A clamping mechanism and a slotter

Abstract

The application discloses a clamping mechanism and a slot planer. The clamping mechanism comprises a supporting seat, a clamping cylinder, an upper clamping piece and a lower clamping piece. The clamping cylinder and the lower clamping piece are connected to the supporting seat. The upper clamping piece is drivingly connected to the clamping cylinder. The upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece are hinged. The clamping cylinder drives one end of the upper clamping piece to move, so that the other end of the upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece are opened and closed to clamp a workpiece. The reliable opening and closing are realized between the clamping end of the upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece fixed to the supporting seat, so that the clamping and releasing of the workpiece are automatically completed. The whole clamping and positioning process does not need manual workpiece holding to approach the slotting cutter area. In addition, the clamping mechanism realizes mechanical clamping through the driving of the cylinder. The action stroke is stable and the response is rapid, so that the consistency of the clamping position each time can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of grooving machine technology, and more particularly to a clamping mechanism and a grooving machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the processing of metal or non-metal sheets, grooving is widely used as a pretreatment before bending to improve bending accuracy and reduce springback. Currently, before grooving a workpiece, the operator usually needs to place the workpiece in the processing position and perform preliminary positioning to ensure that the grooving tool can accurately perform cutting operations at the predetermined position. However, in actual production, there are many technical challenges in the workpiece positioning process.

[0003] First, traditional methods rely heavily on manual hand-holding or manual adjustment of workpiece positions, posing significant safety hazards. Operators working near high-speed rotating cutting tools are prone to injuries such as crushing and cutting. Furthermore, the repeatability and accuracy of manual positioning are difficult to guarantee, easily leading to deviations in the grooving position and affecting the quality of subsequent processes. Second, manual intervention reduces the operational efficiency of automated production lines. In high-cycle, high-volume production scenarios, frequent manual intervention becomes a major bottleneck for increasing production capacity. In addition, adding extra mechanical clamping or positioning devices can result in complex structures, large space requirements, and poor compatibility with existing production lines, affecting the overall line layout and operational stability.

[0004] Therefore, achieving rapid and accurate workpiece positioning while ensuring operator safety has become a key technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in the field of grooving. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a clamping mechanism and a grooving machine.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a clamping mechanism, comprising: a support base, a clamping cylinder, an upper clamping member, and a lower clamping member. The clamping cylinder and the lower clamping member are connected to the support base, the upper clamping member is throttle-connected to the clamping cylinder, and the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member are hinged. The clamping cylinder drives one end of the upper clamping member to move, thereby opening and closing the other end of the upper clamping member with the lower clamping member to clamp the workpiece.

[0007] In one specific embodiment, the lower clamping member has an opening, the upper clamping member is located in the opening, and the middle section of the opening has a pin hole. The upper clamping member is laterally provided with a pin shaft, and the pin shaft cooperates with the pin hole to make the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member form a hinge.

[0008] In one specific embodiment, a support plate is movably connected to the end of the lower clamping member away from the support base, and the upper clamping member cooperates with the support plate.

[0009] In one specific embodiment, the upper clamping member further extends a clamping mouth end in the direction toward the support plate.

[0010] In one specific embodiment, the side of the support plate facing the clamping end is further provided with a textured layer.

[0011] In one specific embodiment, the lower clamping member located at the inner end of the support plate is further provided with reinforcing ribs.

[0012] In one specific embodiment, the upper clamping member is further provided with a clamping cavity in the area corresponding to the support plate.

[0013] In one specific embodiment, the clamp cylinder is provided with a telescopic rod, the telescopic rod is provided with a drive shaft, and the drive shaft is connected to the upper clamping member.

[0014] In one specific embodiment, a detection module is also provided on the side of the lower clamp member away from the support base.

[0015] The clamping mechanism of this invention offers several advantages over existing technologies. By comprising a support base, a clamping cylinder, an upper clamping member, and a lower clamping member, it effectively solves the safety risks and efficiency bottlenecks associated with manual positioning in existing grooving processes. Specifically, the clamping cylinder is fixed to the support base and drives the upper clamping member, which is connected to it, to move around a hinge point. This ensures reliable opening and closing between the clamping end of the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member fixed to the support base, automatically clamping and releasing the workpiece. The entire clamping and positioning process eliminates the need for manual handling of the workpiece near the grooving tool area, preventing accidents caused by operator error or contact with moving parts in high-speed cutting environments. Furthermore, the mechanical clamping mechanism, driven by a cylinder, provides stable stroke and rapid response, ensuring consistent clamping positions each time. This provides a highly repeatable reference positioning for subsequent grooving, effectively reducing the scrap rate caused by positioning deviations.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a grooving machine, including the clamping mechanism described above.

[0017] The grooving machine of this invention offers several advantages over existing technologies. By employing a clamping mechanism comprised of a support base, a clamping cylinder, an upper clamping member, and a lower clamping member, it effectively solves the safety risks and efficiency bottlenecks associated with manual positioning in existing grooving processes. Specifically, the clamping cylinder is fixed to the support base and drives the upper clamping member, which is connected to it, to move around a hinge point. This ensures reliable opening and closing between the clamping end of the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member fixed to the support base, automatically clamping and releasing the workpiece. The entire clamping and positioning process eliminates the need for manual handling of the workpiece near the grooving tool area, preventing accidents caused by operator error or contact with moving parts in high-speed cutting environments. Furthermore, the clamping mechanism achieves mechanical clamping via cylinder drive, with stable stroke and rapid response, ensuring consistent clamping position each time. This provides a highly repeatable reference positioning for subsequent grooving processes, effectively reducing the scrap rate caused by positioning deviations.

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Fig. 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism provided by the present invention; Fig. 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism provided by the present invention; Fig. 3 This is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism provided by the present invention.

[0021] Support base 10, clamp cylinder 20, telescopic rod 21, drive shaft 22, upper clamping clamp 30, pin shaft 31, clamping mouth end 32, clamping cavity 33, lower clamping clamp 40, opening mouth 41, pin hole 42, support plate 43, reinforcing rib 44, detection module 50. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0028] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0029] See Figs. 1-3 As shown, the present invention discloses a specific embodiment of a clamping mechanism, including: a support base 10, a clamping cylinder 20, an upper clamping member 30, and a lower clamping member 40. The clamping cylinder 20 and the lower clamping member 40 are connected to the support base 10. The upper clamping member 30 is throttle-connected to the clamping cylinder 20, and the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 are hinged. The clamping cylinder 20 drives one end of the upper clamping member 30 to move, so that the other end of the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 form an opening and closing mechanism to clamp the workpiece.

[0030] Specifically, the support base 10 serves as the basic mounting structure for the entire clamping mechanism, fixed at a designated position on the grooving machine's workbench or automated conveyor line, used to support and stabilize the remaining components. The upper clamping member 30 is a lever-type component, with its central portion hinged to the lower clamping member 40 via a hinge shaft, thus forming a lever system with this hinge point as the fulcrum. One end of the upper clamping member 30 (referred to as the driving end) is connected to the piston rod end of the clamping cylinder 20 via a connecting rod or direct connection; the other end (referred to as the clamping end) is positioned opposite the clamping surface of the lower clamping member 40, together forming a pair of openable clamping openings.

[0031] When the clamping cylinder 20 is extended, the piston rod pushes the driving end of the upper clamping member 30 downward. Since the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 are hinged in the middle, according to the lever principle, their clamping ends will lift upward, thereby opening the clamping opening between the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40, facilitating the entry of the workpiece into the clamping area. After the workpiece is conveyed to the predetermined position, the clamping cylinder 20 retracts, driving the driving end of the upper clamping member 30 upward, which in turn causes the clamping end to press downward against the upper surface of the workpiece, cooperating with the supporting surface of the lower clamping member 40 to firmly clamp the workpiece between them.

[0032] Throughout the clamping process, the horizontal position of the workpiece is initially determined by the conveying system or the preceding positioning device, while the vertical direction and local fine adjustments are ultimately and precisely positioned by the mechanical limiting and clamping force of the clamping mechanism. Since the clamping surfaces of the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 can be designed as flat surfaces, V-grooves, or structures with anti-slip textures, they can adapt to plates or profiles with different cross-sectional shapes, ensuring stable clamping without damaging the workpiece surface.

[0033] In addition, the clamping cylinder 20 can be a standard single-acting or double-acting cylinder, and can be used with a solenoid valve and PLC control system to achieve linkage with the main control system of the grooving machine, so that the clamping action is synchronized with the grooving processing cycle, and fully automatic unmanned operation is achieved.

[0034] In other words, by setting up a clamping mechanism consisting of a support base 10, a clamping cylinder 20, an upper clamping member 30, and a lower clamping member 40, the safety risks and efficiency bottlenecks caused by the reliance on manual positioning in existing grooving processes are effectively solved. Specifically, the clamping cylinder 20 is fixed to the support base 10 and drives the upper clamping member 30, which is connected to it, to move around the hinge point. This allows the clamping end of the upper clamping member 30 to reliably open and close with the lower clamping member 40 fixed to the support base 10, thereby automatically clamping and releasing the workpiece. The entire clamping and positioning process does not require manual handling of the workpiece near the grooving tool area, avoiding safety accidents caused by operator misoperation or contact with moving parts in high-speed cutting environments. In addition, the clamping mechanism achieves mechanical clamping through cylinder drive. Its stroke is stable and its response is rapid, ensuring the consistency of the clamping position each time. This provides a high-repeatability reference positioning for subsequent grooving processes, effectively reducing the scrap rate caused by positioning deviations.

[0035] See Figs. 1-3 As shown, in one embodiment, the lower clamp 40 is provided with an opening 41, the upper clamp 30 is located in the opening 41, and the middle section of the opening 41 is provided with a pin hole 42. The upper clamp 30 is provided with a pin 31 passing through it laterally. The pin 31 cooperates with the pin hole 42 so that the upper clamp 30 and the lower clamp 40 form a hinge.

[0036] Specifically, the lower clamp 40 is designed to have an opening 41 extending along its length. This opening 41 is typically slot-shaped and is enclosed by the two side walls of the lower clamp 40 to facilitate the insertion of the upper clamp 30. The upper clamp 30 is generally plate-shaped, with its external dimensions slightly smaller than the internal space of the opening 41, allowing the upper clamp 30 to be fully accommodated within the opening 41 and to swing within it around the hinge point.

[0037] Specifically, the middle section of the opening 41 (approximately located in the middle of the clamping force transmission path) is provided with pin holes 42 penetrating both side walls. Simultaneously, the upper clamping member 30 has a pin 31 transversely inserted at its corresponding position, with both ends of the pin 31 inserted into the pin holes 42 on the side walls of the opening 41, forming a reliable rotating pair connection. Thus, the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 are hinged inside the opening 41 through the engagement of the pin 31 and the pin holes 42, forming a lever system with the pin 31 as the fulcrum.

[0038] In operation, the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 20 is connected to one end of the upper clamping member 30 (usually the drive end away from the clamping end). When the cylinder extends or retracts, it pushes the upper clamping member 30 to rotate around the pin 31, thereby causing its other end (clamping end) to open and close relative to the clamping surface of the lower clamping member 40. Since the upper clamping member 30 is entirely located within the opening 41 of the lower clamping member 40, its movement trajectory is effectively constrained within the cavity, avoiding external interference, and making the overall clamping mechanism more compact in both height and width directions.

[0039] Furthermore, setting the hinge point (i.e., the mating position of the pin 31 and the pin hole 42) in the middle section of the opening 41 has a clear mechanical optimization significance: on the one hand, this position is close to the lever arm balance point between the clamping force line and the driving force line, so that the driving force applied by the clamp cylinder 20 can be more efficiently converted into the clamping force on the workpiece; on the other hand, the middle section hinge can effectively shorten the force transmission path, reduce lever deformation and energy loss, and improve clamping rigidity.

[0040] In other words, by embedding the upper clamping member 30 entirely into the opening 41 of the lower clamping member 40, the two clamping members are arranged in a stacked layout in both the vertical and horizontal directions, significantly reducing the overall size of the clamping mechanism. This embedded design is particularly suitable for space-constrained automated equipment or densely arranged processing units, facilitating the miniaturization and modular integration of the entire machine. Furthermore, by placing the hinge point in the middle section of the opening 41, a reasonable lever arm ratio is formed between the driving end, hinge fulcrum, and clamping end of the upper clamping member 30. Based on the lever principle, under the same cylinder output force, this layout maximizes the clamping force applied to the workpiece by the clamping end while reducing elastic deformation caused by excessive lever arm length, thereby improving the rigidity and vibration resistance of the clamping and ensuring that the workpiece does not shift or loosen during grooving.

[0041] See Figs. 1-3 As shown, in one embodiment, the lower clamp 40 is movably connected to a support plate 43 at the end away from the support base 10, and the upper clamp 30 cooperates with the support plate 43.

[0042] Specifically, the lower clamp 40 has an adjustable support plate 43 at its end furthest from the support base 10 (i.e., the front end). This support plate 43 primarily works in conjunction with the upper clamp 30 to form a clamping interface between the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, making it particularly suitable for the general clamping needs of workpieces of varying thicknesses, such as thin plates and medium-thick plates. Structurally, the support plate 43 is typically a rectangular or arc-shaped metal plate, made of wear-resistant alloy steel or surface-hardened carbon steel to ensure dimensional stability and compressive strength during long-term use. The support plate 43 is movably connected to the lower front end or side of the lower clamp 40 via at least one (preferably two symmetrically arranged) adjusting screw. The adjusting screw passes through a through hole or oblong hole on the support plate 43 and is screwed into a pre-drilled threaded hole on the body of the lower clamp 40. In some embodiments, spring washers, lock nuts, or elastic elements may also be used to achieve reliable locking after adjustment, preventing loosening due to machining vibration.

[0043] During assembly, the operator can use an Allen wrench or other tools to rotate the adjusting screw according to the thickness of the workpiece, allowing the support plate 43 to be finely adjusted relative to the lower clamping member 40 in the vertical direction (i.e., the height direction). When the screw is screwed in deeper, the support plate 43 is lifted upwards; conversely, unscrewing the screw causes the support plate 43 to descend under its own weight or the action of the auxiliary reset mechanism. In this way, the distance between the upper surface of the support plate 43 and the lower surface of the upper clamping member 30 can be precisely controlled, making it slightly larger than the workpiece thickness (usually leaving a gap of 0.1-0.5mm for smooth insertion), thereby achieving moderate clamping without damaging the workpiece during clamping.

[0044] In other words, by adjusting the height of the support plate 43 with screws, it can quickly adapt to clamping requirements ranging from 0.5mm thin plates to 10mm or even thicker plates without replacing the entire clamping assembly. This improves the equipment's versatility and production flexibility, making it particularly suitable for processing multi-variety, small-batch, or variable-thickness workpieces. Furthermore, as part of the lower clamping surface, the support plate 43 forms a parallel and adjustable clamping gap with the upper clamping member 30, ensuring uniform force distribution on the workpiece throughout the clamping area. Especially for long or rigid workpieces, adding the support plate 43 at the front end effectively prevents bending or vibration due to suspension during clamping, thereby improving the accuracy and surface quality of the grooving process.

[0045] See Figs. 1-3 As shown, in one embodiment, the upper clamp 30 further extends a clamping end 32 in the direction toward the support plate 43.

[0046] Specifically, the upper clamping member 30 extends an integrally formed or detachably connected jaw end 32 at one end near the workpiece clamping area (i.e., towards the support plate 43). This jaw end 32 is a local structure protruding downwards from the main body of the upper clamping member 30, typically in the form of a block, hook, wedge, or pressure head with a specific contour. Its lower surface constitutes the main working surface that actually contacts the upper surface of the workpiece and applies clamping force. Specifically, the jaw end 32 can be integrally formed from the upper clamping member 30 body during manufacturing through milling, stamping, or casting to ensure overall structural strength and rigidity; alternatively, it can be designed as a modular structure, fixed to the front end of the upper clamping member 30 by screws, pins, or quick-change interfaces, facilitating the replacement of different types of jaws (such as flat, toothed, rubber-coated, or V-shaped jaws) according to different workpiece materials, shapes, or surface requirements. The width of the jaw end 32 is typically slightly smaller than the width of the workpiece clamping area to avoid interference with surrounding structures, while its length direction is consistent with the workpiece conveying direction to ensure uniform force distribution during clamping.

[0047] During the clamping action, when the clamping cylinder 20 drives the upper clamping member 30 to swing downward around the hinge point, the jaw end 32, as the terminal component for force transmission, first contacts and presses against the upper surface of the workpiece, while the support plate 43 supports the lower surface of the workpiece, forming a pair of opposing clamping interfaces. Since the jaw end 32 is located at the farthest end of the upper clamping member 30 (i.e., at the longest lever arm), according to the lever principle, under a constant cylinder output force, although the speed is relatively fast at this position, the theoretical clamping force is relatively small. However, by designing the jaw end 32 to be locally thickened or using a high-hardness material, its local stiffness and resistance to deformation can be effectively improved, thereby achieving a more concentrated and effective clamping effect in actual clamping.

[0048] In addition, the lower surface of the clamping end 32 can be functionally treated: for example, by machining anti-slip teeth to increase the coefficient of friction and prevent the workpiece from slipping under the reaction force of the grooving; or by embedding flexible material layers such as polyurethane, nylon, and silicone to clamp high-gloss, soft, or coated workpieces and avoid crushing; or by setting small chamfers or rounded transitions to prevent scratching the edges of the workpiece.

[0049] In one embodiment, the side of the support plate 43 facing the clamp end 32 is further provided with a textured layer.

[0050] Specifically, the support plate 43 has a textured layer with a specific geometric shape on the side facing the clamping end 32 (i.e., the working surface used to support the lower surface of the workpiece). This textured layer is not a smooth plane, but rather forms regular or irregular protrusions, grooves, grids, cross-shaped diagonal lines, dot matrix, wave-like patterns, or biomimetic microstructures on the surface of the support plate 43 through machining, laser etching, electrical discharge machining, embossing, or spraying. In practice, the textured layer can be directly machined on the support plate 43 itself. For example, a cross-shaped grid pattern with a depth of 0.1-0.5 mm can be machined on the surface of the support plate 43 using milling; or a continuous diamond-shaped anti-slip pattern can be formed by rolling; or a high-friction coefficient material (such as polyurethane, rubber, ceramic composite coating, or wear-resistant layer containing silicon carbide particles) with a preset texture can be bonded, inlaid, or sprayed onto the surface of the support plate 43, and this material layer itself constitutes the textured layer. The density, depth, direction, and shape of the texture can be customized according to the material, surface condition, and stress characteristics of the workpiece being clamped: for example, fine cross-grained textures can be used for thin stainless steel sheets to increase static friction without damaging the surface; for aluminum profiles, deeper longitudinal straight grooves can be used to guide debris out and enhance anti-slip capability.

[0051] During clamping, when the jaws 32 of the upper clamping clamp 30 press down on the upper surface of the workpiece, the lower surface of the workpiece is in close contact with the textured layer of the support plate 43. Due to the presence of the texture, although the actual contact area is slightly smaller than the theoretical planar contact area, the local pressure is increased, and the micro-protrusions are embedded in the tiny unevenness of the workpiece surface, forming a "mechanical interlocking" effect, thereby significantly increasing the frictional resistance between the two. In addition, some of the textures are designed as through grooves, which can also play a guiding role, effectively draining liquids or debris between the interfaces in humid, oily, or coolant-containing processing environments, avoiding clamping failure due to lubrication film.

[0052] See Figs. 2-3 As shown, in one embodiment, the lower clamp 40 is further provided with a reinforcing rib 44 at the inner end of the support plate 43.

[0053] Specifically, the lower clamp 40 has one or more reinforcing ribs 44 integrally formed or welded to its inner end (i.e., the side inside the opening 41) near the mounting position of the support plate 43. These reinforcing ribs 44 are typically plate-shaped or rib-shaped metal components, with one side tightly fitted to the inner end face of the support plate 43 (i.e., the side facing the clamp hinge area) or connected by fasteners, while the other side is firmly connected to the body of the lower clamp 40. Specifically, the reinforcing ribs 44 can be integrally formed from the same material as the lower clamp 40 (such as 45# steel, alloy structural steel, or cast iron) through casting, forging, or machining, or they can be independent steel plates that are welded, bolted, or otherwise attached to the lower clamp 40.

[0054] When the jaw end 32 of the upper clamping clamp 30 presses the workpiece, the workpiece transmits the pressure to the support plate 43. The support plate 43 then transmits the load through its inner end to the reinforcing rib 44, and finally the reinforcing rib 44 guides the load into the body of the lower clamping clamp 40 and the support base 10. This force flow path is short and direct, effectively avoiding bending deformation or fatigue cracking at the root of the support plate 43 due to cantilever stress.

[0055] See Figs. 2-3 As shown, in one embodiment, the upper clamping clamp 30 is further provided with a clamping cavity 33 in the area corresponding to the support plate 43.

[0056] Specifically, the upper clamping member 30 has one or more recessed structures in the area corresponding to the support plate 43 on the lower clamping member 40 (i.e., the part facing the support plate 43 and used to clamp the upper surface of the workpiece). These recessed structures are called "clamping cavities 33". The clamping cavity 33 is not a through hole, but a local cavity or groove extending inward (upward or into the clamping body) from the bottom surface (working surface) of the upper clamping member 30. Its outline usually matches the shape of the support plate 43, such as rectangular, arc-shaped or polygonal, and the depth is generally 5-20mm. The specific size is determined according to the maximum unevenness of the workpiece to be clamped and the structural strength requirements.

[0057] The clamping cavity 33 can be integrally formed on the body of the upper clamping member 30 by means of casting, forging followed by machining (such as milling, boring), laser cutting, or EDM. In some embodiments, the edges of the clamping cavity 33 can be designed with chamfers or rounded transitions to avoid stress concentration; its bottom can retain a certain thickness of solid material (usually ≥8mm) to ensure that the upper clamping member 30 still has sufficient structural rigidity and bending resistance when subjected to clamping force. In addition, the sidewalls of the clamping cavity 33 can be provided with reinforcing ribs or internal ribs to maintain local strength while reducing weight.

[0058] During clamping, when the upper clamping member 30 moves downward to press the workpiece, the protruding part on the upper surface of the workpiece can be partially embedded in the space of the clamping cavity 33, while the lower surface of the workpiece is supported by the support plate 43. This "concave on top and convex on the bottom" mating structure allows the workpiece to be effectively accommodated in the clamping cavity 33 even if there are local warping, weld protrusions, bending springback, or thickness tolerance fluctuations on the workpiece surface, thereby achieving overall fit and stable clamping. In particular, for irregularly shaped workpieces with reinforcing ribs, rivets, seams, or non-planar geometric features, the existence of the clamping cavity 33 improves the adaptability of the clamping system.

[0059] See Fig. 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the clamp cylinder 20 is provided with a telescopic rod 21, and the telescopic rod 21 is provided with a drive shaft 22, which is connected to the upper clamp 30.

[0060] Specifically, the clamp cylinder 20 is vertically mounted above the upper clamping member 30, and its cylinder body is fixed to the support base 10. The output end of the clamp cylinder 20 is provided with a telescopic rod 21 (also called a piston rod) that can reciprocate axially. The telescopic rod 21 extends downward, and its lower end is provided with a through hole or mounting structure for the transmission shaft 22 to pass through. The transmission shaft 22 is a horizontally arranged cylindrical connecting shaft, stepped shaft, or connecting pin with a limiting structure. Its two ends can pass through both sides of the telescopic rod 21 and form a connection with the upper clamping member 30.

[0061] In other words, by converting the extension and retraction motion of the cylinder into the rotational motion of the upper clamping clamp 30 around a fixed fulcrum, a seesaw-like lever mechanism is formed. This not only amplifies the displacement stroke of the clamping end 32 (achieving a larger opening and closing angle with a smaller cylinder stroke), but also makes the clamping action more stable and controllable. It is especially suitable for automated scenarios that require precise control of clamping force and opening and closing position.

[0062] In one embodiment, the lower clamp 40 is further provided with a detection module 50 on the side away from the support base 10.

[0063] Specifically, a detection module 50 is mounted on the side of the lower clamp 40 at its end away from the support base 10 (i.e., the front end near the workpiece feed direction). This detection module 50 is typically a non-contact sensor, such as a photoelectric switch (through-beam or reflective), a proximity switch (inductive or capacitive), a laser rangefinder, an ultrasonic sensor, or, in specific scenarios, a mechanical touch-type microswitch. The detection module 50 is securely fixed to a pre-set mounting hole or mounting platform on the side wall of the lower clamp 40 using screws or an embedded structure, with its sensing surface facing the workpiece transport path to ensure reliable detection of whether the workpiece has reached the predetermined clamping position.

[0064] The specific workflow is as follows: When a workpiece on the production line moves forward along the conveyor line (such as a roller conveyor, belt conveyor, or gantry robot) and enters the clamping area, the sensing signal of the detection module 50 is first triggered. This signal is transmitted to the control system (such as a PLC or CNC system) in real time. The control system then issues a command to drive the clamping cylinder 20 to move. At this time, the cylinder piston rod extends, driving the upper clamping member 30 to move downward, so that the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 are in an open state, reserving enough space for the workpiece to enter. After the workpiece is completely conveyed to the clamping area between the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40, the detection module 50 continuously confirms that the workpiece is in place (or combines delay / position feedback logic). The control system issues another command to make the clamping cylinder 20 move in the opposite direction, driving the upper clamping member 30 to move upward, thereby realizing the closure of the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40, and stably clamping the workpiece between the support plate 43 and the clamping surface of the upper clamping member 30.

[0065] In the clamping state, the upper clamp 30 and lower clamp 40 not only provide clamping force, but their clamping surfaces (especially the surface of the support plate 43 and the bottom surface of the upper clamp 30) also constitute the Z-axis limiting reference and Y / X-axis auxiliary positioning surfaces for the workpiece. Since each clamping is triggered by the detection module 50 and precisely reset by the cylinder, the spatial position of the workpiece in the fixture has a high degree of repeatability, providing a stable clamping reference for subsequent machining processes such as grooving, cutting, and drilling.

[0066] The present invention also discloses a grooving machine, including the clamping mechanism described above.

[0067] Specifically, by setting up a clamping mechanism consisting of a support base 10, a clamping cylinder 20, an upper clamping member 30, and a lower clamping member 40, the safety risks and efficiency bottlenecks caused by the reliance on manual positioning in existing grooving processes are effectively solved. Specifically, the clamping cylinder 20 is fixed to the support base 10 and drives the upper clamping member 30, which is connected to it, to move around the hinge point. This allows for reliable opening and closing between the clamping end of the upper clamping member 30 and the lower clamping member 40 fixed to the support base 10, thereby automatically clamping and releasing the workpiece. The entire clamping and positioning process does not require manual handling of the workpiece near the grooving tool area, avoiding safety accidents caused by operator error or contact with moving parts in high-speed cutting environments. Furthermore, the clamping mechanism achieves mechanical clamping through cylinder drive, with stable stroke and rapid response, ensuring consistent clamping position each time. This provides a highly repeatable reference positioning for subsequent grooving processes, effectively reducing the scrap rate caused by positioning deviations.

[0068] The above embodiments are preferred implementations of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in other ways. Any obvious substitutions without departing from the concept of the present technical solution are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clamping mechanism, characterized in that, include: The system includes a support base, a clamping cylinder, an upper clamping member, and a lower clamping member. The clamping cylinder and the lower clamping member are connected to the support base. The upper clamping member is driven to the clamping cylinder, and the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member are hinged. The clamping cylinder drives one end of the upper clamping member to move, so that the other end of the upper clamping member opens and closes with the lower clamping member to clamp the workpiece.

2. The clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower clamp has an opening, the upper clamp is located in the opening, and the middle section of the opening has a pin hole. The upper clamp has a pin shaft passing through it laterally, and the pin shaft cooperates with the pin hole to make the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a hinge.

3. The clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower clamping member is movably connected to a support plate at the end away from the support base, and the upper clamping member cooperates with the support plate.

4. The clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper clamp also extends a clamping end toward the support plate.

5. The clamping mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support plate also has a textured layer on the side facing the clamping end.

6. The clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower clamping clamp is located at the inner end of the support plate and is also provided with reinforcing ribs.

7. The clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper clamping clamp also has a clamping cavity in the area corresponding to the support plate.

8. The clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamp cylinder is equipped with a telescopic rod, through which a drive shaft passes, and the drive shaft is connected to the upper clamping member.

9. The clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower clamp is also provided with a detection module on the side away from the support base.

10. A grooving machine, characterized in that, Includes the clamping mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images