GRAIN MECHANISM

Abstract

Clamping mechanism with a horizontally arranged spindle and a frame (2) which projects at right angles from the spindle (1) and is arranged at the distal end of the spindle (1), and with two leg-shaped elements (3, 4) each with an inwardly curved section which is pivotably mounted at the upper and lower ends of the frame (2);with two connecting elements (5, 6) which are pivotable at their rear ends (5a, 6a) on the frame (2) and are aligned parallel to the respective front sections (3b, 4b) of the leg-shaped elements (3, 4), and two clamping elements (7, 8) with opposing clamping surfaces (7a, 8a), wherein the rear sections (3c, 4c) of the leg-shaped elements (3, 4) are pivotably driven by coupling elements (9, 10) to spread or narrow, wherein the clamping elements (7) are pivotably mounted at the distal end (3b) of the leg-shaped element (3) and at an end (5b) of the connecting element (5) which is arranged parallel to the leg-shaped element (3), and the clamping element (8) is mounted at a distal end (4b) of the leg-shaped element (4) and at a distal end (6b) of the connecting element (6), which is arranged parallel to the leg-shaped element (3);and an oscillating drive to cause the rear part of the two leg-shaped elements (3, 4) to oscillate in directions in which the rear parts move away from each other or towards each other, wherein the oscillating drive has short coupling elements (9, 10) which are rotatably mounted on the respective rear ends (3c, 4c) of the two leg-shaped elements (3, 4), the coupling elements (9, 10) being articulated to a connecting part (11) which is movable on the spindle (1) along the spindle with a sleeve (12), wherein a rocker arm (14) engages a flange (12a) of the sleeve (12) which is driven by an electric cylinder (13), wherein the electric cylinder (13) comprises a driven rod (13a), the rod (13a) oscillating a rocker arm (14) which has an upper end (14a) which is rotatably mounted on a fixed pivot point.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping mechanism, in particular for clamping a tube for cutting or bending.

[0002] When cutting or bending pipes, three-jaw or collet chucks are often used to clamp the pipe. The biggest problem with these chucks is their small opening width, making it difficult to use them for different diameter ranges. Therefore, when switching from a small diameter to a large diameter, or vice versa, the clamping jaws or collet usually need to be replaced, depending on the pipe diameter.

[0003] There are also clamping devices with gripping elements whose respective end sections are pivotably arranged in an inverted V-shape. The gripping elements are opened and closed by rotating them around the pivot axis (see patent document 1). The opening and closing width of the clamping mechanism can be easily increased, making it possible to clamp pipes of various diameters. However, since the gripping elements of the clamping mechanism pivot when clamping a pipe, the gripping elements cannot provide a large-area clamping contact for all pipe diameters; rather, for some diameters, only line contact or even point contact occurs. This results in excessive load concentrations during clamping, causing the pipe to be dented or scratched.

[0004] Patent document 2 also addresses this problem of the clamping mechanism described above. The clamping mechanism disclosed in patent document 2 comprises a plurality of clamping jaws arranged radially at equal intervals along the circumference and having a groove guide for radial guidance, as well as a piston housing for compressed air or hydraulic fluid to actuate a piston therein, and a slide coupled to the piston, wherein one end of the slide is connected to a pivot shaft which is connected to the clamping jaws by means of a slot and pin.

[0005] This multi-jaw chuck is suitable for pipes of various diameters, as the opening and closing width can be increased by extending the travel of the clamping jaws. Furthermore, the clamping jaws move perpendicular to the pipe surface, ensuring a large contact area, at least line contact, and minimal damage to the pipe. Patent documents:

[0006] 1: JP 05-069373 2: JP 2007-301664 JP

[0007] However, the clamping mechanism described above, according to the prior art, is complex and bulky in its design. Further problems can arise if the clamping mechanism needs to be rotated or moved, especially since its drive device also requires considerable space.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome these problems in the prior art and provide a clamping mechanism which, with a simple design and small size, offers a large opening width for various diameters of pipes, wherein at least line contact with the pipe surface is maintained during clamping and the pipe is not damaged during clamping.

[0009] To solve the above problem, the present invention proposes a clamping mechanism according to the attached patent claims.

[0010] The clamping mechanism according to the present invention uses a special connecting mechanism for opening and closing, which, despite its simple design, reduces the overall size. By extending the connecting levers, the opening width can be easily increased to accommodate different pipe diameters. Due to the parallel connection, the clamping surfaces of the pair of clamping elements remain parallel to the surface of the respective pipe, ensuring at least line contact during clamping and preventing damage to the pipe. Brief description of the drawings:

[0011] This shows:

[0012] Fig. 1. A side view illustration showing the clamping mechanism in the open position;

[0013] Fig. 2 a side view with the clamping mechanism in the closed state;

[0014] Fig. 3 a front view showing the clamping of a larger pipe;

[0015] Fig. 4 a front view showing the clamping of a smaller tube;

[0016] Fig. 5 a perspective overall view of the clamping mechanism;

[0017] Fig. 6 a rear view of the clamping mechanism according to the invention; and

[0018] Fig. 7 a perspective exploded view of a swivel drive of an embodiment of the clamping mechanism according to the present invention.

[0019] The exemplary embodiment of a clamping mechanism of the present invention is described below with reference to the preceding drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the clamping mechanism according to the present invention, wherein in Fig. 1 the clamping mechanism is open and in Fig. 2 is closed, each in side view.

[0021] These figures show a horizontally arranged rod or spindle. 1 shown, which with its left (distal) end attached to a frame 2 is mounted, which here is positioned vertically perpendicular to the spindle 1 extends to the upper section. 2a of the frame 2 is a curved section 3a a lever- or leg-shaped element 3 and at the lower section 2b a curved section 4a a leg-shaped element 4 The components are designed to point radially inwards and are pivotably mounted there. In addition, parallel connecting elements are provided. 5 and 6 provided for, whose right ends here 5a or 6a on the frame 2 are pivotally mounted and each parallel to the sections 3a or 4a get lost.

[0022] Two clamping elements 7 , 8with opposing clamping surfaces 7a , 8a are at the left end here 3b of the leg-shaped element 3 and at the distal end 4b of the leg-shaped element 4 swivel-mounted, as well as at the end 5b of the parallel connecting element 5 and in the end 6b of the parallel connecting element 6 The clamping surfaces 7a , 8a , each have a V-shaped groove, as in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 shown.

[0023] Short coupling elements 9 and 10 are at the ends 3c or 4c the leg-shaped elements 3 and 4 Each is mounted in a pivotable manner, as well as on a connecting part. 11 The central section 11a of the connecting part 11 is equipped with a cylindrical sleeve 12 connected by means of an electric cylinder 13along the spindle 1 is movable.

[0024] The electric cylinder 13 a pole 13a , which is driven in the linear direction by rotation via a ball screw from a ring-shaped stepper motor. Through the rod 13a a rocker arm 14 swivelled, which is at the upper end 14a is connected to a fixed support. The rocker arm 14 grips the outer circumference of the cylindrical sleeve 12 via a flange 12a on, so that the sleeve 12 along the spindle 1 can move. The electric cylinder 13 For example, a stepper motor is driven by pulse detection at control means not shown in accordance with the rotational speed in such a way that a start, stop, forward or reverse movement with corresponding torque output is alternately carried out in a controlled manner.

[0025] According to the present invention, the short coupling elements 9 and 10 , which swivel at each end 3c or 4c the lever- or leg-shaped elements 3 and 4 are stored, the connecting part 11 for the coupling elements 9 and 10 , the (cylindrical) sleeve 12 on the spindle 1 and the electric cylinder 13 for moving the sleeve 12 on the spindle 1 generally referred to as a oscillating drive, which drives the rear sections of the leg-shaped elements 3 and 4 adjusted towards each other or away from each other.

[0026] The clamping mechanism according to the present invention, as described above, operates as follows when clamping a tube as a workpiece: First, the electric cylinder 13 driven forward by the steering mechanism to turn the rod 13ato advance so that the rocker arm 14 is centered around a fixed pivot point at the upper end 14a pivoted. The movement of the rocker arm 14 is through the flange 12a on the outer circumference of the cylindrical sleeve 12 deflected so that the sleeve 12 forward (here to the left) along the spindle 1 is moved and also the associated connecting part 11 . Via the associated short coupling elements 9 and 10 The leg-shaped elements will be 3 and 4 around the sections 3a and 4a swivelled and thus spread out.

[0027] When spreading the rear sections 3c and 4c the two elements 3 and 4 the front sections of the elements move 3 and 4 towards each other in a radial direction. This pivoting of the elements 3 and 4The arrangement moves with peaks 3b and 4b as well as the parallel connecting elements 5 and 6 (with the peak areas) 5b and 6b ) towards each other, so that the clamping jaws 7 and 8 with their clamping surfaces 7a and 8a approach and clamp a pipe (or similar workpiece) between them, as in Fig. 2 shown.

[0028] During this approach movement of the clamping jaws 7 and 8 Those who remain at the sections 2a and 2b of the frame 2 articulated components, namely the connecting element 5 and the section 3b on the one hand and on the other hand the connecting element 6 and the section 4b parallel to each other and thus form a parallelogram, so that the clamping surfaces 7a , 8aThey are also held in a parallel alignment to each other in order to clamp the pipe. Therefore, the surface contact with the pipe is always at least a line contact, so that a clamped pipe can hardly be damaged, if at all.

[0029] In the embodiment described above, the clamping surfaces 7a , 8a Each has a V-groove, so that the pipe runs along the clamping surfaces. 7a , 8a is centered. This centering also enables precise, even clamping of the pipe. As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, different diameters can also be clamped evenly in the vertical direction with at least two line contacts, without scratching or damaging the pipe. Furthermore, the controlled electric cylinder can be used for this purpose. 13 to close the clamping jaws 7 , 8The joint mechanism described above not only controls the movement sequence (stop, forward, backward), but also allows the torque to be adjusted depending on the pipe diameter and pipe material, so that the clamping force can be optimally adapted.

[0030] Once the clamped pipe can be released, the electric cylinder will be used. 13 driven in reverse by a control device not shown, and the rod 13a to retract. In doing so, the joint mechanism is actuated in the opposite direction to the movement described above, so that the clamping jaws... 7 and 8 Move them apart and release the clamping of the pipe.

[0031] In the clamping mechanism according to the design described above, the rod or, more generally, the spindle 1 arranged in the horizontal direction and can have a rotary drive 20 for rotation about the rod or spindle axis.

[0032] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in 6, the rotary drive is located above the clamping mechanism. 20 arranged, with a motor 21 , a pulley 22 on the engine's drive shaft 21 and a pulley 23 on the spindle 1 , which is attached to a belt 24 are enclosed to drive spindle 1 around its axis and thus rotate the clamping mechanism described above.

[0033] This rotary drive 20 The clamping mechanism allows the pipe to be securely clamped and rotated around its axis, for example to bend the pipe in any direction using a cooperating pipe bending machine.

[0034] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism can incorporate a transfer drive. 30 for relocating the clamping mechanism in the axial direction of the spindle 1exhibit this transfer drive 30 is as in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown, attached to the clamping mechanism described above, with a table 31 on two guide rails 32 It is mounted on a movable base or can be moved. Under the table 31 is a feed motor 33 arranged, which is connected to a drive pinion 34 on its drive shaft with a rack and pinion 35 is intervening to move the table 31 along the guide rails 32 to move.

[0035] Through this transfer drive 30 The clamping mechanism, together with a clamped tube, can be moved along its axial direction to be moved to a tube bending machine or cutting machine, so that the tube can be bent or cut at any axial position.

[0036] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism can be used with a swivel drive. 40to rotate the clamping mechanism around a vertical axis. As in Fig. As shown in 7, the swivel drive is 40 in the form of a ring-shaped actuator 41 between the clamping mechanism and the table 31 arranged. The actuator 41 can a gear ring 42 and a stepper motor attacking it 43 feature to pivot the clamping mechanism built above around the vertical axis or to rotate it more than 360°.

[0037] This swivel drive 40 The clamping mechanism described above can pivot around its vertical axis to process or unload a pipe, e.g. onto a laterally mounted unloading chute.

[0038] Having described exemplary embodiments of the clamping mechanism according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above; rather, various modifications can be made to it.

[0039] For example, the swivel drive device is for the rear section of the elements. 3 and 4 This is just one example; differently shaped rotary actuators can also be used for the rear section of the lever-shaped elements. 3 and 4 can be used if such a mechanism allows spreading or joining.

[0040] Furthermore, the embodiment of the rotary drive 20 described above can be used to rotate the clamping mechanism about the axis of the spindle. 1 as well as the transfer drive 30 for moving the clamping mechanism in the axial direction of the spindle and the swivel drive 40to move the clamping mechanism about a vertical axis, without limiting the present invention.

[0041] Commercial applicability: Overall, the present invention describes a clamping mechanism which, with a compact design and simple construction, enables a larger opening width of the clamping jaws in order to provide at least line contact during clamping even with different diameters of pipes, without scratching or damaging the clamped pipe. Reference symbol list 1 spindle 2 frames 2a Upper part of the frame 2b Lower part of the frame 3, 4 pairs of leg-shaped elements 3a, 4a curved sections of the elements 3b, 4b Tips of the leg-shaped elements 3c, 4c rear areas of the elements 5, 6 parallel connecting elements 5a, 6a Back ends of the connecting elements 5b, 6b Front ends of the parallel connecting elements 7, 8 clamping jaws 7a, 8a Clamping surfaces of the clamping jaws 9, 10 short coupling elements 11 Connecting part 11a Middle part of the connecting part 12 cylindrical sleeves 12a Flange 13 electric cylinders 13a rod 14 rocker arms 20 Rotary drive 21 engine 22, 23 Pulley 24 belts 30 Transfer drive 31 Table 32 Guide rail 33 Feed motor 34 drive pinion 35 Rack and pinion 40 Swivel drive 41 Actuator 42 Sprocket 43 stepper motor

Claims

[1] Clamping mechanism with a horizontally arranged spindle and a frame that is perpendicular to the spindle ( 1 ) protrudes, and has two leg-shaped elements ( 3 , 4 ) each with an inwardly curved section, which is attached to the frame ( 2 ) is pivotably mounted; with two connecting elements ( 5 , 6 ), which with their backs ( 5a , 6a ) on the frame ( 2 ) are pivotable and parallel to the respective front sections ( 3b , 4b ) the leg-shaped elements ( 3 , 4 ) are aligned, as well as two clamping jaws ( 7 , 8 ) with opposing clamping surfaces ( 7a , 8a ), with the rear areas ( 3c , 4c ) the leg-shaped elements ( 3 , 4 ) with coupling elements ( 9 , 10) are pivotally driven to spread out or narrow. [2] Clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized by that the clamping surfaces ( 7a , 8a ) the clamping jaws are designed as V-shaped grooves. [3] Clamping mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the coupling elements ( 9 , 10 ) at a connecting part ( 11 ) are articulated, which is on the spindle ( 1 ) along this with a sleeve ( 12 ) is movable, with a flange ( 12a ) the sleeve ( 12 ) a rocker arm ( 14 ) attacks, which is powered by an electric cylinder ( 13 ) is powered. [4] Clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized by that start, stop, forward movement, reverse movement and torque output of the electric cylinder ( 13 ) are controllable through tax revenue. [5] Clamping mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a rotary drive ( 20 ) is provided, which rotates the clamping mechanism around the axis of the spindle ( 1 ) turns. [6] Clamping mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a transfer drive ( 30 ) is provided, which clamps the mechanism in the axial direction of the spindle ( 1 ) moves. [7] Clamping mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a swivel drive ( 40 ) is provided, which rotates the clamping mechanism around a vertical axis.