Clamping device

Abstract

Clamping device for a machining device, comprising: a base block (1) which is provided on its upper inner side with a guide rail (11) and forms a working space (12) in the lower area, wherein a through opening (13) and two channels (14) are formed on a wall corresponding to the working space (12), wherein the through opening (13) opens into the guide rail (11) and the two channels (14) can be connected to an external power supply; a drive mechanism (2) with a piston carrier (21) arranged in the working space (12) of the base block (1), which has an output shaft (22) that passes through the through-opening (13) and is located in the area of ​​the guide rail (11), wherein several elastic elements (23) are arranged on the end face of the piston carrier (21), which are supported at one end against the base block (1); and two mutually associated clamping jaw assemblies (3) arranged in the guide rail (11) of the base block (1) and displaceable therein relative to each other, each clamping jaw assembly (3) comprising a clamping block (31), a clamping slide (32) connected thereto, and an actuating element (33), the two actuating elements (33) each being coupled to a guide slide (30) associated with the output axis (22) of the piston carrier (21) and located in the area of ​​the guide rail (11), and each actuating element (33) having an upper outer chamfer (331) and a lower outer chamfer (332) on the outer side facing the guide slide (30), and a lower inner chamfer (333) and an upper inner chamfer (334) on the inner side facing the guide slide (30).wherein the respective clamping slide (32) is slidably arranged in the guide rail (11) and has at its two ends a first guide slot (321) and a second guide slot (322), each of which allows the actuating part (33) to engage, wherein the first guide slot (321) has a first inclined surface (3211) for bearing against the upper outer inclined surface (331) and a first side surface (3212) for bearing against the lower inner inclined surface (333), and wherein the second guide slot (322) has a second inclined surface (3221) for bearing against the lower outer inclined surface (332) and a second side surface (3222) for bearing against the upper inner inclined surface (334).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of clamping jaws for machine tools and in particular relates to a clamping device that can be used primarily in vise machining equipment. [State of the art]

[0002] To securely fix workpieces during machining processes, mechanical clamping devices are predominantly used today. A typical example is the vise, which serves as a mechanical device to clamp workpieces firmly during machining operations. Vises can be either hand-operated devices or clamping systems integrated into machine tools. The applications of vises are wide-ranging: In addition to the commonly used hand-held vises, power-operated clamping vises are also used, which are integrated, for example, into machine tools. The drive for such clamping vises can be pneumatic or hydraulic and is primarily used where high holding forces are required and high machining precision must be guaranteed.

[0003] The state of the art in this field is exemplified by published Taiwanese utility models M644793 ("vise structure"), M653481 ("pneumatic quick-change vise"), and M650129 ("pneumatic clamping vise with intermediate jaws"). While these known techniques can fulfill the purpose of workpiece clamping, they lack an automatic spreading function. Thus, the technical question remains: how can a clamping device be developed that enables both automatic clamping and automatic spreading? This very issue represents a significant development challenge for the inventor and relevant companies, one that must be addressed through improvements. [Purpose of the invention]

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of creating a clamping device that can be used in vise machining equipment and that optionally enables automatic clamping or automatic spreading.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a clamping device having the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a clamping device is provided, wherein a guide rail is provided inside a base block in which two clamping jaw assemblies can be moved towards or away from each other. Each clamping jaw assembly has a clamping block for receiving the workpiece, a clamping slide connected to it, and an actuating element. The actuating element is attached to the output shaft of a drive mechanism and inserted into inclined guide slots of the clamping slide. The clamping slide is provided at both ends with a first guide slot and a second guide slot, each having different directions of inclination. The actuating element can be selectively inserted into either the first or the second guide slot.On the outer surface of the actuator, an upper outer bevel and a lower outer bevel are formed, while the inner surface is provided with an upper inner bevel and a lower inner bevel. These bevels interact with the oppositely inclined surfaces of the guide slots. The first guide slot faces a first inclined surface that interacts with the upper outer bevel of the actuator, as well as a first side surface associated with the lower inner bevel. The second guide slot faces a second inclined surface that contacts the lower outer bevel, as well as a second side surface associated with the upper inner bevel.In this way, the clamping slide is moved along the guide rail of the base block by the drive mechanism, causing the clamping blocks to either move against each other to clamp a workpiece or away from each other to spread it open. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] The invention and its embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective exploded view of the entire clamping device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective exploded view of the partial construction of the clamping device according to the invention; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the clamping device according to the invention in conjunction with a vise machining device; Fig. 4 a sectional view I of the clamping device according to the invention during automatic clamping; Fig. 5 a sectional view II of the clamping device according to the invention during automatic clamping; Fig. 6 a sectional view I of the clamping device according to the invention during automatic spreading; Fig. 7 a sectional view II of the clamping device according to the invention during automatic spreading; Fig. 8 a sectional view of a configuration with several clamping devices according to the invention in the operating state; and Fig. 9 a sectional view of an embodiment of the safety locking device according to the invention. [Explanation of the preferred embodiment]

[0008] As in the Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 3 shows the clamping device A according to the invention in a perspective exploded view and in a schematic view when used on a vise machining device. The clamping device A has a base block 1, a drive mechanism 2, two clamping jaw assemblies 3 and a locking device 4.

[0009] The base block 1 is provided with a guide rail 11 on its upper inner side and forms a working chamber 12 in its lower area. A through-opening 13, two channels 14, and a mounting opening 15 are provided on the wall corresponding to the working chamber 12. The through-opening 13 leads into the guide rail 11, while the two channels 14 serve for connection to an external power supply.

[0010] The drive mechanism 2 has a piston carrier 21 arranged in the working chamber 12 of the base block 1. This has an output shaft 22 that passes through the through-opening 13 and projects into the guide rail 11. Several elastic elements 23 are provided on the end face of the piston carrier 21, which are supported at one end against the base block 1.

[0011] The two clamping jaw assemblies 3 are mounted opposite each other in the guide rail 11 and guided therein so as to be displaceable relative to each other. Each clamping jaw assembly 3 has a clamping block 31, a clamping slide 32 connected to it, and an actuating element 33. Both actuating elements 33 are coupled to a guide slide 30, which is associated with the output axis 22 of the piston carrier 21 and is located in the area of ​​the guide rail 11. On the outer surface of each actuating element 33 facing the guide slide 30, an upper outer chamfer 331 and a lower outer chamfer 332 are provided, while on the inner surface facing the guide slide 30, a lower inner chamfer 333 and an upper inner chamfer 334 are provided. The respective clamping slide 32 is slidably inserted in the guide rail 11.At its two ends, a first guide slot 321 and a second guide slot 322 are formed, each serving to receive the actuating part 33. The first guide slot 321 has a first inclined surface 3211 that is in contact with the upper outer inclined surface 331 of the actuating part 33, and a first side surface 3212 that is associated with the lower inner inclined surface 333. The second guide slot 322 has a second inclined surface 3221 for bearing against the lower outer inclined surface 332 and a second side surface 3222 for bearing against the upper inner inclined surface 334. The arrangement of the two opposing clamping slides 32 of the clamping jaw assemblies 3 with respect to the two actuating parts 33 can be varied depending on the type of workpiece to be clamped or the number of clamping devices used.The two clamping slides 32 can either both engage with their first guide slot 321 or both engage with their second guide slot 322 with the actuating parts 33, or the two clamping slides 32 can be arranged such that one engages the first guide slot 321 and the other engages the second guide slot 322 with the actuating parts 33 [this is explained in more detail below].

[0012] The safety locking device 4 is inserted into the mounting opening 15 of the base block 1 and projects into the working chamber 12. At its front end, a stop section 41 is formed, which is associated with the piston carrier 21 and serves as a safety measure to limit the displacement travel of the piston carrier 21.

[0013] As in the Fig. 1 to Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the clamping device A according to the invention can be used in a vise. The scope of application of the invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment with a vise, without, however, intending to limit the scope of protection of the invention in any way.

[0014] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the piston carrier 21 of the drive mechanism 2 is arranged in the working chamber 12 of the base block 1. The guide slide 30 is attached to the output shaft 22, which passes through the through-opening 13, so that the two actuating elements 33 provided on the guide slide 30 are each assigned to the guide rail 11. Two clamping slides 32 are inserted in the guide rail 11, each arranged opposite the other with identical first guide slots 321 or identical second guide slots 322, so that the two actuating elements 33 engage in the same first guide slots 321 or in the same second guide slots 322.The clamping slides 32 are then connected to the clamping blocks 31, the connection being made either via a complementary locking mechanism, via a screw fastening or by one-piece construction, so that the clamping blocks 31 together with the clamping slides 32 can be actuated and moved.

[0015] As in the Fig. 4 to Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when energy is supplied from an external power source via channels 14, the piston carrier 21 of the drive mechanism 2 is set in motion. This actuates the clamping slides 32 so that a workpiece can either be clamped or released. The choice between the first guide slot 321 or the second guide slot 322 of the clamping slides 32 depends on the type of workpiece to be clamped and is made accordingly during assembly, so that the two clamping jaw assemblies 3 either create a state in which the clamping blocks 31 converge inwards for automatic clamping, or a state in which the clamping blocks 31 are spread apart outwards for automatic opening to fix a workpiece. This is explained in more detail below.

[0016] Example of automatic clamping - As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the two clamping slides 32 are mounted in the guide rail 11 of the base block 1 such that the identical first guide slots 321 are aligned with each other. The two actuating elements 33 engage with their end sections in the first guide slots 321 of the clamping slides 32. Before the piston carrier 21 is actuated, the lower inner chamfer 333 of the actuating element 33 rests against the first side surface 3212. When compressed air from an external power supply is introduced into the working chamber 12 via one of the channels 14 of the base block 1, the piston carrier 21 is moved upwards against the elastic elements 23. This also raises the guide slide 30 connected to the output shaft 22, causing the two actuating elements 33 to rise.In this position, the upper outer slopes 331 engage with the first inclined surfaces 3211 and are pressed and guided upwards along their inclination from the lower edge of the first inclined surfaces 3211, thereby displacing the two clamping slides 32 apart along the guide rail 11 and creating a release state. Subsequently, during the automatic clamping process, the compressed air supply from the external power supply is interrupted. The piston carrier 21 moves rapidly downwards due to the restoring force of the elastic elements 23. This lowers the guide slide 30 connected to the output shaft 22, and the actuating elements 33, with their lower inner slopes 333, come into contact with the first side surfaces 3212.From the upper edge of the first side surfaces 3212, the lower inner slopes 333 are pressed and guided inwards along their inclination, so that the clamping slides 32 are moved towards each other and the clamping blocks 31 enter the automatic clamping state. After automatic clamping, compressed air can be introduced from the external power supply via the other channel 14 of the base block 1 into the working chamber 12 of the piston carrier 21 to assist and increase the clamping force.

[0017] Example of automatic spreading - As in the Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the two clamping slides 32 are inserted into the guide rail 11 of the base block 1 such that their second guide slots 322 are opposite each other [i.e., the two clamping slides 32 of the previously described automatic clamping configuration are mounted rotated by 180°]. This allows the actuating elements 33, arranged at the ends of the guide slide 30, to engage in the second guide slots 322 of the clamping slides 32.

[0018] Before the piston carrier 21 is actuated, the lower outer chamfer 332 of the actuating element 33 rests against the second inclined surface 3221 of the clamping slide 32. When compressed air from the external power supply is introduced into the working chamber 12 of the piston carrier 21 via one of the channels 14, the piston carrier 21 is moved upwards against the elastic elements 23. During this movement, the output axis 22 with the attached guide slide 30 rises, causing the actuating elements 33 to also move upwards. The lower outer chamfer 332 then comes into contact with the second inclined surface 3221, and the lower outer chamfer 332 is subsequently pressed upwards from the lower edge of the second inclined surface 3221 along its inclination. This causes the two clamping slides 32 to move towards each other in the guide rail 11, thus forming a clamping state.Subsequently, during the execution of the automatic spreading action, the supply of compressed air via one of the channels 14 of the external power supply is interrupted. The piston carrier 21 then returns due to the restoring force of the elastic elements 23 and is rapidly moved downwards. It is, of course, also possible to simultaneously introduce additional compressed air via the other channel 14. In this state, the guide carriage 30, attached to the output shaft 22, moves downwards, thereby displacing the actuating elements 33 downwards. The lower outer slope 332 is guided downwards from the upper edge of the second inclined surface 3221 along its inclination, so that the two clamping carriages 32 are each moved along the guide rail 11 in a direction away from each other, thus creating the clamping state of the automatic spreading action.After automatic spreading has been achieved, compressed air can also be introduced from the external power supply via the other channel 14 of the base block 1 into the working chamber 12 of the piston carrier 21 to further increase the spreading force.

[0019] The preceding embodiment describes the clamping of a workpiece using a single clamping device A. As particularly in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, several bolt rods 17 are provided at the bottom of the base block 1, which can be used for connection to a positioning platform 5 [cf. Figure 3]. Fig. 8].

[0020] In another embodiment, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, for a larger workpiece that is to be held by several clamping devices A, two clamping devices A, each associated with the other, are installed on the positioning platform 5. In each clamping device A, the two clamping slides 32 are rigidly connected to the same clamping block 31, with the two clamping slides 32 engaging with the actuating elements 33 via the first guide slot 321 and the second guide slot 322, respectively. In this way, the two associated clamping devices A can either move the clamping blocks 31 inwards to automatically clamp a workpiece or outwards to automatically spread it open. As shown in Figure 8, the clamping blocks 31 are then moved either inwards to automatically clamp a workpiece or outwards to automatically spread it open. Fig. As shown in Figure 8, when the piston carrier 21 is lowered, the two clamping blocks 31 move inwards relative to each other and clamp the workpiece. If, however, the two clamping devices A are operated in a reversed arrangement, when the piston carrier 21 is lowered, the two clamping blocks 31 move outwards relative to each other and spread the workpiece open [not shown in the figure].

[0021] Regardless of the operating mode, the external power supply prevents excessive lifting of the piston carrier 21 when it is raised. For this purpose, the safety lock 4 can be engaged by rotary movement during operation, thus limiting the upward travel of the piston carrier 21 and ensuring secure, firm clamping. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 9, a limiting groove 42 is formed on the locking device 4. A positioning element 16 is screwed into the base block 1 at the location corresponding to it. This positioning element engages in the limiting groove 42 and holds the locking device 4 in position. The limiting groove 42 also defines the rotation range of the locking device 4.

Claims

[1] Clamping device for a machining device, comprising: a base block (1) which is provided on its upper inner side with a guide rail (11) and forms a working space (12) in the lower area, wherein a through opening (13) and two channels (14) are formed on a wall corresponding to the working space (12), wherein the through opening (13) opens into the guide rail (11) and the two channels (14) can be connected to an external power supply; a drive mechanism (2) with a piston carrier (21) arranged in the working space (12) of the base block (1), which has an output shaft (22) that passes through the through-opening (13) and is located in the area of ​​the guide rail (11), wherein several elastic elements (23) are arranged on the end face of the piston carrier (21), which are supported at one end against the base block (1); and two mutually associated clamping jaw assemblies (3) arranged in the guide rail (11) of the base block (1) and displaceable therein relative to each other, each clamping jaw assembly (3) comprising a clamping block (31), a clamping slide (32) connected thereto, and an actuating element (33), the two actuating elements (33) each being coupled to a guide slide (30) associated with the output axis (22) of the piston carrier (21) and located in the area of ​​the guide rail (11), and each actuating element (33) having an upper outer chamfer (331) and a lower outer chamfer (332) on the outer side facing the guide slide (30), and a lower inner chamfer (333) and an upper inner chamfer (334) on the inner side facing the guide slide (30).wherein the respective clamping slide (32) is slidably arranged in the guide rail (11) and has at its two ends a first guide slot (321) and a second guide slot (322), each of which allows the actuating part (33) to engage, wherein the first guide slot (321) has a first inclined surface (3211) for bearing against the upper outer inclined surface (331) and a first side surface (3212) for bearing against the lower inner inclined surface (333), and wherein the second guide slot (322) has a second inclined surface (3221) for bearing against the lower outer inclined surface (332) and a second side surface (3222) for bearing against the upper inner inclined surface (334). [2] Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the clamping slides (32) of the two clamping jaw assemblies (3) are arranged such that they either both engage with the actuating parts (33) via the first guide slot (321) or both engage with the actuating parts (33) via the second guide slot (322). [3] Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the two clamping slides (32) are attached to the same clamping block (31) and that one clamping slide (32) engages with the actuating parts (33) via the first guide slot (321) and the other clamping slide (32) engages with the actuating parts (33) via the second guide slot (322). [4] Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized by , that a mounting opening (15) is provided on a wall of the work space (12), into which a locking pin (4) is inserted, which projects into the work space (12) and has a stop section (41) at its front end, which is associated with the piston carrier (21) and limits its displacement travel. [5] Clamping device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the locking device (4) is provided with a limiting groove (42) into which a positioning element (16) attached to the base block (1) engages, wherein the limiting groove (42) defines the rotation range of the locking pin (4).

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