Workpiece fixing jig

Abstract

To provide a work fixing jig that is simple and has high flexibility of fixing work.SOLUTION: A work fixing jig is equipped with a base portion 10 that can move with respect to a placing surface 92, a first channel portion 30 that is formed in a longitudinal direction in the base portion 10, and in which compressed air supplied from the outside flows, a negative pressure generating portion 35 that is provided in the first channel portion 30 and generates negative pressure sucking air between the base portion 10 and the placing surface 92 by a flow of the compressed air, thereby adsorbing the base portion 10 to the placing surface 92, a second channel portion 40 that connects with the first channel portion 30 on the downstream side of the negative pressure generating portion 35 of the first channel portion 30, and penetrates the base portion 10 in a lateral direction, and two exhaust ports 42a and 42b respectively provided on a pair of side surfaces 15a and 15b of the base portion 10 through which the second channel portion 40 penetrates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work fixing jig.

Background Art

[0002] In a measuring device, a machine tool, etc., a work is fixed to a mounting surface such as a surface plate. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a method of fixing a work via a jig block fixed to a jig base fixed to a table with bolts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above technique, when adjusting the position of the jig block, it is necessary to remove and attach bolts, which imposes a complicated and time-consuming operation on the operator. Also, since the fixing position of the jig block with respect to the jig base is restricted, the freedom of the fixing operation is also limited.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a work fixing jig that is simple and has a high degree of freedom in fixing work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece fixing jig for fixing a workpiece to a mounting surface is provided, comprising: a base portion movable with respect to the mounting surface; a first flow path portion formed in the base portion along a first direction through which compressed air supplied from the outside flows; a negative pressure generating portion provided in the first flow path portion, which generates a negative pressure by drawing air between the base portion and the mounting surface due to the flow of the compressed air, thereby causing the base portion to adhere to the mounting surface; a second flow path portion connected to the first flow path portion downstream of the negative pressure generating portion in the first flow path portion and penetrating the base portion along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and two exhaust ports provided on each of a pair of sides of the base portion through which the second flow path portion penetrates.

[0007] Furthermore, the system may also be further equipped with first sound-absorbing members provided at each of the two exhaust ports.

[0008] Furthermore, the first flow channel may also be provided with a second sound-absorbing member located downstream of the negative pressure generating section.

[0009] Furthermore, the sides of the base portion on which the exhaust port is not provided may be curved surfaces with a predetermined curvature.

[0010] Furthermore, the device may also include a shaft member fixed so as to protrude upward from the base portion, and an elastic blade connected to the shaft member for pressing and fixing the workpiece.

[0011] Alternatively, the elastic blade may press and fix the workpiece placed on the aforementioned mounting surface using the suction force of the negative pressure generating part.

[0012] Furthermore, the device may also include a support member fixed so as to protrude upward from the base portion and capable of supporting the workpiece, wherein the elastic blade may be fixed by pressing it against the workpiece while sandwiching it between the support member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention offers the advantage of realizing a workpiece fixing jig that is simple to use and offers a high degree of freedom in the fixing process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a workpiece fixing jig 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the base section 10 as seen from above. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of BB. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram to explain airflow. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation to release the suction state of the base unit 10. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first example of use of the workpiece fixing jig 1. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of use for the workpiece fixing jig 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] <Overview of workpiece fixing fixture> An overview of a workpiece fixing jig according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a workpiece fixing jig 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the base portion 10 viewed from above. Note that in Figure 2, the shaft member 20 and the elastic blade 25 are omitted for the sake of explanation.

[0017] The work fixing jig 1 is used in a state of being placed on the placing surface 92 of a placing table 90 such as a surface plate of a measuring device. The work fixing jig 1 is a jig for fixing the work W to the placing surface 92. Here, the work fixing jig 1 presses and fixes the work W placed on the placing surface 92 in a state of being adsorbed to the placing surface 92.

[0018] The work fixing jig 1 is movable on the placing surface 92 of the placing table 90. Here, a stone surface plate is used as the placing table 90, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be made of other materials as long as it is a plate-shaped member having the flatness required for using the work fixing jig 1.

[0019] The work fixing jig 1 is switchable between an adsorption state in which it is adsorbed and fixed to the placing surface 92 and an adsorption release state in which the adsorption state is released and it is movable on the placing surface 92. The adsorption state is a vacuum adsorption state in which the air (hereinafter also referred to as suction air) between the work fixing jig 1 and the placing surface 92 is sucked using the compressed air supplied from the compressor. The operator can position the work fixing jig 1 at a desired position (the position where the work W is pressed) by switching the work fixing jig 1 in the adsorption release state to the adsorption state after moving it to a desired position on the placing surface 92.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the work fixing jig 1 has a base portion 10, a shaft member 20, a slide member 22, and an elastic blade 25. The base portion 10 is a main body portion that can be adsorbed to the placing surface 92 and is movable with respect to the placing surface 92. The base portion 10 is connected to a compressor that supplies compressed air via a supply path 80. Inside the base portion 10, a flow path portion (described later) through which the supplied compressed air flows is formed. The shape of the base portion 10 in plan view is, here, oval as shown in FIG. 2, but it is not limited thereto. The base portion 10 may be, for example, a cylindrical body or a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, a plurality of fixing holes 13a to 13e are formed on the upper surface 12 of the base portion 10. The fixing holes 13a to 13e are holes for fixing the shaft member 20. For example, the fixing holes 13a to 13e have female threads that screw into the male threads on the lower part of the shaft member 20. The worker can fix the shaft member 20 at any position among the fixing holes 13a to 13e. In Figure 1, the shaft member 20 is fixed in fixing hole 13a.

[0022] The base portion 10 has four sides, namely sides 14a, 14b, 15a, and 15b. Sides 14a and 14b are curved surfaces with a predetermined curvature, as shown in Figure 2. A supply passage 80 is connected to side 14b. Exhaust ports (exhaust ports 42a shown in Figure 1) are formed on sides 15a and 15b to discharge the air flowing inside the base portion 10.

[0023] The shaft member 20 protrudes upward from the upper surface 12 of the base portion 10. The lower part of the shaft member 20 is fixed to the base portion 10. The sliding member 22 is slidable along the axial direction (up and down direction in Figure 1) of the shaft member 20. The sliding member 22 is also rotatable in the circumferential direction of the shaft member 20.

[0024] The elastic blade 25 is an elastically deformable plate member. The elastic blade 25 is connected to the shaft member 20 via a slide member 22, and as shown in Figure 1, it generates an elastic force when bent to press against the workpiece W and fix the workpiece W in place. The elastic blade 25 is fixed to the slide member 22 and can slide and rotate together with the slide member 22 relative to the shaft member 20.

[0025] <Internal structure of the base section> The internal structure of the base unit 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1, section AA. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3, section BB. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the airflow. In Figure 5, the airflow is shown when the base portion 10 is adsorbed to the mounting surface 92.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the base portion 10 is provided with a first flow path portion 30, a recess 32, a connecting passage 33, a negative pressure generating portion 35, a second flow path portion 40, exhaust ports 42a and 42b, and sound-absorbing members 50 and 55. In this embodiment, the sound-absorbing member 50 corresponds to the first sound-absorbing member, and the sound-absorbing member 55 corresponds to the second sound-absorbing member.

[0027] The first flow path section 30 has a flow path through which compressed air supplied from the outside flows. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the first flow path section 30 is connected to the supply passage 80, and compressed air flowing in from the supply passage 80 flows through the first flow path section 30. The first flow path section 30 is formed along the longitudinal direction within the base section 10. In the first flow path section 30, the portion downstream of the negative pressure generating section 35 has a shape in which the diameter gradually widens like a trumpet as it moves downstream, as shown in Figure 3, and has the function of diffusing compressed air as a diffuser.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the recess 32 is formed on the lower surface 16 of the base portion 10, facing the mounting surface 92. The recess 32 is recessed from the lower surface 16 by a predetermined depth. For example, the recess 32 is formed in an oval shape on the central side of the lower surface 16.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting passage 33 is a hole that connects the recess 32 and the first flow channel 30. The connecting passage 33 is formed along the vertical direction within the base portion 10. The connecting passage 33 directs the air between the recess 32 and the mounting surface 92 towards the upper first flow channel 30.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the negative pressure generating unit 35 is provided in the first flow path section 30. The negative pressure generating unit 35 generates negative pressure by the flow of compressed air through the first flow path section 30, which draws in the air between the base section 10 and the mounting surface 92. As the air between the base section 10 and the mounting surface 92 is drawn in, an adsorption force is generated, and the base section 10 (specifically, the lower surface 16) is adsorbed to the mounting surface 92 by this adsorption force.

[0031] The negative pressure generating section 35 is located downstream of the joint 36 that connects the supply passage 80 and the base section 10. The joint 36 has a cylindrical shape, and compressed air passes through its interior.

[0032] A nozzle 37 is formed downstream of the joint 36. The nozzle 37 has a narrowed diameter, which increases the flow velocity of compressed air passing through the joint 36. When the flow velocity of compressed air increases at the tip of the nozzle 37, the pressure around the tip of the nozzle 37 decreases, creating negative pressure. Negative pressure is generated in a direction perpendicular to the flow of compressed air passing through the nozzle 37, according to Bernoulli's principle of negative pressure generation. Here, since the outlet of the nozzle 37 is in communication with the communication passage 33, negative pressure is generated in the direction from the communication passage 33 toward the outlet of the nozzle 37. Thus, the negative pressure generation area 35 is a region near the outlet of the nozzle 37 that is in communication with the communication passage 33. As negative pressure is generated, as shown in Figure 5(a), the air in the recess 32 flows into the first flow path section 30 via the communication passage 33, and an adhesive force is generated between the base section 10 and the mounting surface 92. Due to the generated adhesive force, the base section 10 is attracted to the mounting surface 92. In this embodiment, the first flow path section 30, the negative pressure generation section 35, and the nozzle 37 constitute a vacuum ejector 38 that generates a vacuum using compressed air.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the second flow channel 40 is connected to the first flow channel 30 downstream of the negative pressure generating section 35 of the first flow channel 30. The second flow channel 40 penetrates the base section 10 along the shorter direction of the base section 10. That is, the second flow channel 40 penetrates between a pair of sides 15a and 15b of the base section 10. The first flow channel 30 and the second flow channel 40 form a so-called T-shaped flow channel. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(b), the air flowing through the first flow channel 30 splits and flows in two directions through the second flow channel 40. In addition, the first flow channel 30 and the second flow channel 40 are formed to be parallel to the mounting surface 92 (the lower surface 16 of the base section 10).

[0034] As shown in Figure 5(b), the exhaust ports 42a and 42b are openings that discharge the air flowing through the second flow path 40 to the outside. Exhaust port 42a is provided on the side surface 15a of the base portion 10, and exhaust port 42b is provided on the side surface 15b of the base portion 10. In addition, the suction air drawn in by the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generation unit 35 also flows through the second flow path 40 and is discharged from the exhaust ports 42a and 42b. When air is discharged from the exhaust ports 42a and 42b in this way, the base portion 10 is adsorbed to the mounting surface 92.

[0035] The exhaust ports 42a and 42b can be closed. For example, an operator can close the exhaust ports 42a and 42b with two fingers. When the exhaust ports 42a and 42b are closed, air is no longer discharged from the exhaust ports 42a and 42b and flows into the recess 32 through the connecting passage 33. Consequently, the air in the recess 32 is no longer sucked in, and the suction state of the base portion 10 to the mounting surface 92 is released. This allows the operator to move the base portion 10 on the mounting surface 92.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation to release the suction state of the base unit 10. In this diagram, the worker is blocking the exhaust ports 42a and 42b with two fingers 95, each of which is opposite the sides 15a and 15b of the base unit 10. This releases the suction state of the base unit 10. With the exhaust ports 42a and 42b blocked by the fingers 95, the worker can easily move the base unit 10 on the mounting surface 92 to determine or adjust its position by moving the hand, with the fingers 95 in contact with the sides 15a and 15b. As a result, the movement of the base unit 10 on the mounting surface 92 can be smoothly performed using only the movement of the hand, including the fingers 95. This significantly reduces the time required compared to conventional setup work such as fixing the workpiece W. Furthermore, grooves (specifically, grooves running along the longitudinal direction) may be formed on the sides 15a and 15b of the base portion 10 to facilitate gripping with the fingers 95. In this case, the worker can easily carry the base portion 10 while gripping it with their fingers 95 in the grooves. In addition, it prevents the worker from touching and soiling the lower surface 16 of the base portion 10.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the sound-absorbing members 50 are provided at each of the exhaust ports 42a and 42b. In this case, the sound-absorbing members 50 are silencers made of resin. However, they are not limited to this, and the sound-absorbing members 50 may be, for example, a bronze sintered body made by sintering and solidifying granular bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin. By providing such sound-absorbing members 50 at the exhaust ports 42a and 42b, the exhaust noise when air is discharged from the exhaust ports 42a and 42b can be suppressed.

[0038] The sound-absorbing member 55 is provided downstream of the negative pressure generating section 35 in the first flow path section 30. The sound-absorbing member 55 is made of the same material as the sound-absorbing member 50. By providing the sound-absorbing members 50 and 55, the first flow path section 30 and the second flow path section 40 are surrounded by the sound-absorbing members 50 and 55, resulting in a superior sound-dampening effect. Experimental results showed that when the sound-absorbing members 50 and 55 were not provided, the exhaust noise exceeded 60 dB, but when the sound-absorbing members 50 and 55 were provided, the exhaust noise decreased to 50 dB. By reducing the exhaust noise, the stress felt by workers due to the exhaust noise during work can be reduced.

[0039] <Examples of workpiece fixing jig usage> An example of using the workpiece fixing jig 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of the use of the workpiece fixing jig 1. In this first example, a large workpiece W is placed on the mounting surface 92, and the workpiece W is fixed using multiple workpiece fixing jigs 1.

[0040] Here, three workpiece fixing jigs 1 are used, and compressed air is supplied to the three workpiece fixing jigs 1. First, the worker closes the exhaust ports 42a and 42b with their fingers 95, and then abuts the side surfaces 14a of the base portions 10 of the three workpiece fixing jigs 1 against the workpiece W. Once the position is determined, the worker releases the closure of the exhaust ports 42a and 42b. As a result, the curved side surfaces 14a of the three workpiece fixing jigs 1 make point or line contact with the workpiece W, allowing the workpiece W to be positioned at the desired location on the mounting surface 92.

[0041] Next, the operator slides and rotates the slide member 22, to which the elastic blades 25 of the three workpiece fixing jigs 1 are fixed, relative to the shaft member 20, thereby pressing the elastic blades 25 against the workpiece W. At this time, the elastic blades 25 press and fix the workpiece W, which is placed on the mounting surface 92, by the suction force of the negative pressure generating unit 35. In other words, the suction force assists in fixing the workpiece W by the elastic blades 25. As a result, the workpiece W is also fixed in the desired position on the mounting surface 92.

[0042] In the above description, it was assumed that the sides 14a of the three workpiece fixing jigs 1 are in contact with the workpiece W. However, this is not limited to this configuration. For example, a linear side 15a or side 15b in the longitudinal direction of one workpiece fixing jig 1 may be in contact with the workpiece W. In this case as well, the workpiece W can be fixed in the desired position by multiple workpiece fixing jigs 1. Furthermore, these fixing methods may be combined.

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of the use of the workpiece fixing jig 1. In the first example, the workpiece W is assumed to be placed on the mounting surface 92, but in the second example, multiple workpiece fixing jigs 1 support and fix the workpiece W. Although only one workpiece fixing jig 1 is shown in Figure 8, in reality, multiple workpiece fixing jigs 1 are used to fix and support the workpiece W.

[0044] In the second example of use, the workpiece fixing jig 1 has a support member 27 that supports the workpiece W, as shown in Figure 8. The support member 27 is fixed to the base portion 10 so as to protrude upward from the base portion 10. Specifically, the support member 27 is fixed to one of the fixing holes 13a to 13e (Figure 2) of the base portion 10. In the second example of use, the shaft member 20 and the support member 27 are fixed to fixing holes 13a to 13e at a position suitable for the shape of the workpiece W.

[0045] In the second example of use, the worker first supports the workpiece W using the support members 27 of the multiple workpiece fixing jigs 1. That is, the workpiece W is supported in a state where it is floating above the mounting surface 92. The multiple workpiece fixing jigs 1 are fixed to the desired position on the mounting surface 92 by suction due to the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generating unit 35 inside.

[0046] Next, the operator slides and rotates the slide member 22, to which the elastic blades 25 of the three workpiece fixing jigs 1 are fixed, relative to the shaft member 20, thereby pressing the elastic blades 25 against the workpiece W. That is, the elastic blades 25 press and fix the workpiece W while sandwiching it between the support member 27. Also, unlike the first example of use, the elastic blades 25 press and fix the workpiece W from above the base portion 10.

[0047] In the second use case, the suction force F1 that causes the base portion 10 to adhere to the mounting surface 92 and the fixing force F2 that fixes the workpiece W with the elastic blade 25 and support member 27 can be made independent. That is, the workpiece W can be fixedly supported within a closed force loop of the support member 27, shaft member 20, and elastic blade 25. Furthermore, since the pressing position of the elastic blade 25 is above the base portion 10, even if the fixing force F2 becomes large, the suction state will not be released by the fixing force F2.

[0048] <Effects of this embodiment> The workpiece fixing jig 1 of the above embodiment generates negative pressure by supplying compressed air through the joint 36, utilizing the compressed air flowing inside the base portion 10, allowing the base portion 10 to be easily fixed by suction to any position on the mounting surface 92. This eliminates the need for complicated bolt fixing work, improving work efficiency and increasing the degree of freedom in fixing the workpiece W. Furthermore, by making the first flow path portion 30 and the second flow path portion 40 into a T-shaped chamber and providing exhaust ports 42a and 42b at both ends of the second flow path portion 40, the operation of holding the base portion 10 in the hand and covering the exhaust ports 42a and 42b with the fingertips directly switches the inside of the recess 32 from negative pressure (vacuum pressure) to positive pressure. This makes it easy to move or detach the workpiece fixing jig 1 according to the purpose, and the sound-absorbing members 50 provided at the outlets of the exhaust ports 42a and 42b can quiet the jet noise that is generated by the nozzle 37.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Workpiece fixing jig 10 Base section 14a, 14b Side view 15a, 15b side 20 Shaft member 25 Elastic Blades 27 Support Member 30 First channel section 35 Negative pressure generation section 40 Second channel section 42a, 42b Exhaust port 50 Sound-absorbing material 55 Sound-absorbing material 92 Mounting surface Double job

Claims

1. A workpiece fixing jig for fixing a workpiece to a mounting surface, A base portion that is movable relative to the mounting surface, A first flow channel is formed within the base portion along a first direction through which compressed air supplied from the outside flows, A negative pressure generating unit is provided in the first flow path and generates a negative pressure by the flow of compressed air that sucks the air between the base and the aforementioned mounting surface, thereby causing the base to adhere to the aforementioned mounting surface, A second flow path is connected to the first flow path downstream of the negative pressure generating section of the first flow path, and penetrates the base section along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The base portion is provided on each of the pair of sides through which the second flow path portion penetrates, and accepts an operation to close the base portion with the operator's finger in order to release the suction state of the base portion to the aforementioned surface, A workpiece fixing jig equipped with the following features.

2. The system further comprises a first sound-absorbing member provided in each of the two exhaust ports. The workpiece fixing jig according to claim 1.

3. The first flow path further comprises a second sound-absorbing member provided downstream of the negative pressure generating section. A workpiece fixing jig according to claim 1 or 2.

4. On the four sides of the base portion, the side where the exhaust port is not provided is a curved surface with a predetermined curvature. A workpiece fixing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A shaft member fixed so as to protrude upward from the base portion, The system further comprises an elastic blade connected to the shaft member for pressing and fixing the workpiece, A workpiece fixing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The elastic blade presses and fixes the workpiece placed on the aforementioned mounting surface by the suction force of the negative pressure generating part. The workpiece fixing jig according to claim 5.

7. The base portion is further provided with a support member that is fixed so as to protrude upward and is capable of supporting the workpiece, The elastic blade presses and fixes the workpiece by sandwiching it between the support member. The workpiece fixing jig according to claim 5.

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