Flexible clamp with self-locking structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flexible clamp with self -locking structure, including clamping main part, clamping main part includes lock shape subassembly, shell and a plurality of installation in shell's clamping subassembly, lock shape subassembly includes push board, mobile slider, guide slider and air cylinder, push board can horizontally remove the installation in the bore of shell, and the inner end surface of push board is located and abuts at each clamping subassembly in the edge, and the outer end surface of push board is equipped with guide pillar, and the outer end surface of guide pillar is a inclined plane, mobile slider can be set up and move up and down, and the front side of mobile slider cooperates with inclined plane, and the guide inclined groove that extends from top to bottom and is inclined is arranged in mobile slider, and guide slider can be installed on the air cylinder and move back and forth, and the guide inclined groove that can be used for inserting into the guide portion in guide slider is equipped in guide slider. The utility model can keep pushing board and press to clamping subassembly under the condition that the air cylinder appears the power failure caused by power failure and the like, so that it will not be loose between clamping subassembly, and work piece is not easy to appear position change.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of clamping technology, specifically to a flexible clamp with a self-locking structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of modern manufacturing, many simple and repetitive workstations have adopted flexible fixtures to replace manual operations, such as grasping and placing.

[0003] Authorization announcement number CN216179856 discloses a flexible clamp with a self-cleaning function, specifically comprising a housing, within which a plurality of arrayed staggered support rods are movably connected. The bottom of each support rod is slidably connected to a guide plate. A cleaning device is movably connected to one side of the housing, and the guide plate is connected to the inner wall of the housing. The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The top edge of the lower housing is provided with a positioning boss, and the bottom of the upper housing is provided with a positioning groove. The upper housing and the lower housing are engaged by the engagement of the positioning boss and the positioning groove. The device also includes a fixing device comprising a fixing housing connected to one side of the top of the upper housing; the fixing housing has a sliding cavity, a first adjustment port arranged horizontally on the side of the fixing housing away from the upper housing, and a third adjustment port arranged horizontally on the side of the fixing housing closer to the upper housing; the first adjustment port, the sliding cavity, and the third adjustment port are connected; a sliding block is slidably disposed in the sliding cavity, and an adjustment block is threadedly connected to the first adjustment port; one side of the adjustment block extends into a sliding groove on the sliding block, and the other side of the adjustment block has a locking groove; a fixing block is slidably connected to the third adjustment port, one side of the fixing block abuts against the support rod, and the other side of the fixing block is fixedly connected to the sliding block. The fixing housing also has a second adjustment port arranged horizontally on the side away from the upper housing, the second adjustment port communicating with the sliding cavity, and one end of a pneumatic connecting pipe is fixedly connected to the second adjustment port.

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in the aforementioned flexible clamp with self-cleaning function. For example, when the fixing device is connected to the air nozzle using only the pneumatic pipe, the air pressure inside the pneumatic pipe increases. Although the push block can be used to clamp the support rod by pushing the fixing block under air pressure, in special circumstances, such as a sudden power outage causing the air supply equipment to lose power, the gas pressure inside the pneumatic pipe will decrease. In other words, the air pressure cannot be guaranteed, which can easily cause the support rod to lose stable support force, potentially causing the workpiece to shift position when clamped.

[0005] Therefore, improvements to existing technologies are necessary. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a flexible clamp with a self-locking structure. In the event of a power outage caused by a power failure in the cylinder, the push plate can remain pressed against the clamping component, preventing it from becoming loose and ensuring that the position of the workpiece does not easily change when the clamping body is clamping the workpiece.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0008] A flexible clamp with a self-locking structure includes a clamping body; the clamping body includes a lock-shaped component, a housing with a mounting cavity having an upper opening, and a plurality of clamping components uniformly installed in the mounting cavity, which are swayable and telescopic; the plurality of clamping components are arranged in multiple rows; the lock-shaped component includes a push plate, a movable slider, a guide slider, and a cylinder; the push plate is horizontally movable and installed in a through hole on the side of the housing; the inner end face of the push plate abuts against the side of each clamping component located at the edge, and a guide post protrudes outward from the outer end face of the push plate, the outer end face of the guide post being an inclined surface that slopes downward from top to bottom and toward the interior of the housing; the movable slider is movable up and down, the front side of the movable slider is used to cooperate with the inclined surface, and a guide groove extending forward and backward and inclined downward is provided on the movable slider; The cylinder is fixedly mounted; the guide slider is movably mounted on the output shaft of the cylinder, and the guide slider is provided with a guide part that can be inserted into the guide groove accordingly; the cylinder drives the guide part to move outward in the guide groove, which simultaneously drives the moving slider to move upward, and during the movement of the moving slider, it cooperates with the inclined surface to push the guide post and the push plate into the housing and press against the clamping assembly, so that the multiple clamping assemblies are sequentially pressed against each other to achieve a locking shape; when the cylinder drives the guide part to move inward, it simultaneously drives the guide slider to move downward and causes the push plate to release each of the clamping assemblies; when the cylinder is de-energized, the guide part can restrict the downward movement of the moving slider so that the push plate can remain pressed against the clamping assembly.

[0009] Furthermore, the movable slider has two guide grooves, and the two guide grooves are respectively disposed on the two sides of the movable slider; two oppositely disposed guide parts are correspondingly disposed on the guide slider; the upper and lower walls of each guide groove are inclined surfaces, and the upper and lower end faces of each guide part are also correspondingly inclined surfaces.

[0010] Furthermore, the cylinder is fixed to the bottom of the housing; a limiting block is provided on one side of the housing, and a limiting groove extending vertically is provided in the limiting block; the movable slider is correspondingly installed in the limiting groove; the guide post and the guide part are both connected to the limiting groove.

[0011] Furthermore, at least two protrusions are provided on the rear side of the movable slider, and the surface of each protrusion is an arc-shaped surface, which abuts against the side wall of the limiting groove.

[0012] Furthermore, a mounting block is provided at the bottom of the housing; a mounting groove is provided in the mounting block; the cylinder is correspondingly and matchingly installed in the mounting groove.

[0013] Furthermore, a mounting block is provided on the side of the outer casing; the cylinder is fixed on the mounting block; a limiting block is also provided on the mounting block, and a limiting groove extending vertically and horizontally through both sides is provided in the limiting block; the movable slider is correspondingly installed in the limiting groove.

[0014] Furthermore, a mounting groove is provided in the mounting block; the cylinder is correspondingly and matchingly installed in the mounting groove.

[0015] Furthermore, each of the clamping assemblies includes a top post and an elastic element mounted on the top post; the top of the top post extends upward into the mounting cavity; the elastic element includes a spring mounted in the insertion cavity of the top post and an abutment rod with a first end movably engaged in the insertion cavity and a second end fixed in the mounting cavity, the spring being used to provide a telescopic elastic force for the top post; the top post is movable up and down and the top post and the abutment rod are in clearance fit; the inner end face of the push plate is used to abut against the side of each of the top posts located at the edge.

[0016] Furthermore, the push plate is made of copper.

[0017] Furthermore, the front side of the movable slider is a vertically oriented plane.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0019] (I) This utility model utilizes a movable slider combined with an inclined plane structure, allowing the movable slider to continuously push the guide post and push plate inward during its upward movement. After the push plate pushes the various clamping components to abut and position themselves, even if the cylinder experiences a power outage (i.e., the gas pressure inside the cylinder weakens), the guide portion can still restrict the downward movement of the movable slider, thus allowing the push plate to remain pressed against the clamping components. In this state, the cooperation between the guide slider and the movable slider forms a self-locking structure, ensuring that the push plate will not loosen from the clamping components even in the event of a power outage, thus preventing the workpiece from easily changing position when the clamping body is holding the workpiece.

[0020] (II) In this utility model, since the guide slider is driven by a cylinder to move, and then the guide part moves in the guide groove and drives the movable slider to move up and down, without changing the cylinder diameter (i.e., the cylinder output power remains unchanged), it is only necessary to replace the movable slider with a different inclination and length but with the same endpoint height, and correspondingly increase the output shaft stroke of the cylinder. In this way, due to the change in the inclination and length of the guide groove, the cylinder can push the movable slider with the same force and achieve a greater clamping force on the guide post and push plate, that is, the push plate can apply a greater external force to the clamping assembly, resulting in a better locking effect. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping assembly of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in use.

[0029] Figure Labels

[0030] 100. Clamping body;

[0031] 1. Lock-shaped assembly; 11. Push plate; 12. Moving slider; 121. Guide groove; 122. Protrusion; 123. Plane; 13. Guide slider; 131. Guide part; 14. Cylinder; 15. Guide post; 151. Inclined surface; 16. Limiting block; 161. Limiting groove; 17. Mounting block; 171. Mounting groove;

[0032] 2. Outer shell; 21. Mounting cavity; 22. Perforation;

[0033] 3. Clamping assembly; 31. Top post; 311. Insertion cavity; 32. Spring; 33. Abutment rod;

[0034] 4. Finger cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The following description is merely exemplary and does not limit the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0036] Example 1:

[0037] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a flexible clamp with a self-locking structure includes a clamping body 100; wherein, the clamping body 100 includes a lock-shaped component 1, a housing 2 with an upper opening 17 and a plurality of clamping components 3 uniformly installed in the mounting cavity 17 and having rocking and telescopic properties; the plurality of clamping components 3 are distributed in multiple rows.

[0038] Additionally, the locking assembly 1 includes a push plate 11, a movable slider 12, a guide slider 13, and a cylinder 14. The push plate 11 is horizontally movable and installed in the through hole 22 on the side of the housing 2. The inner end face of the push plate 11 abuts against the side of each clamping assembly 3 located at the edge. A guide post 15 protrudes outward from the outer end face of the push plate 11. The outer end face of the guide post 15 is an inclined surface 151 that slopes downward from top to bottom and towards the inside of the housing 2. The movable slider 12 is movable up and down. The front side of the movable slider 12 is used to cooperate with the inclined surface 151. A guide groove 121 extending back and forth and inclined downward from top to bottom is provided on the movable slider 12. The cylinder 14 is fixedly installed. The guide slider 13 is movable back and forth and installed on the output shaft of the cylinder 14. A guide part 131 is provided on the guide slider 13 for correspondingly matching insertion into the guide groove 121. Specifically, the front side of the movable slider 12 is a vertically arranged plane 123, so that it can cooperate well with the inclined plane 151 when it moves upward.

[0039] Specifically, the cylinder 14 drives the guide part 131 to move outward in the guide groove 121, which simultaneously drives the moving slider 12 to move upward. During the movement of the moving slider 12, the inclined surface 151 can push the guide post 15 and the push plate 11 into the outer shell 2 and press them against the clamping assembly 3, so that the multiple clamping assemblies 3 are sequentially pressed against each other and positioned to achieve a locking shape (i.e., positioning each clamping assembly 3). When the cylinder 14 drives the guide part 131 to move inward, it simultaneously drives the guide slider 13 to move downward and causes the push plate 11 to release each clamping assembly 3.

[0040] In summary, this invention utilizes the structure of the movable slider 12 in conjunction with the inclined surface 151, allowing the movable slider 12 to continuously push the guide post 15 and the push plate 11 inwards during its upward movement. After the push plate 11 pushes the various clamping components 3 to abut and position themselves, even if the cylinder 14 experiences a power outage (i.e., the gas pressure inside the cylinder weakens) due to a power failure, and the push plate 11 lacks sufficient external force support, the guide part 131 moves horizontally, while the movable slider 12 moves vertically, and the guide groove 121 is inclined. Therefore, due to the restriction of the guide groove 121, even if the movable slider 12 has a downward tendency, it is difficult to push the guide part 131 to move horizontally. Therefore, even if the external force generated when the clamping assembly 3 resets acts on the push plate 11, and the push plate 11 then transmits the force to the movable slider 12 through the guide post 15, causing the movable slider 12 to tend to move downwards, the guide part 31 is positioned (i.e., forms a limit), thus the downward movement of the movable slider 12 can be restricted by the guide part 131, thereby allowing the push plate 11 to remain pressed against the clamping assembly 3. In this state, the cooperation between the guide slider 13 and the movable slider 12 forms a self-locking structure, ensuring that the push plate 11 will not loosen from the clamping assembly 3 even when the cylinder 14 is de-energized, thus preventing the position of the workpiece from easily changing when the clamping body 100 clamps the workpiece.

[0041] Furthermore, in this invention, since the guide slider 13 is moved by the cylinder 14, and then the guide part 131 moves in the guide groove 121, driving the movable slider 12 to move up and down, it is only necessary to replace the movable slider 12 with a different inclination and length but a constant end height, and correspondingly increase the output shaft stroke of the cylinder 14, without changing the cylinder 14 bore (i.e., the output power of the cylinder 14 remains unchanged). Thus, due to the change in the inclination and length of the guide groove 121, the cylinder 14 can push the movable slider 12 with the same force and achieve a greater clamping force on the guide post 15 and the push plate 11. This means the push plate 11 can apply a greater external force to the clamping assembly 3, resulting in a better locking effect.

[0042] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, the movable slider 12 has two guide grooves 121, and the two guide grooves 121 are respectively disposed on both sides of the movable slider 12; correspondingly, two oppositely disposed guide portions 131 are disposed on the guide slider 13; the upper and lower walls of each guide groove 121 are inclined surfaces, and the upper and lower end faces of each guide portion 131 are also correspondingly inclined surfaces. Therefore, by using the two guide grooves 121, the cooperation between the guide portion 131 and the guide groove 121 can be better, thereby improving the moving stability of the movable slider 12.

[0043] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, the cylinder 14 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 2; a limiting block 16 is provided on one side of the housing 2, and a limiting groove 161 extending vertically is provided in the limiting block 16; the movable slider 12 is correspondingly installed in the limiting groove 161; the guide post 15 and the guide part 131 are both connected to the limiting groove 161 so as to cooperate with the movable slider 12. Therefore, through the above arrangement, the movable slider 12 can be limited by the limiting groove 161 to prevent it from exceeding the preset stroke.

[0044] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, to further ensure the stability of the movable slider 12 during movement, at least two protrusions 122 are provided on the rear side of the movable slider 12, with each protrusion 122 having an arc-shaped surface that abuts against the sidewall of the limiting groove 161. Therefore, because the movable slider 12 moves stably, the force applied by the movable slider 12 to the guide post 15 is more even.

[0045] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, a mounting block 17 is provided at the bottom of the outer casing 2, which can be installed by bolts; a mounting groove 171 is provided in the mounting block 17; the cylinder 14 is correspondingly installed in the mounting groove 171. Therefore, the cylinder 14 can be easily installed through the above arrangement. In addition, the cylinder body of the cylinder 14 does not protrude outward from the side of the mounting block 17.

[0046] like Figure 7As shown, each clamping assembly 3 includes a top post 31 and an elastic element mounted on the top post 31; the top of the top post 31 extends upward into the mounting cavity 17; the elastic element includes a spring 32 mounted in the insertion cavity 311 of the top post 31 and an abutment rod 33 with its first end movably engaged in the insertion cavity 311 and its second end fixed in the mounting cavity 17. The spring 32 can provide a telescopic force for the top post 31; the top post 31 can move up and down, and the top post 31 and the abutment rod 33 are in clearance fit; the inner end face of the push plate 11 can be used to abut against the side of each top post 31 located at the edge. Specifically, each abutment rod 33 is correspondingly mounted on a positioning plate (not shown in the figure). Therefore, by setting the spring 32, the top post 31 can telescopically extend, that is, the clamping assembly 3 has a telescopic effect. In addition, since the top post 31 and the abutment rod 33 are in clearance fit, the top post 31 can swing slightly relative to the abutment rod 33, and the swing amplitude should not be too large. That is, the top post 31 has swingability, which in turn makes the clamping assembly 3 swingable, so that the push plate 11 can push each top post 31 to abut and position in sequence.

[0047] like Figures 1-2 As shown, specifically, the upper end face of the top post 31 is flat and has an arc transition around it, which makes it less likely to scratch the workpiece.

[0048] In this embodiment, the push plate 11 is made of copper. Because copper has good ductility and low hardness, the push plate 11 is less likely to scratch the surface of the top post 31 when it comes into contact with the top post 31.

[0049] Combination Figure 8 The following describes the specific working principle of this utility model in order to help you understand it:

[0050] First, two gripping bodies 100 are respectively mounted on the finger cylinder 4. That is, the two output shafts of the finger cylinder 4 are respectively connected to the two gripping bodies 100, so that the finger cylinder 4 can drive the two gripping bodies 100 to move in opposite or opposite directions. When the two gripping bodies 100 move relative to each other, a gripping effect can be formed. Of course, the finger cylinder 4 also needs to be connected to a multi-axis robotic arm (not shown in the figure).

[0051] When a workpiece needs to be clamped, the robot moves the two clamping bodies 100 to the position of the workpiece. Then, after the finger cylinder 4 drives the two clamping bodies 100 to move relative to each other, the two ends of the workpiece will be embedded into the corresponding clamping components 3 and the corresponding springs 32 will be compressed by the top post 31. After the top post 31 moves to the preset position, the cylinder 14 in each clamping body 100 drives the corresponding guide part 131 to move outward in the guide groove 121, and simultaneously drives the moving slider 12 to move upward. During the movement of the moving slider 12, its plane 123 cooperates with the inclined surface 151 to push. The guide post 15 and push plate 11 move into the housing 2 and press against the clamping assembly 3 until the push plate 11 presses against the adjacent top post 31. At the same time, these top posts 31 tilt and swing away from the push plate 11 until each top post 31 presses against the other, thus forming a positioning effect (i.e., locking) of the top post 31. This prevents the workpiece from being pushed into the mounting cavity 22. At this point, a corresponding groove for embedding one end of the workpiece is formed between the outer ends of each top post 31 that has moved into the mounting cavity 21, and then other normal workpiece clamping steps can be performed. When it is desired to release the top post 31, the cylinder 14 drives the guide part 131 to move inward, and simultaneously drives the guide slider 13 to move downward, so that the push plate 11 can release each top post 31, and the top post 31 can also be reset by the spring 32.

[0052] Example 2:

[0053] like Figures 4-6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that, in this embodiment, a mounting block 17 is provided on the side of the outer casing 2; the cylinder 14 is fixed on the mounting block 17; a limiting block 16 is also provided on the mounting block 17, and a limiting groove 161 extending vertically and horizontally through both sides is provided in the limiting block 16; the movable slider 12 is correspondingly installed in the limiting groove 161, and the movable slider 12 cooperates with the guide post 15 and the guide part 131 respectively through the two sides of the limiting groove 161. Therefore, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the installation position of the cylinder 14 is different, which leads to a difference in the direction of cooperation between it and the movable slider 12. However, since the operating principle between the cylinder 14, the movable slider 12, and the push plate 11 in the two embodiments is basically the same, it will not be repeated here.

[0054] In this embodiment, a mounting groove 171 is also provided in the mounting block 17; the cylinder 14 is correspondingly and matchingly installed in the mounting groove 171, and of course, the cylinder body of the cylinder 14 does not protrude outward from the side of the mounting block 17. The above arrangement allows for convenient installation of the cylinder 14.

[0055] This utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments. If any modifications or variations to this utility model do not depart from the spirit and scope of this utility model, and if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and equivalent technologies of this utility model, then this utility model also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A flexible clamp with a self-locking structure, characterized in that: Includes a clamping body; The clamping body includes a locking assembly, a housing with a mounting cavity having an upper opening, and multiple clamping assemblies that are uniformly installed in the mounting cavity and are swayable and telescopic; the multiple clamping assemblies are distributed in multiple rows; The locking assembly includes a push plate, a movable slider, a guide slider, and a cylinder. The push plate is horizontally movably mounted in a through hole on the side of the housing. The inner end face of the push plate abuts against the side of each of the clamping assemblies located at the edge. A guide post protrudes outward from the outer end face of the push plate, and the outer end face of the guide post is an inclined surface that slopes downward from top to bottom and towards the interior of the housing. The movable slider is vertically movable, and its front side is used to cooperate with the inclined surface. A guide groove extending forward and backward and sloping downward from top to bottom is provided on the movable slider. The cylinder is fixedly mounted. The guide slider is movably mounted on the output shaft of the cylinder, and a guide portion is provided on the guide slider for corresponding insertion into the guide groove. The cylinder drives the guide part to move outward in the guide groove, which simultaneously drives the moving slider to move upward. During the movement of the moving slider, it cooperates with the inclined surface to push the guide post and the push plate into the outer shell and press them against the clamping assembly, so that the multiple clamping assemblies are sequentially pressed and positioned against each other to achieve a locking shape. When the cylinder drives the guide part to move inward, it simultaneously drives the guide slider to move downward and causes the push plate to release each of the clamping assemblies. When the cylinder is de-energized, the guide portion can restrict the downward movement of the sliding block so that the push plate can remain pressed against the clamping assembly.

2. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable slider has two guide grooves, and the two guide grooves are respectively located on both sides of the movable slider; the guide slider has two oppositely arranged guide parts; the upper and lower walls of each guide groove are inclined surfaces, and the upper and lower end faces of each guide part are also correspondingly inclined surfaces.

3. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder is fixed to the bottom of the housing; a limiting block is provided on one side of the housing, and a limiting groove extending vertically is provided in the limiting block; the movable slider is correspondingly installed in the limiting groove; the guide post and the guide part are both connected to the limiting groove.

4. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least two protrusions are provided on the rear side of the movable slider, and the surface of each protrusion is an arc-shaped surface, which abuts against the side wall of the limiting groove.

5. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: A mounting block is provided at the bottom of the housing; a mounting groove is provided in the mounting block; the cylinder is installed in the mounting groove accordingly.

6. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mounting block is provided on the side of the housing; the cylinder is fixed on the mounting block; a limiting block is also provided on the mounting block, and a limiting groove extending vertically and horizontally through both sides is provided in the limiting block; the movable slider is correspondingly installed in the limiting groove.

7. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: A mounting slot is provided in the mounting block; the cylinder is installed in the mounting slot accordingly.

8. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the clamping assemblies includes a top post and an elastic element mounted on the top post; the top of the top post extends upward into the mounting cavity; the elastic element includes a spring mounted in the insertion cavity of the top post and an abutment rod with a first end movably engaged in the insertion cavity and a second end fixed in the mounting cavity, the spring being used to provide a telescopic force for the top post; the top post is movable up and down and the top post and the abutment rod are in clearance fit; the inner end face of the push plate is used to abut against the side of each of the top posts located at the edge.

9. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The push plate is made of copper.

10. The flexible clamp with a self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front side of the movable slider is a vertically oriented plane.

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