Clamp and / or brake device housing member

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing member for a clamping and / or braking device and a clamping and / or braking device including the housing member. The housing member includes a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, an annular recess disposed between the second edge and the first edge for clamping an annular spring plate between a first contact surface defined by the recess and a second contact surface defined by the recess, a clamping element having a clamping surface that transmits a clamping force and / or a braking force to an object to be clamped and / or braked when the spring plate is clamped in the recess between the first contact surface, the first end of the spring plate bearing on the first contact surface, and the second end of the spring plate pressing against the second contact surface, and a first housing contact surface extending between the first edge and the first contact surface and having a groove disposed therein for receiving a sealant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a housing member of a clamp and / or brake device, and a clamp and / or brake device provided with the housing member.

Background Art

[0002] In the manufacture of tools or machine members, processing machines, particularly work spindles or other machine tools, are used. These machines use tools attached to a shaft to process materials from a workpiece, particularly to achieve a desired shape. The shaft may be the rotating shaft or swivel shaft of such a machine. Further, a rotatable or swiveling table is used using the shaft to place a tool or workpiece at an appropriate machining position or to move the workpiece at an appropriate rotational speed. A prerequisite for performing precise and efficient machining is, in particular, a high rotational speed of the shaft. Therefore, an emergency system or safety system has the problem of stopping the shaft or holding and fixing it in place when a system failure or malfunction such as a power outage or cable disconnection occurs.

[0003] At this time, general processing machines are equipped with electromagnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic clamp and / or brake devices. Such devices are provided with a friction lining that can be frictionally connected to the shaft by force transmission. This makes it possible to fix the shaft at different speeds.

[0004] In the case of a hydraulic clamping device, hydraulic oil is supplied to a chamber and a rotating shaft or disk is clamped. Passive hydraulic clamps are also known. However, such hydraulic clamps have a long reaction time or a short reaction time requires very high costs. Further, hydraulic materials such as hydraulic valves and hydraulic pipes are expensive and require a relatively long time for assembly. Also, additional costs are required to maintain cleanliness around the hydraulic clamp due to the hydraulic oil.

[0005] In the case of pneumatic clamps and / or brake devices, compressed air is generally supplied to the elastic elements, especially the elastic plates, which can overcome some of the drawbacks of the hydraulic clamp devices described above.

[0006] Patent documents 1 and 2 describe a pneumatic clamping device comprising two annular spring plates, which are introduced into the housing of the clamping device to form a pressure chamber, into which compressed air is supplied or the pressure chamber is ventilated and aerated, thereby changing the bending of the spring plates and switching between a closed state in which the clamping device is clamped, such as a rotatable shaft, and an open state in which the object to be clamped is free. However, in practice, it has become clear that the housing members of the clamp are not adequately sealed to each other and to the environment, and either fail or cannot operate without fail. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1585616 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 1651881 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Based on the prior art described at the beginning, the object of this disclosure is to provide means for enabling pneumatic clamps and / or brake devices to seal more effectively. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The problem is solved by a housing member having the features of claim 1 and a clamp and / or brake device having the features of claim 17 or 18. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims, specification and drawings.

[0010] A solution according to the present invention provides a housing member for a pneumatic clamp and / or brake device, the housing member comprising: a first edge of the housing member and a second edge of the housing member opposite to the first edge; an annular recess positioned between the second edge and the first edge for clamping an annular spring plate between a first contact surface of the housing member defined by a recess and a second contact surface of the housing member defined by a recess; a clamping element having a clamping surface configured to transmit a clamping force and / or braking force to an object to be clamped and / or braked when the spring plate is clamped in the recess between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, with the first end of the spring plate supported by the first contact surface and the second end of the spring plate pressing against the second contact surface; and a first housing contact surface extending between the first edge and the first contact surface, the first housing contact surface having at least one groove for receiving a sealant.

[0011] Preferably, the distance between the second contact surface and the second edge or clamp surface is smaller than the distance between the first contact surface and the second edge or clamp surface. The second edge may be the edge of the housing member on which the clamp surface is provided, or, when attached to the clamp and / or brake device, the edge that is closer to the object to be clamped or braked, and possibly in contact with the object in the closed state.

[0012] Preferably, the distance between the first contact surface and the first edge is smaller than the distance between the second contact surface and the first edge. The first edge may be an edge of the housing that, when attached to the clamp and / or brake device, faces away from the object to be clamped or braked, or is further away from the object than the second edge. Holes may be provided along the first edge for fastening one housing member to another housing member to form the clamp and / or brake device.

[0013] The solution according to the present invention further provides a clamping and / or braking device for clamping and / or braking an object to be clamped and / or braked, the device comprising: a housing comprising a first housing member and a second housing member according to the present invention, wherein the two housing members are positioned relative to each other and fastened to each other such that a first housing contact surface of the first housing member faces a first housing contact surface of the second housing member, and recesses of the first and second housing members together form an internal space within the housing; a spring disposed within the internal space comprising a first annular spring plate and a second annular spring plate, wherein the spring plates are positioned internally such that at least one pressure chamber is formed in the internal space, at least partially separated by the spring plates. A spring is positioned in a space, the pressure chamber is ventilated or aerated, and a positive pressure of a pressure medium that can be supplied to the housing can be applied to the pressure chamber, a first spring plate is clamped between a first contact surface of a first housing member and a second contact surface of a first housing member, and a second spring plate is clamped between a first contact surface of a second housing member and a second contact surface of a second housing member, and the spring plates are positioned relative to at least one pressure chamber such that the bending of at least one of the spring plates is variable by ventilation or aeration of the pressure chamber or by applying positive pressure to the pressure chamber, thereby the device switches between an open state in which an object is separated from the clamping surfaces and a closed state in which one or more clamping surfaces transmit a clamping force and / or braking force to the object. A sealant may be received in each groove of each housing member. In this case, each housing member has its own dedicated sealant (i.e., at least two sealants in total for each housing of the clamp and / or brake device), or a single sealant can be received in the groove of the housing member when the housing members are fastened together.

[0014] Problems with the prone operation of clamp and / or brake devices due to leakage between housing members and into the environment can be overcome by aspects of this disclosure. This disclosure is based on the inventors' understanding that:

[0015] Previously, a large amount of sealing compound was applied over a wide area between the housing members of a clamp to seal between housing members and to the environment. However, applying sealing compound over a wide area is prone to errors, for example, because it is not applied to all the necessary places or is not applied uniformly. The inventors found that inserting a groove into a first housing contact surface, which is used to bring housing members into contact with other housing members and is used to effectively introduce a sealant, such as a sealing compound (e.g., adhesives and sealing materials) or an elastic material (e.g., an O-ring), leads to a less error-prone clamp and / or brake device, as the groove determines the location of the sealant that can be received by the groove, the sealant is applied more reliably, and a reliable seal between housing members and to the environment is obtained. In particular, the groove provides an improved seal of the pressure chamber present between each spring plate and the associated housing member, which is susceptible to leakage. Overall, the groove in the first housing contact surface reduces the likelihood of failure and extends the service life of the clamp. Furthermore, the amount of sealant (sealing compounds such as adhesives and sealing materials) previously required for reliable sealing has been reduced, resulting in lower costs and environmental friendliness. In this case, providing grooves on the first housing contact surface does not adversely affect the opening and closing mechanics of the clamp and / or brake device.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the groove has a width of 1 mm to 2 mm, 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm, or about 1.5 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the groove has a depth of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, 0.65 mm to 0.75 mm, or about 0.7 mm. In a given portion of the groove, this determines the preferred spread or volume of the sealant to be received, reducing the possibility of too little or too much sealant being applied.

[0017] According to preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the cross-section of the groove may be V-shaped, a rectangle with one side open, U-shaped, or semicircular. These shapes are particularly preferred for receiving and securely storing the sealant. Other groove shapes are also possible.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one groove at least partially surrounds the center point of an annular recess or extends at least partially along an arc, the arc preferably extending to a central angle of at least 45°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 160°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, 350°, or 360°. The groove may be substantially circular or annular in shape. The groove at least partially surrounds a first edge. This allows the groove to facilitate a seal that is as uniform as possible, or even symmetrical, at least in the portion of the first edge, which contributes to a longer range of motion of the clamp.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first housing contact surface further has one or more holes for fastening a housing member to another housing member using fastening means, at least one groove extending on the first housing contact surface between the hole and the first contact surface, and the hole is located on the first housing contact surface between the first edge and at least one groove. In other words, the hole is located outside the groove with respect to the object to be clamped or braked, so that the hole and the fastening means to be fitted into the hole cannot adversely affect the seal between housing members and to the environment. This further increases the seal and reduces the likelihood of failure.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing member has one, two or more connections for supplying a pressure medium (e.g., compressed air) to the housing member (especially one or more pressure chambers). In this case, preferably, at least one groove is interrupted by one or more connections, so that a gap for the connection continues in a part of the groove, and further, another part of the groove following after the interruption by the connection continues. Alternatively or additionally, at least one groove of the first housing contact surface extends between the first edge of the housing member and one or more (other) connections, and preferably extends at least partially around the connection. This further increases the sealing performance. Because the groove continues up to the connection, and the sealing agent located in the groove may even partially surround the connection so as to seal the connection to the first edge of the housing member and thus to the environment. Thereby, leakage in the region of the connection is reduced and the susceptibility to failure is decreased.

[0021] The means described herein can individually and in combination provide a clamp that reliably seals between housing members and against the environment without adversely affecting the mechanics of opening and closing of the clamp.

[0022] In this brief description, insofar as features not recited in the claims are described, these features are not essential features and do not necessarily have to be included in the claims, but these features are particularly important preferred realizations of the subject matter according to the claims, can be combined with any of the claims, and can optionally be combined with each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1A] It is a view schematically showing a cross-section of an inward passive pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 1B] It is a view schematically showing a cross-section of an outward passive pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 2A]This is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an inward passive pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in an open state. [Figure 2B] This is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an outward passive pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in an open state. [Figure 3A] This is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an inward active pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in an open state. [Figure 3B] This is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an outward active pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in an open state. [Figure 4A] This is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an inward active pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 4B] This is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of an outward active pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 5A] This is a diagram showing a three-dimensional representation of a cross-section of a pneumatic clamp and / or brake device according to the present invention. [Figure 5B] This is a diagram showing a modified example of a housing member extracted from FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] This is a diagram showing a modified example of a housing member extracted from FIG. 5A. [Figure 5D] This is a diagram showing a modified example of a housing member extracted from FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing a cross-section of a modified example of a housing member according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a top view of an annular spring plate. [Figure 8] This is a top view showing a modified example of a housing member according to the present invention for use with the annular spring plate according to FIG. 7.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Members shown in multiple drawings are given the same reference numerals.

[0025] This disclosure relates to housing members of clamp and / or brake devices, and clamp and / or brake devices comprising one or more such housing members.

[0026] In this specification, when referring to a “clamp” device or “clamping device,” “clamping force,” or “clamping” process, the “brake” device or “brakeing device,” “braking force,” or “braking” process are also included.

[0027] Figures 1A to 5A schematically show cross-sections of a clamping device 10 according to the present invention, which has a housing 3 including two housing members 3a and 3b according to the present invention, and a spring 1 disposed within the housing 3, which includes at least two elastic elements 1a and 1b, respectively in the form of annular spring plates 1a and 1b.

[0028] In this case, the clamping device 10 according to the present invention includes a housing 3 comprising a first housing member 3a and a second housing member 3b according to the present invention. In this case, the housing members 3a and 3b according to the present invention are the means mentioned at the beginning, namely, a second edge 100a and a first edge 100b of the housing members 3a and 3b, with the edges 100a and 100b facing each other; an annular recess 11 for clamping an annular spring plate 1a, 1b between a first contact surface 101 of the housing members 3a and 3b defined by the recess 11 and a second contact surface 102 of the housing members 3a and 3b defined by the recess 11, which is located between the second edge 100a and the first edge 100b; and the spring plate 1a, 1b is positioned between the first contact surface 101 and the second A clamping element 8 having a clamping surface 7 that is clamped in a recess 11 between it and two contact surfaces 102, with the first ends of the spring plates 1a, 1b supported on the first contact surface 101, and configured to transmit clamping force and / or braking force to the object 5 to be clamped and / or braked when the second ends of the spring plates 1a, 1b press against the second contact surface 102; a first housing contact surface 12a extending between the first edge 100b and the first contact surface 101, wherein at least one groove 110 for receiving a sealant is disposed of or inserted into the first housing contact surface. These means will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 8.

[0029] The two housing members 3a and 3b of the clamping device 10 according to the present invention, shown in Figures 1A to 5A, are arranged relative to each other and fastened together such that the first housing contact surface 12a of the first housing member 3a faces the first housing contact surface 12a of the second housing member 3b, and the recesses 11 of the first and second housing members 3a and 3b together form an internal space 13 within the housing 3. The clamping device 10 further includes a spring 1 disposed within an internal space 13, comprising a first annular spring plate 1a and a second annular spring plate 1b, wherein the spring plates 1a and 1b are arranged within the internal space 13 such that at least one pressure chamber 2, 4 is formed within the internal space 13, the pressure chambers 2, 4 are at least partially defined by the spring plates 1a and 1b, the pressure chambers 2, 4 are ventilable or aerated, and it is possible to apply positive pressure of a pressure medium that can be supplied to the housing 3 to the pressure chambers 2, 4, the first spring plate 1a is a first contact surface 101 of the first housing member 3a and a second contact surface of the first housing member 3a The second spring plate 1b is clamped between the first contact surface 101 of the second housing member 3b and the second contact surface 102 of the second housing member 3b, and the spring plates 1a and 1b are positioned relative to at least one of the pressure chambers 2 and 4 so that the curvature of at least one of the spring plates 1a and 1b can be changed by ventilation or airflow of the pressure chambers 2 and 4, or by applying positive pressure to the pressure chambers 2 and 4, thereby the device 10 can switch between an open state in which the object 5 is separated from the clamp surface 7 and a closed state in which one or more clamp surfaces 7 transmit clamping force and / or braking force to the object 5.

[0030] Figures 1A, 1B, 4A, and 4B each show the clamping device 10 in a closed state, where the clamping surface 7 of the clamping element 8 is in contact with the circumference of the object 5. The clamping element 8 is also called a clamping lip. The clamping element 8 may be formed integrally with the other members of the housing members 3a and 3b, or it may be a structurally separate member from the other members of the housing members 3a and 3b.

[0031] The clamping force or clamping action of the clamping surface 7 on the object 5 to be clamped occurs in the clamping plane formed by two vectors that form the radii of the annular elastic elements 1a, 1b or the annular recess 11, respectively (see Figure 5A). The shaft 9 extends through the center point of the ring of the member described herein as annular, and may therefore be referred to as the principal shaft of the clamping device 10, and may extend perpendicular to the clamping plane. Where “inner” and “outer” housing contact surfaces, contact surfaces, edges or ends are referred to herein, the inner housing contact surface, contact surface, edge or end may be closer to the shaft 9 than the corresponding outer housing contact surface, contact surface, edge or end. The same applies to other members. Other meanings of the concepts of “inner” and “outer” are also possible.

[0032] The clamping device 10 may be formed to be rotationally symmetric with respect to the spindle 9. The spindle 9 may extend through an opening in the clamping device 10 (opening 14 in Figure 5B) at approximately or precisely at its center. In Figures 1A and 4A, the object to be clamped 5, for example, the rotatable shaft of a machine or table, is positioned within the opening 14, and therefore the clamping force of the clamping device is directed radially inward toward the spindle 9 (perpendicular to the spindle 9) in the clamping plane. In Figures 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B, the object to be clamped 5 is positioned outside the clamping device 10, and therefore the clamping force of the clamping device is directed radially outward toward the spindle 9 (perpendicular to the spindle 9) in the clamping plane.

[0033] In Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, the clamping element 8 is located between the spring 1 and the opening 14 or the spindle 9. In contrast, in Figures 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B, the object to be clamped 5 encloses the clamping device 10 at least partially, so the clamping element 8 is located between the object 5 and the opening 14 or the spindle 9. In Figures 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B, instead of the object to be clamped 5, it is possible to introduce a member into the opening 14 that at least partially fills the opening 14, with the spindle 9 extending through this member.

[0034] In each of Figures 1A to 5A, the spring 1 is clamped between two contact surfaces (the first contact surface 101 and the second contact surface 102 in Figures 5C and 5D) within the housing 3 of the clamping device 10, and extends between the two contact surfaces. In the initial state in Figures 1A to 2B when the device 10 is not pressurized, the spring 1 may be slightly bent so as to be fixed within the housing 3 in that state, and the same can be applied to other states of the device 10, with the degree of bending of the spring 1 depending on the state of the device 10. When the device 10 is in a state where the spring 1 is bent (for example, more bent than the initial unpressurized state such as the open state), the ventilation of the second (e.g., inner) pressure chamber 2 and the ventilation of the first (e.g., outer) pressure chamber 4 of the spring 1 causes the spring 1 to at least partially relax while it presses against the radial contact surface, slightly expanding the gap. This causes the housing 3 to elastically deform in the area of ​​the clamp element 8 or clamp surface 7, and the clamp surface 7 thereby comes into contact with the object 5 and is pressed against the object 5 with a (predetermined) clamping force to tightly clamp the object 5. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the object 5 is tightly clamped and the clamping device 10 is in the closed state. In the closed state of the device 10, the spring 1 may remain slightly bent even after partially relaxing in order to be fixed within the housing 3 in that state.

[0035] In this case, the clamping element 8 may be an elastic element such as a spring fork, and in the initial unpressurized state of the device 10, the elastic element is brought from a relaxed starting position to a position under tension by bending the spring fork 8 until, for example, equilibrium is achieved between the restoring force of the elastic element 8 and the elasticity of the spring 1 in the initial unpressurized state, due to the elasticity of the (slightly) bent spring 1. In this equilibrium state, the clamping surface 7 can press against the object 5.

[0036] In the closed state, there is an optional possibility to increase the clamping force by a predetermined value by supplying additional compressed air (for example, at 4 bar or 6 bar) to the first pressure chamber 4. This is suggested in Figures 1A and 1B by an optional additional compressed air pump (booster) 6 and the shaded area (compressed air) within the first pressure chamber 4. The pressure chamber 4 ("outer pressure chamber 4") located on the outer surface (top or bottom) of the spring plate may be connected to an air connection I (also called the "close") by an opening in the housing 3, and the compressed air pump 6 may be connected to the air connection I.

[0037] This allows the device 10 to be operated so that, for example, a switch is made between the damped movement of the supplied object 5 (when it is not pressurized) and the full clamping of the object (when it is fully pressurized).

[0038] Although two pressure chambers 2 and 4 are shown and described here as examples, the clamping device 10 can also operate with only one pressure chamber, which may be, for example, pressure chamber 2 ("inner pressure chamber") located between the spring plates (on the inner surface of the spring plates) or the outer pressure chamber 4.

[0039] Figures 2A and 2B show the clamping device 10 of Figures 1A and 1B in the open state, respectively. In the open state, the clamping surface 7 does not contact the circumference of the object 5, or is separated from the circumference of the object 5. The inner pressure chamber 2 may be connected to an air connection section II (also called "open") by an opening in the housing 3, and a compressed air pump 6 may be connected to the air connection section II.

[0040] By supplying compressed air (e.g., at 4 bar or 6 bar) to the second (e.g., inner) pressure chamber 2 by the compressed air pump 6 and venting the first (e.g., outer) pressure chamber 4, the spring 1 is bent or stretched more strongly (convexly) than in the closed state shown in Figures 1A and 1B, and the distance between the spring 1 or the two contact surfaces is shortened radially. To release the clamp, the clamp surface 7 is lifted away from the object 5. The object 5 is freely movable (e.g., rotatable around the axis 9 or movable linearly along the axis 9), and the clamping device 10 is open.

[0041] The device 10 can be switched between a closed state and an open state in both directions.

[0042] Such a pneumatic clamp 10 has many advantages compared to a hydraulic clamp.

[0043] By using a combination of an elastic member, in this case a spring 1 including elastic elements 1a and 1b, and compressed air, a very short reaction time can be obtained when switching between open and closed states, for example, and a secure clamping of object 5 is also provided. The spring 1 may preferably be plate-shaped, as shown in detail in Figure 5, and two overlapping elastic elements 1a and 1b form the spring 1 and the internal pressure chamber 2 of the spring 1 between the plates 1a and 1b. The plates 1a and 1b may be annular, as shown in Figure 5, and may optionally have additional radial slots, which makes it possible to change the inner diameter with particularly small force. The elastic elements 1a and 1b may be coated with rubber, at least in the area of ​​the slots, to establish the sealing required for compressed air. The elastic elements 1a and 1b are generally pressure-resistant and configured to be elastically bendable, and are arranged within the housing 3 of the clamping device 10. Inside the spring 1, an inner pressure chamber 2 is formed between the elastic elements 1a and 1b, and an outer pressure chamber 4 is formed between each elastic element 1a and 1b and the housing 3 or housing members 3a and 3b of the clamping device 10. Figure 5 is a three-dimensional representation of a clamping device 10 similar to those in Figures 1A and 2A.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1A, ventilation or supply of compressed air to the first (e.g., outer) pressure chamber 4 and ventilation to the second (e.g., inner) pressure chamber 2 cause the spring 1 to relax at least partially, resulting in a clamping force around the object 5 to be clamped, particularly around the shaft 5. This provides a secure clamp, so that if energy or pressure is interrupted, the object 5 is clamped or the shaft 5 immediately stops. Such a pneumatic clamp 10 can achieve a holding torque of several hundred Nm to a maximum of several thousand Nm, depending on the dimensions, and the holding torque can be further increased by supplying additional compressed air to the first (e.g., outer) pressure chamber 4, as indicated by the pressure pump 6 (booster) in Figure 1A. In this case, several bars (e.g., 4 bar or 6 bar) of compressed air are sufficient to provide several times the holding torque obtained without the booster. In this process, when switching the open or closed state of the clamp 10, the slight lateral bending of plates 1a and 1b (perpendicular to their longitudinal axis) generates a large amount of elasticity that can be used to clamp or release the pre-tensioned clamping device 10. Therefore, reliable clamping and release are possible even with a rapidly rotating machine shaft 5.

[0045] In the case of pneumatic materials, the cost and assembly costs are lower than those of hydraulic materials, and there are no additional costs for cleaning the equipment due to the use of compressed air. Such pneumatic clamps can also be made smaller in overall dimensions because applying the required clamping force only requires a small lateral bend and a small longitudinal extension of the spring (a small change in the longitudinal extension), and therefore a small volume of the pressure chamber.

[0046] In the case of pneumatic clamps, in principle, a distinction is made between passive clamping devices 10 as shown in Figures 1A to 2B and active clamping devices 10 as shown in Figures 3A to 4B.

[0047] Spring 1 may be bent (laterally) with different strengths in its initial unpressurized state, and therefore may be shortened radially to different degrees. The inner surface of housing 3 can adapt to the bending of elastic elements 1a and 1b, or can determine the bending. Stopper surfaces corresponding to elastic elements 1a and 1b may be formed, for example, by the inner wall of housing. The inner wall of housing may be formed complementary (e.g., concave) to the (e.g. convex) bending of elastic elements 1a and 1b.

[0048] In a passive clamping device 10, the spring 1 is usually slightly elastically bent (e.g., convex) or pretensioned in its initial unpressurized state, and the clamping device 10 may be closed (Figures 1A and 1B). The clamping device 10 is opened only by a force acting from the inside, through the supply of compressed air to a second (e.g., an inner) pressure chamber 2 (Figures 2A and 2B). In many cases, since the spring 1 is slightly bent in its initial unpressurized state, the spring 1 transmits the elasticity provided by the energy stored in the spring 1 as a clamping force to the object 5 to be clamped, in the case of clamping or when the pressure drops.

[0049] In the active clamping device 10, the spring 1, in its initial unpressurized state (Figures 3A and 3B), is more strongly curved convexly than in the passive clamping device, particularly strongly outward in the lateral direction. As a result, the distance between the two radial contact surfaces becomes smaller, and the clamping device 10 opens. No clamping force acts on the object 5 through the clamping surface 7. Since the clamping surface 7 does not contact the object 5 or is separated from it, the object is free.

[0050] Due to the plastic deformation of the spring plates 1a and 1b, the spring 1 can bend more strongly laterally outward in the same housing 3 in its initial unpressurized state than in the case of a passive clamping device, and therefore can be significantly shortened radially. This small radial extension of the spring plates 1a and 1b in the initial unpressurized state can result in the clamping device 10 being in an open state in the initial unpressurized state. Even in the case of plastic deformation, the spring plates 1a and 1b are elastically bent and pressed against the contact surface, so the spring is fixed to the housing. The internal space or recess of the housing can accommodate the greater curvature resulting from the plastic deformation in the initial state.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, in order to move the clamp to the closed state, it is necessary to actively induce a clamping force from the outside. Here, compressed air is introduced into the first (e.g., outer) pressure chamber 4 by the compressed air pump 6, and compressed air is supplied to the spring 1 from the outside, thereby actively relaxing the spring 1, reducing the curvature of the spring 1, increasing the distance between the two contact surfaces, and causing the housing 3 to elastically deform in the area of ​​the clamping element 8 or clamping surface 7, so that the clamping surface 7 comes into contact with the object 5, and a clamping force is applied to the object 5, thereby tightly clamping the object 5. The active clamping device 10 then enters the closed state.

[0052] Depending on the application area and prescribed safety regulations, active or passive clamping devices 10 are used. Generally, passive clamping devices are used when safety clamping is the primary requirement. In such pneumatic passive clamping systems, a predetermined clamping force can be generated even before pressurization, when the device is assembled in conjunction with the overall system. This clamping force is applied to the object 5 to be clamped. By applying positive or negative pressure, the force transmitted to the object can be increased, decreased, or completely stopped, opening up a variety of applications. In contrast, active clamping devices are generally used when the clamping device is intended to perform a deliberate work process, such as tool changing.

[0053] Figure 5A shows a three-dimensional cross-section of the pneumatic clamping device 10 according to the present invention, where the device 10 having an inward clamping force as shown in Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A is shown as an example. Figures 5B to 8 show further details of this device 10. However, what is shown regarding the device in Figures 5A to 8 also applies to the device 10 having an outward clamping force as shown in Figures 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5A, the housing 3 of the clamping device 10 according to the present invention includes two housing members 3a and 3b, each having a groove not shown in this figure (see 110 in Figure 6). The housing members 3a and 3b are assembled by fastening means 17 such as screws through holes 15. In the assembled state, the grooves of the housing members overlap, and the two housing members 3a and 3b define an internal space 13 between them within the housing 3. A spring 1 is arranged within the internal space 13 together with its annular spring plates 1a and 1b. As shown in Figures 5A to 5D, the housing members 3a and 3b each define a recess 11, which is similarly annular and used to receive the annular spring plates 1a and 1b. At least a portion of the first contact surface 101 of the housing member is extendable perpendicularly to the radial direction R of the annular recess 11, and / or a portion of the second contact surface 102 of the housing member is extendable perpendicularly to the radial direction R of the annular recess 11.

[0055] An opening 14 (Figure 5B) extends through the center of the housing 3, into which an object 5 to be clamped, such as a shaft, can be introduced. The housing can extend up to 360° around the opening and at least partially surrounds the object 5 in at least one plane called the clamping plane. The central spindle 9 of the clamping device passes through the center of the opening 14 and extends perpendicular to the clamping plane. In the clamping devices shown in Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A, the spindle 9 passes through the center of the shaft along its longitudinal axis.

[0056] One or more clamping surfaces 7 are present along the circumferential direction of the housing 3 or the opening 14, and the clamping surfaces 7 can apply a clamping force to the outer circumference of the object 5 when the housing 3 is elastically deformed in the area of ​​the clamping element 8 or the clamping surface 7, thereby clamping the object 5. In order to effectively open and close the clamping device 10 on the object 5 to be clamped without risking damage to the object 5, it is desirable that the clamping force is distributed symmetrically along the clamping surface 7 or along the circumference of the object 5. If the clamping force is distributed asymmetrically, the object 5 may be damaged. Preferably, one or both contact surfaces 101, 102 are formed circularly in the clamping plane. Preferably, the clamping surface 7 is formed circularly in the clamping plane. The clamping element 8 may be formed in annular shape. Each of the annular or circular members described herein, individually or in combination, may have the intersection of the main shaft 9 with the clamping plane as its center point (e.g., the center point of the opening 14).

[0057] Figures 5B to 5D show an embodiment of the housing member according to the present invention (here, the upper housing member 3a in Figure 5A). In this case, the housing members 3a and 3b according to the present invention are the means mentioned at the beginning, namely, the second edge 100a (here, the inner edge) and the first edge 100b (here, the outer edge) of the housing members 3a and 3b, which are arranged to face each other; an annular recess 11 for clamping an annular spring plate 1a, 1b between the first contact surface 101 (here, the outer contact surface) of the housing members 3a and 3b, which is defined by the recess 11, and the second contact surface 102 (here, the inner contact surface) of the housing members 3a and 3b, which is defined by the recess 11, which is located between the second edge 100a and the first edge 100b; the spring plate 1a, 1b is first contact A clamping element 8 having a clamping surface 7 that is clamped in a recess 11 between the contact surface 101 and the second contact surface 102, with the first ends of the spring plates 1a, 1b supported on the first contact surface 101, and configured to transmit a clamping force and / or braking force to an object 5 to be clamped and / or braked (see object 5 in the opening 14 in Figures 5A and 5B) when the second ends of the spring plates 1a, 1b press against the second contact surface 102; a first housing contact surface 12a (here, the outer housing contact surface) extending between the first edge 100b and the first contact surface 101, wherein at least one groove 110 for receiving a sealant is disposed of or inserted into the first housing contact surface 12a. Preferably, the cross-section of the groove 110, which is formed radially R by the groove 110, can be V-shaped (with a V-shaped opening in the direction of surface 12a), rectangular with one side open toward surface 12a, U-shaped (with a U-shaped opening in the direction of surface 12a), or semicircular. The housing members 3a and 3b may include a second housing contact surface 12b (here, the inner housing contact surface) extending between the second contact surface 102 and the second edge portion 100a.

[0058] Housing members 3a and 3b extend between a second edge 100a located closer to the axis 9 and a first edge 100b located further away from the axis 9, and may preferably be formed in an annular shape. Housing member 3a includes an annular recess 11 for clamping an annular spring plate 1a, and housing member 3a has an inner surface defined by the recess 11 (see 105 in Figure 6). The annular recess 11 preferably defines an annular opening 12 in the housing member, which is formed between a first (e.g., annular) housing contact surface 12a of the housing member and a second (e.g., annular) housing contact surface 12b of the housing member.

[0059] When the spring plate 1a is inserted into the recess 11 through the opening 12 with its first upper side surface (see 16c in Figure 5B) facing the inner surface 105, and is clamped within the recess 11, a first pressure chamber 4 is formed between the inner surface 105 and the spring plate 1a.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5C and 5D, the illustrated spring plate 1a of the spring 1 extends from the first contact surface 101 within the housing member 3a to the second contact surface 102 within the housing member 3a, and can contact the second contact surface 102. In this case, the first contact surface 101 is positioned radially outward from the second contact surface 102 when viewed from the center point of the opening 14.

[0061] Figure 5C shows a portion of the housing member 3a shown in Figure 5B where the upper plate 1a of the spring 1 collides with and preferably contacts the first contact surface 101. Figure 5D shows a portion of the housing member 3a shown in Figure 5B where the upper plate 1a of the spring 1 collides with and preferably contacts the second contact surface 102. However, it is also possible that one or more additional members exist radially between the spring plate 1a and one or more contact surfaces 101, 102, and that the spring plate 1a exerts its elasticity on the contact surfaces 101, 102 through these members.

[0062] As is evident from Figures 5B to 5D, the spring plate 1a is clamped in the recess 11 between the contact surfaces 101 and 102 of the housing member 3a. Each plate of the spring 1 is introduced into the recess 11 of the respective housing member through the opening 12 in the direction of the main axis 9 of the clamping device 10 until, as assembled along the contact surfaces 101 and 102 of the housing member 3a, each plate abuts against the stoppers 112 and 122 at each end of the two contact surfaces 101 and 102, and is therefore no longer introduced into the recess 11. Since the extension of the spring plate 1a in the clamping plane or radially in the annular recess is greater than the extension of the internal space defined by the housing member, the plate 1a may be bent or pre-tensioned in its initial unpressurized state.

[0063] The spring plate 1a may be coated (e.g., vulcanized) with an elastic and sealable material, preferably rubber or another suitable material.

[0064] Figure 6 shows details of the housing member 3a according to the present invention shown in Figure 5B. In addition to the recess 11, the first contact surface 101 and the second contact surface 102, Figure 6 also shows other optional means such as grooves 110 and inner surface 105, holes 15, inclinations 103, 104 and recesses 106.

[0065] The housing members 3a and 3b include annular recesses 11 for clamping the annular spring plates 1a and 1b, the recesses 11 forming a first annular edge of the first housing contact surface 12a and a second annular edge of the second housing contact surface 12b of the annular opening 12 of the housing members 3a and 3b, the annular recesses 11 define the inner surfaces 105 of the housing members 3a and 3b between the first and second annular edges, the inner surfaces 105 forming a first inclination 103 (also called a long chamfer) in the region of the first annular edge, and the inner surfaces 105 forming a second inclination 104 (also called a long chamfer) in the region of the second annular edge, the inclinations 103 and 104 are aligned so that the annular opening 12 expands toward the first and second annular edges or the corresponding housing contact surfaces (see 12a and 12b in Figure 6).

[0066] When the spring plates 1a and 1b are clamped within the recess 11 with their first upper side surfaces 16c facing the inner surface 105, the coatings of the spring plates 1a and 1b preferably make sealing contact with at least a first portion of the inner surface of the housing members 3a and 3b. The first portion may include the contact surfaces 101 and 102, the inclined surfaces 103 and 104, and / or other portions of the inner surface 105. The recess 106 facilitates the mechanics of the clamp element 8, thereby allowing the clamp element 8 to bend further.

[0067] The inner surface 105 may include a first contact surface 101 and a second contact surface 102, which are configured to clamp the spring plates 1a and 1b between them. A first inclination 103 is positioned between the first contact surface 101 and the first annular edge of surface 12a, and a second inclination 104 is positioned between the second contact surface 102 and the second annular edge of surface 12a. When the spring plates 1a and 1b are clamped in the recess 11 with their first side surfaces 16c facing the inner surface 105, the coatings of the plates 1a and 1b may contact the inclinations 103 and 104 to preferably seal.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the first contact surface 101 forms a first inclination 103 (also called a long chamfer) or is transitionable to the first inclination 103, and / or the second contact surface 102 forms a second inclination 104 (also called a long chamfer) or is transitionable to the second inclination 104, wherein the inclinations 103 and 104 are preferably positioned such that an annular opening 12 or recess 11 extends toward the first and second edges of surfaces 12a and 12b, respectively (see Figures 6 and 5B).

[0069] The housing members 3a and 3b have preferably circular grooves or notches 110 on the first housing contact surface 12a for receiving a sealant (e.g., a sealing compound or a rubber O-ring). The grooves or notches 110 can partially or preferably completely surround the housing members 3a and 3b on the first housing contact surface 12a along (e.g., parallel to) the first edge 100b of the housing member, between the first edge 100b of the housing member and the first contact surface 101 or recess 11. Alternatively or additionally, the grooves or notches 110 can partially or preferably completely surround the housing members 3a and 3b along the circumference of the housing member in the area of ​​surface 12b, or between the second edge 100a of the housing member and the second contact surface 102 or recess 11.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6 as an example, the first housing contact surface 12a may further have one or more holes 15 for fastening housing member 3a to other housing member 3b by fastening means 17 (see Figure 5B). The groove 110 may extend on the first housing contact surface 12a between the hole 15 and the first contact surface 101. The hole 15 is located on the first housing contact surface 12a between the first edge 100b and the groove 110. The groove 110 may have a width B of 1 mm to 2 mm, 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm, or 1.5 mm. The groove may have a depth of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, 0.65 mm to 0.75 mm, or 0.7 mm. These dimensions are particularly advantageous for receiving and effectively applying the required amount of sealant (O-rings, adhesives, sealing materials, etc.). This can reduce the consumption of sealant.

[0071] One of the advantages of groove 110 is that it allows for effective application of sealant (adhesive and sealing material) between housing halves while achieving a sealing function critical to operation when operating in closed mode over millions of additional air (booster) switching processes, thereby reducing consumption. By changing the pitch circle diameter of the connecting screw, the groove can be inserted circumferentially between open and closed connections.

[0072] Figure 7 shows exemplary embodiments of spring plates 1a, 1b equipped with a first connecting seal 30 and / or a second connecting seal 20. The seals 20, 30 are made of an elastic and sealing material such as rubber, and may be part of an elastic sealing coating (e.g., a rubber coating) of the spring plate that has been vulcanized on the spring plate.

[0073] The first connecting seal 30 and the second connecting seal 20 may be positioned on opposing portions of the second edge 100a or the first edge 100b of the annular spring plate.

[0074] The first connecting seal 30 may be positioned at least partially radially inward or outward offset from the second edge 100a and / or first edge 100b (see Figure 7) of the spring plates 1a, 1b. The first connecting seal 30 may project radially beyond the second edge 100a or the first edge 100b (see Figure 7).

[0075] The second connecting seal 20 may be positioned at least partially radially inward or outward offset from the second edge 100a and / or first edge 100b (see Figure 7) of the spring plates 1a, 1b. The second connecting seal 20 may project radially beyond the second edge 100a or the first edge 100b (see Figure 7).

[0076] The spring plates 1a and 1b shown in Figure 7 can be clamped to the housing members 3a and 3b shown in Figures 5B, 6, and 8. In this process, the elastic elements 1a and 1b are clamped in a recess 11 between the second edge 100a (or clamp element 8 having a clamp surface 7 or a second housing contact surface 12b) and the first edge 100b (or first housing contact surface 12a) of the housing members 3a and 3b, such that the first connecting seal 30 contacts the area of ​​the first connecting portion I of the housing members 3a and 3b to supply a pressure medium to the housing members, and the second connecting seal 20 contacts the area of ​​the second connecting portion II of the housing members 3a and 3b to supply a pressure medium to the housing members (see Figures 7 and 8). This is done twice, thereby preparing the two housing members 3a and 3b with the spring plates 1a and 1b clamped to each other, and the housing members 3a and 3b are fastened to each other to form the housing 3, as shown in Figure 5A.

[0077] The groove 110 may extend over the first housing contact surface 12a and be formed to at least partially surround the object 5 (see Figure 5A). The groove may extend at least partially along an arc. The arc extends to a central angle of at least 45°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 160°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, 350°, or 360°. In Figure 8, the groove 110 encircles the center point of the opening 14, so the central angle is 360°.

[0078] However, the groove 110 may be interrupted by one or more of the connection parts I and II, and / or, as shown in Figure 8, the groove 110 may extend on the first housing contact surface 12a between the first edge 100b of the housing members 3a and 3b and one or more connection parts I and II, preferably at least partially surrounding the connection parts. Any of these possibilities further enhance the sealing in each case and combination, because the groove 110 extends to the connection parts I and II, and the sealant present in the groove 110 partially surrounds the connection parts so that they seal the connection parts I and II to the first edge 100b of the housing members and therefore to the environment. This reduces the likelihood of failure by reducing leakage in the area of ​​connection parts I and II.

[0079] In Figures 5 to 8, a sealant (e.g., a rubber ring, a rubber O-ring) may be received in the groove (see 110) of each housing member 3a, 3b. In this case, each housing member 3a, 3b may have its own dedicated sealant (i.e., at least two sealants in total for each housing 3 of the clamp and / or brake device 10), or a single sealant may be received in the groove of housing members 3a, 3b when fastening the housing members 3a, 3b together.

[0080] As already explained, Figures 5 to 8 show exemplary components of the device 10 having an inward clamping force as described in Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. In this case, the first edge 100b is the outer edge along which the arbitrary hole 15 is positioned, and the second edge 100a is the inner edge facing the object 5. The second contact surface 102 is located further inward than the first contact surface 101.

[0081] However, what is shown for the apparatus in Figures 5A to 8 also applies to the apparatus 10 having an outward clamping force, as shown in Figures 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B. In the latter case, the first edge 100b is an inner edge along which an arbitrary hole 15 is arranged, and the second edge 100a is an outer edge facing the object 5. The second contact surface 102 is located further outward than the first contact surface 101.

[0082] By using the means described herein individually or in combination, it is possible to provide a clamp that reliably seals between housing members and to the environment without adversely affecting the mechanics of opening and closing the clamp.

[0083] The specification and drawings describe preferred embodiments of the subject matter claimed by the attached claims. Any features disclosed in the above specification, claims and drawings may be used individually and in any combination in various embodiments for the implementation of the subject matter claimed by the attached claims.

[0084] The various aspects and embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other modifications can be made to the embodiments in light of the above detailed description. In general, the concepts used in the following claims should not be interpreted as limiting the claims to specific aspects and embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but rather as encompassing all possible embodiments, along with the entire scope of the equivalents for which these claims are entitled. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1 spring 1a, 1b Spring Plate 2, 4 pressure chambers 3 Housing 3a, 3b Housing members 5 objects 6. Compressed air pump 7. Clamping surface 8 clamping elements 9 axes 10 equipment 11 recess 12 Openings 12a First housing contact surface 12b Second housing contact surface 13 Interior space 14 Opening 15 holes 16c First upper side 17 Fastening means 20. Second connection seal 30 First connection seal 100a Second edge 100b First edge 101 First contact surface 102 Second contact surface 103, 104 Slope 105 Inner self 106 Indentation 110 Groove 112, 122 Stopper B Width R Radial direction T depth I, II Connection Section

Claims

1. Housing members (3a, 3b) for a pneumatic clamp and / or brake device (10), The first edge (100b) of the housing member (3a, 3b) and the second edge (100a) of the housing member (3a, 3b) facing the first edge (100b); An annular recess (11) for clamping an annular spring plate (1a, 1b) between a first contact surface (101) of the housing member (3a, 3b) defined by the recess (11) and a second contact surface (102) of the housing member (3a, 3b) defined by the recess (11), which is located between the second edge (100a) and the first edge (100b); A clamping element (8) having a clamping surface (7) configured to transmit clamping force and / or braking force to an object (5) to be clamped and / or braked when the spring plates (1a, 1b) are clamped in the recess (11) between the first contact surface (101) and the second contact surface (102), the first end of the spring plates (1a, 1b) is supported by the first contact surface (101), and the second end of the spring plates (1a, 1b) presses against the second contact surface (102); A first housing contact surface (12a) extending between the first edge (100b) and the first contact surface (101), In the housing members (3a, 3b) including, The first housing contact surface (12a) is provided with at least one groove (110) for receiving the sealant. The housing members (3a, 3b) have one, two or more connection parts (I, II) for supplying a pressure medium to the housing members, At least one of the grooves (110) is interrupted by one or more of the connecting parts (I, II), and / or Housing members (3a, 3b) characterized in that at least one groove (110) extends on the first housing contact surface (12a) between the first edge (100b) of the housing members (3a, 3b) and one or more connecting portions (I, II).

2. The housing member according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing contact surface (12a) further has one or more holes (15) for fastening the housing member (3a) to the other housing member (3b) using fastening means (17).

3. The housing member according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the grooves (110) extends onto the first housing contact surface (12a) between the hole (15) and the first contact surface (101).

4. The housing member according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the hole (15) is located on the first housing contact surface (12a) between the first edge (100b) and at least one of the grooves (110).

5. The housing member (3a, 3b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove (110) extends at least partially along an arc, and / or at least one of the grooves (110) is configured to at least partially surround the center point of the annular recess (11).

6. The housing member according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one groove (110) extends on the first housing contact surface (12a) between the first edge (100b) of the housing member (3a, 3b) and one or more of the connecting portions (I, II), at least partially surrounding the connecting portions.

7. The housing members (3a, 3b) according to claim 1, characterized in that when the second ends of the spring plates (1a, 1b) press against the second contact surface (102), the housing members (3a, 3b) elastically deform in the area of ​​the clamp element and / or the second contact surface (102), thereby the clamp surface (7) is configured to transmit the clamping force and / or braking force to the object (5) to be clamped and / or braked.

8. The housing members (3a, 3b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing members (3a, 3b) further include a second housing contact surface (12b) extending between the second contact surface (102) and the second edge (100a) of the housing members (3a, 3b).

9. The housing members (3a, 3b) according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular recess (11) defines an annular opening (12) for inserting the spring plates (1a, 1b) into the housing members (3a, 3b), and the annular opening (12) is formed between the first housing contact surface (12a) and the second housing contact surface (12b).

10. The housing member (3a, 3b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second contact surface (102) and the clamp surface (7) are arranged on the mutually opposing sides of the clamp element (8) with the second housing contact surface (12b) positioned between them, and / or the clamp surface (7) is in contact with or positioned on the second edge (100a).

11. The distance between the second contact surface (102) and the second edge (100a) or the clamp surface (7) is smaller than the distance between the first contact surface (101) and the second edge (100a) or the clamp surface (7), and / or the distance between the first contact surface (101) and the first edge (100b) is smaller than the distance between the second contact surface (102) and the first edge (100b), and / or the front of the housing members (3a, 3b) The housing member (3a, 3b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second edge (100a) is closer to the object (5) than the first edge (100b) when attached to the clamp and / or brake device, and / or the second housing contact surface (12b) of the housing member (3a, 3b) is closer to the object (5) than the first housing contact surface (12a) when attached to the clamp and / or brake device.

12. A clamp and / or brake device (10) for clamping and / or braking an object (5) to be clamped and / or braked, A housing (3) comprising a plurality of housing members, wherein each of at least two of the housing members is the housing member described in claim 1, and at least two of the housing members (3a, 3b) include a first housing member (3a) and a second housing member (3b), wherein the first housing contact surface (12a) of the first housing member (3a) faces the first housing contact surface (12a) of the second housing member (3b), and the two housing members (3a, 3b) are arranged relative to each other and fastened to each other such that the recesses (11) of the first housing member (3a) and the second housing member (3b) together form an internal space (13) within the housing (3), and a sealant is received in the grooves (110) of the first housing member (3a) and the second housing member (3b), respectively. A spring (1) disposed in the internal space (13), comprising a first annular spring plate (1a) and a second annular spring plate (1b), wherein the spring plates (1a, 1b) are arranged in the internal space (13) such that at least one pressure chamber (2, 4) is formed in the internal space (13) by the spring plates (1a, 1b), the pressure chamber (2, 4) is ventilable or aerated, and a positive pressure of a pressure medium that can be supplied to the housing (3) can be applied to the pressure chamber (2, 4), the first spring plate (1a) is clamped between a first contact surface (101) and a second contact surface (102) of the first housing member (3a), and the second spring plate (1a) A spring plate (1b) is clamped between the first contact surface (101) of the second housing member (3b) and the second contact surface (102) of the second housing member (3b), and the spring plates (1a, 1b) are positioned relative to at least one of the pressure chambers (2, 4) such that the bending of at least one of the spring plates (1a, 1b) is variable by ventilation or airflow of the pressure chambers (2, 4) or by applying positive pressure to the pressure chambers (2, 4), thereby the device (10) is a spring (1) that switches between an open state in which the object (5) is separated from the clamp surface (7) and a closed state in which one or more of the clamp surfaces (7) transmit clamping force and / or braking force to the object (5), A clamp and / or brake device (10) including the clamp and / or brake device.

13. The clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the first housing member (3a) and the second housing member (3b) are fastened to each other using one or more fastening means (17) disposed within the hole (15).

14. The clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the second housing contact surface (12b) of the first housing member (3a) faces the second housing contact surface (12b) of the second housing member (3b).

15. The clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the pressure chambers includes a first pressure chamber (4) located outside the spring (1) and between at least one of the spring plates (1a, 1b) and the housing (3).

16. The clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 15, wherein the first spring plate (1a) is configured such that when the first end of the first spring plate (1a) is supported by the first contact surface (101) of the first housing member (3a), the bending of the first spring plate (1a) is reduced by ventilating the first pressure chamber (4) or applying positive pressure to the first pressure chamber (4) in order to press the second contact surface (102) of the first housing member (3a) with the second end of the first spring plate (1a), thereby transmitting clamping force and / or braking force from the clamp surface (7) of the clamp element (8) of the first housing member (3a) to the object (5) to be clamped and / or braked, and the device (10) switches from an open state to a closed state.

17. The clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 15, wherein the second spring plate (1b) is configured such that, when the first end of the second spring plate (1b) is supported by the first contact surface (101) of the second housing member (3b), the second end of the second spring plate (1b) presses against the second contact surface (102) of the second housing member (3a) by ventilating the first pressure chamber (4) or applying positive pressure to the first pressure chambers (2, 4) to reduce the bending of the second spring plate (1b), thereby transmitting a clamping force and / or braking force from the clamp surface (7) of the clamp element (8) of the second housing member (3a) to the object (5) to be clamped and / or braked, and the device (10) switches from an open state to a closed state.

18. The clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 15, wherein the device (10) is configured such that by ventilating the first pressure chamber (4) or applying positive pressure to the first pressure chamber (4), the first contact surface (101) and the second contact surface (102) of at least one of the two housing members (3a, 3b) move away from each other, and / or the bending of at least one of the spring plates (1a, 1b) is reduced, thereby switching the device (10) from an open state to a closed state.

19. A clamp and / or brake device (10) according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the pressure chambers includes a second pressure chamber (2), the second pressure chamber (2) is located inside the spring (1) and between two spring plates (1a, 1b), and the device (10) is configured such that ventilation of the second pressure chamber (2) or positive pressure applied to the second pressure chamber (2) causes the first contact surface (101) and the second contact surface (102) of at least one of the two housing members (3a, 3b) to move toward contact with each other, and / or increases the bending of at least one of the spring plates (1a, 1b), thereby switching the device (10) from a closed state to an open state.

Images