Clamping Device

Abstract

To provide a compact clamping device.SOLUTION: This clamping device can fix an object to be fixed to a base body, and comprises: a cylinder body fixed to the base body; an output member reciprocable with respect to the cylinder body; a first cylinder room for driving the output member in a first direction; and a second cylinder room for driving the output member in a second direction. The cylinder member includes a body part having a double-pipe structure of an inner peripheral pipe and an outer peripheral pipe, and a gap is formed between the inner and outer peripheral pipes. The output member includes a rod part projecting from the cylinder body, and a piston part connected to the rod part to divide an inner space of the inner peripheral pipe into the first and second cylinder rooms. First and second ports for supplying fluid pressure into the respective first and second cylinder rooms are provided in the cylinder body so as to open in the first direction. The fluid pressure supplied through the first port is transmitted through the gap generated in the double-pipe structure into the first cylinder room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present technology relates to clamping devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Cylinder devices that operate an output member using fluid pressure such as air pressure or hydraulic pressure are known in the art, as are clamping devices that use the output of a cylinder device to fix an object to a base. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-103425 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 026584 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-175503 [Patent Document 4] Jikko No. 50-2947 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-13689 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for further miniaturization of clamping devices. An object of the present technology is to provide a miniaturized clamping device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A clamping device according to the present technology is capable of fixing an object to a base body, and includes a cylinder body fixed to the base body, an output member reciprocable relative to the cylinder body, a first cylinder chamber for driving the output member in a first direction, and a second cylinder chamber for driving the output member in a second direction. The cylinder body includes a main body portion having a double-tube structure with an inner circumferential tube portion and an outer circumferential tube portion, and a gap is formed between the inner circumferential tube portion and the outer circumferential tube portion. The output member includes a rod portion protruding from the cylinder body and a piston portion connected to the rod portion and dividing the space inside the inner circumferential tube portion into a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber. A first port and a second port for supplying fluid pressure to the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, respectively, are provided in the cylinder body so as to open in the first direction. The fluid pressure supplied to the first port is transmitted to the first cylinder chamber via the gap formed in the double-tube structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present technology, the clamp device can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first state (clamped state) of a clamping device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the clamping device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bolt 800 and its surroundings shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second state (unclamped state) of the clamping device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a top view showing a state in which a fluid pipe is connected to the clamping device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the state of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described. Note that the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof may not be repeated.

[0009] In the embodiments described below, when numbers, amounts, etc. are mentioned, the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, etc., unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential to the present technology, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the present technology is not necessarily limited to those that achieve all of the effects and advantages mentioned in the present embodiments.

[0010] In this specification, the terms "comprise," "include," and "have" are open-ended. That is, when a certain feature is included, other features may or may not be included.

[0011] Furthermore, when geometric terms and terms expressing positional and directional relationships are used in this specification, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° diagonal," "coaxial," and "along," these terms allow for manufacturing errors and slight variations. When terms expressing relative positional relationships, such as "upper side" and "lower side," are used in this specification, these terms are used to indicate relative positional relationships in a single state, and the relative positional relationships can be reversed or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by turning the entire mechanism upside down).

[0012] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first state (clamped state) of a clamping device (link clamp) according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a top view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 illustrates the AA cross section in Fig. 2, with the first port 30 (the radial position of which is maintained when viewed from the center of the cylinder) added.

[0013] The clamping device according to this embodiment is a clamping device capable of fixing an object 1 to a base body 2. In the example of Fig. 1, a fixing position 10 of the object 1 is fixed by the clamping device.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamp device includes a cylinder body 100, an output member 200, a first cylinder chamber 300, a second cylinder chamber 400, a clamp arm 500, a bolt 600, a seal member 700, and a bolt 800.

[0015] The cylinder body 100 is fixed to the base body 2. The cylinder body 100 includes a body portion 110 and a flange portion 120.

[0016] The body portion 110 of the cylinder body 100 is inserted into a hole 20 formed in the base body 2. The body portion 110 has a double-pipe structure consisting of an inner circumferential pipe portion 111 and an outer circumferential pipe portion 112.

[0017] The flange portion 120 of the cylinder body 100 extends radially outward from the hole 20 and abuts against the upper surface of the base body 2. The flange portion 120 has a first portion 121 formed integrally with the inner circumferential pipe portion 111 and a second portion 122 formed integrally with the outer circumferential pipe portion 112. The first portion 121 and the second portion 122 of the flange portion 120 abut against each other from above and below, respectively, and are thus positioned relative to each other in the up-down direction. The upper surface of the flange portion 120 is formed flat so as to extend horizontally.

[0018] The output member 200 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate relative to the cylinder body 100. The output member 200 includes a rod portion 210 that protrudes from the cylinder body 100, and a piston portion 220 that is connected to the rod portion 210 and divides the space inside the inner circumferential pipe portion 111 into a first cylinder chamber 300 and a second cylinder chamber 400.

[0019] The first cylinder chamber 300 is formed in the internal space of the main body portion 110 of the cylinder body 100. More specifically, the first cylinder chamber 300 is formed inside the inner circumferential pipe portion 111. The first cylinder chamber 300 drives the output member 200 in the upward direction (first direction). In the state shown in FIG. 1 (clamped state), fluid pressure is supplied to the first cylinder chamber 300.

[0020] The second cylinder chamber 400 is formed in the internal space of the main body portion 110 of the cylinder body 100. More specifically, the second cylinder chamber 400 is formed inside the inner circumferential pipe portion 111. The second cylinder chamber 400 drives the output member 200 downward (second direction). In the state shown in FIG. 1 (clamped state), the fluid pressure in the second cylinder chamber 400 is discharged.

[0021] The clamp arm 500 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the output member 200. Furthermore, a link member 510 is attached to connect the cylinder body 100 and the clamp arm 500. The link member 510 is rotatably connected to the cylinder body 100 and the clamp arm 500. A link mechanism is formed by the cylinder body 100, output member 200, clamp arm 500, and link member 510. As the output member 200 moves up and down, the link mechanism is driven and the clamp arm 500 rotates. This achieves clamping and unclamping operations.

[0022] The bolt 600 secures the cylinder body 100 to the base body 2. The bolt 600 passes through the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 of the flange portion 120 of the cylinder body 100 from above. The tip (lower end) of the bolt 600 is fixed to the base body 2. Note that instead of the bolt 600, other fastening members such as a pin may be used.

[0023] The seal member 700 includes a first seal member 710, a second seal member 720, and a third seal member 730.

[0024] The first seal member 710 is provided on the outer periphery of the piston portion 220 of the output member 200. The first seal member 710 seals between the first cylinder chamber 300 and the second cylinder chamber 400.

[0025] The second seal member 720 is provided between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 of the flange portion 120 of the cylinder body 100. The installation position (vertical and radial) of the second seal member 720 can be changed as needed within the flange portion 120. The second seal member 720 seals between the first cylinder chamber 300 and the outside of the cylinder body 100. The first portion 121 and the second portion 122 of the flange portion 120 of the cylinder body 100 are positioned relative to each other in the radial direction via the second seal member 720. FIG. 1 shows an ideal state in which the axes of the inner circumferential pipe portion 111 and the outer circumferential pipe portion 112 are aligned, but slight misalignment due to deformation of the second seal member 720 (misalignment of the axes of the inner circumferential pipe portion 111 and the outer circumferential pipe portion 112) is acceptable as long as a flow path to the first cylinder chamber 300 is secured.

[0026] The third seal member 730 is provided between the rod portion 210 of the output member 200 and the cylinder body 100. The third seal member 730 seals between the second cylinder chamber 400 and the outside of the cylinder body 100. A scraper 700A (dust seal) is provided above the third seal member 730.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of bolt 800. As shown in Fig. 3, bolt 800 penetrates from below through first portion 121 and second portion 122 of flange portion 120 of cylinder body 100. The tip (upper end) of bolt 800 is fixed to first portion 121. Note that instead of bolt 800, other fastening members such as a pin may be used.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a first port 30 and a second port 40 are provided on the top surface of the cylinder body 100. The first port 30 and the second port 40 are provided on the cylinder body 100 so as to open upward. The first port 30 and the second port 40 are formed in a first portion 121 of the flange portion 120. The first port 30 and the second port 40 are provided at positions closer to the axis of the output member 200 than the bolts 600 and 800. The first port 30 and the second port 40 are located on opposite sides of the center axis of the clamp arm 500 (the axis extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 2). The first port 30 and the second port 40 are provided at positions that do not overlap with the clamp arm 500 (in the clamped state, unclamped state, and intermediate states thereof) when the clamp device is viewed from above or below.

[0029] The first port 30 is a port for supplying fluid pressure to the first cylinder chamber 300. The second port 40 is a port for supplying fluid pressure to the second cylinder chamber 400.

[0030] 1 , the first port 30 communicates with the first cylinder chamber 300 via the inclined hole 31 and the gap 32. The fluid pressure supplied to the first port 30 can be supplied to the first cylinder chamber 300 via the inclined hole 31 and the gap 32. The fluid pressure supplied to the first cylinder chamber 300 can be discharged from the first port 30 via the gap 32 and the inclined hole 31.

[0031] The inclined hole 31 extends from the bottom of the first port 30 in a direction obliquely intersecting the upward and downward directions and reaches the gap 32. The inclined hole 31 connects the first port 30 and the gap 32. The inclined hole 31 is inclined so as to extend radially outward from the cylinder body 100 as it extends downward from the cylinder body 100. The inclination angle of the inclined hole 31 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately 5° to 60° (more preferably approximately 15° to 45°). However, the inclination angle is not limited to the above range.

[0032] Gap 32 is formed between inner circumferential pipe portion 111 and outer circumferential pipe portion 112 of main body portion 110 in cylinder main body 100. When the clamping device is viewed from above or below, gap 32 formed in the double-pipe structure of cylinder main body 100 is formed between first seal member 710 and second seal member 720. Gap 32 is formed over the entire length of the double-pipe structure of cylinder main body 100.

[0033] The upper end of the gap 32 communicates with the inclined hole 31. The lower end of the gap 32 communicates with the first cylinder chamber 300. The gap 32 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the entire circumference of the inner pipe portion 111. Therefore, the radial width of the gap 32 may be smaller than the diameter of the inclined hole 31. Here, the "radial width of the gap 32" refers to the radial width of the gap 32 when ideal positioning is performed, in which the axial centers of the inner pipe portion 111 and the outer pipe portion 112 are aligned.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the second state (unclamped state) of the clamping device (link clamp) according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-section corresponding to the AA cross-section in Fig. 2, with the second port 40 (the radial position of which is maintained when viewed from the center of the cylinder) added.

[0035] 4, the second port 40 communicates with the second cylinder chamber 400 via the inclined hole 41. The fluid pressure supplied to the second port 40 can be supplied to the second cylinder chamber 400 via the inclined hole 41. The fluid pressure supplied to the second cylinder chamber 400 can be discharged from the second port 40 via the inclined hole 41.

[0036] The inclined hole 41 extends from the bottom of the second port 40 in a direction that obliquely intersects the upward and downward directions and reaches the second cylinder chamber 400. The inclined hole 41 connects the second port 40 and the second cylinder chamber 400. The inclined hole 41 is inclined so as to be radially inward of the cylinder body 100 as it extends downward of the cylinder body 100. The inclination angle of the inclined hole 41 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately 0° to 45° (more preferably approximately 10° to 30°). However, the inclination angle is not limited to the above range.

[0037] 1 (clamped state), by discharging the fluid pressure from the first cylinder chamber 300 and supplying fluid pressure to the second cylinder chamber 400, the output member 200 is driven downward, which drives the link mechanism and rotates the clamp arm 500 in the direction of arrow B. This achieves the state shown in FIG. 4 (unclamped state).

[0038] Fig. 5 is a top view showing a state in which the clamp device is connected to the fluid pipes 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a front view showing the state in Fig. 5.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the fluid pipe 3 is connected to the first port 30 at the connection part 3A. Fluid pressure is supplied to and discharged from the first cylinder chamber 300 via the fluid pipe 3. The fluid pipe 4 is connected to the second port 40 at the connection part 4A. Fluid pressure is supplied to and discharged from the second cylinder chamber 400 via the fluid pipe 4. A flow rate adjustment valve for adjusting the flow rate of the working fluid may be provided at the connection parts 3A and 4A.

[0040] In the clamping device according to this embodiment, the first port 30 and the second port 40 are provided so as to open to the upper side of the cylinder body 100, so there is no need to provide a flow path in the base body 2. This makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the base body 2. As a result, it is possible to reduce the vertical size of the entire mechanism including the clamping device.

[0041] Furthermore, in the clamping device according to this embodiment, fluid pressure is supplied to the lower first cylinder chamber 300 through the gap 32 formed by the double-pipe structure, which simplifies the processing required to form a flow path in the cylinder body 100. In particular, it is possible to omit the need to drill holes to form vertical flow paths in the main body portion 110 of the cylinder body 100. As a result, the cylinder body 100 can be made smaller by the amount of the processing allowance required for drilling the holes, which in turn allows the clamping device to be made smaller.

[0042] In the clamping device described above, the outer diameter of the main body portion 110 of the cylinder body 100 can be, for example, about 10 mm to 40 mm (more preferably, about 15 mm to 30 mm). The height of the cylinder body 100 (height from the bottom surface of the main body portion 110 to the top surface of the flange portion 120) can be about 20 mm to 100 mm (more preferably, about 30 mm to 70 mm). However, the dimensions of the cylinder body 100 are not limited to those described above.

[0043] The clamping device described above can be used not only for fixing a workpiece to be machined, but also for applications requiring further miniaturization, such as conveyance devices and assembly devices. However, the applications of the clamping device according to the present technology are not limited to the above.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, a link clamp having a link member 510 and in which the output member 200 moves up and down without pivoting has been described, but the clamp device according to the present technology is not limited to a link clamp and may be another type of clamp device, such as a swing clamp. Note that in a link clamp, the output member 200 and the clamp arm 500 do not pivot, so there is a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of the first port 30 and the second port 40 provided on the top surface of the cylinder body 100, and compared to a swing clamp, it is possible to further miniaturize the clamp device.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, an air cylinder using air pressure as the fluid pressure supplied to the first cylinder chamber 300 and the second cylinder chamber 400 has been described. However, the fluid pressure cylinder according to the present technology is not limited to an air cylinder and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder using oil pressure. The fluid pressure supplied to the first cylinder chamber 300 and the second cylinder chamber 400 is, for example, approximately 1 MPa or less. By limiting the fluid pressure to approximately 1 MPa or less, the inner circumferential tube portion 111 and the outer circumferential tube portion 112 of the main body portion 110 of the cylinder main body 100 can be made thinner, thereby enabling further miniaturization of the clamping device. However, the fluid pressure according to the present technology is not limited to the above range.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, a structure in which the output member 200 is driven only by fluid pressure has been described, but a biasing member that drives the output member 200 in addition to or instead of fluid pressure may be provided in the first cylinder chamber 300 or the second cylinder chamber 400.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 fixed object, 2 base body, 3, 4 fluid piping, 3A, 4A connection portion, 10 fixed position, 20 hole portion, 30 first port, 31 inclined hole, 32 gap, 40 second port, 41 inclined hole, 100 cylinder body, 110 body portion, 111 inner pipe portion, 112 outer pipe portion, 120 flange portion, 121 first portion, 122 second portion, 200 output member, 210 rod portion, 220 piston portion, 300 first cylinder chamber, 400 second cylinder chamber, 500 clamp arm, 510 link member, 600 bolt, 700 seal member, 700A scraper, 710 first seal member, 720 second seal member, 730 third seal member, 800 bolt.

Claims

1. A clamping device capable of fixing an object to a base body, a cylinder body fixed to the base body; an output member reciprocatable relative to the cylinder body; a first cylinder chamber that drives the output member in a first direction; a second cylinder chamber that drives the output member in a second direction, the cylinder body includes a main body portion having a double-pipe structure of an inner circumferential pipe portion and an outer circumferential pipe portion, and a gap is formed between the inner circumferential pipe portion and the outer circumferential pipe portion; the output member includes a rod portion protruding from the cylinder body, and a piston portion connected to the rod portion and dividing a space inside the inner circumferential pipe portion into the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, a first port and a second port for supplying fluid pressure to the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, respectively, are provided in the cylinder body; the fluid pressure supplied to the first port is transmitted to the first cylinder chamber via the gap formed in the double-pipe structure, a bottom surface of the main body portion of the cylinder main body on the second direction side is integrally formed with the outer circumferential pipe portion, The main body portion of the cylinder main body is inserted into a hole provided in the base body, the cylinder body includes a flange portion; The flange portion has a first portion that extends radially outward from the hole portion and is formed integrally with the inner pipe portion, and a second portion that extends radially outward from the hole portion, abuts the surface of the base body on the first direction side, and is formed integrally with the outer pipe portion.

2. A clamping device as described in claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part of the flange portion are positioned relatively in the first direction and the second direction by abutting against each other from the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

3. The clamping device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first port and the second port are formed in the first portion.

4. a first seal member provided on an outer periphery of the piston portion, and a second seal member provided between the first portion and the second portion of the flange portion, 4. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein when the clamping device is viewed from the first direction or the second direction, the gap formed in the double-tube structure is formed between the first seal member and the second seal member.

5. A clamping device as described in Claim 4, wherein the positioning of the first part and the second part in the radial direction of the cylinder body is performed via the second sealing member provided between the first part and the second part.

6. 6. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the gap formed between the inner pipe portion and the outer pipe portion is formed over the entire length of the double pipe structure.

7. A clamping device capable of fixing an object to a base body, a cylinder body fixed to the base body; an output member reciprocatable relative to the cylinder body; a first cylinder chamber that drives the output member in a first direction; a second cylinder chamber that drives the output member in a second direction, the cylinder body includes a main body portion having a double-pipe structure of an inner circumferential pipe portion and an outer circumferential pipe portion, and a gap is formed between the inner circumferential pipe portion and the outer circumferential pipe portion; the output member includes a rod portion protruding from the cylinder body, and a piston portion connected to the rod portion and dividing a space inside the inner circumferential pipe portion into the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, a first port and a second port for supplying fluid pressure to the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, respectively, are provided in the cylinder body; the fluid pressure supplied to the first port is transmitted to the first cylinder chamber via the gap formed in the double-pipe structure, a bottom surface of the main body portion of the cylinder main body on the second direction side is integrally formed with the outer circumferential pipe portion, A clamping device, wherein the gap formed between the inner pipe portion and the outer pipe portion is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the entire circumference of the inner pipe portion over the entire length of the double pipe structure.

8. 8. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein a flow path is formed that extends from a bottom of the first port in a direction that obliquely intersects the first direction and the second direction and reaches the gap formed between the inner pipe portion and the outer pipe portion.

9. The clamping device according to claim 1 , wherein the output member reciprocates relative to the cylinder body without pivoting.

10. The clamping device according to claim 1 , wherein the first port and the second port are provided in the cylinder body so as to open toward the first direction.

11. A clamping device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the internal space of the main body portion of the cylinder body is formed by a first member having the inner circumferential tube portion and a second member having the outer circumferential tube portion, and in the internal space, the space inside the inner circumferential tube portion is partitioned into the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber by the piston portion.

12. an inclined hole extending from a bottom of the second port in a direction obliquely intersecting the first direction and the second direction and reaching the second cylinder chamber is formed in the cylinder body; The clamping device according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined hole is inclined so as to extend radially inward of the cylinder body as it extends in the second direction.

13. The clamping device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fastening member that fastens the first and second portions of the flange portion together.

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