Clamping device for clamping an interchangeable body in place against a clamping surface, and combination of such a clamping device and an interchangeable body

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device for clamping an interchangeable body (108) in place against a clamping surface (112) of the clamping device (102), comprising a main body (104) and at least one locking device (106) for locking the interchangeable body (108) relative to the clamping surface (112), wherein the locking device (106) comprises a housing (148), a clamping piston (144) guided displaceably in the housing (148), and at least one locking body (146) which is movable by means of the clamping piston (144) from a releasing position, in which the locking body (146) allows the interchangeable body (108) to be moved away from the clamping surface (112), into a locking position, in which the locking body (146) prevents the interchangeable body (108) from being moved away from the clamping surface (112), and wherein the locking device (106) comprises an actuating element (166) which is coupled to the clamping piston (144), characterised in that the clamping piston (144) is able to be moved, by actuation of the actuating element (166), into a clamping position, a transition position and a releasing position, and the locking device (106) comprises a latching device (204) by means of which the clamping piston (144) is able to be latched in the releasing position.

Description

[0001] Clamping device for clamping an interchangeable body to a clamping surface and combination of such a clamping device and an interchangeable body

[0002] The present invention relates to a clamping device for clamping an interchangeable body to a clamping surface of the clamping device, wherein the clamping device comprises a base body and at least one locking device for locking the interchangeable body relative to the clamping surface, wherein the locking device comprises a housing, a clamping piston displaceably guided in the housing and at least one locking body which can be moved by means of the clamping piston from a release position, in which the locking body releases the interchangeable body from moving away from the clamping surface, into a locking position, in which the locking body prevents the interchangeable body from moving away from the clamping surface, and wherein the locking device comprises an actuating element which is coupled to the clamping piston.

[0003] Such a clamping device is known from DE 10 2016 112 770 Al.

[0004] In this known clamping device, the clamping piston of each locking device can be brought by actuating the actuating element from a clamping position in which the clamping piston holds the at least one locking body in its locking position into a release position in which the clamping piston allows a movement of the at least one locking body into its release position.

[0005] However, the actuating element must be constantly subjected to an actuating force to keep the clamping piston in its release position. When the actuating element is released from the actuating force, the clamping piston immediately returns to its clamping position due to the action of an elastic preload element. In this position, the interchangeable body can no longer be released from the clamping surface or the interchangeable body cannot be positioned on the clamping surface.

[0006] If the actuating elements of the locking devices are each operated with an operator's thumb, it is therefore only possible, without special precautions, to simultaneously transfer two locking devices into a release state, in which the respective clamping piston is in its release position. If more than two locking devices are present, the use of a special actuating device is required, with the help of which the operator can then bring more than two locking devices into the release state simultaneously.

[0007] The provision of such actuating devices requires increased material and assembly costs.

[0008] The present invention is based on the object of creating a clamping device of the type mentioned at the outset, which makes it possible to arrange an interchangeable body on the clamping surface of the clamping device and / or to release an interchangeable body from the clamping surface of the clamping device without all locking devices of the clamping device having to be subjected to an actuating force at the same time.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in a clamping device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 in that the clamping piston can be brought into a clamping position, a transition position and a release position by actuating the actuating element and the locking device comprises a latching device by means of which the clamping piston can be latched in the release position.

[0010] Because the clamping piston of each locking device can be locked in its release position, the clamping piston remains in the release position even when no further actuating force is exerted on the actuating element of the respective locking device. This makes it possible to transfer the locking devices of the clamping device from the clamped state to the released state one after the other, so that only one actuating element of a single locking device needs to be actuated at a time, rather than multiple actuating elements of multiple locking devices simultaneously.This makes it possible for a single operator to successively transfer all locking devices of a clamping device with more than two locking devices from the clamping state to the release state without the need for another operator and without the need to provide a special actuating device by means of which the actuating elements of several locking devices can be actuated simultaneously.

[0011] In a particular embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention, it is provided that the locking device comprises a stationary locking element which is fixed relative to the housing.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the locking device comprises a movable locking element which is rotatable relative to the housing about a longitudinal central axis of the locking device.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the movable locking element can be brought relative to the housing into two or more, particularly preferably into four or more, different release locking positions, to which the release position of the clamping piston is assigned.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the movable locking element can be moved relative to the housing into two or more, particularly preferably four or more, different clamping locking positions, to which the clamping position of the clamping piston is assigned. By rotating the movable locking element about a longitudinal central axis of the locking device, the movable locking element can preferably be moved alternately from a clamping locking position to a release locking position and from a release locking position to a clamping locking position.

[0015] This is similar to a ballpoint pen mechanism in which the ballpoint pen can be brought by a rotary movement of a movable locking element about a longitudinal central axis of the ballpoint pen alternately from a writing locking position in which the ballpoint pen refill protrudes from the housing of the ballpoint pen, into a resting locking position in which the ballpoint pen refill is completely accommodated in the housing of the ballpoint pen, and from a resting locking position into a writing locking position.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided that the locking device comprises an engagement element with which the movable locking element is at least temporarily engaged and on which the movable locking element slides when the clamping piston is in the transition position.

[0017] The interaction of the movable locking element with the engagement element can in particular cause the movable locking element to move along a preferred direction of rotation about the longitudinal center axis of the locking device when the locking device is brought from a clamping state into a (provisional) transition state or when the locking device is brought from a release state into a (provisional) transition state.

[0018] It is preferably provided that the engagement element is displaceable along a longitudinal central axis of the locking device and / or that the engagement element is rotationally fixed relative to the housing.

[0019] The movable locking element can be preloaded against the engagement element by means of an elastic locking element preloading element. Alternatively or additionally, the locking device can comprise a clamping piston preloading element, which preloads the clamping piston against the movable locking element.

[0020] The stationary locking element of the locking device can, for example, be designed as a guide bush.

[0021] Such a guide bushing can comprise one or more guide grooves, in each of which a guide bar of the movable locking element is slidably guided.

[0022] The movable locking element can, for example, be designed as a locking ring.

[0023] Such a locking ring can have one or more guide strips, each of which is slidably guided in a guide groove of the stationary locking element.

[0024] The engagement element can, for example, be designed as a toothed ring.

[0025] Such a toothed ring can have one or more guide strips, each of which is slidably guided in a guide groove of the stationary locking element.

[0026] The movable locking element and the engagement element can each have a toothing, wherein the toothings engage with each other to varying degrees in different relative angular positions of the movable locking element relative to the engagement element. By rotating the movable locking element relative to the engagement element about a longitudinal center axis of the locking device, the axial position of the movable locking element relative to the engagement element can be changed along the longitudinal center axis of the locking device. A projection on a guide bar of the movable locking element and a projection on a guide bar of the engagement element can slide against each other to thereby cause a rotation of the movable locking element relative to the engagement element about a longitudinal center axis of the locking device.In this case, at least one of the projections on the movable locking element and / or at least one of the projections on the engagement element is preferably designed asymmetrically with respect to a plane extending radially to the longitudinal center axis of the locking device and through the center of the respective projection in order to cause the movable locking element to be rotated along a preferred direction of rotation relative to the engagement element and relative to the stationary locking element about the longitudinal center axis of the locking device in a transitional state of the locking device.

[0027] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the actuating element projects further beyond an end face of the housing when the clamping piston is in the clamping position than when the clamping piston is in the release position or in the transition position.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating element projects further beyond an end face of the housing when the clamping piston is in the release position than when the clamping piston is in the transition position.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating element protrudes less far beyond an end face of the housing when the clamping piston is in the transition position than when the clamping piston is in the clamping position or in the release position. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating element protrudes less far beyond an end face of the housing when the clamping piston is in the release position than when the clamping piston is in the clamping position.

[0030] Because the clamping position and the release position of the clamping piston are assigned different axial positions of the actuating element relative to the longitudinal center axis of the locking device, it is very easy to determine from outside the locking device whether the clamping piston is in the clamping position or the release position. From this, it can be deduced whether the locking device in question is in the clamped or released state.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping piston can be locked in the clamping position by means of the locking device.

[0032] Preferably, the clamping piston can be moved alternately from the clamping position to the release position by actuating the actuating element and from the release position to the clamping position by a further actuation of the actuating element.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous if the clamping piston can be moved manually and without tools from the clamping position to the transition position using the actuating element.

[0034] The actuating element can be connected to the clamping piston, for example, by positive locking, by force locking (in particular by friction locking) and / or by material locking.

[0035] Alternatively, the coupling of the actuating element to the clamping piston can also be achieved by forming the actuating element integrally with the clamping piston. The actuating element can be directly actuated by an operator, for example, by applying an actuating force to the actuating element using the operator's finger.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the actuating element can be actuated indirectly by an actuating person, wherein the actuating person acts on the actuating element, for example by means of an actuating tool, or that the actuating element can be actuated or is actuated not by an actuating person but by an actuating machine, for example by a robot.

[0037] The clamping surface of the clamping device, to which the interchangeable body can be clamped, can be arranged on the base body of the clamping device.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the clamping surface of the clamping device is arranged on the housing of the at least one locking device.

[0039] The clamping device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a combination of a clamping device according to the invention and an interchangeable body that can be clamped to the clamping surface.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one actuating element of one of the locking devices of the clamping device projects beyond a boundary surface of the interchangeable body facing away from the base body in the clamped state of the interchangeable body when the associated clamping piston is in the clamping position.

[0041] Preferably, the at least one locking body engages behind a pressure surface of the interchangeable body in the locking position when the interchangeable body is clamped in place. The interchangeable body can comprise at least one clamping sleeve, wherein the pressure surface is arranged on the clamping sleeve or on at least one of the plurality of clamping sleeves.

[0042] Preferably, the interchangeable body comprises two or more clamping sleeves, in particular three or more clamping sleeves, particularly preferably four or more clamping sleeves.

[0043] Preferably, the number of clamping sleeves arranged on the interchangeable body corresponds to the number of locking devices arranged on the base body of the clamping device.

[0044] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

[0045] The drawings show:

[0046] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combination of a clamping device comprising a base body and several, for example four, locking devices, and an interchangeable body clamped to the base body, wherein the clamping pistons and actuating elements of the locking devices are in a clamping position in which the locking bodies of the respective locking device are held by the respective clamping piston in a locking position in which the locking bodies prevent the interchangeable body from moving away from the base body; Fig. 2 is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1 of the combination of the clamping device and the interchangeable body, wherein the clamping pistons and the actuating elements of the locking devices are moved by actuating the actuating elements from the position shown in Fig.1 shown clamping position have been brought via a (not shown) transition position into a release position in which the locking bodies of the locking devices release the interchangeable body from moving away from the base body;.

[0047] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the combination of the clamping device and the interchangeable body corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the interchangeable body has been lifted off the base body with the clamping pistons of the locking devices in the release position;

[0048] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a locking device for clamping an interchangeable body to a base body of a clamping arrangement, wherein the locking device comprises a housing, a clamping piston displaceably guided in the housing, and a plurality of locking bodies which can be moved by means of the clamping piston from a release position, in which the locking bodies release the clamping sleeve from moving away from the base body, into a locking position, in which the locking bodies prevent the clamping sleeve from moving away from the base body, wherein the locking device comprises an actuating element which is coupled to the clamping piston, wherein the clamping piston can be brought into a clamping position, a transition position, and a release position by actuating the actuating element, and wherein the locking device comprises a latching device by means of which the clamping piston can be latched in the release position; Fig.5 a side view of the locking device from Fig. 4, looking radially to a longitudinal center axis of the locking device;.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the locking device of Figs. 4 and 5, along the longitudinal center axis of the locking device;

[0050] Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the locking device from Figs. 4 to 6, looking at an upper end face of the locking device;

[0051] Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the locking device from Figs. 4 to 7, looking at a lower end face of the locking device;

[0052] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the locking device of Figs. 4 to 8, which is inserted into a receiving opening of the base body of the clamping device, in a clamped state of the locking device;

[0053] Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal section through the locking device corresponding to Fig. 9, wherein the locking device has been transferred into a transition state by actuating the actuating element;

[0054] Fig. 11 shows a section corresponding to Figs. 9 and 10 through the locking device and an interchangeable body comprising a clamping sleeve, wherein the locking device is in a release state in which the clamping piston of the locking device is locked in the release position by means of the locking device's locking device; Fig. 12 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 11 through the locking device, the base body, and the interchangeable body placed on the base body, wherein the locking device is still in the release state;

[0055] Fig. 13 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 12 through the locking device, the base body and the interchangeable body, wherein the locking device has been transferred into the transition state by actuating the actuating element;

[0056] Fig. 14 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 13 through the locking device, the base body and the interchangeable body, wherein the locking device is in the clamped state;

[0057] Fig. 15 shows a cross section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device from Figs. 4 to 8 in the clamped state of the locking device;

[0058] Fig. 16 is a side view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the clamped state of the locking device;

[0059] Fig. 17 a longitudinal section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the clamped state of the locking device;

[0060] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the clamped state of the locking device, looking toward an end of the clamping piston facing away from the actuating element; Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the clamped state of the locking device, looking toward an actuating surface of the actuating element;

[0061] Fig. 20 shows a cross section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device from Figs. 4 to 8 in a preliminary transition state of the locking device, before a movable locking element of the locking device has slid off an engagement element of the locking device;

[0062] Fig. 21 is a side view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the preliminary transition state of the locking device before a movable locking element of the locking device has slid off an engagement element of the locking device;

[0063] Fig. 22 shows a longitudinal section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the preliminary transition state of the locking device, before a movable locking element of the locking device has slid off an engagement element of the locking device;

[0064] Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the preliminary transitional state of the locking device, before a movable locking element of the locking device has slid off an engagement element of the locking device, with a view toward an end of the clamping piston facing away from the actuating element; Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the preliminary transitional state of the locking device, before a movable locking element of the locking device has slid off an engagement element of the locking device, with a view toward an actuating surface of the actuating element;

[0065] Fig. 25 shows a cross section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device from Figs. 4 to 8 in a final transition state of the locking device after the movable locking element has slid off the engagement element of the locking device;

[0066] Fig. 26 is a side view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the final transition state of the locking device after the movable locking element has slid off the engagement element of the locking device;

[0067] Fig. 27 shows a longitudinal section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the final transition state of the locking device after the movable locking element has slid off the engagement element of the locking device;

[0068] Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the final transitional state of the locking device, after the movable locking element has slid off the engagement element of the locking device, with a view toward an end of the clamping piston facing away from the actuating element; Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the final transitional state of the locking device, after the movable locking element has slid off the engagement element of the locking device, with a view toward an actuating surface of the actuating element;

[0069] Fig. 30 is a cross-section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device from Figs. 4 to 8 in the release state of the locking device;

[0070] Fig. 31 is a side view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the release state of the locking device;

[0071] Fig. 32 a longitudinal section through the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the release state of the locking device;

[0072] Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the release state of the locking device, looking towards an end of the clamping piston facing away from the actuating element;

[0073] Fig. 34 is a perspective view of the clamping piston and the locking device of the locking device in the release state of the locking device, with a view of an actuating surface of the actuating element; Fig. 35 is a section corresponding to Fig. 11 through the locking device and a second embodiment of an interchangeable body, which has a clamping recess instead of a clamping sleeve, wherein the locking device is in the release state, in which the clamping piston of the locking device is locked in the release position by means of the locking device's locking device;

[0074] Fig. 36 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 14 through the locking device, the base body and the second embodiment of the interchangeable body, wherein the locking device is in the clamped state;

[0075] Fig. 37 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 14 through a second embodiment of the locking device, the base body and the interchangeable body, wherein the actuating element of the locking device is formed integrally with the clamping piston of the locking device and wherein the locking device is in the clamped state;

[0076] Fig. 38 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 14 through a third embodiment of the locking device, the base body and the interchangeable body, wherein the actuating element of the locking device is formed integrally with the clamping piston of the locking device and can be acted upon by an actuating tool with an actuating force, the locking device being in the clamped state; and Fig. 39 shows a section corresponding to Fig. 14 through a fourth embodiment of the locking device, the base body and the interchangeable body, an end face of the housing of the locking device projecting beyond an adjacent boundary surface of the base body of the clamping device and forming a clamping surface of the clamping device, the locking device being in the clamped state.

[0077] Functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0078] 1 to 34 show a combination, designated as a whole by 100, of a clamping device 102, which comprises a base body 104 and several, for example four, locking devices 106 held on the base body 104, and an interchangeable body 108 clamped on the base body 104, which comprises, for each locking device 106, a clamping sleeve 110 assigned to the respective locking device 106.

[0079] As can best be seen from Fig. 14, the base body 104 of the clamping device has a preferably substantially planar boundary surface 111. In this embodiment, the boundary surface 111 forms a clamping surface 112, against which the interchangeable body 108 rests, preferably substantially flatly, with a contact surface 114 in the clamped state.

[0080] Furthermore, the interchangeable body 108 has a boundary surface 116 opposite the contact surface 114, preferably aligned substantially parallel to the contact surface 114.

[0081] Otherwise, the shape of the interchangeable body 108 is arbitrary; for example, the interchangeable body 108 can be designed as a substantially cuboid-shaped interchangeable plate 118. The shape of the base body 104 is also fundamentally arbitrary; for example, the base body 104 can be designed as a substantially cuboid-shaped base plate 120.

[0082] The base body 104 can be fixed, in particular detachably fixed, to a base (not shown), for example to a machine table.

[0083] The interchangeable body 108 is penetrated transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, to the contact surface 114 by one or more, for example four, receiving bores 122.

[0084] Each receiving bore 122 comprises a threaded portion 124 provided with an internal thread, a base body-side portion 126 widening from the threaded portion 124 toward the support surface 114, and a base body-facing portion 128 widening from the threaded portion 124 toward the boundary surface 116.

[0085] A clamping sleeve 110 is inserted into each receiving bore 122, preferably in such a way that an external thread 130 of the clamping sleeve 110 engages with the internal thread of the threaded section 124 of the receiving bore 122 and an annular collar 132 of the clamping sleeve 110 engages in the base body-side section 126 of the receiving bore 122, wherein an end face 134 of the clamping sleeve 110 facing the base body 104 in the clamped state of the interchangeable body 108 is preferably substantially flush with the contact surface 114 of the interchangeable body 108.

[0086] Each clamping sleeve 110 is essentially hollow-cylindrical and encloses an interior space 134 which comprises a section 136 of smaller diameter facing the base body 104 in the assembled state of the interchangeable body 108, a section 138 of larger diameter facing away from the base body 104 in the assembled state of the interchangeable body 108, and a conically widening central section 140 connecting the two sections 136 and 138 to one another.

[0087] The central section 140 of the interior space 134 of the clamping sleeve 110 is delimited by a conical pressure surface 142, against which, in the clamping position of a clamping piston 144 of the respectively associated locking device 106 shown in Fig. 14, locking bodies 146 of the respective locking device 106 rest.

[0088] In this clamping position, the clamping sleeve 110 engages behind the locking bodies 146, so that the clamping sleeve 110 cannot be moved past the locking bodies 146 away from the base body 104.

[0089] However, in the release position of the clamping piston 144 shown in Fig. 12, the locking bodies 146 are offset inwardly from the pressure surface 142 so far in the radial direction of the clamping piston 144 that the clamping sleeve 110 does not engage behind the locking bodies 146, so that the clamping sleeve 110 (and thus the interchangeable body 108) can be moved away from the base body 104 (and thus from the locking device 106 fixed to the base body 104).

[0090] In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the clamping sleeve 110 is fixed to the interchangeable body 108 by form-fitting, namely by screwing.

[0091] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the clamping sleeve 110 is secured to the interchangeable body 108 by force fit, in particular friction fit, and / or by material fit, for example by adhesive bonding. One of the locking devices 106, which interact with a respective clamping sleeve 110 in the clamped state of the interchangeable body 108, is shown individually in Figs. 4 to 8.

[0092] As can best be seen from the sectional view of Fig. 6 and the exploded views of Figs. 7 and 8, the locking device 106 comprises a housing 148. In an interior space 150 of the housing 148, the tensioning piston 144 is guided so as to be axially displaceable in a straight line along a longitudinal central axis 152 of the locking device 160.

[0093] Furthermore, a base element 154 is arranged in the interior space 150 of the housing 148, on which an end of an elastic clamping piston pre-tensioning element 156 facing away from the clamping piston 144 is supported.

[0094] The elastic tensioning piston pre-tensioning element 156 can be designed in particular as a spring element 158, for example as a compression coil spring 160.

[0095] The base element 144 is retained in the interior space 150 of the housing 148 by a retaining element 162, which is arranged in an annular groove 164 on an end region 168 of the housing 148 of the locking device 106 facing away from an actuating element 166 of the locking device 106.

[0096] The retaining element 162 protrudes from the annular groove 164 into the interior 150 of the housing 148 and thus forms a stop for the base element 154, which prevents the base element 154 from moving out of the interior 150 of the housing 148.

[0097] The retaining element 162 can be designed, for example, as a spring ring 170. A further end of the clamping piston pre-tensioning element 156 facing away from the base element 154 is supported on an end wall 172 of a receiving space 174 formed in an end region 176 of the clamping piston 144 facing the base element 154.

[0098] A further end region 178 of the tensioning piston 144 facing away from the base element 154 is provided with a threaded blind hole 180 into which a threaded portion 182 of the actuating element 166 of the locking device 106, which is for example essentially screw-shaped, is screwed.

[0099] The actuating element 166 rests with a contact surface 184 of a head 186 of the actuating element 166 facing the clamping piston 144 on the end region 178 of the clamping piston 144, preferably substantially flatly.

[0100] As a result, the actuating element 166 is positively coupled to the tensioning piston 144.

[0101] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the actuating element 166 is coupled to the tensioning piston 144 in another way by positive locking, by material locking and / or by force locking, in particular by friction locking.

[0102] Furthermore, it can also be provided that the actuating element 166 is formed integrally with the tensioning piston 144.

[0103] Due to the restoring force of the elastic clamping piston pre-tensioning element 156, which is supported on the one hand on the base element 154 and on the other hand on the clamping piston 144, the clamping piston 144 is pre-tensioned into the clamping position shown in Figs. 6 and 14, in which the clamping piston 144 with a - for example, substantially conical - clamping shoulder 188 presses the locking bodies 146 of the locking device 106 in the radial direction away from the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 into the locking position shown in Figs. 6 and 14, in which the locking bodies 146 are at their maximum distance from the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106.

[0104] An end region 190 of the housing 148 of the locking device 106 facing the actuating element 166 forms a locking body cage 192 for receiving a plurality of, for example four, locking bodies 146 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the housing 148 - preferably substantially equidistantly.

[0105] The locking bodies 146 are preferably designed as rolling bodies 194, in particular as locking balls 196.

[0106] Each of the locking bodies 146 is in engagement with a respective associated locking body bore 198, which penetrates the housing 148 in a substantially radial direction and tapers with increasing distance from the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106, so that the locking bodies 146 cannot move through the radially outer end of the respective associated locking body bore 198 into the outer space 200 of the locking device 106, but are captively connected to the housing 148 of the locking device 106.

[0107] 6 and 14, the locking bodies 146 are pressed into their locking position by the clamping shoulder 188 of the clamping piston 144, in which the locking bodies 146 are at the maximum distance from the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 and protrude maximally beyond the outer wall of the housing 148 into the outer space 200 of the locking device 106. Between the clamping shoulder 188 and the actuating element 166, a tapered section 202 of the clamping piston 144 is arranged, which has a smaller diameter than the clamping shoulder 188, so that the locking bodies 146 are in the position shown in Figs.11 and 12, in which the tapered section 202 of the tensioning piston 144 is located at the height of the locking bodies 146, can move maximally radially inwards towards the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 and in this release position protrude minimally or preferably not at all beyond the outer wall of the housing 148 of the locking device 106.

[0108] In order to be able to lock the clamping piston 144 of the locking device 106 both in the clamping position and in the release position, so that the clamping piston remains in the clamping position or in the release position even when no actuating force is exerted on the actuating element 166 of the locking device 106, the locking device 106 is further provided with a locking device 204.

[0109] As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the locking device 204 comprises a movable locking element 206 which is rotatable relative to the housing 148 about the longitudinal central axis 152 of the locking device 106, and a stationary locking element 208 which is fixed relative to the housing 148.

[0110] The stationary locking element 208 is inserted into the interior space 150 of the housing 148 and is designed, for example, as a guide bushing 210 which has a plurality of, for example four, guide grooves 212 extending in the axial direction, which are arranged on an inner side of the guide bushing 210.

[0111] The movable locking element 206 is designed, for example, as a locking ring 214, which is provided on its outer circumference with several, for example four, guide strips 216, which can each engage in one of the guide grooves 212 of the guide bushing 210 and are then guided axially in the respective guide groove 212 in the direction of the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106.

[0112] At their end facing the stationary locking element 208, these guide strips 216 are each provided with a locking projection 218, which can be brought into engagement with one of several, for example eight, locking recesses 220 provided on the edge of the stationary locking element 208 facing the movable locking element 206.

[0113] Each of the locking recesses 220 has a substantially sawtooth shape and is delimited on the one hand by an inclined surface 222 running obliquely to the longitudinal central axis 152, against which a locking projection 218 of the movable locking element 206 can slide, and on the other hand by a stop surface 224 aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis 152, against which a locking projection 218 strikes when it has reached the end of its sliding movement along the inclined surface 222.

[0114] For half of the locking recesses 220 of the stationary locking element 208, a guide groove 212 of the stationary locking element 208 is arranged adjacent to the stop surface 224 of the respective locking recess 220, so that in each case one of the guide strips 216 is aligned with the respective guide groove 212 along the axial direction of the locking device 106 parallel to the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device in such a way that the guide strip 216 can move into the guide groove 212 when the clamping piston 144 is pressed by the clamping piston pre-tensioning element 156 in the direction of the locking body cage 192 of the housing 148 and is not held by a counterforce exerted on the actuating element 166 in a position in which the guide strips 216 of the movable locking element 206 do not move into the guide grooves 212 of the stationary engage the locking element 208.In this angular position of the movable locking element 206 relative to the stationary locking element 208, the clamping piston 144 can thus be moved into its clamping position, in which it presses the locking bodies 146 of the locking device 106 radially outward, so that the locking bodies 146 can lock a clamping sleeve 110 of the interchangeable body 108 on the locking device 106.

[0115] Those locking recesses 220 of the stationary locking element 208 in which a guide groove 212 is arranged adjacent to the stop surface 224 are therefore referred to as clamping locking recesses 220a.

[0116] In the other half of the locking recesses 220 of the stationary locking element 208, there is no guide groove 212 adjacent to the stop surface 224, so that a guide bar 216 resting against the stop surface 224 abuts with the locking projection 218 against the inclined surface 222 of the locking recess 220. The movable locking element 206 cannot therefore move into the stationary locking element 208 if the guide bars 216 of the movable locking element 206 engage in such a locking recess 220.

[0117] In this case, the clamping piston 144 is prevented by the movable locking element 206 from moving toward the locking body cage 192 into its clamping position. Rather, the clamping piston 144 remains in its release position, in which the tapered portion 202 of the clamping piston 144 lies in the region of the locking body cage 192, so that the locking bodies 146 can move radially inward toward the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106.

[0118] Those locking recesses 220 of the stationary locking element 208 in which no guide groove 212 is arranged adjacent to the stop surface 224 of the locking recess 220 are therefore referred to as release locking recesses 220b. Clamping locking recesses 220a and release locking recesses 220b alternate along the circumference of the stationary locking element 208.

[0119] The number of clamping locking recesses 220a corresponds to the number of guide rails 216 of the movable locking element 206.

[0120] The locking device 204 of the locking device 106 further comprises an engagement element 226, which is arranged on the side of the movable locking element 206 facing away from the base element 154 and with which the movable locking element 206 is at least temporarily engaged.

[0121] In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the engagement element 226 is designed as a toothed ring 228 which is provided with a toothing 230 on its edge facing the movable locking element 206.

[0122] The toothing 230 of the toothed ring 228 comprises, along the circumference of the engagement element 226, alternating recesses 232 and projections 234, the boundary surfaces of which together form a zigzag-shaped end face 236 of the engagement element 226.

[0123] The number of recesses 232 and the number of projections 234 of the toothing 230 of the engagement element 226 each correspond to the number of locking recesses 220 of the stationary locking element 208.

[0124] The movable locking element 206 also has a toothing 238 on its edge facing the engagement element 226, which is complementary to the toothing 230 of the engagement element 226. The toothing 238 of the movable locking element 206 thus also comprises, in the circumferential direction of the movable locking element 206, alternating recesses 240 and projections 242, the boundary surfaces of which together form a zigzag-shaped end face 244 of the movable locking element 206 facing the engagement element 226.

[0125] The number of recesses 240 and the number of projections 242 of the toothing 238 of the movable locking element 206 each corresponds to the number of locking recesses 220 of the stationary locking element 208.

[0126] The engagement element 226 further comprises guide strips 246 arranged equidistantly along its circumference, each of which engages in one of the guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208 in order to prevent rotation of the engagement element 226 relative to the stationary locking element 208.

[0127] However, the guide rails 246 of the engagement element 226 are guided on the stationary locking element 208 so as to be displaceable parallel to the longitudinal central axis 152 of the locking device 106.

[0128] The number of guide rails 246 of the engagement element 226 corresponds to the number of guide rails 226 of the movable locking element 206 and to the number of guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208.

[0129] At their end region facing the movable locking element 206, the guide strips 246 of the engagement element 226 each terminate at a wedge-shaped projection 248, against which a locking projection 218 of a guide strip 216 of the movable locking element 206 rests—preferably substantially flatly—when the guide strips 246 of the engagement element 226 and the guide strips 216 of the movable locking element 206 are aligned with one another, as shown in particular in Figs. 21 and 23. The locking device 204 of the locking device 106 further comprises an elastic locking element prestressing element 250, by means of which the movable locking element 206 is prestressed against the engagement element 226.

[0130] The locking element pre-tensioning element 250 can be designed as a spring element 252, for example as a compression coil spring 254.

[0131] The locking element pre-tensioning element 250 is preferably supported with an end region facing the movable locking element 206 on the movable locking element 206 and with an end region facing away from the movable locking element 206 on an annular collar 256 of the tensioning piston 144.

[0132] As can best be seen from Fig. 7, the wedge-shaped projections 248 on the guide strips 246 of the engagement element 226 are formed substantially mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane extending radially to the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 through the center of the respective guide strip 246.

[0133] The locking projections 218 on the guide strips 216 of the movable locking element 206, however, are designed asymmetrically with respect to a plane running radially to the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 through the center of the respective guide strip 216 of the movable locking element 206, so that each locking projection 218 of the movable locking element 206 preferably has only one wedge surface 258, which is in contact with only one of the two wedge surfaces 260 of a wedge-shaped projection 248 of the engagement element 226 when the respectively associated guide strips 216 and 246 are aligned with one another.

[0134] This has the consequence that each locking projection 218 of the movable locking element 206 slides off this one wedge surface 260 of the respectively adjacent wedge-shaped projection 248 of the engagement element 226 when the movable locking element 206 is pressed against the engagement element 226 by the locking element pretensioning element 250 and the guide strips 216 are out of engagement with the guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208, so that the movable locking element 206 is rotatable relative to the stationary locking element 208 and thus also relative to the engagement element 226 about the longitudinal central axis 152 of the locking device 106.

[0135] This creates a preferred direction for a rotational movement of the movable locking element 206 relative to the engagement element 226 and relative to the stationary locking element 208, by means of which the locking projections 218 can each be released from engagement with a locking recess 220 of the stationary locking element 208 and brought into engagement with the next locking recess 220 following in the preferred direction of rotation, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0136] Furthermore, the locking device 204 of the locking device 106 comprises a securing element 262 which engages in an annular groove 264 arranged on the outer circumference of the tensioning piston 144 and protrudes outwardly from this annular groove 264, so that the securing element 262 prevents a displacement of the engagement element 226 and thus of the entire locking device 204 past the securing element 262, in the direction of the locking body cage 192 of the housing 148.

[0137] The securing element 262 can, for example, be designed as a spring ring 266.

[0138] After the construction of the locking device 106 has been described above, it will now be explained with reference to Figs. 9 to 14 how a locking device 106 inserted into the base body 104 of the clamping device 102 is transferred from the clamped state of the locking device 106 shown in Fig. 9, in which the clamping piston 144 is in the clamping position, via the transition state shown in Fig. 10, in which the clamping piston 144 is in a transition position, into the release state shown in Fig. 11, in which the clamping piston 144 is in its release position and in which the interchangeable body 108 with its clamping sleeve 110 can be placed onto the locking device 106. Furthermore, it will be explained how the interchangeable body 108 can be locked to the base body 104 by means of the locking device 106, in which the locking device 106 is made of the material shown in Fig.12, in which the clamping piston 144 of the locking device 106 is in its release position, is first transferred into the transitional state shown in Fig. 13, in which the clamping piston 144 is in a transitional position, and then transferred into the clamping state shown in Fig. 14, in which the clamping piston 144 is in its clamping position.

[0139] In the initial state shown in Fig. 9, the locking device 106 is in its clamped state.

[0140] In this clamping state of the locking device 106, the clamping piston 144 of the locking device 106 is in its clamping position, in which it projects maximally upwards over the housing 148 of the locking device 106.

[0141] In this clamping state, the locking bodies 146 of the locking device 106 are pressed radially outward into their locking position by the clamping shoulder 188 of the clamping piston 144.

[0142] The actuating element 166 is not actuated in this state, i.e. no force is exerted on the actuating element 166 from outside the locking device 106.

[0143] The locking device 204, the clamping piston 144 and the actuating element

[0144] 166 of the locking device 106 are shown in various views in Figs. 15 to 19 in this clamped state of the locking device 106. The movable locking element 206 and the engagement element 226 of the locking device 204 are preloaded by the locking element preloading element 250 such that the engagement element 226 abuts the securing element 262.

[0145] The guide rails 246 of the engagement element 226 and the guide rails 216 of the movable locking element 206 engage in respective corresponding guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208, so that the engagement element 226 is fully inserted and the movable locking element 206 is largely inserted into the interior of the stationary locking element 208 (the guide bushing 210). Furthermore, the movable locking element 206 and the engagement element 226 are prevented from rotating about the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 relative to the stationary locking element 208.

[0146] In order to transfer the locking device 106 from this clamping state to the release state, the locking device 106 is first brought into the transition state shown in Fig. 10 by the actuating element 166 being subjected to an actuating force in the direction of the arrow 268 in Fig. 10, by which the actuating element 166 and the clamping piston 144 are pressed against the elastic restoring force of the clamping piston pre-tensioning element 156 in the direction of the base element 154 of the locking device 106 into a transition position of the clamping piston 144.

[0147] In this transition position, the annular collar 256 of the tensioning piston 144 is at a minimal distance from the base element 154.

[0148] In the transition position, the actuating element 166 abuts against an upper end face 270 of the housing 148 of the locking device 106, so that the actuating element 166 cannot be moved further into the interior space 150 of the housing 148. The transition position of the clamping piston 144 is thus well-defined.

[0149] When the clamping piston 144 is brought into its transition position, the locking device 204 of the locking device 106 is initially in the preliminary transition state shown in Figs. 20 to 24, in which the guide strips 216 of the movable locking element 206 have been completely pushed out and the guide strips 246 of the engagement element 226 have been partially pushed out of the respectively associated guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208, but are initially still aligned with one another.

[0150] In this preliminary transitional state, the toothing 230 of the engagement element 226 and the toothing 238 of the movable locking element 206 are located outside the stationary locking element 208, since the engagement element 226 and thus also the movable locking element 206 have been displaced by the securing element 262 relative to the stationary locking element 208 in the direction of the base element 154.

[0151] As can best be seen from Figs. 21, 23 and 24, the toothings 230 and 238 of the engagement element 226 and the movable locking element 206, respectively, are rotated relative to one another along the circumferential direction of the engagement element 226 and the movable locking element 206, respectively, such that the toothings 230 and 238 of the engagement element 226 and the movable locking element 206 are not fully engaged with one another.

[0152] As a result, the distance between the movable locking element 206 and the stationary locking element 208 along the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 is greater than would be the case if the toothings 230 and 238 of the engagement element 226 and the movable locking element 206 were fully engaged with one another. However, since the guide rails 216 of the movable locking element 206 are completely disengaged from the guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208 in this preliminary transitional state, the movable locking element 206 can now rotate relative to the engagement element 226 and relative to the stationary locking element 208 about the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106.

[0153] Since the movable locking element 206 is prestressed against the engagement element 226 by the locking element prestressing element 250, each locking projection 218 slides with its wedge surface 258 on one of the wedge surfaces 260 of the wedge-shaped projection 248 of the engagement element 226 and thus slides obliquely into the next locking recess 220 of the stationary locking element 208.

[0154] Since, in the clamped state of the locking device 106, each guide bar 216 of the movable locking element 206 was located in the region of one of the clamping locking recesses 220b of the stationary locking element 208, each guide bar 216 of the movable locking element 206 is now located in the region of one of the release locking recesses 220b of the stationary locking element 208.

[0155] In the embodiment of the locking device 106 shown in the drawing, the latching device 204 is designed such that the movable latching element 206 rotates clockwise relative to the engagement element 226 and relative to the stationary latching element 208 in the transition state of the locking device 106 - as seen from the base element 154.

[0156] In this rotated position of the movable locking element 206, the teeth 230 and 238 of the engagement element 226 and the movable locking element 206, respectively, are fully engaged with one another, so that the movable locking element 206 has been moved away from the base element 154 along the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106, as shown in Figs. 25 to 29, which show the final transition state of the locking device 204.

[0157] When the actuating element 166 is now relieved of the actuating force, the tensioning piston 144 and the actuating element 166 are moved away from the base element 154 again by the tensioning piston pre-tensioning element 156.

[0158] In this case, the locking element preloading element 250 presses each locking projection 218 of the movable locking element 206 against the inclined surface 222 of the now respectively associated release locking recess 220b of the stationary locking element 208. The locking projections 218 slide along the respectively associated inclined surface 222 until the respective guide bar 216 abuts the stop surface 224 of the respectively associated release locking recess 220b.

[0159] Since the stop surface 224 of the release locking recess 220b of the stationary locking element 208 is not adjacent to a guide groove 212 of the stationary locking element 208, the movable locking element 206 can no longer move further along the longitudinal center axis 152 into the stationary locking element 208, but is locked to the stationary locking element 208 in the locking state of the locking device 204 shown in Figs. 30 to 34.

[0160] The clamping piston 144 can therefore no longer move into the clamping position shown in Fig. 9, but only into the release position shown in Fig. 11, in which the tapered portion 202 of the clamping piston 144 comes into contact with the locking bodies 146, so that the locking bodies 146 can move into their release position, in which they do not protrude radially from the housing 148. This release state of the locking device 106 is shown in Fig. 11.

[0161] The position of the actuating element 166 in this release state of the locking device 106 lies between the axial position of the actuating element 166 in the clamped state of the locking device 106 shown in Fig. 9 and the axial position of the actuating element 166 in the transition state of the locking device 106 shown in Fig. 10.

[0162] In this release state of the locking device 106, the interchangeable body 108 can be placed with one of its clamping sleeves 110 onto the locking device 106 until the contact surface 114 of the interchangeable body 108 rests—preferably substantially flatly—against the clamping surface 112 of the base body 104 of the clamping device 102, as shown in Fig. 12. The pressing surface 142 of the clamping sleeve 110 can be easily moved past the locking bodies 146 of the locking device 106, since the locking bodies 146 are in their release position.

[0163] In order to lock the interchangeable body 108 with the clamping sleeve 110 to the base body 104, the locking device 106 must now be transferred from the release state shown in Fig. 12 to the clamping state shown in Fig. 14.

[0164] This is achieved by first transferring the locking device 106 into the transition state shown in Fig. 13 by exerting an actuating force directed along the arrow 268 (in Fig. 13) on the actuating element 166, which force moves the clamping piston 144 toward the base element 154 against the elastic restoring force of the clamping piston pre-tensioning element 156.

[0165] In this case, the guide strips 216 of the movable locking element 206 again disengage from the guide grooves 212 of the stationary locking element 208, so that the movable locking element 206 can be rotated relative to the engagement element 226 and relative to the stationary locking element 208 about the longitudinal center axis 152 of the locking device 106 (in the embodiment shown in the drawing with the direction of rotation clockwise, seen from the base element 154).

[0166] In this case, the locking projections 218 on the guide rails 216 of the movable locking element 206 each move from one of the release locking recesses 220b of the stationary locking element 208 into one of the clamping locking recesses 220a of the stationary locking element 208.

[0167] When the actuating force acting on the actuating element 166 is subsequently removed, the guide strips 216 of the movable locking element 206 therefore each again move into an associated guide groove 212 of the stationary locking element 208, so that the clamping piston 144 is displaced into the clamping position shown in Fig. 14 under the action of the preload force of the clamping piston preload element 156, in which position the clamping shoulder 188 of the clamping piston 144 presses the locking bodies 146 radially outward into their locking position, in which the locking bodies 146 rest against the pressure surface 142 of the clamping sleeve 110 and engage behind the clamping sleeve 110 in such a way that movement of the clamping sleeve 110 away from the base body 104 is blocked.

[0168] Thus, the clamping state of the locking device 106 shown in Fig. 14 is reached, in which the interchangeable body 108 is locked to the base body 104.

[0169] The advantage of the locking device 106 described above lies in particular in the fact that the locking device 106 does not have to be held in the release state by applying an actuating force to the actuating element 166 in order to arrange the interchangeable body 108 on the base body 104 of the clamping device 102 or to release the interchangeable body 108 from the base body 104 of the clamping device 102, but rather the clamping piston 144 is locked in its release position by means of the locking device 204 in the release state of the locking device 106 in such a way that it remains in the release position even without an actuating force being exerted on the actuating element 166 of the locking device 106.

[0170] A combination 100 of a clamping device 102, which comprises a base body 104 and several, in the illustrated embodiment four, locking devices 106 of the type described above, and an interchangeable body 108, on which several, in the illustrated embodiment four, clamping sleeves 110 are arranged, is shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0171] In Fig. 1, the interchangeable body 108 is clamped to the base body 104 of the clamping device 102 in a clamping position in which the contact surface 114 of the interchangeable body 108 rests - preferably flatly - on the clamping surface 112 of the base body 104 of the clamping device 102.

[0172] The clamping pistons 144 of the locking devices 106 extend through the respective associated clamping sleeve 110 and are each in their clamping position, in which they are locked by the locking devices 204 of the respective locking device 106. The locking devices 106 are thus all in their clamped state.

[0173] Without actuating the locking devices 106, the interchangeable body 108 cannot be released from the base body 104 of the clamping device 102.

[0174] In order to release the interchangeable body 108 from the base body 104 of the clamping device 102, the locking devices 106 are each transferred from the clamped state shown in Fig. 1 to the release state shown in Fig. 2. This is achieved by moving the actuating element 166 of the locking device 106 against the end face 270 of the housing 148 of the locking device 106, so that the respective clamping piston 144 is transferred from the clamped position to the transition position. As described above, the locking device 106 initially reaches the provisional transitional state shown in Figs. 20 to 24 and from this provisional transitional state by the sliding of the wedge surfaces 258 of the locking projections 218 of the guide strips of the movable locking elements 206 on each of the wedge surfaces 260 of the wedge-shaped projections 248 of the guide strips 246 of the engagement elements 226 into the position shown in Figs.25 to 29 depicted final transition state.

[0175] By relieving the actuating element 166 of the actuating force, the respective locking device 106 then moves from the final transition state into the release state shown in Figs. 30 to 34, in which the respective clamping piston 144 is in its release position and the locking bodies 146 are in their release position, in which they no longer prevent the respectively associated clamping sleeve 110 from moving away from the base body 104 of the clamping device 102.

[0176] In principle, all locking devices 106 could be transferred from the clamped state to the released state simultaneously.

[0177] Preferably, however, the locking devices 106 are actuated sequentially to transfer them from the clamped state to the released state. In this way, all locking devices 106 can be transferred sequentially from the clamped state to the released state by the same operator.

[0178] Furthermore, it is possible to actuate the locking devices 106 in pairs, using the two thumbs of an operator. After all locking devices 106 have been transferred to the release state, the interchangeable body 108 can be released from the base body 104 of the clamping device 102, lifted off, and pivoted relative to the base body 104, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0179] The clamping of the same interchangeable body 108 or another interchangeable body 108 to the base body 104 of the clamping device 102 is carried out by reversing the processes described above.

[0180] While all locking devices 106 of the clamping device 102 are in their release state, the interchangeable body 108 is placed on the base body 104 in such a way that the contact surface 114 of the interchangeable body 108 rests - preferably flatly - against the clamping surface 112 of the base body 104, wherein the clamping pistons 144 each extend through an associated clamping sleeve 110 on the interchangeable body 108.

[0181] Then, the locking devices 106 of the clamping device 102 are transferred - preferably one after the other - from the release state to the clamping state, as described above.

[0182] When all locking devices 106 have been transferred to the clamping state, the interchangeable body 108 is clamped to the base body 104 of the clamping device 102 and cannot be released from the base body 104 of the clamping device 102 without intentionally actuating the locking devices 106.

[0183] The interchangeable body 108 can serve as a workpiece carrier to which one or more workpieces are secured in order to machine them—for example, mechanically—when the interchangeable body 108 is clamped to the clamping device 102. A second embodiment of a combination of a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108, shown in detail in Figs. 35 and 36, comprises a second embodiment of the interchangeable body 108 in which the interchangeable body does not comprise any clamping sleeves 110, but instead comprises a clamping recess, which is essentially constructed in the same way as the interior 134 of the clamping sleeve 110 in the first embodiment of the interchangeable body 108 described above.

[0184] The clamping recess 272 is thus formed substantially radially symmetrically and comprises a section 136 of smaller diameter facing the base body 104 in the assembled state of the interchangeable body 108, a section 138 of larger diameter facing away from the base body 104 in the assembled state of the interchangeable body 108, and a conically widening central section 140 connecting the two sections 136 and 138 to one another.

[0185] The central section 140 of the clamping recess 272 is delimited by a conical pressure surface 142, against which the locking bodies 146 of the respective locking device 106 rest in the clamping position of the clamping piston 144 of the respectively associated locking device 106 shown in Fig. 36.

[0186] In this clamping position, the locking bodies 146 engage behind the workpiece carrier 108, so that the workpiece carrier 108 cannot be moved past the locking bodies 146 away from the clamping surface 112 on the base body 104.

[0187] 35 and 36 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 34, to the above description of which reference is made in this regard. A third embodiment of a combination 100 of a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108, shown in detail in FIG. 37, differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 34 in that the coupling of the actuating element 166 of the locking device 106 to the clamping piston 144 does not occur by form-fitting, in particular by screwing, but in that the actuating element 166 is formed integrally with the clamping piston 144.

[0188] Otherwise, the third embodiment of a combination 100 comprising a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108 shown in Fig. 37 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 34, to the above description of which reference is made in this respect.

[0189] A fourth embodiment of a combination 100 comprising a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108, shown in detail in Fig. 38, also differs from the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 34 in that the actuating element 166 is formed integrally with the clamping piston 144.

[0190] Furthermore, in this fourth embodiment, it is provided that the actuating element 166 of the locking device 106 is not subjected to an actuating force directly by an actuating person, but that the actuating force is applied indirectly, by means of an actuating tool 274.

[0191] The actuating tool 274 may comprise a handle 276, which an operator can grasp, and a shaft 278, which acts on the actuating element 166. To enable a positive engagement between the actuating tool 274 and the actuating element 166, the actuating tool 274 and / or the actuating element 166 may be provided on their mutually facing end faces with engagement elements—preferably designed to be complementary to one another—such as an engagement recess and a complementary engagement projection.

[0192] The actuating tool 274 can in particular be designed as a hand tool.

[0193] Otherwise, the fourth embodiment of a combination 100 comprising a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108 shown in Fig. 38 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 34, to the above description of which reference is made in this respect.

[0194] A fifth embodiment of a combination 100 comprising a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108, shown in detail in Fig. 39, differs from the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 34 in that the interchangeable body 108, when clamped to the clamping device 102, is not in direct contact with the base body 104 of the clamping device 102, but rests with its contact surface 114 on an end face 280 of the housing 148 of the locking device 106 - preferably substantially flat.

[0195] In this embodiment, this end face 280 thus forms the clamping surface 112 against which the interchangeable body 108 is locked in the clamped state of the interchangeable body 108. If the clamping device 102 comprises several locking devices 106, the end faces 280 of the housings 148 of the locking devices 106 together form the clamping surface 112 of the clamping device 102 against which the interchangeable body 108 rests in the clamped state.

[0196] Otherwise, the fifth embodiment of a combination 100 of a clamping device 102 and an interchangeable body 108 shown in Fig. 39 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 34, to the above description of which reference is made in this respect.

Claims

Claims: Clamping device for clamping an interchangeable body (108) on a clamping surface (112) of the clamping device (102), comprising a base body (104) and at least one locking device (106) for locking the interchangeable body (108) relative to the clamping surface (112), wherein the locking device (106) comprises a housing (148), a clamping piston (144) slidably guided in the housing (148), and at least one locking element (146) which is movable by means of the clamping piston (144) from a release position in which the locking element (146) releases the interchangeable body (108) from the clamping surface (112) to a locking position in which the locking element (144) prevents the interchangeable body (108) from moving away from the clamping surface (112), and wherein the locking device (106) comprises an actuating element (166) coupled to the clamping piston (144), characterized by,that the clamping piston (144) can be brought into a clamping position, a transition position, and a release position by actuating the actuating element (166), and the locking device (106) comprises a detent device (204) by means of which the clamping piston (144) can be locked in the release position. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detent device (204) comprises a stationary detent element (208) which is fixed in position relative to the housing (148). Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking device (204) comprises a movable locking element (206) which is rotatable relative to the housing (148) about a longitudinal central axis (152) of the locking device (106). Clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable locking element (206) can be moved relative to the housing (148) into two or more different release locking positions, to which the release position of the clamping piston (144) is assigned. Clamping device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the movable locking element (206) can be moved relative to the housing (148) into two or more different clamping locking positions, to which the clamping position of the clamping piston (144) is assigned.Clamping device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the locking device (106) comprises an engagement element (226) with which the movable detent element (206) engages at least temporarily and on which the movable detent element (206) slides when the clamping piston (144) is in the transition position. Clamping device according to claim 6, characterized in that the engagement element (226) is displaceable along a longitudinal central axis (152) of the locking device (106) and / or rotationally fixed relative to the housing (148). Clamping device according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the movable detent element (206) is pre-tensioned against the engagement element (226) by means of an elastic detent element pre-tensioning element (250). Clamping device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the locking device (106) comprises a clamping piston preloading element (156) which preloads the clamping piston (144) against the movable detent element (206). Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating element (166) projects further beyond an end face (270) of the housing (148) when the clamping piston (144) is in the clamping position than when the clamping piston (144) is in the release position or in the transition position. Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the actuating element (166) projects less far beyond an end face (270) of the housing (148) when the clamping piston (144) is in the transition position than when the clamping piston (144) is in the clamping position or in the release position.Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the clamping piston (144) can be locked in the clamping position by means of the detent device (204). Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the clamping piston (144) can be moved manually and without tools from the clamping position to the transition position by means of the actuating element (166). Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the clamping surface (112) of the clamping device (102) is arranged on the base body (104) or on the housing (148) of the at least one locking device (106). A combination of a clamping device (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and an interchangeable body (108) that can be clamped onto the clamping surface (112). A combination according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one actuating element (166) projects beyond a boundary surface (116) of the interchangeable body (108) facing away from the base body (104) when the associated clamping piston (144) is in the clamping position. A combination according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the at least one locking element (146) engages a pressure surface (142) of the interchangeable body (108) in the locking position when the interchangeable body (108) is clamped. Combination according to claim 17, characterized in that the interchangeable body (108) comprises at least one clamping sleeve (110), wherein the pressure surface (142) is arranged on at least one of the clamping sleeves (110).

Images