Workpiece holder

Abstract

To provide a workpiece holder which more easily adjusts a mounting position of each fitting body than does a conventional workpiece holder.SOLUTION: A workpiece holder includes: a workpiece side jig; and a master side jig. The workpiece side jig has a workpiece side fitting body on a surface facing the master side jig. The master side jig has a master side fitting body fitted to the workpiece side fitting body on a surface facing the workpiece side jig, a pressing body which abuts on the workpiece side fitting body fitted to the master side fitting body and presses the workpiece side fitting body to the master side jig side, and an actuator which operates the pressing body. The pressing body is provided for each of a set of the workpiece side fitting body and the master side fitting body, which are fitted to each other. When the pressing body is operated by the actuator, the pressing body abuts on the workpiece side fitting body and the workpiece side fitting body is pressed to the master side jig side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece holder used to attach and detach a workpiece to and from various machines such as welding machines, machine tools, and assembly machines (hereinafter collectively referred to as "machining machines") when processing the workpiece with the machine. [Background technology]

[0002] When performing various processes (operations) on a workpiece, such as welding, drilling, cutting, and assembly, various processing machines are used. For example, when processing a large workpiece, a positioner is used that can hold the workpiece, which is the object to be processed, and position it in a predetermined position. Conventionally, a workpiece holder developed by the present applicant is available as a device used to attach and detach a workpiece to and from a positioner (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The workpiece holder is a device used to attach and detach a workpiece to and from a processing machine when processing the workpiece with the processing machine, and is equipped with a workpiece side jig to which the workpiece is fixed, and a master side jig to which the workpiece is fixed to the processing machine side.

[0004] The work-side jig is provided with a work-side fitting body on the surface facing the master-side jig, and the master-side jig is provided with a master-side fitting body on the surface facing the work-side jig that fits into the work-side fitting body, a rotary pressing body that abuts against the work-side fitting body fitted into the master-side fitting body and presses the work-side fitting body toward the master-side jig, and a rotary drive source that rotates the rotary pressing body.

[0005] The workpiece holder is configured such that when the rotary pressing body is rotated by the rotary drive source, the rotary pressing body comes into contact with the workpiece-side fitting body, and the workpiece-side fitting body is pressed toward the master-side jig. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-124777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The work holder has a structure in which one rotary pressing body presses multiple work-side fitting bodies, and if the heights of the multiple work-side fitting bodies are not aligned, the rotary pressing body will not fit properly, making it difficult to adjust the mounting position of each fitting body, and there was room for improvement in this regard.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work holder that allows easier adjustment of the mounting positions of each fitting body than conventional work holders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The workpiece holder of the present invention comprises a workpiece-side jig and a master-side jig. The workpiece-side jig has a workpiece-side fitting body on the surface facing the master-side jig, and the master-side jig has a master-side fitting body on the surface facing the workpiece-side jig that fits into the workpiece-side fitting body, a pressing body that abuts against the workpiece-side fitting fitted into the master-side fitting body and presses the workpiece-side fitting toward the master-side jig, and an actuator that operates the pressing body. A pressing body is provided for each pair of workpiece-side fitting body and master-side fitting body that are fitted together. When the pressing body is operated by the actuator, the pressing body abuts against the workpiece-side fitting body and presses the workpiece-side fitting toward the master-side jig. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The work holder of the present invention is provided with a pressing body for each pair of work-side fitting body and master-side fitting body that are to be fitted together, so there is no need to adjust the position of one work-side fitting body relative to the other work-side fitting body or master-side fitting body, and it is easier to adjust the mounting position of each fitting body than with conventional work holders. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the work holder of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the work holder of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A is a plan view before the pressing body is moved, and FIG. 1B is a plan view after the pressing body has been moved in the pressing direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of the work holder of the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along Va-Va in Figure 3(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along Vb-Vb in Figure 3(b). [Figure 6] FIG. 1( a ) is a perspective view of the state in which the work-side jig and the master-side jig are separated, FIG. 1( b ) is a perspective view of the state in which the work-side fitting body and the master-side fitting body are fitted together, and FIG. 1( c ) is a perspective view of the state in which the work-side fitting body fitted into the master-side fitting body is pressed by a pressing body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Embodiment) An example of an embodiment of the work holder of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The work holder of the present invention is a device used to attach and detach a workpiece W to and from a processing machine when the processing machine processes the workpiece W. In the following, an example will be described in which the processing machine is a positioner P.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece holder of this embodiment includes a workpiece-side jig 1 to which a workpiece W to be processed is fixed, and a master-side jig 2 fixed to the positioner P side.

[0014] 2, the work-side jig 1 includes a square-shaped base body (hereinafter referred to as the "work-side base") 11, and a fitting body (hereinafter referred to as the "work-side fitting body") 12 provided on the surface of the work-side base 11 facing the master-side jig 2 (the lower surface in FIG. 2). Flat guide bodies (hereinafter referred to as the "work-side guides") 13 are provided on the four sides of the work-side base 11 so as to protrude downward.

[0015] The back surface of the workpiece side base 11 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the workpiece side fitting body 12 and the like are provided) is a workpiece mounting surface on which various works W are mounted (see FIG. 1).

[0016] In this embodiment, four workpiece side fittings 12 are provided. The four workpiece side fittings 12 are provided at the center of each side of the workpiece side base 11, at positions equidistant from the center of the workpiece side base 11 (on the same circumference). Specifically, in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), one workpiece side fitting 12 is provided at the center of the upper side, one at the center of the lower side, one at the center of the left side, and one at the center of the right side.

[0017] In other words, the straight line connecting the centers of the two upper and lower work side fittings 12 in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) intersects with the midpoints of both the upper and lower sides, and the straight line connecting the centers of the two left and right work side fittings 12 intersects with the midpoints of both the left and right sides.

[0018] The work-side fitting bodies 12 can also be provided at positions other than those mentioned above, as long as they are fitted into fitting bodies (hereinafter referred to as "master-side fitting bodies") 22 provided on the master-side jig 2. Furthermore, the number of work-side fitting bodies 12 can be more or less than four, as long as the number corresponds to the number of master-side fitting bodies 22.

[0019] The work side fitting 12 in this embodiment comprises a work side pedestal portion 12a screwed to the work side base 11, a cylindrical body portion 12b protruding downward from the work side pedestal portion 12a, and a locking flange 12c protruding outward from the lower end peripheral edge of the body portion 12b, and a recess 12d is provided in the center of the body portion 12b into which the master side fitting 22 fits.

[0020] The locking flange 12c of the work-side fitting body 12 is the portion that abuts against the pressing body 24, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the locking flange 12c is a circular ring-shaped member that is provided around the entire circumference of the body. The locking flange 12c may also be provided with a notch in part.

[0021] The master side jig 2 comprises a square base body (hereinafter referred to as the "master side base") 21 and a master side fitting body 22 provided on the surface of the master side base 21 facing the work side jig 1 (the upper surface in Figure 2).

[0022] An outlet hole 21a for pulling out various cables is provided in the center of master-side base 21. Flat guide bodies (hereinafter referred to as "master-side guides") 23 are provided on the four sides of master-side base 21 so as to protrude upward.

[0023] In this embodiment, the master-side guide 23 is bent (curved) at its upper end inward to facilitate guiding the work-side guide 13. Instead of bending the upper end of the master-side guide 23 inward, the work-side guide 13 can also be bent inward.

[0024] As in this embodiment, by providing a work side guide 13 on the work side jig 1 and a master side guide 23 on the master side jig 2, it becomes easier to align the two jigs, and as a result, the time required to position and fix the work W can be reduced.

[0025] In this embodiment, four master-side fittings 22 are provided. The master-side fittings 22 are provided at positions facing the work-side fittings 12 (at the center of each side). The master-side fittings 22 can also be provided at other positions as long as they are fitted into the work-side fittings 12. Furthermore, the number of master-side fittings 22 can be more or less than four, as long as it corresponds to the number of work-side fittings 12.

[0026] The master-side fitting 22 of this embodiment includes a master-side pedestal portion 22a screwed to the master-side base 21, and a cylindrical convex portion 22b projecting upward from the master-side pedestal portion 22a.

[0027] In this embodiment, the convex portion 22b has a tapered guide surface 22c on the upper side. By providing the tapered guide surface 22c on the convex portion 22b, the convex portion 22b can be reliably fitted into the recess 12d of the work side fitting 12 even if there is a slight misalignment (horizontal misalignment) between the work side fitting 12 and the master side fitting 22.

[0028] At the center of the master side base 21 (inside the four master side fittings 22), there are provided one pressing body 24 for each pair of the master side fittings 22 and work side fittings 12 that come into contact with the work side fittings 12 fitted into the master side fittings 22 and press the work side fittings 12 in the direction of the master side jig 2.

[0029] The pressing body 24 in this embodiment is a gate-shaped member with a semicircular notch 24a formed in a rectangular block in a plan view. When holding down the work-side fitting 12 fitted into the master-side fitting 22, the arc-shaped first abutment portion 24b of the pressing body 24 abuts against the body portion 12b of the work-side fitting 12, and the second abutment portion 24c on the bottom surface of the pressing body 24 abuts against the locking flange 12c of the work-side fitting 12.

[0030] In conventional workpiece holders, the bottom surface of the rotating pressing body is a tapered surface, but in this embodiment, the bottom surface (second abutment portion 24c) of the pressing body 24 is a horizontal surface so as to come into surface contact with the locking flange 12c of the workpiece side fitting body 12.

[0031] By making the second contact portion 24c a horizontal surface, the pressing force is not concentrated on one part of the work-side fitting body 12, and the pressing body 24 is less likely to come off accidentally even if an impact is applied to the work W due to an operational error, etc. This makes it possible to prevent the work W from accidentally falling off.

[0032] In this embodiment, a pair of guide blocks 25 are arranged facing each other with a gap between them, standing on the sides of each pressing body 24 and each master-side fitting body 22. Each guide block 25 is rectangular parallelepiped, and a recessed guide groove 25a extending horizontally is provided on the surface facing the paired guide block 25. The pressing body 24 fits into the guide groove 25a of the pair of guide blocks 25 and moves along the guide groove 25a.

[0033] Each pressing body 24 is provided with an actuator (drive source) 26 for moving (forward and backward) each pressing body 24. The multiple (four in this embodiment) actuators 26 are configured to operate synchronously. An air cylinder or the like can be used as the actuator 26.

[0034] In this embodiment, an air cylinder with a locking mechanism is used as the actuator 26, which fixes the pressing body 24 in place after it has moved to a position where it presses the workpiece-side fitting 12. When an air cylinder with a locking mechanism is used, even if an impact is applied to the workpiece W due to an operational error or the like, the impact will not cause the rod 26a to retract, and the fitted state between the workpiece-side fitting 12 and the master-side fitting 22 can be maintained.

[0035] In this embodiment, the unlocking portion (not shown) of each actuator 26 is located in a position that can be seen from the outside without removing any parts, and the lock can be released by inserting a tool such as a screwdriver from the outside and operating the unlocking portion.

[0036] A cylinder switch is mounted on each actuator 26 to detect lock and unlock. By providing a cylinder switch on each actuator 26, it is possible to immediately identify which actuator 26 has experienced an abnormality in the event of an abnormality, facilitating production management (for example, management using IoT technology).

[0037] 2, in this embodiment, four actuators 26 are provided in different directions. Specifically, the four actuators 26 are provided in directions such that the rods 26a of the respective actuators 26 advance and retreat toward the centers of different sides of the master-side base 21, in other words, such that the pressing bodies 24 moved by the actuators 26 move toward the respective outer peripheries of the master-side base 21 (from the inside to the outside).

[0038] By arranging each actuator 26 in a different direction, when an impact is applied to the workpiece W from one direction, even if some of the pressing bodies 24 loosen due to the impact, the other pressing bodies 24 are less likely to be affected, and the overall pressing force is less likely to loosen.

[0039] For example, if the workpiece W hits the floor due to an operating error and receives an impact, the pressing body 24 located in the direction in which the external force from the impact acts may be loosened by that force, while the other pressing bodies 24 located in the direction in which the external force is less likely to act are less likely to loosen, thereby reducing the risk of inadvertent release of the engagement between the workpiece side fitting body 12 and the master side fitting body 22.

[0040] The orientation of the actuators 26 described here is an example, and the orientation of the actuators 26 can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of actuators to be installed, etc.

[0041] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the four work side fittings 12 are provided at the center positions of each side of the work side base 11, and the four master side fittings 22 are provided at the center positions of each side of the master side base 21, but the work side fittings 12 and the master side fittings 22 can also be provided at the four corners of the work side base 11 or the master side base 21, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] In this case, the four actuators 26 are installed so that each rod 26a moves toward and away from a different corner of the master side base 21 (the pressing body 24 moves from the inside toward the outside), and the pressing body 24 connected to each actuator 26 can press the work side fitting 12 fitted into the master side fitting 22.

[0043] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which there are four work side fittings 12, four master side fittings 22, and four pressing bodies 24, but the number of work side fittings 12, the number of master side fittings 22, and the number of pressing bodies 24 may be more or less than four.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the four actuators 26 and pressing bodies 24 are configured to operate synchronously, but each actuator 26 and pressing body 24 may also be configured to operate independently. The same applies when the number of actuators 26 and pressing bodies 24 is more or less than four.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an air cylinder with a locking mechanism is used as the actuator 26, but an air cylinder without a locking mechanism can also be used as the actuator 26. In addition, a hydraulic cylinder or other type of actuator other than an air cylinder can also be used as the actuator 26.

[0046] Although not described in the above embodiment, the master-side base 21 may also be provided with a presence sensor 27 and guide protrusions 28 as shown in Fig. 4. The presence sensor 27 detects that the work-side base 11 and the master-side base 21 are in close proximity to each other and may be composed of a proximity sensor or the like. The guide protrusions 28 are guides that guide the work-side base 11 and the master-side base 21 so that they overlap without misalignment.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the guide bodies 13, 23 are provided on both the work-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2, but the guide bodies 13, 23 may be provided on only one of the work-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2. In some cases, the guide bodies 13, 23 may be omitted.

[0048] The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the configuration of the work holder of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. The configuration of the work holder of the present invention can be appropriately modified as long as the intended object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the processing machine is the positioner P as an example, but the processing machine may be a welding machine, a machine tool, an assembly machine, or the like.

[0050] (action) In the workpiece holder of the present invention, the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2, which are opposed to each other as shown in FIG. 6(a), are brought close together, and the workpiece-side fitting body 12 of the workpiece-side jig 1 is fitted with the master-side fitting body 22 of the master-side jig 2 (FIGS. 5(a) and 6(b)). After that, when the pressing body 24 moves toward the fitted workpiece-side fitting body 12 and master-side fitting body 22 while they are fitted together, the first contact portion 24b and the second contact portion 24c of the pressing body 24 come into contact with the body portion 12b and the locking flange 12c of the workpiece-side fitting body 12, and the workpiece-side jig 1 is pressed toward the master-side jig 2 (FIGS. 5(b) and 6(c)).

[0051] Conversely, when the work side jig 1 is pressed in the direction of the master side jig 2 by the pressing body 24 and the pressing body 24 moves in a direction away from the engaged work side fitting body 12 and master side fitting body 22, the first abutment portion 24b and the second abutment portion 24c of the pressing body 24 move away from the body portion 12b and the locking flange 12c of the work side fitting body 12, and the pressure on the work side jig 1 in the direction of the master side jig 2 is released.

[0052] (Example of use) An example of the use of the workpiece holder of the present invention will be described below. Here, the case where machining of a second workpiece W is performed after machining of a first workpiece W is completed will be taken as an example. (1) The first workpiece W is attached to the workpiece attachment surface of the workpiece side jig 1. (2) The work-side jig 1 with the first work W attached is fixed to the master-side jig 2. Specifically, the work-side fitting body 12 and the master-side fitting body 22 are fitted together, and the work-side fitting body 12 is pressed by the pressing body 24 to connect it to the master-side jig 2. (3) In the state of (2) above, the first workpiece W attached to the workpiece attachment surface is machined. (4) After the first workpiece W has been machined, the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2 are separated. Specifically, the pressing force of the pressing body 24 on the workpiece-side fitting body 12 is released, and the connection between them is released. (5) The second workpiece W is attached to a workpiece attachment surface of a workpiece-side jig 1 that is different from the workpiece-side jig 1 to which the first workpiece W is attached. The attachment of the second workpiece W is performed in a separate process while the first workpiece W is being processed. (6) The work-side jig 1 with the second work W attached thereto is fixed to the master-side jig 2 in the same manner as in (2) above. (7) In the state of (6) above, the second workpiece W attached to the workpiece attachment surface is machined. (8) After the second workpiece W has been machined, the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2 are separated in the same manner as in (4) above. (9) After that, by repeating the above steps (5) to (8) as many times as necessary, the workpiece W can be processed continuously without waste. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The workpiece holder of the present invention can be suitably used as a holder for various types of workpieces W, particularly large or heavy workpieces W that are difficult to position or replace manually. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Work side jig 2 Master side jig 11 Base body (work side base) 12. Fitting body (work side fitting body) 12a Work side base 12b Body part 12c Locking collar 12d recess 13 Guide body (work side guide) 21 Base body (master side base) 21a Drawer hole 22 Mating body (master side mating body) 22a Master side base 22b Convex part 22c tapered guide surface 23 Guide body (master side guide) 24 Pressing body 24a Notch 24b First contact part 24c Second contact part 25 Guide Block 25a Guide groove 26 Actuator 26a Rod 27 Stock sensor 28 Guide protrusion P Positioner double work

Claims

1. In a work holder having a work-side jig and a master-side jig, the work-side jig has a work-side fitting body on a surface facing the master-side jig, the master-side jig includes a master-side fitting that fits into the work-side fitting on a surface facing the work-side jig, a pressing body that comes into contact with the work-side fitting fitted into the master-side fitting and presses the work-side fitting toward the master-side jig, and an actuator that operates the pressing body; The pressing body is provided for each pair of work-side fitting body and master-side fitting body to be fitted thereto, When the pressing body is operated by the actuator, the pressing body comes into contact with the work-side fitting body, and the work-side fitting body is pressed toward the master-side jig. A work holder characterized by:

2. The workpiece holder according to claim 1, Two or more pairs of master-side fitting bodies and work-side fitting bodies to be fitted together are provided, a pressing member provided for each pair of a master-side fitting body and a work-side fitting body to be fitted with the pressing member; A work holder characterized by:

3. 3. The workpiece holder according to claim 2, Two or more pressing bodies are provided in different directions, A work holder characterized by:

4. The workpiece holder according to claim 1, The actuator has a locking mechanism that holds the pressing body in the pressing position. A work holder characterized by:

5. The workpiece holder according to claim 1, A guide block is provided to guide the pressing body. A work holder characterized by:

Images