Vacuum clamping device

Abstract

A vacuum clamping device (1) is proposed, comprising a portable generator container (2) with a container housing (18) having a cuboid base structure and accommodating a vacuum generator (59). On the outside of the generator container (2), at least one upper clamping unit (3, 3a) for clamping an object (44) under vacuum is located on the upper surface (8) of the container, and / or at least one lower clamping unit (3b) is located on the lower surface (7) of the container, allowing the generator container (2) to be clamped to a surface (58) under vacuum. The clamping units (3a, 3b) can be pressurized by the vacuum generator (59) with the vacuum required for clamping.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum clamping device, with a generator container having a cuboidal basic structure and accommodating a vacuum generator, in particular designed as a vacuum pump, on which at least one container carrying handle is arranged on the outside for carrying the generator container with one hand, and with at least one clamping unit having a clamping surface, which can be subjected to negative pressure generated by the vacuum generator in order to generate a negative pressure-based clamping force in the region of the clamping surface.

[0002] A vacuum clamping device of this type, known from EP 2 025 941 A2, has a container-like, portable vacuum generating device equipped with a vacuum generator embodied as a vacuum pump and can therefore be referred to as a generator container. Furthermore, the known vacuum clamping device contains a clamping unit, referred to as a workpiece holder, which is separate from the generator container and can be connected to the generator container via an air hose in order to be subjected to a negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump. With the aid of this negative pressure-based clamping force, a negative pressure-based clamping force can be generated in the region of a clamping surface of the clamping unit, which enables the clamping of a workpiece to be machined.This results in a vacuum clamping device designed as a mobile system, the components of which can be transported separately to different locations and which enables a craftsman or other user to securely clamp workpieces to be processed on site at the respective location, for example on a construction site.

[0003] EP 2 805 799 A2 discloses a portable container for transporting a processing machine. It features a housing cover equipped with a worktop that allows the support of a workpiece to be machined, thus serving as a table replacement for a workpiece support. Openings in the worktop allow the attachment of mechanical clamping tools for temporarily clamping the workpiece to be machined.

[0004] A clamping device described in US 10 245 710 B2 has a substantially cylindrically shaped base body with a first suction surface on the underside and a second suction surface on the top. The clamping device can be clamped to a workbench via the first suction surface. A workpiece can be clamped to the second suction surface. To generate the required clamping force, means for vacuum generation, such as a vacuum pump, are housed in the base body.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a vacuum clamping device which takes up little space and is easy to transport by hand, with which clamping tasks, particularly those related to workpiece machining, can be carried out simply and reliably.

[0006] To achieve this object, the invention provides for a vacuum clamping device in conjunction with the features mentioned at the outset, wherein at least one upper clamping unit is arranged on the outside of the generator container on a container top side oriented in a container height direction, said upper clamping unit being designed to clamp an object, in particular formed by a workpiece to be machined, said upper clamping unit having an upper clamping surface and capable of being subjected to negative pressure, and / or wherein at least one lower clamping unit is arranged on the outside of the generator container on a container bottom side oriented in a container height direction and opposite the container top side, said lower clamping unit being designed to clamp the generator container to a base, said lower clamping surface and capable of being subjected to negative pressure.

[0007] In this way, the vacuum clamping device with the generator container contains a uniformly handleable component that combines the functions of vacuum generation and negative-pressure-based clamping, yet is easily and conveniently transported using the at least one container carrying handle. The cuboid-shaped basic structure of the generator container facilitates joint transport with additional storage containers, such as case-like ones often used by tradespeople to transport processing machines and accessories. For example, the generator container can be manufactured in a grid dimension that is coordinated with other storage containers in a container system, thus facilitating joint storage and transport of the generator container with additional storage containers.The generator container has a container housing in which the vacuum generator, preferably designed as a vacuum pump, is housed, which enables reliable protection of the vacuum generator from external influences and therefore also from damage. The physical combination of the at least one clamping unit with the generator container allows the realization of short suction paths and consequently promotes good responsiveness when building up and releasing the negative pressure required for a clamping task. Within the scope of the invention, it is possible to provide at least one clamping unit, referred to as the upper clamping unit, on the outside of the generator container either only on its top side or only on the bottom side of the container.Furthermore, and particularly advantageous, is the possibility of implementing at least one upper clamping unit on the top of the container in combination with at least one lower clamping unit on the bottom of the container. With the help of the at least one upper clamping unit, any object, and in particular a workpiece to be machined, can be clamped using negative pressure. If at least one lower clamping unit is also present, the generator container can be secured to a surface by suction, for example to a floor surface or on the top of a work table, which enables particularly safe and precise object processing without possibly having to hold the generator container manually. Using the at least one lower clamping unit, the generator container can essentially suction itself onto the surface, for example a building floor.The system according to the invention provides the user with the option of flexible and mobile work in conjunction with objects of different sizes. In contrast to mechanical clamping, this has the advantage that the top of an object can be completely processed in a single operation without re-clamping. Furthermore, vacuum clamping is also suitable for objects or workpieces with sensitive surfaces, as no pressure marks can occur. Equipping with at least one lower clamping unit and no upper clamping unit is advantageous in cases where the generator container is to be used as an object support for work processes that do not require the firm fixation of an object or that are unsuitable for vacuum-based clamping.In the latter case, at least one mechanical fastening structure can be provided on the container top, which is devoid of a clamping unit, to which a clamping clamp or other mechanical clamping tool can be attached. If the generator container is equipped with at least one upper clamping unit, it is recommended to implement only a single upper clamping unit with a clamping surface sufficiently large for the clamping task. Alternatively, however, several upper clamping units, for example, exactly two, can be provided. The same applies to the container bottom if at least one lower clamping unit is arranged there.

[0008] Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] The vacuum generator is expediently of an electrically operated design. In particular, it is implemented as a vacuum pump. A configuration for a battery-based power supply is particularly favorable, whereby it is advantageous if the vacuum clamping device has at least one rechargeable battery that ensures the power supply of the vacuum generator. The battery is preferably located on board the generator container, whereby it can be permanently installed or installed replaceably so that it can be removed for charging and a pre-charged battery can be installed in its place during the charging time. Alternatively or additionally, the generator container can be provided with an electromechanical interface that enables the connection of an external battery up to a larger battery unit that is provided separately from the generator container.The battery operating system is designed for an operating voltage of 18 volts and / or 36 volts.

[0010] If the vacuum clamping device is designed to be electrically operable, in particular by means of at least one accumulator, it can be a remotely controlled electrically switchable vacuum clamping device which has internal electronics for controlling the power supply to the vacuum pump and can be switched by means of the operating device, in particular a remote control unit.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the vacuum generator can be of a fluid-operated design, although a design that can be operated with compressed air is recommended. For example, the vacuum generator can have an ejector unit operating according to the principle of a suction nozzle, which is fed with compressed air, whereby the compressed air supply can be controlled by means of a manually or electrically operated control valve. In such a configuration, the generator container is expediently equipped with a compressed air connection to which the compressed air required for the operation of the vacuum generator can be fed.

[0012] For manual transport of the generator container, it is advantageous if a container carrying handle, referred to as the upper container carrying handle for easier differentiation, is arranged on the top of the generator container on the container housing. In this way, the generator container can be easily grasped and lifted and transported without changing orientation. The container carrying handle is expediently pivotably arranged on the container housing so that it can be pivoted either into a non-use position pivoted towards the container housing or into a use position projecting upwards away from the container housing. In the non-use position, the upper container carrying handle is positioned in such a way, and in particular is fully or partially recessed into the container housing in such a way that the clamping function of the at least one upper clamping unit, if present, is not impaired.

[0013] It is advantageous if the pivotable upper container carrying handle is U-shaped, wherein in the use position it extends with a height distance over at least one upper clamping unit and in the non-use position partially frames this at least one upper clamping unit, in particular in a plane orthogonal to the container height direction.

[0014] It is further advantageous if a container carrying handle, referred to as a front container carrying handle for easier differentiation, is arranged on the container housing on a container front side of the generator container oriented orthogonally to the container height direction. The front container carrying handle can be provided in addition to or alternatively to the aforementioned upper container carrying handle. The front container carrying handle can be advantageously positioned, by pivoting relative to the container housing, either in a non-use position pivoted toward the container housing or in a use position projecting away from the container housing. The front container carrying handle allows, for example, the generator container to be conveniently carried upright in the manner of a briefcase.

[0015] For the construction of the container housing, it is recommended to use a box-shaped housing base that has a container opening oriented in the container height direction and expediently has a housing cover assigned to the container opening and pivotally mounted on the housing base. By pivoting relative to the housing base, the housing cover can be positioned either in a closed position closing the container opening or in at least one open position exposing the container opening. If the generator container has an upper container carrying handle, this is expediently located on the housing cover. Alternatively, a housing cover that is not hinged to the housing base and can be removed from the housing base to expose the container opening can be provided.

[0016] In a generator container with a housing base and a removable or pivotable housing cover, it is advantageous if - if present - at least one upper clamping unit is arranged on the housing cover and - if present - at least one lower clamping unit is arranged on the housing base. An upper clamping unit arranged on the housing cover can follow a pivoting movement of the housing cover for opening and closing the generator container.

[0017] Preferably, the vacuum generator is located in a container interior of the generator container enclosed by the container housing. With appropriate design, this container interior can also be used as a storage space for additional components of the vacuum clamping device or other objects, such as tools.

[0018] Preferably, the container interior has the container opening, so that the vacuum generator is accessible from outside the generator container through the container opening in at least one open position of the housing cover. This facilitates any necessary functional access to the vacuum generator or any necessary maintenance work.

[0019] For example, a single lower clamping unit can be arranged on the underside of the generator container, preferably positioned centrally in the area. A particularly effective solution is to equip the container with two lower clamping units, which are arranged at a distance from each other transversely to the container's height direction and are located, in particular, at opposite edge regions of the container's underside.

[0020] The container housing of the generator container preferably has a housing wall which has a peripheral wall which projects vertically from a bottom wall assigned to the container underside and encloses the container interior. In keeping with the cuboid-shaped basic structure of the generator container, the peripheral wall is at least substantially rectangular in structure and consists of a front wall assigned to the container front side, a rear wall opposite it, and two end walls extending therebetween. The two lower clamping units are expediently each located in the region of one of the two end walls. When using multiple lower clamping units, smaller clamping surfaces can be used to achieve the same clamping effect, which offers increased clamping reliability on uneven surfaces.Preferably, the at least one upper clamping unit and / or the at least one lower clamping unit are designed separately from the container housing and can be or are fixed to the container housing by means of suitable fastening measures. In this way, the respective clamping unit can be manufactured independently of the container housing, which creates improved design freedom and, in particular, offers the possibility of selecting a material particularly suitable for the suction function, independent of the material of the container housing, in particular plastic. This material is preferably a soft or flexible plastic, which is expediently softer or more flexible than the material of the container housing.

[0021] It is considered advantageous if the at least one upper clamping unit and / or the at least one lower clamping unit are plate-shaped or plate-shaped. Such simple geometric shapes can be realized particularly cost-effectively. For example, the respective clamping unit has a polygonal and preferably rectangular or triangular outline—in particular with rounded corners—or a round outline, preferably a circular outline. The shape of the respective clamping unit can be based on the structural conditions of the container housing that are relevant to the container function.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one upper clamping unit is arranged in a region between stiffening structures of the housing cover, wherein the stiffening structures - in the closed state of the housing cover - extend perpendicular to the container height direction and / or the at least one lower clamping unit is arranged in a region between stiffening structures of the container housing extending along the bottom wall of the housing lower part.

[0023] Preferably, the container housing has at least one receiving recess on the container top side, in which the at least one upper clamping unit is received. The upper clamping unit can be either completely recessed or partially protrude upwards above the container housing.

[0024] At least one upper clamping unit can be designed as a container attachment that is removably mountable or mounted on the top side of the generator container and / or that is height-adjustable relative to the container housing, allowing it to be positioned at different heights. When the upper clamping unit is mounted, its upper clamping surface can be arranged at a height above the generator container. Such a configuration offers the advantageous possibility of providing a usage-optimized height level for the upper clamping surface, in particular for adaptation to additional support structures located next to the generator container, which are used to support large-area objects for processing.For example, an additional storage container can be used as an additional support structure, whereby the height distance of the clamping surface to the container housing is adjustable or set so that the height level corresponds to that of the top of the additional storage container.

[0025] If a height-adjustable upper clamping unit designed as a container attachment is mounted on the generator container, the desired height can be adjusted variably, preferably in steps or continuously. Alternatively, several upper clamping units can be provided, each with different heights and mounted alternatively to the generator container.

[0026] A design as a removable container attachment offers the advantageous possibility of providing upper clamping units of different dimensions and / or geometries, which can be selectively attached to the generator container depending on the application. If several upper clamping units are provided as container attachments on the part of the vacuum clamping device, the interior of the generator container can be conveniently used for their storage and transport.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the upper clamping surface of at least one upper clamping unit and / or the lower clamping surface of at least one lower clamping unit can be formed directly by an integral wall section of the container housing. This allows for particularly cost-effective production.

[0028] To achieve optimal suction performance, where the suction effect is distributed over a large area of ​​the clamping surface in question, a structuring of the clamping surface with alternating raised and recessed areas is recommended. Such a clamping surface structure can be integrated directly into a wall section of the container housing if the clamping unit is designed integrally with the container housing, for example, into the bottom wall of a housing base and / or into a housing cover arranged on a housing base.

[0029] It is considered advantageous if the at least one upper clamping unit and / or the at least one lower clamping unit has a groove structure that frames and / or extends through the associated upper clamping surface or lower clamping surface, wherein at least one suction channel communicating with the vacuum generator opens into the clamping surface and / or wherein a rubber-elastic sealing strip protruding beyond the associated upper or lower clamping surface is insertable or inserted into the groove structure and encloses an evacuatable section of the clamping surface. For example, the sealing strip is a sealing cord made of an elastomer material or rubber.

[0030] Preferably, the vacuum clamping device is designed such that the at least one upper clamping unit has an upper clamping surface that extends in an upper clamping plane orthogonal to the container height direction, wherein the container housing has an upper housing outer surface on the container top side that at least partially encloses the upper clamping surface of the at least one upper clamping unit and is designed, at least in regions, as an object support surface that also extends in the clamping plane and enables the placement of an object to be clamped. In this way, large-area support of a clamped object is possible, regardless of the size of the upper clamping surface. In addition, the dimensions of the upper clamping surface can be kept small, which minimizes the cost of implementing the upper clamping unit.

[0031] It is advantageous if the container housing has a lower outer surface on the underside of the container, which at least partially forms a storage area that can be used to place the generator housing on a surface and extends in a storage plane orthogonal to the container height direction. The geometry of the storage area can be realized as required via the design of the container underside. It is advantageous if the storage area is defined by several raised feet distributed within the outline of the lower outer surface of the housing. The storage area is then composed of the individual foot surfaces. By reducing the storage area to several individual feet, the stability of the generator container can be optimized even on uneven surfaces.Preferably, the lower outer surface of the housing has an at least substantially rectangular outline, with four feet being provided which are placed in the corner regions of the rectangular outline.

[0032] Preferably, each lower clamping unit present is adjustable relative to the container housing by performing an adjustment movement in the container height direction such that it can be positioned selectively in an inactive position or in an active position. The lower clamping surface formed on the respective lower clamping unit is set back upwards in the container height direction relative to the storage plane in the inactive position, and is arranged in the storage plane or protruding downwards in the active position. This ensures that the at least one lower clamping unit is not damaged during handling of the generator container when not in use, for example when the generator container is moved on an uneven surface.

[0033] For the vacuum-based clamping of the generator container, it is not necessary to use a stationary structure such as a floor or a fixed table as a base; a movable object can also be used as a base for this purpose, for example an additional storage container on which the generator container can be placed or stored to form a container stack.

[0034] The at least one lower clamping unit is advantageously arranged on the container housing so that it can be displaced in the container's vertical direction for adjustment between an inactive position and an active position. This displaceability can be achieved either exactly vertically or at an angle. The displacement movement is advantageously linear, but can also follow a curved path, for example.

[0035] Preferably, each lower clamping unit is arranged in a guide recess of the container housing and is displaceably guided by the edge of the guide recess when switching between the inactive position and the active position. Each guide recess is expediently formed by a bottom wall opening of the container housing.

[0036] In a suitable alternative design, the at least one lower clamping unit is pivotably arranged on the container housing and can be folded out and in for adjustment between the inactive position and the active position with respect to the container housing, so that one can speak of a folding variant of the clamping unit in question.

[0037] For adjustment between the inactive position and the active position, the at least one lower clamping unit is preferably assigned an adjustment device of the generator container. The adjustment device is expediently located at least partially inside the container housing and is thus protected from contamination, which promotes long-term functionality. The adjustment device is preferably equipped with at least one manually operable manual actuation element, which is, for example, a rotary element. The manual actuation element can be located inside the container housing so that it is only accessible after opening the container housing, for example by folding back a housing cover.A design is considered more advantageous in which the at least one manual actuating element is arranged on the outside of the container housing, so that the at least one lower clamping unit can be easily adjusted from the outside even without opening the generator container.

[0038] The adjusting device includes, for example, at least one eccentric mechanism, wherein, if there are several lower clamping units, each lower clamping unit is preferably assigned its own eccentric mechanism.

[0039] The adjustment device includes, for example, a spring element. Advantageously, the at least one lower clamping unit is spring-loaded, and preferably, if multiple lower clamping units are present, each lower clamping unit is assigned its own spring element.

[0040] For example, the lower clamping unit can be adjusted to the active position by adjusting the eccentric mechanism to an active position against the spring force of the spring element and to the inactive position by adjusting the eccentric mechanism to an inactive position by the spring force of the spring element.

[0041] It is advantageous if the vacuum clamping device has a switching device that can cause the at least one lower clamping unit to be fluidically separated from the vacuum generator in the inactive position and fluidly connected to the vacuum generator in the active position. The switching device contains, for example, a sensor system for monitoring the position of the at least one lower clamping unit. The sensor system ensures, for example, that a control valve connected between the vacuum generator and the at least one lower clamping unit opens or closes the fluid connection depending on the position. The sensor system preferably operates contactlessly and contains, for example, a Hall sensor that can be activated by a permanent magnet.

[0042] As an alternative to a sensor system, the switching on and off of the vacuum for the at least one lower suction unit can also be controlled mechanically, for example, via a valve device which is mechanically actuated by the adjusting device, for example the eccentric mechanism(s).

[0043] Preferably, an electronic control unit is located in the generator container, by means of which, for example, the suction function with respect to the at least one upper clamping unit and / or the at least one lower clamping unit can be controlled. For example, the operating state of the vacuum generator can be specified by the electronic control unit and / or the electronic control unit is capable of controlling one or more electrically actuated control valves, by means of which the fluid connection between the vacuum generator and the existing clamping units can be controlled.

[0044] The electronic control unit is conveniently a component of the switching device.

[0045] The generator container is preferably designed such that the at least one upper clamping unit can be subjected to a vacuum independently of the at least one lower clamping unit and / or ventilated to reduce the vacuum. The at least one lower clamping unit can preferably only be ventilated to reduce the vacuum if the at least one upper clamping unit has already been ventilated to reduce the vacuum. This ensures that the clamping function between the generator container and the substrate is not inadvertently deactivated at a time when an object to be processed is still clamped to at least one upper clamping unit for processing and may currently be undergoing processing. This safety function is implemented in particular via the electronic control unit already mentioned above.

[0046] In a preferred configuration, the vacuum clamping device has at least one external clamping unit that is separate from the generator container and can be handled independently of the generator container. The at least one external clamping unit can be detachably connected to the vacuum generator of the generator container and connected for use by means of a vacuum line, referred to as an external vacuum line for easier differentiation, which is particularly flexible and expediently formed by a hose. In this way, the possible applications of the vacuum clamping device are expanded. Each external clamping unit provides at least one external clamping surface, the design of which can correspond to that of the clamping surfaces of the upper and / or lower clamping unit. One or each external clamping unit is expediently plate-shaped, which facilitates its accommodation inside the generator container when not in use.Each external clamping unit has, for example, only a single external clamping surface or is preferably equipped with several and in particular with two external clamping surfaces, one of which is located on an upper side and the other on an underside of the external clamping unit.

[0047] The external vacuum line is expediently a separate component of the vacuum clamping device from the generator container and the at least one external clamping unit. A vacuum connection for detachably connecting the external vacuum line leading to an external clamping unit is expediently arranged on the outside of the container housing of the generator container. This vacuum connection is also referred to as an external vacuum connection for easier differentiation. The external vacuum connection is preferably a plug-in connection. For example, the external vacuum connection can be equipped with a shut-off device that closes the external vacuum connection when the vacuum line is removed and only opens it when the vacuum line is connected.

[0048] The vacuum clamping device can have several external clamping units that can be fluidically linked to each other for their vacuum supply, in particular via at least one external vacuum line. This makes it possible to connect a first external clamping unit to the generator container and a second external clamping unit to the first external clamping unit, and so on, creating a serial suction connection between several external clamping units.

[0049] The container housing of the generator container expediently defines a container interior, which, if at least one external clamping unit is present, is designed as a storage space for the removable storage of the at least one external clamping unit and, expediently, any external vacuum line present. In this way, the at least one external clamping unit can be carried within the generator container and is readily accessible at all times.

[0050] The generator container is expediently designed such that each upper clamping unit and each lower clamping unit present are deactivated when at least one external clamping unit is connected and / or operated. The aforementioned electronic control unit is preferably designed for such an operating mode. For example, the generator container is equipped with a detection device that interacts with the electronic control unit and is capable of detecting an external vacuum line connected to the external vacuum connection.

[0051] Conveniently, an operating device for the internal vacuum generator is located on the housing of the generator container, which can be accessed from outside the generator container. This way, operating the clamping function of the vacuum clamping device does not require access to the interior of the generator container.

[0052] In the simplest case, switching the vacuum on and off with respect to the at least one upper and / or lower clamping unit can be achieved by switching the vacuum generator on or off, so that it exerts a suction effect or causes ventilation depending on the operating state. In this case, the vacuum generator remains continuously in operation to generate the vacuum-based clamping force.

[0053] Alternatively, at least one control valve, preferably electrically actuated, may be provided. This valve has a ventilation function that is activated, for example, when the vacuum generator is switched off, but can preferably also be activated independently of the vacuum generator's operating state using the control device. Particularly with such a design, a pressure switch may be provided that monitors the currently generated negative pressure and ensures that the vacuum generator is temporarily shut down if and as long as the generated negative pressure is sufficiently high to ensure reliable clamping.

[0054] The operating device expediently has a removable operating unit that is detachably attached to the container housing and, when removed, can be used as a remote control unit for the internal vacuum generator. This removable operating unit can expediently also be used to operate the internal vacuum generator when attached to the container housing. Remote control is particularly radio-based, preferably using the Bluetooth standard, so that convenient remote control is possible even without visual contact with the device housing. The remote control allows, for example, convenient switching the vacuum generator on and off when a workpiece is clamped to the generator container that protrudes beyond the generator container and makes access to the generator container difficult or impossible.

[0055] In addition to or as an alternative to the removable control unit, the control device may have a control unit permanently integrated into the container housing, which is referred to as a stationary control unit for ease of differentiation. The stationary control unit is expediently attached to a peripheral wall of the container housing or integrated into it.

[0056] For advantageous combined use of the generator container with additional storage containers, it is advantageous if the container housing of the generator container has a rectangular footprint transverse to the container height direction, measuring approximately 40 cm by 30 cm. The additional storage containers preferably have the same grid dimensions.

[0057] The generator container is preferably equipped with a mechanical coupling system designed to stack the generator container and at least one additional storage container, which has at least a partially and preferably entirely identical coupling system, on top of one another and to detachably couple them together in a manner that cannot be separated from one another to create a uniformly transportable container stack assembly. The at least one additional storage container can be a component of the vacuum clamping device and can be used, for example, to carry accessories that do not fit inside the generator container, such as larger external clamping units or additional batteries.

[0058] The mechanical coupling system offers the advantageous possibility of transporting and storing the generator container in a compact stacked arrangement with storage containers containing, for example, tools typically used on construction sites. Such additional storage containers can be equipped with power tools such as cordless screwdrivers, saws, or grinders.

[0059] The coupling system of the generator container expediently has an upper coupling device in the region of the container top side and a lower coupling device in the region of the container bottom side, wherein these upper and lower coupling devices make it possible to stack the generator container and at least one additional storage container having a mechanical coupling system with similar upper and / or lower coupling devices on top of one another and to detachably couple them together in a manner that cannot be separated from one another in order to obtain a uniformly transportable container stack assembly.

[0060] It is expedient if the vacuum clamping device has, in addition to the generator container, at least one additional storage container which has a coupling system which is similar to that of the generator container, such that the generator container can be detachably coupled to an additional storage container arranged on the generator container and / or to an additional storage container arranged below the generator container in a manner which cannot be separated from one another to form a uniformly transportable container stack assembly.

[0061] The upper coupling device and the lower coupling device are, in particular, adapted to one another in such a way that containers sitting on top of one another can be releasably connected to one another in a non-removable manner by coupling the mutually facing upper and lower coupling devices. In the coupled state, a tensile-resistant connection is created in the stacking direction, which can be released if necessary by decoupling the associated coupling devices. By lifting the uppermost container, be it the generator container or an additional storage container, the entire container stack assembly can be lifted and transported. If the generator container is placed at the top of the container stack assembly, the at least one container carrying handle arranged on it can be used for manual transport of the container stack assembly, in particular an upper container carrying handle of the generator container.

[0062] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the vacuum clamping device according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the front, wherein an enlarged image section (a) shows a preferred groove structure of an upper clamping surface of the upper clamping unit and a length section of a sealing strip inserted into this groove structure and wherein an enlarged image section (b) shows the channel opening of a suction channel opening into the groove structure and communicating with the vacuum generator, Figure 2 shows a perspective rear view of the generator container from Figure 1, wherein a receiving shaft formed in the generator container and equipped with two replaceable accumulators is visible and wherein a separate image section (a) shows the unequipped receiving shaft and the accumulators removed from the receiving shaft, Figure 3 a perspective bottom view of the generator container of the Figures 1 and 2 , from which two lower clamping units arranged on the underside of the container can be seen, which are adjustable clamping units that are in an inactive position, whereby an enlarged image section (a) shows one of the two lower clamping units when it assumes an active position, Figure 4 the generator container of the Figures 1 to 3in an open state, in which a view into a container interior is provided, in which a vacuum generator and components of an adjustment device suitable for adjusting the lower clamping units are located, wherein an enlarged image section (a) shows a manual actuating element of the adjustment device arranged on the outside of a container housing of the generator container and wherein furthermore in an enlarged image section (b) a preferred embodiment of an eccentric mechanism of the adjustment device arranged in the container interior is illustrated, Figure 5 shows a section through the generator container equipped with an upper clamping unit and two lower clamping units Figures 1 to 4 according to section line VV from Figures 1 and 4, wherein the upper clamping unit is received in a receiving recess of the container housing formed on the container top side, wherein in a picture part (a) an alternative equipment of the generator container in an upper clamping unit designed as a container attachment is shown and wherein in a picture part (b) a possible one-piece integration of the upper clamping unit into the container housing is illustrated, wherein furthermore in the lower part of the picture a possible embodiment of lower clamping units which can be pivoted or folded with respect to the container housing is shown schematically in dash-dotted lines, Figure 6 a compared to the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5 embodiment of the vacuum clamping device supplemented by at least one external clamping unit, wherein a corresponding to the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5designed generator container is visible, to which an external clamping unit is connected via a flexible external vacuum line, wherein an optional further external clamping unit is illustrated in dashed lines, which can be connected to the external clamping unit connected to the generator container if required, wherein, moreover, a removable operating unit designed as a remote control unit is shown in the state removed from the container housing, Figure 7 from Figure 6visible generator container in an open state, wherein the possibility of stowing one or more external clamping units in the container interior, which in this case also functions as a storage space for accessories, is indicated by dash-dotted lines, Figure 8 shows an advantageous possibility for alternatively equipping the generator container with different types of upper clamping units, wherein the image part (a) shows a plate-shaped design of an upper clamping unit and the image parts (b) and (c) each show a plate-shaped design of an upper clamping unit, wherein the two plate-shaped upper clamping units of the image parts (b) and (c) differ from one another in the surface dimensions of their upper clamping surfaces, wherein in all three image parts (a), (b) and (c) an enlarged section of the upper clamping surface is shown, from which, among other things, a groove structure formed in the upper clamping surface can be seen,Figure 9 shows a modified embodiment of the vacuum clamping device, the generator container in the lower area of ​​which corresponds to the embodiment of the , Figures 1 to 8is designed and accordingly has two lower clamping units, whereas no upper clamping unit is present and instead the generator container is equipped with a work plate on the top, which allows the placement and mechanical clamping as required of an object, in particular to be processed, Figure 10 shows an advantageous embodiment of the vacuum clamping device, in which the generator container is incorporated into a container stack assembly, wherein it is arranged between two storage containers arranged vertically one above the other and used for other purposes, wherein a section of the image (a) illustrates a side view of the generator container and the sections of the two additional storage containers adjacent to the generator container at the top and bottom, wherein in cutouts of the image section (a) further details of a mechanical coupling system provided for container coupling can be seen,and Figure 11 an exploded view of the in , Figure 10 illustrated container stack assembly.

[0063] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the following description of a vacuum clamping device designated overall by reference number 1 refers to all embodiments.

[0064] The vacuum clamping device 1 contains a transportable container, referred to as a generator container 2 due to its function, which will be described later. The container is equipped with at least one clamping unit 3, with the assistance of which a clamping force based on a negative pressure or vacuum can be generated. For example, the generator container 2 has several such clamping units 3.

[0065] The at least one clamping unit 3 is arranged on the outside of the generator container 2, whereby it can be placed on different sides of the container depending on the intended use.

[0066] The generator container 2 has a container vertical axis 4 extending in a container vertical direction 4a between a container bottom side 7 and a container top side 8, a container longitudinal axis 5 orthogonal to the container vertical axis 4 and a container transverse axis 6 orthogonal to both the container vertical axis 4 and the container longitudinal axis 5. The container longitudinal axis 5 extends in a container longitudinal direction 5a between a container front side 11 and a container rear side 12. The container transverse axis 6 extends along a container transverse direction 6a between two lateral container end faces 13, 14, which for better differentiation are also referred to as first and second container end faces 13, 14.

[0067] The generator container 2 is expediently suitable, among other things, for Figures 10 and 11In the illustrated embodiment, the storage container 15 can be stacked on top of one another in the container height direction 4a together with at least one storage container 15 that is present in addition to the generator container 2 and expediently also belongs to the vacuum clamping device 1, forming a container stack 16. In this case, it is particularly possible to place the generator container 2 with its container bottom 7 on a lower additional storage container 15, 15a and / or to place an upper additional storage container 15, 15b on the container top 8 of the generator container 2.In this context, it is advantageous if the generator container 2, according to the illustrated embodiments, is equipped with a mechanical coupling system 17, which makes it possible to detachably couple the generator container 2 within a container stack 16 with an additional storage container 5 placed above and / or below it to form a uniformly transportable container stack assembly 16a in a manner that cannot be separated from one another. The said at least one additional storage container 15, 15a, 15b is in particular equipped with an at least partially and preferably completely identical mechanical coupling system 17 in order to be able to implement the desired mechanical coupling and accordingly form a container stack assembly 16a that is tensile-resistant and coherent in the container height direction 4a.

[0068] The mechanical coupling system 17 expediently includes an upper coupling device 17a arranged on the generator container 2 in the region of the container top 8 and a lower coupling device 17b arranged in the region of the container bottom 7. Each additional storage container 15 expediently also has a corresponding equipment with upper and lower coupling devices 17a, 17b, although at least one additional storage container 15 can easily have only an upper coupling device 17a or a lower coupling device 17b, which, however, entails that the generator container 2 can only be coupled to the relevant additional storage container 15 either at the top or at the bottom.The upper and lower coupling devices 17a, 17b are adapted to one another in such a way that, through their interaction, the containers 2, 15 stacked directly on top of one another can be releasably coupled to one another in a manner that prevents them from being removed from one another. Such a coupled state is shown in FIG. Figure 10 shown and will be discussed in more detail below.

[0069] The container stack assembly 16a can be carried and transported manually, if necessary, by simply grasping the uppermost container 2 or 15. At least the generator container 2, but preferably also each additional storage container 15, has at least one carrying handle that can be grasped with one hand for this purpose, which in the case of the generator container 2 is referred to as the container carrying handle 52, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0070] The generator container 2 has a container housing 18 with a cuboid-shaped basic structure. In this context, the container housing 18 has an at least substantially rectangular floor plan, viewed transversely to the container height direction 4a, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the container vertical axis 4, with, in particular, sides of unequal length, preferably in a format of approximately 40 cm by 30 cm. This rectangular format facilitates combined use with additional storage containers 15 used for transport tasks, which are expediently designed in the same floor plan format. In this way, the vacuum clamping device 1 can be used to create a container system that can be transported and stored easily and in a space-saving manner. By way of example, the rectangular floor plan of the container housing 18 is designed such that the container housing 18 is shorter on the outside in the container longitudinal direction 5a than in the container transverse direction 6a.

[0071] The container housing 18 has a housing wall 19 which encloses a container interior 22 designed as a hollow space. The container housing 18 has a housing cover 23 which contributes to the formation of the housing wall 19 and which can be optionally made of one of the Figures 1 to 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 and 9 visible closed position or in at least one of the Figures 4 and 7 visible open position. The container interior 22 is accessible in at least one open position of the housing cover 23 through a then exposed container opening 24, which is covered by the housing cover 23 in the closed position, so that the container interior 22 is sealed and inaccessible from the outside.

[0072] The container housing 18 can be designed, for example, in a manner not illustrated, such that the housing cover 23 is located on one of the two container end faces 13, 14, so that the container interior 22 is horizontally accessible from the side in a normal use position of the generator container 2, in which the vertical axis 4 of the container extends at least substantially vertically. However, the design realized in all illustrated embodiments, in which the housing cover 23 is located on the container top 8, is considered more advantageous and the following explanations are based on this.

[0073] The container housing 18 expediently has a box-shaped housing lower part 25, which delimits the container interior 22 and which frames the container opening 24 facing the container top 8, to which the housing cover 23 is assigned. In the closed position of the housing cover 23, the container interior 22 is jointly enclosed by the housing lower part 25 and the housing cover 23 sitting thereon. Preferably, the housing cover 23 is pivotally mounted on the housing lower part 25, so that it can be pivoted within the scope of a Figure 4 by means of a pivoting movement 26 indicated by a double arrow, it can be moved either into the closed position or into various open positions pivoted more or less far upwards.

[0074] The preferably one-piece and in particular made of plastic housing lower part 25 has a bottom wall 27 closing off the container interior 22 on the container underside 7 and a peripheral wall 28 projecting upwards from the four edge regions of the bottom wall 27 arranged at right angles to one another in the container height direction 4a. The peripheral wall 28 encloses the container interior 22 around the container vertical axis 4, wherein on its upper side opposite the bottom wall 27 it has an upper wall end section 31 which frames the container opening 24.

[0075] The peripheral wall 28, which is preferably integrally connected to the bottom wall 27, is composed, for example, of a front wall 32 on the container front side 11, a rear wall 33 on the container rear side 12, and an end wall 34 on each of the two container end sides 13, 14. The front wall 32, rear wall 33, and end walls 34 belong to the housing wall 19.

[0076] To enable the pivoting movement 26, the housing cover 23 is expediently pivotably mounted on the housing base 25 in the region of the container rear side 12 about a pivot axis 35 extending in the container transverse direction 6a. The associated pivot bearing means are expediently located in the region of the upper wall section 31, and there, in particular, in the transition area between the two end walls 34 and the rear wall 33.

[0077] The closed position of the housing cover 23 is expediently releasably lockable. For this purpose, suitable locking means 36, which can be operated manually, are located, for example, in the area of ​​the container front side 11 on the outside of the container housing 18. For example, the locking means 36 comprise a rotary latch 37 rotatably mounted on the housing cover 23 and a locking projection 38 arranged externally on the front wall 32 of the housing lower part 25. The rotary latch 37 is rotatable about an axis of rotation 41, which, in the closed position of the housing cover 23, is parallel to the container longitudinal axis 5, as indicated by double arrow 41a, and can thus be selectively brought into and out of locking engagement with the associated locking projection 38.

[0078] The locking means 36 could also be of a different design and, for example, have at least one locking tab movably attached to the housing lower part 25, which can interact with a locking projection of the housing cover 23.

[0079] On the outside of the container housing 18, at least one container carrying handle 42, which has already been briefly mentioned above and can be grasped with one hand, is arranged, which can be grasped and in particular grasped with one hand in order to be able to lift and carry the generator container 2 for the purpose of moving it between different locations.

[0080] Preferably, a container carrying handle 42, also referred to as upper container carrying handle 42a for better differentiation, is located on the container top 8 of the generator container 2. In the illustrated embodiments, the upper container carrying handle 42a is located on the housing cover 23, whereby according to the embodiment of the Figure 9can be designed to be immovable relative to the housing cover 23 or, according to the other embodiments, can be pivoted relative to the housing cover 23.

[0081] The immovable upper container carrying handle 42a results in the embodiment of the Figure 9 from a through-passage slot introduced into the housing cover 23 or into a component arranged on the housing cover 23, into which one can reach with one hand in order to grasp an edge region of the through-passage slot and thereby grasp and lift the generator container 2. Such a design is advantageous, among other things, when, according to the embodiment of the Figure 9 on the top side 8 of the generator container 2 there is no vacuum-based clamping unit 3 arranged, but a work plate 43 onto which a Figure 5An object 44, schematically indicated representatively, can be placed thereon for the purpose of processing it. While the container housing 18 is preferably made of plastic, the worktop 43 fastened to the container housing 18 can be made of a different material and, for example, can be made of wood. Furthermore, a plurality of fastening openings 45 placed in a suitable distribution can be formed in the worktop 43, which allow the hooking or insertion of fastening tools, for example screw clamps, with the aid of which an object 44 to be processed can be releasably fixed to the worktop 43.

[0082] Apart from the work plate 43 instead of an upper clamping unit 3, 3a, the structure of the generator container corresponds to the Figure 9 the one according to the Figures 1 to 8 , 10 and 11 .

[0083] The upper container carrying handle 42a, which is designed to be pivotable in the other embodiments, is in the context of a Figure 2 by a double arrow illustrated pivoting movement 46 optionally in a non-use position pivoted towards the housing cover 23 or in a use position 47 projecting upwards from the housing cover 23, wherein the use position 47 of the pivotable upper container carrying handle 42a in Figure 2 The pivot axis of the upper container carrying handle 42a is indicated by dash-dotted lines at 48 and preferably runs in the container transverse direction 6a.

[0084] The upper container carrying handle 42a is preferably a U-shaped bow handle which, for example, has a connecting web 49b extending between two handle legs 49a and which is pivotably mounted about the pivot axis 48 via the two handle legs 49a.

[0085] In the area of ​​the pivotable upper container carrying handle 42a, a recess is expediently formed on the outside of the housing cover 23 on the container top side 8, which recess is referred to as a handle receptacle 52 and in which the upper container carrying handle 42a is fully or partially received when not in use. The housing cover 23 preferably has an upper housing outer surface 53 on the container top side 8 that is recessed in the area of ​​the handle receptacle 52 and frames the handle receptacle 52 on the outside. The surface section of the housing outer surface 53 that frames the handle receptacle 52 is expediently not overhanged by the upper container carrying handle 42a folded up against the housing cover 23. In other words, the upper container carrying handle 42a folded up against the housing cover 23 expediently does not protrude upwards beyond the housing cover 23.

[0086] The pivot axis 48 is expediently arranged centrally on the container housing 18 with respect to the container longitudinal direction 5a, so that the container housing 18, in the raised state, assumes an at least substantially horizontal orientation in which both the container longitudinal axis 5 and the container transverse axis 6 extend horizontally.

[0087] It is advantageous if the generator container 2, in addition to the upper container carrying handle 42a, has a further container carrying handle 42, which is referred to as the front container carrying handle 42b and is located on the container front side 11 on the outside of the container housing 18. The front container carrying handle 42b is preferably arranged on the outside of the front wall 32 of the housing lower part 25, in particular symmetrically centrally with respect to the container transverse axis 6.

[0088] Like the upper container carrying handle 42a, the front container carrying handle 42b can also, in principle, be fixedly arranged on the container housing 18 in a non-pivotable manner. However, it is more advantageous if the front container carrying handle 42b is pivotable relative to the container housing 18 in accordance with the Figure 1 It can then be pivoted analogously to the upper container carrying handle 42a either in a non-use position pivoted towards the outside of the front wall 32 or in a position pivoted (forward) away from the front wall 32, in Figure 1 position 56 indicated by dash-dotted lines.

[0089] The front container carrying handle 42b allows manual transport of the generator container 2 in an upright position, similar to a briefcase. It is understood that, unlike the illustrated embodiments, the generator container 2 may, for example, have only an upper container carrying handle 42a or only a front container carrying handle 42b.

[0090] As mentioned above, the generator container 2 is equipped with one or more clamping units 3 designed to perform a vacuum clamping function. With the exception of the embodiment of the Figure 9In the illustrated vacuum clamping devices 1, at least one clamping unit 3 is arranged on the container top 8, which is referred to as the upper clamping unit 3a for ease of differentiation. For example, this is precisely one upper clamping unit 3a, although several upper clamping units 3a could easily be present on the container top 8, distributed across the container housing 18.

[0091] In all illustrated embodiments of the vacuum clamping device 1, the generator container 2 also has at least one vacuum-based clamping unit 3 on its container bottom 7, which is also referred to as the lower clamping unit 3b for better differentiation. This can be just a single lower clamping unit 3b or several lower clamping units 3b distributed over the container bottom 7, wherein the illustrated embodiments each have exactly two lower clamping units 3b, which are particularly well known from Figures 3 and 5 This scope of equipment also applies in particular to the embodiment of the Figure 9 , in which the lower clamping units 3b are hidden due to the selected viewing angle and whose bottom view corresponds to that of the Figure 3 corresponds.

[0092] Each clamping unit 3 has a clamping surface 57 facing away from the container housing 18, which, for better differentiation, is also referred to as the upper clamping surface 57a in the case of the upper clamping unit 3a and as the lower clamping surface 57b in the case of each lower clamping unit 3b.

[0093] By means of the upper clamping unit 3a, in the area of ​​the upper clamping surface 57a, as shown in the illustration in Figure 5 Any object 44 can be releasably clamped to the generator container 2 using negative pressure. This requires that the object 44 is at least substantially airtight in the area to be clamped. The object 44 is, in particular, a workpiece on which grinding, drilling, or milling work, or other machining operations, are to be performed.

[0094] The lower clamping units 3b make it possible to clamp the generator container 2 as a whole, including the upper clamping unit 3a, with the lower clamping surface 57b on a Figure 5 schematically indicated base 58, which defines a base 58a on which the generator container 2 is placed during its intended use. For example, the base 58 is the floor of a building in which manual work is carried out.

[0095] When the clamping function of the clamping units 3 is activated, the object 44 is clamped against the upper clamping surface 57a, and each lower clamping unit 3b is clamped with its lower clamping surface 57b against the base surface 58a. This is caused by a negative pressure built up between the respective clamping unit 3, 3a, 3b and the associated object 44 and / or substrate 58. This negative pressure can be generated by means of a vacuum generator 59, which is housed in the interior space 22 of the generator container 2. When the clamping function is deactivated, the aforementioned negative pressure is eliminated, making it easy to reposition the generator container 2 that is no longer adhering to the substrate 58 and / or to remove an object 44 from the generator container 2 for its intended use.

[0096] In the Figure 5With regard to the clamping units 3, the deactivated clamping function is shown, in which a slight distance exists between the clamping surfaces 57 and the associated object 44 or substrate 58, which disappears when the clamping function is activated. The initial distance results, for example, from a rubber-elastic, deformable sealing strip 134 protruding beyond the respective clamping surface 57, which will be discussed further below.

[0097] The vacuum generator 59 is preferably of an electrically actuated type and is exemplified by an electrically operated vacuum pump 59a. The vacuum generator 59 has a generator housing 62, via which it is attached in a suitable manner, for example, to an inner wall surface 63 of the housing wall 19. The actual generator unit 64 is only Figure 5 indicated by dash-dotted lines and is expediently surrounded by the generator housing 62.

[0098] According to Figure 4When the housing cover 23 is open, the vacuum generator 59 is accessible from outside the generator container 2 through the container opening 24.

[0099] The vacuum generator 59 is fluidly connected to the existing clamping units 3 in such a way that an air flow causing a suction effect is possible between the vacuum generator 59 and each clamping unit 3. For simplicity, such a connection is also referred to below as a vacuum connection.

[0100] The vacuum connections to each upper clamping unit 3a and to each lower clamping unit 3b are expediently realized inside the container housing 18. For example, the vacuum generator 59 has a first vacuum connection 65a for the vacuum connection to the upper clamping unit 3a and at least one second vacuum connection 65b for vacuum connections to the two lower clamping units 3b.

[0101] The first vacuum connection 65a is implemented, for example, as a tubular first connection piece 66a, which has a connection opening facing the housing cover 23. The upper clamping unit 3a has a second connection piece 66b, complementary to the first connection piece 66a, which protrudes from the inner surface 67 of the housing cover 23 facing the container interior 22 in such a way that it dips into the first connection piece 66a, preferably in a sealed manner, at least in the closed position of the housing cover 23. A suction channel 68 extends through the second connection piece 66b, which opens to the upper clamping surface 57a via a channel opening 68a. At least and preferably only in the closed position of the housing cover 23, the suction channel 68 and thus also the channel opening 68a communicate via the first vacuum connection 65a with the vacuum generator 59 and can be subjected to a negative pressure by the latter.

[0102] The second connection piece 66b is expediently arranged according to Figure 4 When the housing cover 23 is opened, the second connecting piece 66b is pulled out of the first connecting piece 66a. When the housing cover 23 is subsequently closed, the second connecting piece 66b re-enters the first connecting piece 66a. Alternatively, the vacuum connection could also be permanently provided at this point, regardless of the position of the housing cover 23. The latter can be realized, for example, by means of a vacuum line that permanently connects the vacuum generator 59 to the suction channel 68, or by means of a vacuum line that permanently connects the first connecting piece 66a to the second connecting piece 66b or the wall opening 94 described below, wherein the respective vacuum line is particularly flexible.

[0103] To implement the vacuum connection between the second vacuum port 65b and a respective lower clamping unit 3b, a flexible internal vacuum line 69, hereinafter referred to simply as the internal vacuum line 69, is provided. The internal vacuum lines 69 are, in particular, elastically flexible vacuum hoses laid in the container interior 22. Each internal vacuum line 69 is connected to a suction channel 72 of the respective lower clamping unit 3b, which opens to the associated lower clamping surface 57b via a channel opening 72a.

[0104] For example, the two lower clamping units 3, 3b are connected to a jointly assigned second vacuum connection 65b via the internal vacuum line 69 assigned to them.

[0105] In the illustrated embodiments, the electrically actuated vacuum generator 59 is designed for a battery-based power supply. The generator container 2 expediently has at least one battery receptacle 73, which can be equipped with at least one rechargeable battery 72 providing the required operating energy. For example, the battery receptacle 73 is suitable for simultaneous installation of two batteries 74. The vacuum clamping device is preferably designed for operation with an 18-volt operating voltage, but can expediently be increased to a 36-volt operating voltage by using two batteries 74 simultaneously. Alternatively, the operating time can be extended by using two batteries 74.

[0106] By way of example, the battery receiving location 73 has a receiving shaft 75 integrated into the container housing 18, which has a mounting opening 75a which is accessible from the outside even when the generator container 2 is closed, through which the at least one battery 74 can be inserted according to the separate image section (a) in Figure 2 can be inserted into the receiving slot 75 and through which it can be removed again if necessary in order to be recharged using an external charger.

[0107] According to a modified design not shown, the battery receiving space 73 can alternatively be located in the container interior 22.

[0108] Also not illustrated is an alternative embodiment with at least one accumulator 74 permanently installed in the container housing 18, which can be charged via a connecting cable that can be connected to an external voltage source.

[0109] In an embodiment also not illustrated, an additional or alternative battery-based operating possibility exists in that the generator container 2 is equipped with an electromechanical battery connection device to which an external voltage source in the form of an external battery unit can be connected via a cable connection.

[0110] To activate and deactivate the clamping function of the clamping units 3 as needed, the generator container 2 is expediently equipped with a manually operable operating device 76. The operating device 76 is preferably arranged on the container housing 18 such that it is accessible for operation from outside the generator container 2. It is preferably arranged on the outside of the container housing 18.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiments, the operating device 76 is located on the container front 11 and there in particular on the front wall 32 of the housing lower part 25. The battery receiving space 73 and thus also the at least one accumulator 74 arranged thereon are connected, for example, via a first electrical line connection 77a to the operating device 76 and via a second electrical line connection 77b to the generator unit 64. The operating state of the vacuum generator 59 depends on whether or not it is supplied with electrical operating voltage via the second electrical line connection 77b. This, in turn, can be influenced by selectively switching the power supply on and off by means of the at least one accumulator 74 using the operating device 76.

[0112] By means of the operating device 76, the generator unit 64 can be switched on and off, for example, when the operating voltage is constant.

[0113] When the power supply is switched on, the generator unit 64 is in operation and provides a negative pressure at the vacuum ports 65a, 65b, thus activating the clamping function. When the power supply is switched off, the generator unit 64 is inoperative, so that the vacuum ports 65a, 65b—in particular, through the vacuum generator 59—communicate with the atmosphere and are consequently ventilated, thus deactivating the clamping function.

[0114] To provide the negative pressure required for the clamping function of the at least one clamping unit 3, a pressure accumulator, also referred to as a negative pressure vessel, can be connected downstream of the vacuum generator 59, which is evacuated by the vacuum generator 59 and which, if appropriate, is also located in the generator vessel 2. In this case, the clamping function is independent of the current operating state of the vacuum generator 59, which only has to ensure that sufficient negative pressure is provided in the pressure accumulator. Activation and deactivation of the vacuum generator 59 is expediently sensor-controlled depending on the negative pressure in the pressure accumulator. To detect the negative pressure, the pressure accumulator is expediently equipped with a pressure sensor. To activate and deactivate the clamping function, at least one control valve is expediently present.In particular, control valves 135a, 135b, 135c described below are connected to the pressure accumulator in this case.

[0115] It is advantageous if the vacuum clamping device 1, in addition to the upper and lower clamping units 3, 3a, 3b integrated or integrable into the generator container 2, has at least one external clamping unit 78, which can be detachably connected to the vacuum generator 59 if required and which is designed separately from the generator container 2 and can be handled independently of the generator container 2. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate such additional equipment.

[0116] For example, a vacuum connection 79 is arranged on the outside of the container housing 18, which is also referred to as an external vacuum connection 79 for better differentiation and which is connected to a third vacuum connection 65c of the vacuum generator 59 via a preferably flexible further internal vacuum line 69a laid in the container interior 22 and can be subjected to a negative pressure in this way.

[0117] An external clamping unit 78 can be connected to the external vacuum connection 79 via a flexible external vacuum line 82 belonging to the vacuum clamping device 1, which is equipped for this purpose with a suitable vacuum inlet 84a. The vacuum inlet 84a communicates via an internal channel structure (not further illustrated) with at least one clamping surface of the external clamping unit 78, referred to as the external clamping surface 83 for ease of differentiation, in that this internal channel structure opens out to the at least one external clamping surface 83 via a channel opening 90. When the vacuum generator 59 is activated, a suction effect can be generated through the external flexible vacuum line 82 in the region of the at least one external clamping surface 83, which makes it possible to carry out an external clamping process independently of the at least one clamping unit 3 of the generator container 3.

[0118] The external clamping unit 78 can be equipped with a single external clamping surface 83, which can be used to clamp an object to the external clamping unit 78 using vacuum and / or to clamp the external clamping unit 78 to a base 58 using vacuum. Preferably, the external clamping unit 78 has two oppositely oriented external clamping surfaces 83, one of which is the upper external clamping surface 83 on an upper side and the other of which is the lower external clamping surface 83 on an underside of the external clamping unit 78. This makes it possible to both clamp an object to the upper external clamping surface 83 and, at the same time, to clamp the external clamping unit to a base 58 using the lower clamping surface 83, so that the latter is securely fixed.

[0119] The external clamping unit 78 equipped with two external clamping surfaces 83 is expediently equipped with a control valve device which makes it possible to evacuate or ventilate the two external clamping surfaces 83 independently of one another, so that in particular it is possible to selectively clamp or release an object when the external clamping unit 78 is constantly clamped to a base 58.

[0120] The aforementioned control valve device of the external clamping unit 78 is expediently designed to be manually operable. This control valve device is preferably designed such that it can be actuated additionally or alternatively by means of the above-described operating device 76 of the generator container 2, in particular by means of the removable operating unit 76b usable as a remote control unit. Bluetooth remote control via smartphone and / or tablet can also be provided. The above allows convenient operation in cases where an object is clamped or is to be clamped on the external clamping unit 78 that projects beyond the outline of the external clamping unit 78.

[0121] The vacuum clamping device 1 can have several external clamping units 78, wherein the Figure 6 a scope of equipment of two external clamping units 78 and the Figure 7shows a configuration of three external clamping units 78. A multiple configuration of external clamping units 78 makes it possible, as shown in the illustration in Figure 6 to connect a first (78a) of the external clamping units 78 to the generator container 2 in the manner described above and to connect a further (78b) of the external clamping units 78 in a series circuit via a further flexible external vacuum line 82a to the first external clamping unit 78a. Each external clamping unit 78 expediently has, in addition to its vacuum inlet 84a, a vacuum outlet 84b communicating with the vacuum inlet 84a, so that a fluidic linking of several external clamping units 78, 78a, 78b is possible by connecting the vacuum outlet 84b of each external clamping unit 78 to the vacuum inlet 84a of the subsequent external clamping unit 78 via a further external flexible vacuum line 82a.

[0122] Conveniently, the vacuum outlet 84b of each external clamping unit 78 is assigned a shut-off device, which, depending on its design, can be manually removed or switches from a shut-off position to an open position when another external vacuum line 82a is connected. The shut-off device is, for example, a removable plug or a pilot-operated check valve.

[0123] It is advantageous if the external clamping units 78 are plate-shaped, which is the case in the illustrated embodiments. This shape results from a preferably plate-shaped clamping body 91 of a respective external clamping unit 78, which also defines the associated external clamping surface 83. In this way, the external clamping units 78 can be placed very stably on a surface, for example on the floor or on a work table. The plate-shaped construction also facilitates a compact, side-by-side arrangement when not in use, as shown in the illustration in Figure 7 , which in turn allows space-saving storage in the container interior 22 of the generator container 2, as shown in Figure 7This clearly shows that the container interior 22 can be designed as a storage space 22a, which, when not in use, allows the at least one external clamping unit 78 to be stored in a manner that is removable at any time for space-saving transport. The existing external vacuum lines 82, 82a can also be conveniently stowed in the storage space 22a.

[0124] In this context, an organization structure can be arranged in the container interior 22, which ensures an orderly reception and secure hold of the stored utensils.

[0125] In the illustrated embodiments, the operating device 76 contains both a stationary operating unit 76a that is firmly integrated into the container housing 18 and an independent operating unit 76b that is releasably fixed to the container housing 18 and can therefore be removed from the container housing 18 if necessary.

[0126] Preferably, both operating units 76a, 76b are arranged on the front wall 32, wherein they are expediently positioned adjacent to one of the two end walls 34. If present, the front container carrying handle 42b is arranged between the two operating units 76a, 76b. It is understood that the operating device 76 can also be located elsewhere on the container housing 18.

[0127] The stationary operating unit 76a preferably has an operating switch 85 for selectively switching the vacuum generator 59 on and off. This can be, for example, a toggle switch or a touch-sensitive switch.

[0128] Preferably, the stationary operating unit 76a also includes a pressure indicator 86 capable of visualizing at least one vacuum generated by the vacuum generator 59, allowing visual monitoring of operation at any time. The pressure indicator 86 is embodied, for example, in the form of an analog or digital manometer.

[0129] While the stationary operating unit 76a communicates, in particular via a cable, with the at least one accumulator 74 and / or the generator unit 64 and / or an electronic control unit 136 described below, the removable operating unit 76b is designed for wireless communication and, in particular, for radio communication with the generator unit 64 and / or the electronic control unit 136 described below. The preferably present radio communication is expediently based on the so-called Bluetooth standard.

[0130] A radio receiver 76c, which is expediently designed as a component of the electronic control unit 136 and is designed for communication with the removable operating unit 76b, is provided in Figure 4 indicated schematically.

[0131] As from Figure 6 As can be seen, the housing wall 19 has a fastening structure 87, via which the removable operating unit 76b can be mounted in a manner made, for example, of Figures 1 and 7 can be detachably fixed to the container housing 18 by assuming a container position 88a. In this container position 88a, the removable operating unit 76b, designed, for example, as a radio switch, can be used in a similar way to the stationary operating unit 76a. In addition, however, there is the Figure 6The possibility, indicated by a double arrow 89, of temporarily manually detaching the removable operating unit 76b from the container housing 18 and moving it from the container position 88a to a remote control position 88b detached from the container housing 18, in which position the removable operating unit 76b can be used as a remote control unit for the vacuum generator 59, independently of the generator container 2, with a variable relative position in this regard. This is particularly helpful when an object 44 to be clamped on the upper clamping unit 3a has a larger outline compared to the floor plan of the generator container 2 and forms an overhang that makes access to the operating unit 76 on the container housing 18 difficult. The use of the removable operating unit 76b is also advantageous in conjunction with the use of an external clamping unit 78, which is positioned at a distance from the generator container 2.This means that the removable control unit 76b can always be operated from an optimal location.

[0132] The container position 88a of the removable operating unit 76b is conveniently secured by locking means.

[0133] The mounting interface 87 can, for example, be designed according to the Figure 6 be designed as a window-like wall recess in the peripheral wall 28, into which the removable operating unit 76b can be releasably inserted to assume the container position 88a.

[0134] The fastening interface 87 is advantageously designed such that the removable operating unit 76b in the container position 88a does not protrude beyond a maximum outer dimension of the container housing 18.

[0135] The removable control unit 76b is equipped with suitable input means, for example an input keyboard, in order to be able to enter the desired operating commands.

[0136] In non-illustrated embodiments of the vacuum clamping device 1, the generator container 2 is equipped with an operating device 76 which has exclusively a stationary operating unit 76a or exclusively a removable operating unit 76b.

[0137] The operating device 76 is expediently designed in such a way that, if required, a radio remote control by means of a smartphone and / or tablet is also possible, in particular using the so-called Bluetooth standard.

[0138] Each existing clamping unit 3 is expediently designed separately with respect to the container housing 18, wherein it is fixed to the container housing 18 at least in its ready-to-use position. For fixing the upper clamping unit 3a, for example, a Figure 5recognizable snap-in connection device 92 is provided, which enables a screwless fastening of the upper clamping unit 3a to the housing wall 19 and, for example, to the housing cover 23.

[0139] Unless otherwise stated, the explanations of the upper clamping unit 3a refer to the position of use attached to the container housing 18.

[0140] The housing cover 23 defines a wall section of the housing wall 19 of the container housing 18 that spans the container opening 24 in the closed position, this wall section being referred to as the cover wall 93 for ease of differentiation. In the closed position of the housing cover 23, the cover wall 93 has a general extension orthogonal to the vertical axis 4 of the container, wherein it is preferably substantially plate-shaped, but is expediently structured to maintain sufficient rigidity, for example by a circumferential raised edge and / or ribbing.

[0141] For example, the cover wall 93 has a wall opening 94 through which the second connecting piece 66b protrudes. The locking connection device 92 contains, for example, at least one locking projection arranged on the outer circumference of the second connecting piece 66b, which engages under the cover wall 93 at the edge of the wall opening 94 when the upper clamping unit 3a is mounted.

[0142] Preferably, the upper clamping unit 3a is plate-shaped, which in the present case is due to the fact that it has a plate-shaped clamping body 95 defining the upper clamping surface 57a. By way of example, the clamping body 95 is in all embodiments with the exception of the embodiments shown in the figure part (a) of the Figure 8The illustrated design is plate-shaped. In the latter, the clamping body 95 is plate-shaped. While a plate-shaped clamping body 95 has a round and preferably circular outer contour 96, the plate-shaped clamping body 95 has a polygonal and, in particular, rectangular outer contour. The rectangular clamping body 95 expediently has a greater length in the container's transverse direction 6a than in the container's longitudinal direction 5a.

[0143] The upper clamping unit 3a has a base surface 97 opposite the upper clamping surface 57a and facing the container housing 18 in the container height direction 4a. This base surface 97 is formed, as is the upper clamping surface 57a, on the clamping body 95.

[0144] The container housing 18 has, on the outside of the container top side 8, an upper housing outer surface 53, as already mentioned above, which, in the exemplary embodiments having a housing cover 23, is formed on the housing cover 23 and extends there, for example, beyond the cover wall 93 mentioned above. The upper clamping unit 3a is expediently arranged on the container housing 18 or on the housing cover 23 such that its base surface 97 rests against the upper housing outer surface 53 and is supported by it, in particular in the container height direction 4a. In conjunction with the locking connection device 92, this has the effect in the exemplary embodiment that the upper clamping unit 3a is firmly locked to the housing cover 23.

[0145] The locking connection device 92 can be designed to be non-detachable or detachable. A detachable design advantageously allows the upper clamping unit 3a to be disassembled as needed, for example, to replace it due to damage or to change the type of upper clamping unit 3a used.

[0146] Alternative fastening options using screws or welding are not shown.

[0147] A further, additional or alternatively possible fastening measure for the secure fixing of the upper clamping unit 3a to the container housing 18 and there in particular to the housing cover 23 is shown in Figure 5illustrated in dotted lines. In this case, the upper clamping unit 3a has a vacuum holding surface 97a on its base surface 97 opposite the upper clamping surface 57a, which, analogous to the upper clamping surface 57a, can be subjected to a vacuum generated by the vacuum generator 59. As a result, the upper clamping unit 3a can be clamped to a wall surface of the container housing 18 opposite the base surface 97, for example to the base surface 101a of the receiving recess 101, due to the vacuum. This creates a very strong bond between the upper clamping unit 3a and the container housing 18 in the container height direction 4a, which allows an object 44 to be processed to be securely clamped to the generator container 2 with particularly high holding forces.

[0148] To apply negative pressure, the vacuum holding surface 97a communicates with the suction channel 68, for example, via at least one connecting channel 97b formed in the clamping body 95. Each existing connecting channel 97b opens into the vacuum holding surface 97a via a channel opening 97d. For optimal distribution of the negative pressure, the clamping body 95 expediently has at least one recess 97c in the region of the vacuum holding surface 97a, into which the at least one connecting channel 97b opens with the channel opening 97d. The recess 97c extends, for example, in a ring shape around the second connecting piece 66b.

[0149] The application of vacuum to the upper clamping surface 57a and the vacuum holding surface 97a can, for example, occur practically simultaneously, since both aforementioned surfaces 57a, 97a communicate with the suction channel 68 in a fluidic parallel circuit. In principle, a fluidic series circuit would be possible as an alternative, in which the at least one connecting channel 97b does not communicate directly with the suction channel 68, but only indirectly by communicating with the upper clamping surface 57a, which in turn is connected to the suction channel 68.

[0150] Preferably, the container housing 18 is provided on the container top 8 with a Figures 5 and 8provided with a clearly visible receiving recess 101 in which the upper clamping unit 3a is received. The upper housing outer surface 53 lies inside the receiving recess 101 at a lower level in the container height direction 4a than outside the receiving recess 101 and forms a recess base surface 101a of the receiving recess 101, against which the inserted upper clamping unit 3b can rest with its base surface 97 and can be or is supported thereby.

[0151] The receiving recess 101 is laterally delimited by a circumferential edge surface 102 projecting upwards from the recess base surface 101a, which expediently provides at least partial transverse support for the inserted upper clamping unit 3a. It is advantageous if the circumferential edge surface 102 has a circumferential profile that is adapted to the outer contour 96 of the clamping body 95 and, in particular, is shaped complementarily thereto.

[0152] The upper clamping surface 57a extends in a Figure 5upper clamping plane 103, indicated by dash-dotted lines, which is preferably aligned orthogonally to the vertical axis 4 of the container. The receiving recess 101 and the clamping body 95 are expediently matched in height to one another such that the upper housing outer surface 53 outside the receiving recess 101 does not protrude beyond the upper clamping plane 103 and, at least in some areas, also lies in the upper clamping plane 103, so that in these areas it forms an object support surface 104 aligned with the upper clamping surface 57a. An object 44 to be clamped can thus not only be sucked onto the upper clamping surface 57a, but can simultaneously also be placed against the object support surface 104 formed by the housing wall 19 of the container housing 18, which completely or partially encloses the upper clamping surface 57a. In this way, an object 44 to be processed can be supported over a large area and accordingly stably, regardless of the dimensions of the upper clamping surface 57a.

[0153] In the Figure 5An alternative method of attaching an upper clamping unit 3a is illustrated in dash-dotted lines. It is characterized by the possibility of a height adjustment 105, indicated by a double arrow, relative to the container housing 18. The upper clamping unit 3a functions here as a container attachment with variable height positioning options. In this way, the upper clamping unit 3a can be positioned at a height above the container housing 18. This allows, in particular, a height adjustment of the upper clamping surface 57a to an additional support surface provided by an external structure, for example, if a particularly long object 44 is to be processed. The external structure is, in particular, one of the additional storage containers 15 already mentioned above.If the vacuum clamping device 1 is used together with a container system that has storage containers of different heights, a step-by-step height adjustment 105 can be provided, in which the gradation is based on the height difference of the additional storage containers 15 present.

[0154] For example, the locking connection device 92 can provide a multiple locking position in the container height direction 4a, for example in conjunction with a second connecting piece 66b which is sufficiently long to penetrate into the first connecting piece 66a in each set height position.

[0155] Even without a height adjustment option, an upper clamping unit 3a can be removably mounted on the container housing 18 as a container attachment. For example, it can be provided that an upper clamping unit 3a functioning as a container attachment can only be attached to the container housing 18 due to design specifications such that the upper clamping surface 57a occupies a certain height distance from the upper housing outer surface 53. Such a design makes it possible, among other things, to provide the clamping body 95 with an upper clamping surface 57a of any size and / or any contour, without restriction by the container housing 18. The container attachment can expediently be removed for transporting the generator container 2.

[0156] In the Figure 8In parts (a), (b), and (c), various variants of an upper clamping unit 3a are depicted, which can be mounted alternatively to one another on the container housing 18. This offers the user the possibility of quickly adapting the upper clamping surface 57a to a given object geometry. The receiving recess 101 is designed in particular such that each of the several upper clamping units 3a can be received therein. Additionally or alternatively, the design can also be such that the several upper clamping units 3a can be mounted on the container housing 18 in a height-adjustable manner in the manner explained somewhat further above, or with a fixed height spacing as container attachments.

[0157] In Figure 5In part (b) of the image, a section of an alternative design of the generator container 2 is shown, in which the upper clamping unit 3a is integrated into the container housing 18 such that the upper clamping surface 57a is formed directly by an integral wall section of the container housing 18. This integral wall section is expediently integrated in one piece into the housing wall 19. In other words, this means that the upper clamping surface 57a is formed directly by a section of the upper housing outer surface 53. By way of example, the upper clamping surface 57a is formed directly by the cover wall 93 of the housing cover 23.

[0158] Preferably, the upper clamping unit 3a, according to the illustrated embodiments, is designed such that it, and in particular its clamping body 95, is partially framed by the upper container carrying handle 42a, which assumes the non-use position. For example, the lid wall 93 on the container top side 8 forms a partition 106, by which the receiving recess 101 is separated from the handle receptacle 52. The partition 106 runs, for example, in the container transverse direction 6a and thus parallel to the connecting web 49b of the upper container carrying handle 42a. The two handle legs 49a each overlap the receiving recess 101 somewhat in the container longitudinal direction 5a, in particular with a section over which they are pivotably mounted in the region of the pivot axis 48 on the housing cover 23.

[0159] The following will discuss in more detail the at least one lower clamping unit 3b.

[0160] In principle, the at least one and exemplary two lower clamping units 3b can be arranged analogously to the image part (b) of the Figure 5 be integrated in one piece into the container housing 18. In all illustrated embodiments, however, each lower clamping unit 3b is a separate component with respect to the container housing 18 and is fixed captively to the container housing 18 by appropriate structural measures.

[0161] If the following refers to the two existing lower clamping units 3b, the relevant statements also apply accordingly to designs that have more than two lower clamping units 3b or only a single lower clamping unit 3b.

[0162] It is advantageous if each lower clamping unit 3b is plate-shaped or plate-shaped. For example, the lower clamping units 3b are plate-shaped, which is primarily due to a plate-shaped clamping body 107 that has a polygonal outer contour 108 in a plane orthogonal to the vertical axis 4 of the container. For example, the clamping bodies 107 are triangularly contoured, preferably with rounded corners.

[0163] The two lower clamping units 3b are preferably arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the container height direction 4a. For example, they are each assigned to one of two opposing edge regions of the container bottom 7. It has proven advantageous if the lower clamping units 3b are assigned to those two edge regions of the container bottom 7 to which the two end walls 34 of the peripheral wall 28 are also assigned. The clamping bodies 107, which are exemplary triangular in shape with rounded corners, are particularly oriented such that they have mutually facing triangular vertices and each have a triangular base opposite the triangular vertex, which extends parallel to one of the two end walls 34.

[0164] In an alternative design (not illustrated), only a single lower clamping unit 3b is present, which is arranged centrally in the region of the container bottom 7 and which expediently has a larger outline than each of the two exemplary lower clamping units 3b. The single lower clamping unit 3b expediently has a rectangular outline, with its dimensions in the container transverse direction 6a being larger than in the container longitudinal direction 5a.

[0165] The container housing 18 has a lower housing outer surface 111 on the container underside 7, which is formed, for example, on the bottom wall 27. The lower housing outer surface 111 defines a storage surface 112, via which the generator container 2 can be placed on any desired surface 58 and, for example, on the standing surface 58a. The storage surface 112 preferably extends in a storage plane 113 orthogonal to the container height direction 4a, which in Figure 5is indicated by dash-dotted lines.

[0166] The support surface 112 is defined, for example, by a plurality of raised feet 114 of the container housing 18, which are distributed within the outline of the lower housing outer surface 111 and are arranged, in particular, at specific points within the outline of the lower housing outer surface 111. The support surface 112 is thus composed of a plurality of support surface sections, each formed on a foot 114. With the feet 114 pointing downwards, the generator container 2 can be placed on the base 58.

[0167] Preferably, there are a total of four feet 114, each of which is assigned to one of the four corner areas of the lower housing outer surface 111.

[0168] The feet 114 project downwards with respect to a main surface section 111a of the lower housing outer surface 111, which is equivalent to the main surface section 111a being set back upwards with respect to the storage surface 112 in the container height direction 4a.

[0169] The two lower clamping units 3b are expediently each arranged at least partially between two feet 114 which are spaced apart from one another in the container longitudinal direction 5a.

[0170] Each lower clamping unit 3b expediently extends into one of two bottom wall openings 115 passing through the bottom wall 27 in the container height direction 4a. Each bottom wall opening 115 has a cross section which is adapted to the outer contour 108 of the associated clamping body 107 in such a way that the latter and thus the entire associated lower clamping unit 3b can be clamped in the respective bottom wall opening 115 by carrying out a Figures 3and 5 by an adjustment movement 116 indicated by a double arrow, relative to the container housing 18 in the container height direction 4a. For example, the interaction of the outer contour 108 with the inner contour of the associated bottom wall opening 115 results in a linear guide for the respective lower clamping unit 3b, so that the adjustment movement 116 is a linear movement in the container height direction 4a. The bottom wall openings 115 thus function as guide recesses formed in the housing wall 19.

[0171] Within the scope of the adjustment movement 116, each lower clamping unit 3b can be positioned either in an inactive position or in an active position. The inactive position is shown in the right-hand illustration of the Figure 3 visible and also in Figure 5 The active position is shown in the enlarged image section (a) of the Figure 3 and from Figure 5 In the inactive position, the lower clamping surface 57b is set back upwards in the container height direction 4a with respect to the storage plane 113 and extends, for example, in the same plane as the main surface section 111a of the lower housing outer surface 111. In the active position, the lower clamping surface 57b is located, depending on the surface structure of the substrate 58, either as in Figure 5 shown in the support plane 113 defined by the feet 114, or may also protrude slightly downward in this respect. In any case, the lower clamping units 3b can thus be positioned in an active position such that their lower clamping surface 57b rests against the base 58, like the support surface 112.

[0172] Each lower clamping unit 3b has an inner end section 118 located in the container interior 22, which has at least one securing projection 117 protruding beyond the outer contour 108 of the associated clamping body 107, by means of which the lower clamping unit 3b is held captively on the container housing 18. The at least one securing projection 117 can be supported on the inner surface of the bottom wall 27 and thereby prevent the lower clamping unit 3b from falling out of the container housing 18.

[0173] In Figure 5 An alternative folding variant 122 of the lower clamping units 3b is indicated in dash-dotted lines, in which the adjustment movement 116 indicated by a dash-dotted double arrow is a pivoting movement and which can be folded out and in with respect to the container housing 18 within the scope of a pivoting movement in order to position them optionally in the inactive position or in the active position.

[0174] In all cases, the inactive position of the lower clamping units 3b is intended for not performing a vacuum-based clamping function, while the active position is intended for performing a negative pressure-based clamping function in order to clamp the lower clamping units 3b and consequently the entire generator container 2 to a base 58. The mechanical force flow between the lower clamping units 3b and the container housing 18 takes place in the active position, for example, via the securing projections 117 supported on the bottom wall 27 in the container height direction 4a, and in the folding variant 122 via the associated articulated connections.

[0175] To effect the adjustment movement 116 and accordingly to position each lower clamping unit 3b in either the inactive or the active position, the generator container 2 is equipped with an adjustment device 123. The adjustment device 123 allows, in particular, manual switching of the lower clamping units 3b between the inactive position and the active position.

[0176] By way of example, the adjustment device 123 contains a separate, manually operable adjustment unit 123a, 123b for each lower clamping unit 3b, so that the two lower clamping units 3b can be adjusted and positioned independently of one another. Each adjustment unit 123a, 123b has a manual actuating element 124 arranged outside the container housing 18 and therefore accessible without opening the container housing 18. This manual actuating element 124 can be driven manually to perform an actuating movement 125, indicated by a double arrow, from which the desired adjustment movement 116 results.

[0177] Preferably, the manual actuating member 124 is a rotary member, wherein the actuating movement 125 is a rotary movement.

[0178] The interaction between the adjustment units 123a, 123b and the respectively associated lower clamping unit 3b takes place, for example, in the container interior 22 and is thus shielded from the environment of the generator container 2. Each adjustment unit 123a, 123b has a drive mechanism 126 that interacts with the associated lower clamping unit 3b in the container interior 22 and is designed, for example, as an eccentric mechanism 126a.

[0179] The eccentric mechanism 126a includes a shaft 127 extending through the peripheral wall 28 and rotatably mounted relative to the container housing 18. The manual actuating member 124 is arranged on the shaft 127 outside the container housing 18. The shaft 127 is provided in the container interior 22 with an eccentric member 128 having an outer contour 128a eccentric with respect to the shaft axis. With this eccentric outer contour 128a, the eccentric member 128 rests against the inner end portion 118 of the lower clamping unit 3b. The eccentric member 128 is, for example, a circular disk eccentrically attached to the shaft 127. By means of a return spring device 129 acting between the lower clamping unit 3b and the housing wall 19, the lower clamping unit 3b is constantly pretensioned in the direction of the inactive position against the eccentric outer contour 128a of the eccentric member 128.For example, the return spring device 129 contains at least one spring unit 131 with a bolt 131a belonging to the lower clamping unit 3b, which extends linearly displaceably through a support structure 130 arranged on the housing wall 19, and with a helical compression spring 131b mounted on the bolt, which is supported on the one hand on the bolt 131a and on the other hand on the support structure 130. A respective bolt 131a can form a linear guide for the lower clamping unit 3b through its interaction with the support structure 130 through which it extends, in addition to or alternatively to the bottom wall opening 115 framing the outer contour 108 of the clamping body 107.

[0180] By applying a torque to the manual actuating element 124, the associated lower clamping unit 3b can be pushed downward from the inactive position to the active position against the spring force of the return spring device 129. When turned back, the lower clamping unit 3b returns to the inactive position due to the spring force constantly acting on it.

[0181] It is understood that the drive mechanism 126 does not necessarily have to be designed as an eccentric mechanism 126a, but can also be based on a different power transmission principle and can be realized, for example, as a gear mechanism.

[0182] The two manual actuating elements 124 are expediently each assigned to one of the two end walls 34, each of which is traversed by a shaft 127, for example. In this way, the two adjusting units 123a, 123b can be conveniently operated simultaneously with two hands.

[0183] If necessary, especially in the case of an unfavorable surface structure of the substrate 58, only one of the several lower clamping units 3b can be used at a time. This is facilitated by the independent adjustability by means of separate adjustment units 123a, 123b. In principle, the two adjustment units 123a, 123b can also be functionally combined in such a way that they can always only be operated as a single unit. In this context, for example, it is possible to connect the two shafts 127 by a Figure 4 indicated through shaft 132, which is equipped with both eccentric members 128. In this case, one of the two manual actuation members 124 can even be dispensed with if necessary.

[0184] Each clamping unit 3 of the generator container 2, and in particular also each external clamping unit 78, is expediently provided with a groove structure 133 that frames and / or extends through the associated clamping surface 57a, 57b, 83 and the optional vacuum holding surface 97a. The groove structure 133 is formed in the associated clamping body 91, 95, 107. A rubber-elastic sealing strip 134, for example a sealing cord, is inserted and fixed into the groove structure 133 such that at least one section of the associated clamping surface 57a, 57b, 83 or the vacuum holding surface 97a that can be evacuated by the vacuum generator 59 is framed. The evacuatable section of each clamping surface 57a, 57b, 83 and the optional vacuum holding surface 97a is characterized in that it contains one of the channel openings 68a, 72a, 90, 97d, which communicates with one of the vacuum connections 65a, 65b, 65c.When the clamping function is deactivated, the sealing strip 134 used projects beyond the associated clamping surface 57a, 57b, 83 or the vacuum holding surface 97a and can cling to the object 44 to be clamped or to the substrate 58 to be clamped or the base surface 101a with a sealing effect, so that an evacuable space is created in which a vacuum suitable for a sufficient clamping force can be built up.

[0185] By way of example, the groove structure 133 in the lower clamping units 3b is formed exclusively by a single, annular, closed groove 133a, which frames an evacuatable area into which the suction channel 72 opens with a channel opening 72a. The sealing strip 134 is inserted into this single groove 133a as a closed ring structure. In the evacuatable area enclosed by the groove structure 133, the clamping body 107 expediently has a recess 109 for optimal distribution of the negative pressure.

[0186] The upper clamping unit 3a expediently also has a comparable equipment with a groove structure 133 and a sealing strand 134 as in the lower clamping units 3b on the base surface 97 provided with an optional vacuum holding surface 97a. The groove structure 133, which here is preferably formed by a single, annularly closed groove 133b, extends all around the vacuum holding surface 97a and the recess 97a optionally located there and accommodates a sealing strand 134 inserted as a closed ring structure, which sealingly rests against the opposite wall surface, for example the base surface 101a, so that the vacuum holding surface 97a is sealed off from the atmosphere.It is understood that the groove structure 133 of the vacuum holding surface 97a may additionally or alternatively be formed in the same manner as the upper clamping surface 57a, with regard to which reference is made to the following explanations.

[0187] In the upper clamping surface 57a of the upper clamping unit 3a and expediently also in each external clamping unit 78, the groove structure 133 is structured in a grid-like manner at least in some areas, so that the upper clamping surface 57a and the external clamping surface 83 have a checkerboard-like divided pattern that allows a variable insertion of the sealing strip 134 in order to vary the size and / or the contour of the evacuable section of the clamping surface for adaptation to the shape of an object 44 to be clamped.

[0188] The grid-like groove structure 133 promotes optimal distribution of the negative pressure across the associated clamping surface 57a, 83. The channel openings 68a, 90 are expediently located within a groove section of the grid-like groove structure 133.

[0189] In principle, the groove structure 133 can also be designed in the lower clamping units 3b as in the upper clamping unit 3a, just as it is possible to design the groove structures 133 in the upper clamping unit 3a and in the external clamping unit 78 as in the lower clamping units 3b.

[0190] The sealing strip 134 compresses during the clamping process so that the object 44 or the substrate 58 can rest against the associated clamping surface 57, 83 in the clamped state.

[0191] Conveniently, each of the existing vacuum connections 65a, 65b, 65c is assigned one of several electrically actuated control valves 135a, 135b, 135c of the generator container 2. A first control valve 135a can selectively close or open the first vacuum connection 65a, with the same applying to a second control valve 135b with respect to the second vacuum connection 65b and to a third control valve 135c with respect to the third vacuum connection 65c. These three control valves 135a, 135b, 135c, which are conveniently integrated into the vacuum generator 59, can be electrically controlled by means of an electronic control unit 136, indicated only schematically, located on board the generator container 2.

[0192] It is advantageous if the electronic control unit 136 communicates with the operating device 76 or is designed as an integral part of the operating device 76.

[0193] The electronic control unit 136, together with a sensor system 137 assigned to the adjustable lower clamping units 3b, expediently represents a switching device 138, which ensures that each lower clamping unit 3b is fluidically connected to the vacuum generator 59 for applying negative pressure only in the active position, while it is fluidically separated from the vacuum generator 59 in the inactive position. The sensor system 137 operates in particular without contact and expediently contains a position sensor that communicates with the electronic control unit 136. The electronic control unit 136 ensures that the second control valve 135b is only opened or can only be opened when the lower clamping units 3b are or have been moved into the active position.

[0194] The electronic control unit 136 expediently has a functionality such that the first and second control valves 135a, 135b can be controlled independently of one another, so that the upper clamping unit 3a can be subjected to a vacuum independently of the lower clamping units 3b. This functionality can be provided independently of sensor signals from the sensor system 137.

[0195] It is advantageous if the electronic control unit 136 is designed such that, starting from an operating state in which all clamping units 3 of the generator container 2 are in the vacuum-loaded clamping function, the lower clamping units 3b can only be ventilated to relieve the vacuum if the upper clamping unit 3a has been ventilated beforehand. Such a safety function can prevent the generator container 2 from losing its stability as long as an object 44 is still being processed.

[0196] The optional pressure switch mentioned above is expediently a pressure sensor and is preferably connected to the electronic control unit 136.

[0197] The generator container 2 is expediently designed such that each upper clamping unit 3, 3a and each lower clamping unit 3, 3b is or becomes deactivated when an external clamping unit 78 is connected and / or operated to the external vacuum connection 79. It can be provided that each upper clamping unit 3, 3a and each lower clamping unit 3, 3b cannot be activated when an external clamping unit 78 is connected to the external vacuum connection 79. The aforementioned electronic control unit 136 is preferably designed for such an operating mode. For example, the generator container 2 is equipped with a detection device 81 that interacts with the electronic control unit 136 and is capable of detecting an external vacuum line 82 connected to the external vacuum connection and reporting this to the electronic control unit 136 to trigger the aforementioned measures.

[0198] The operating device 76 can be designed such that the at least one upper clamping unit 3a, the at least one lower clamping unit 3b and the optional at least one external clamping unit 78 can be actuated individually and independently of one another for the purpose of evacuation or ventilation.

[0199] Returning to the preferred coupling option of the generator container 2 with at least one additional storage container 15, it is provided by way of example that the lower coupling device 17b has downwardly projecting coupling projections 141 arranged on the container underside 7, and the upper coupling device 17a has coupling recesses 142 arranged on the container upper side 8. When the generator container 2 and at least one additional storage container 15 are stacked on top of one another, the coupling projections 141 and coupling recesses 142 engage at least partially with one another, so that they overlap transversely to the container height direction 4a and bring about a mutual engagement that prevents the containers sitting on top of one another from lifting off one another.

[0200] It is advantageous if the coupling projections 141 arranged on the container bottom 7 are formed by the correspondingly designed feet 114 according to the illustrated embodiments.

[0201] The locking means 36 mentioned above expediently also belong at least partially to the mechanical coupling system 17. For example, the rotary latch 37 can be designed in such a way that it can be inserted into a Figure 10The central rotary latch 37 is rotatable into the coupling position shown, in which it positively couples the generator container 2 to the storage container 15 sitting thereon in the region of the container front 11 in a manner that cannot be separated from one another. The rotary latch 37 engages around the locking projection 38 of the generator container 2 and a coupling projection 141a of the additional storage container 15, which is arranged in the region of the container bottom 7 on the container front 11 and projects forwards. The generator container 2 also has such a forward-projecting coupling projection 141a, so that a comparable mechanical coupling is also possible downwards.

Claims

1. Vacuum clamping device, with a generator container (2) having a cuboid-shaped basic structure and accommodating a vacuum generator (59), designed in particular as a vacuum pump (59a), on which at least one container carrying handle (42, 42a, 42b) is arranged on the outside for carrying the generator container (2), and with at least one clamping unit (3, 3a, 3b) having a clamping surface (57, 57a, 57b) which can be subjected to a negative pressure generated by the vacuum generator (59) in order to generate a negative pressure-based clamping force in the region of the clamping surface (57, 57a, 57b), characterized by thatat least one upper clamping unit (3, 3a) designed to clamp an object (44), in particular formed by a workpiece to be machined, and having an upper clamping surface (57, 57a) which can be subjected to negative pressure is arranged on the outside of the generator container (2) on a container top side (8) oriented in a container height direction (4a) and / or that at least one lower clamping unit (3, 3b) designed to clamp the generator container (2) to a base (58) and having a lower clamping surface (57, 57b) and capable of being subjected to negative pressure is arranged on the outside of the generator container (2) on a container bottom side (7) oriented in a container height direction (4a) and opposite the container top side (8).

2. Vacuum clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe vacuum generator (59) is designed to be electrically actuated, wherein the vacuum generator (59) is expediently designed for a battery-based power supply and / or the vacuum clamping device (1) has at least one rechargeable battery (74) that can be used to supply power to the vacuum generator (59) and is preferably exchangeable.

3. Vacuum clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the container top side (8) of the generator container (2) an upper container carrying handle (42, 42a) is arranged on the container housing (18), which can expediently be positioned by pivoting relative to the container housing (18) either in a non-use position pivoted towards the container housing (18) or in a use position projecting away from the container housing (18).

4. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe container housing (18) has a box-shaped housing lower part (25) with a container opening (24) oriented in the container height direction (4a) and a housing cover (23) assigned to the container opening (24) and pivotally mounted on the housing lower part (25), wherein the housing cover (23) can be positioned by pivoting relative to the housing lower part (25) optionally in a closed position closing the container opening (24) or in at least one open position releasing the container opening (24), wherein expediently the housing cover (23) has an upper container carrying handle (42, 42a).

5. Vacuum clamping device according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one upper clamping unit (3, 3a) is arranged on the housing cover (23) and / or the at least one lower clamping unit (3, 3b) is arranged on the housing lower part (25).

6. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe generator container (2) has a container interior (22) enclosed by the container housing (18), in which the vacuum generator (59) is accommodated.

7. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the generator container (2) has two lower clamping units (3, 3b) which are arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the container height direction (4a) and which are arranged in particular on opposite edge regions of the container underside (7).

8. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one upper clamping unit (3, 3a) and / or the at least one lower clamping unit (3, 3b) is formed separately with respect to the container housing (18) and is fixable or fixed to the container housing (18).

9. Vacuum clamping device according to claim 8, characterized in thatthe container housing (18) has at least one receiving recess (101) on the container top side (8), in which the at least one upper clamping unit (3, 3a) is at least partially and expediently completely received.

10. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatthe container housing (18) has on the container underside (7) a lower housing outer surface (111), which at least partially forms a storage surface (112) which can be used to place the generator container (2) on a base and which extends in a storage plane (113) orthogonal to the container height direction (4a), which is expediently formed on several raised feet (114) which are arranged distributed, in particular, at points within the outline of the lower housing outer surface (111), wherein expediently the at least one lower clamping unit (3, 3b) is adjustable relative to the container housing (18) by carrying out an adjustment movement (116) in the container height direction (4a) in such a way that it can be positioned optionally in an inactive position or in an active position, wherein the lower clamping surface (57,57b) in the inactive position is set back upwards relative to the storage plane (113) and in the active position lies in the storage plane (113) or protrudes downwards in this respect.

11. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the at least one lower clamping unit (3, 3b) is arranged on the container housing (18) so as to be displaceable for adjustment between an inactive position and an active position in the container height direction (4a) or can be folded out and in with respect to the container housing (18).

12. Vacuum clamping device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in thatthe at least one lower clamping unit (3, 3b) is assigned an adjusting device (123) for adjusting between the inactive position and the active position, which is expediently arranged at least partially in the container housing (18) and which preferably has at least one manually operable manual actuating member (124) which is arranged on the outside of the container housing (18) or is accessible by opening the generator container (2).

13. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has at least one external clamping unit (83) which is separate from the generator container (2) and can be handled independently of the generator container (2), which can be or is connected detachably to the vacuum generator (59) of the generator container (2) via a preferably flexible external vacuum line (82) and which is expediently plate-shaped.

14. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in thatan operating device (76) for the internal vacuum generator (59) is arranged on the container housing (18) of the generator container (2), which operating device is accessible for its operation from outside the generator container (2).

15. Vacuum clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the generator container (2) is equipped with a mechanical coupling system (17) which is designed to stack the generator container (2) and at least one additional storage container (15) having an at least partially similar mechanical coupling system (17) on top of one another and to detachably couple them to one another in a manner which cannot be removed from one another in order to obtain a uniformly transportable container stack assembly (16a), wherein the at least one additional storage container (15) is expediently a component of the vacuum clamping device (1).

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