 4-Disc spring pressure plate, 5-Piston, 6-Cylinder block, 7-Rear cover, 8-Oil inlet, 9-T-bolt, 10-Plug bolt, 11-Test pressure column, 12-Piston seal ring, 13-Guide ring, 14-Anti-loosening bolt, 15-Anti-rotation pin, 16-Slide groove, 17-Mounting block, 18-Mounting pin, 19-Rotating sleeve, 20-Support plate, 21-Gear, 22-Gear ring, 23-Thrust handle, 24-Adjusting plate, 25-Adjusting telescopic rod, 26-Threaded rod, 27-Stabilizing telescopic rod, 28-Threaded hole. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 5 The present invention provides an automatically unlockable hydraulic T-slot locking device, comprising a pull rod 1 and a housing 2, wherein the pull rod 1 is disposed inside the housing 2 and the locking assembly; The locking assembly includes a disc spring 3, a disc spring pressure plate 4, a piston 5, a cylinder 6, and a rear cover 7. The rear cover 7 has multiple oil inlets 8. The disc spring 3 and the disc spring pressure plate 4 are both located inside the housing 2. The disc spring 3 is sleeved on the outside of the pull rod 1. The disc spring pressure plate 4 is located at one end of the pull rod 1 and connected to the disc spring 3. A T-bolt 9 is provided at the other end of the pull rod 1. The cylinder 6 is located above the housing 2. The rear cover 7 is located above the cylinder 6. The piston 5 is located inside the cylinder 6.

[0024] In this embodiment, the housing 2 and the T-bolt 9 are moved to the T-slot where they need to be fixed and fitted. High-pressure liquid is introduced into the oil inlet 8 through an external device. The high-pressure liquid pushes the piston 5 to move inside the cylinder 6. The piston 5 drives the disc spring pressure plate 4 to move downward, causing the disc spring pressure plate 4 to drive the pull rod 1 out of the housing 2, while the disc spring 3 is compressed. At this time, the housing 2 is moved by an external robotic arm so that the T-bolt 9 is aligned with the T-slot. The high-pressure liquid is extracted, and the disc spring 3 rebounds to push the disc spring pressure plate 4 to move. The disc spring pressure plate 4 drives the pull rod 1 back into the housing 2, so that the T-bolt 9 fits into the T-slot and completes the locking. When unlocking is required, high-pressure liquid is introduced into the oil inlet 8 again to drive the pull rod 1 and the T-bolt 9 to extend. Thus, the T-slot can be automatically unlocked by injecting high-pressure liquid, which significantly improves the working efficiency of the locking device and adapts to the automated switching operation of the production line, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0025] Furthermore, the locking assembly also includes a plug bolt 10 and a test pressure post 11, the test pressure post 11 being disposed inside the rear cover 7 via the plug bolt 10.

[0026] In this embodiment, the test pressure column 11 can be used to detect whether the high-pressure liquid pressure entering the oil inlet 8 reaches the threshold required for unlocking during the adjustment and maintenance of the locking device, by means of an external pressure gauge. This ensures that the piston 5 can push the disc spring pressure plate 4. It can also be used to detect the internal pressure of the hydraulic chamber during routine maintenance, avoiding unlocking failure due to insufficient pressure or damage to components such as the piston 5 and disc spring 3 due to excessive pressure, thus ensuring the reliable operation of the device. The plug bolt 10 is used to install and fix the test pressure column 11.

[0027] Furthermore, the locking assembly also includes a piston sealing ring 12, a guide ring 13, an anti-loosening bolt 14, and an anti-rotation pin 15. The piston sealing ring 12 and the guide ring 13 are sequentially sleeved on the outside of the piston 5. The pull rod 1 is connected to the disc spring pressure plate 4 through the anti-loosening bolt 14. The housing 2 has a sliding groove 16. The anti-rotation pin 15 is disposed inside the pull rod 1 and is adapted to the sliding groove 16.

[0028] In this embodiment, the piston sealing ring 12 prevents high-pressure liquid above the piston 5 from entering the disc spring pressure plate 4 area. The guide ring 13 guides the up-and-down movement of the piston 5, improving the stability and accuracy of the piston 5's movement. The anti-loosening bolt 14 fixes the disc spring pressure plate 4. The anti-rotation pin 15 limits the pull rod 1. When the pull rod 1 extends or retracts, the anti-rotation pin 15 slides in the groove 16, thereby preventing rotation during extension or retraction.

[0029] Furthermore, the locking assembly also includes a mounting block 17 and a mounting pin 18. The mounting block 17 is disposed at one end of the T-bolt 9, and the mounting block 17 is connected to the pull rod 1 through the mounting pin 18.

[0030] In this embodiment, when installing the T-bolt 9, the mounting block 17 is inserted into the pull rod 1 and then fixed using the mounting pin 18, thereby allowing the T-bolt 9 to be disassembled and replaced.

[0031] Furthermore, the locking assembly also includes an adjustment unit disposed inside the housing 2.

[0032] In this embodiment, the adjustment unit can adjust the disc spring 3, and the reinforcement unit can reinforce the pull rod 1 to prevent it from loosening.

[0033] Furthermore, the adjustment unit includes a rotating sleeve 19, a support plate 20, multiple gears 21, a gear ring 22, a throttle 23, multiple adjustment mechanisms, and an adjustment plate 24. The support plate 20 is fixedly connected to the housing 2 and sleeved on the outside of the housing 2. The two ends of the rotating sleeve 19 are rotatably connected to the support plate 20 and the housing 2, respectively. The gear ring 22 is disposed inside the rotating sleeve 19. The multiple gears 21 mesh with the gear ring 22. The multiple adjustment mechanisms are respectively disposed on the corresponding gears 21. The adjustment plate 24 is connected to the end of the disc spring 3 away from the disc spring pressure plate 4.

[0034] In this embodiment, after long-term use, the elastic potential energy of the disc spring 3 will gradually be lost, resulting in a decrease in preload. Therefore, it is very important to adjust the tension of the disc spring 3 to ensure that the disc spring 3 always has the ability to push the disc spring pressure plate 4. Specifically, the handle 23 is rotated to drive the gear 21 to rotate. Due to the meshing operation, the gear 21 drives the gear ring 22 to rotate, so that multiple gears 21 rotate synchronously. The support plate 20 and the rotating sleeve 19 support the gear ring 22. Then, through the rotation of multiple gears 21, the adjustment mechanism is driven to operate, so that the tension of the disc spring 3 can be adjusted.

[0035] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting telescopic rod 25, a threaded rod 26, and a stabilizing telescopic rod 27. The housing 2 has a threaded hole 28, which is adapted to the threaded rod 26. One end of the threaded rod 26 is rotatably connected to the adjusting plate 24. Both ends of the adjusting telescopic rod 25 are fixedly connected to the gear 21 and the other end of the threaded rod 26, respectively. Both ends of the stabilizing telescopic rod 27 are fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the housing 2 and the adjusting plate 24, respectively.

[0036] In this embodiment, the gear 21 rotates, driving the adjusting telescopic rod 25 to rotate. The adjusting telescopic rod 25 drives the threaded rod 26 to rotate. The threaded rod 26 engages with the threaded hole 28 and is gradually screwed into the housing 2. Simultaneously, the adjusting telescopic rod 25 extends along with the threaded rod 26. Finally, the threaded rod 26 pushes the adjusting plate 24 to move. The adjusting plate 24 adjusts the tension of the disc spring 3 by moving up and down. In addition, when the adjusting plate 24 moves, the stabilizing telescopic rod 27 extends and retracts accordingly to maintain the stability of the adjusting plate 24.

[0037] When using the hydraulic T-slot locking device with automatic unlocking according to this embodiment, the housing 2 and the T-bolt 9 are moved to the T-slot that needs to be fixed and fitted. High-pressure liquid is introduced into the oil inlet 8 through an external device. The high-pressure liquid pushes the piston 5 to move inside the cylinder 6. The piston 5 drives the disc spring pressure plate 4 to move downward, so that the disc spring pressure plate 4 drives the pull rod 1 to extend out of the housing 2, while the disc spring 3 is compressed. At this time, the housing 2 is moved by an external robotic arm so that the T-bolt 9 is aligned with the T-slot. The high-pressure liquid is extracted, and the disc spring 3 rebounds to push the disc spring pressure plate 4 to move. The disc spring pressure plate 4 drives the pull rod 1 to re-enter the housing 2, so that the T-bolt 9 fits into the T-slot and completes the locking. When unlocking is required, high-pressure liquid is introduced into the oil inlet 8 again to drive the pull rod 1 and the T-bolt 9 to extend. Thus, the T-slot can be automatically unlocked by injecting high-pressure liquid, which significantly improves the working efficiency of the locking device and adapts to the automated switching operation of the production line, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0038] Please see Figure 6 The present invention also provides a method for using an automatically unlocking hydraulic T-slot locking device, comprising the following steps: S1: Move the housing 2 and the T-bolt 9 to the T-slot where they need to be fixed and fitted; S2: High-pressure liquid is introduced into the oil inlet 8 through an external device, and the high-pressure liquid pushes the piston 5 to move inside the cylinder 6; S3: The piston 5 drives the disc spring pressure plate 4 to move downward, so that the disc spring pressure plate 4 drives the pull rod 1 to extend out of the housing 2, while the disc spring 3 is compressed. S4: At this time, the external robotic arm drives the housing 2 to move, so that the T-bolt 9 is aligned with the T-slot; S5: The high-pressure liquid is extracted, and the disc spring 3 rebounds to push the disc spring pressure plate 4 to move. The disc spring pressure plate 4 drives the pull rod 1 to re-enter the housing 2, so that the T-bolt 9 is adapted to the T-slot and the locking is completed. S6: When unlocking is required, high-pressure liquid is introduced back into the oil inlet 8 to drive the pull rod 1 and the T-bolt 9 to extend.

[0039] The process involves moving the housing 2 and the T-bolt 9 to the T-slot where they need to be fixed; introducing high-pressure liquid into the oil inlet 8 via an external device, which pushes the piston 5 to move inside the cylinder 6; the piston 5 moves the disc spring plate 4 downward, causing the disc spring plate 4 to extend the pull rod 1 out of the housing 2, while the disc spring 3 is compressed; at this time, an external robotic arm moves the housing 2 so that the T-bolt 9 aligns with the T-slot; the high-pressure liquid is then extracted, and the disc spring 3 rebounds, pushing the disc spring plate 4 to move, causing the pull rod 1 to re-enter the housing 2, thus fitting the T-bolt 9 into the T-slot and completing the locking; to unlock, high-pressure liquid is reintroduced into the oil inlet 8 to extend the pull rod 1 and the T-bolt 9.

[0040] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely one or more preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes for implementing the above embodiments and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims of this application still fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker, comprising a pull rod and a shell, the pull rod is arranged in the interior of the shell, characterized in that, Further comprising a locking assembly; The locking assembly comprises a disc spring, a disc spring pressing plate, a piston, a cylinder and a rear cover, the rear cover has a plurality of oil injection ports, the disc spring and the disc spring pressing plate are arranged in the interior of the shell, the disc spring is sleeved on the outside of the pull rod, the disc spring pressing plate is arranged at one end of the pull rod and connected with the disc spring, the other end of the pull rod is provided with a T bolt, the cylinder is arranged above the shell, the rear cover is arranged above the cylinder, and the piston is arranged in the interior of the cylinder.

2. The automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking assembly further comprises a plug bolt and a test pressure column, and the test pressure column is arranged in the interior of the rear cover through the plug bolt.

3. The automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking assembly further comprises a piston sealing ring, a guide ring, a locking bolt and an anti-rotation pin, the piston sealing ring and the guide ring are sequentially sleeved on the outside of the piston, the pull rod is connected with the disc spring pressing plate through the locking bolt, the shell has a sliding groove, and the anti-rotation pin is arranged in the interior of the pull rod and matched with the sliding groove.

4. The automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking assembly further comprises a mounting block and a mounting pin, the mounting block is arranged at one end of the T bolt, and the mounting block is connected with the pull rod through the mounting pin.

5. The automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking assembly further comprises an adjusting unit, and the adjusting unit is arranged in the interior of the shell.

6. The automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker according to claim 5, characterized in that, The adjusting unit comprises a rotating sleeve, a support plate, a plurality of gears, a tooth ring, a rotating handle, a plurality of adjusting mechanisms and an adjusting plate, the support plate is fixedly connected with the shell and sleeved on the outside of the shell, both ends of the rotating sleeve are rotationally connected with the support plate and the shell respectively, the tooth ring is arranged in the interior of the rotating sleeve, a plurality of the gears are meshed with the tooth ring, a plurality of the adjusting mechanisms are arranged on corresponding gears respectively, and the adjusting plate is connected with one end of the disc spring away from the disc spring pressing plate.

7. The automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adjusting mechanism comprises an adjusting telescopic rod, a threaded rod and a stable telescopic rod, the shell has a threaded hole matched with the threaded rod, one end of the threaded rod is rotationally connected with the adjusting plate, both ends of the adjusting telescopic rod are fixedly connected with the gear and the other end of the threaded rod respectively, and both ends of the stable telescopic rod are fixedly connected with the inner bottom wall of the shell and the adjusting plate respectively.

8. A method of using an automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker, using the automatic unlocking hydraulic T-slot locker as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, Comprise the following steps: Move the shell and the T bolt to the T slot that needs to be fixed and matched; Through the external device to the oil port into high pressure liquid, high pressure liquid push the piston inside the cylinder body move; The piston drives the disc spring pressure plate down, so that the disc spring pressure plate drives the pull rod out of the shell, while the disc spring is compressed; At this time through the external mechanical arm drive the shell moves, so that the T-shaped bolt aligns with the T-shaped groove; The high pressure liquid is extracted, and the disc spring rebound pushes the disc spring pressure plate to move, and the disc spring pressure plate drives the pull rod to re-enter the shell, so that the T-shaped bolt is adapted with the T-shaped groove, and the locking is completed; When it is necessary to be unlocked, the high pressure liquid is re-input into the oil port, so as to drive the pull rod and the T-shaped bolt to extend out.

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