Positioning device

Abstract

To provide a positioning device which can be driven by one driving means.SOLUTION: A positioning device 1 includes: a placement part 10 on which an object M is placed; a first sandwiching part 20 which sandwiches the object M in a width direction; and a second sandwiching part 30 which sandwiches the object M in a length direction. The first sandwiching part 20 has: a first fixed sandwiching part 21; and a rotation part 22 which is biased so that first rotary sandwiching parts 22b rotate in a direction such that the first rotary sandwiching parts 22b approach the first fixed sandwiching part 21. The second sandwiching part 30 has: a movement reference part 31 which is moved by driving means in a direction such that the movement reference part 31 is moved close to or away from the placement part 10; a pair of arm parts 32 which moves, in response to movement of the movement reference part 31, so as to sandwich the object M; and first rotary sandwiching parts 33 which move, in response to movement of the movement reference part 31, in a direction such that the first rotary sandwiching parts 33 press the rotation part 22 against biasing force or a direction in which the pressing is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning device for positioning parts in a parts processing and assembly process or the like.

Background Art

[0002] In the vehicle body processing and assembly process, for example, a positioning jig provided with reference pins corresponding to reference holes formed in parts such as vehicle body panels is used, and the parts are positioned by aligning the reference holes with the reference pins and arranging the parts on the jig. However, in the case of design parts visible from the outside such as doors for which reference holes cannot be set, positioning using reference pins cannot be performed, so positioning using the outer shape of the parts is performed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus for positioning a substantially isosceles trapezoid-shaped workpiece. At each corner located on the short base side of the trapezoid, a pair of abutting members that abut against the workpiece on each of the short base portion and the hypotenuse portion sandwiching the corner are provided in an integral configuration that rotates coaxially together, and are arranged at symmetric positions corresponding to both corners of the trapezoid, respectively. It is provided with a centering mechanism composed of two sets of the integral configurations, a link mechanism that connects the two integral configurations and synchronously operates in opposite symmetric directions, and a lock mechanism that presses and fixes the substantially central portion on the long base side of the workpiece positioned by the synchronous operation of the link mechanism from the outside in the direction of the symmetry axis of the symmetric positions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, using external shape for positioning requires multiple drive mechanisms, resulting in a complex and large-scale device. This leads to problems such as increased costs and energy consumption.

[0006] This invention was made based on these problems and aims to provide a positioning device that can be driven by a single driving means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The positioning device of the present invention comprises a mounting section for placing an object to be positioned, a first clamping section for clamping the object placed on the mounting section in one direction, a second clamping section for clamping the object in a direction intersecting the clamping direction of the first clamping section, and a driving means for driving the second clamping section. The first clamping section has a first fixed clamping section and a rotating section that is rotatably disposed about a first rotation axis and has a first rotating clamping section at one end for clamping an object between itself and the first fixed clamping section, and the first rotating clamping section is biased to rotate in a direction approaching the first fixed clamping section. The second clamping section is driven by the driving means. The device comprises a movable reference part that moves in a direction toward or toward the mounting part, a pair of arm parts that move to grip an object in accordance with the movement of the movable reference part, and a first clamping interlocking part that moves in a direction to press against the biasing force or in a direction to release the pressure in accordance with the movement of the movable reference part, and presses the rotating part to separate the first rotating clamping part from the first fixed clamping part as the movable reference part moves toward the mounting part, and separates from the rotating part to release the pressure and brings the first rotating clamping part toward the first fixed clamping part as the movable reference part moves toward the mounting part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the drive means moves the movable reference part of the second clamping part, and consequently moves the pair of arm parts of the second clamping part to clamp or release the object, and moves the first clamping interlocking part to move the rotating part of the first clamping part in a direction that presses against the biasing force or in a direction that releases the pressure, thereby clamping or releasing the object by the first rotating clamping part and the first fixed clamping part of the first clamping part. Therefore, it can be driven by a single drive means. Thus, costs and energy consumption can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a positioning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of the positioning device shown in Figure 1, viewed from a different direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a positioning device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the configuration of the positioning device 1 as seen from the side in Figure 1. In Figures 1 and 2, the movements are shown in the order of (A), (B), and (C), and (A), (B), (C) in Figure 1 correspond to (A), (B), and (C) in Figure 2. In Figure 2, some parts are shown with dashed lines to make the movements easier to understand. This positioning device 1 positions the object M using the external shape of the object to be positioned. The object M can be of any shape, but in this embodiment, the case of positioning a long part will be used as an example.

[0012] The positioning device 1 includes, for example, a mounting section 10 on which an object M to be positioned is placed, a first clamping section 20 that clamps the object M placed on the mounting section 10 in one direction, a second clamping section 30 that clamps the object M in a direction intersecting the clamping direction of the first clamping section 20, and a driving means (not shown) for driving the second clamping section 30. The mounting section 10 is fixedly arranged on a mounting support section (not shown) so as to support the central part of the object M. The mounting section 10 is composed of, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped members that extend in the width direction of the object M and are arranged at intervals in the length direction of the object M. Preferably, the length of the rod-shaped members 11 is formed to correspond to the width of the object M.

[0013] The first clamping portion 20 is configured to clamp the object M in the width direction of the object M, for example, and has a first fixed clamping portion 21 and a rotating portion 22 which is rotatably disposed about a first rotation axis 22a and has a first rotating clamping portion 22b on one end which clamps the object M between itself and the fixed clamping portion 21. The first fixed clamping portion 21 is fixedly disposed, for example, at one end of the mounting portion 10, specifically at one end of the first clamping portion 20 in the clamping direction. The first fixed clamping portion 21 is composed, for example, of a plate-shaped member or a plurality of rod-shaped members. Preferably, a fixed guide 23 is provided on the side of the first fixed clamping portion 21 opposite to the first rotating clamping portion 22a. The fixed guide 23 has a shape such that its upper side is inclined outward, and when the object M is placed on the positioning device 1 from above, it guides the object M to reduce the variation in the positioning position of the object M in the width direction.

[0014] The rotating part 22 includes, for example, a first rotating clamping part 22b extending to one end via a first rotating shaft 22a, and a rotation control unit 22c extending to the other end via the first rotating shaft 22a to control rotation. The first rotating shaft 22a is fixedly disposed to, for example, a first clamping support part (not shown) disposed at the other end of the mounting part 10, specifically at the other end in the clamping direction of the first clamping part 20. The first rotating clamping part 22b is composed of, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped members disposed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the object M (the clamping direction of the second clamping part 30, as described later). The first rotating clamping part 22b has, for example, a roller 22d at its tip that is rotatable in the clamping direction of the second clamping part 30. This is to allow the object M to move easily in the clamping direction of the second clamping part 30 when the object M is clamped by the first clamping part 20 and then clamped by the second clamping part 30.

[0015] The rotation control unit 22c is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members arranged at intervals in the clamping direction of the second clamping unit 30, corresponding to the first rotation clamping unit 22b. The rotation control unit 22c extends toward the first fixed clamping unit 21 at a position rotated 90 degrees from the first rotation clamping unit 22b. Each rotation control unit 22c is connected by a connecting unit 22e, so that each rotation control unit 22c and each first rotation clamping unit 22b rotate simultaneously. The rotation unit 22 is biased to rotate around the first rotation axis 22a so that the first rotation clamping unit 22b approaches the first fixed clamping unit 21. The biasing may be performed by a spring or by a weight. In this embodiment, the combined weight of the rotation control unit 22c and the connecting unit 22e is made heavier than the combined weight of the first rotation clamping unit 22b and the roller 22d, so that the rotation control unit 22c is biased by its own weight.

[0016] The second clamping portion 30 is configured, for example, to clamp the object M in the longitudinal direction of the object M. The second clamping portion 30 includes, for example, a movable reference portion 31 which is moved by a driving means in a direction toward or toward the mounting portion 10, a pair of arm portions 32 which move to clamp the object M in accordance with the movement of the movable reference portion 31, and a first clamping interlocking portion 33 which moves in a direction to press or release the rotating portion 22, specifically the rotating control portion 22c, in accordance with the movement of the movable reference portion 31. The driving means can be, for example, a power cylinder. The movable reference portion 31 is, for example, a rod-shaped member.

[0017] The arm portion 32 includes, for example, a first arm portion 32a made of a rod-shaped member with one end rotatably disposed on a movable reference portion 31, and a second arm portion 32b with one end rotatably disposed relative to the other end of the first arm portion 32a. The second arm portion 32b is, for example, rotatably disposed about a second rotation axis 32c, and the second rotation axis 32c is, for example, fixed to a second clamping support portion (not shown). The second arm portion 32b includes, for example, a second arm connecting portion 32d extending from the second rotation axis 32c to one end and connected to the first arm portion 32a, and a second arm clamping portion 32e extending from the second rotation axis 32c to the other end and clamping the object M. The second arm clamping portion 32e is formed, for example, by bending the second arm connecting portion 32d toward the object M.

[0018] As a result, when the movable reference part 31 is moved away from the mounting part 10 by the driving means, the first arm part 32a moves away from the mounting part 10, and the second arm part 32b rotates around the second rotation axis 32c so that the second arm clamping part 32e moves closer to the object M. Also, when the movable reference part 31 is moved closer to the mounting part 10 by the driving means, the first arm part 32a moves closer to the mounting part 10, and the second arm part 32b rotates around the second rotation axis 32c so that the second arm clamping part 32e moves away from the object M.

[0019] The first clamping interlocking part 33 is constituted by, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped members that are spaced apart in the clamping direction of the second clamping part 30 and extend to the rotation control part 22c corresponding to the rotation control part 22c. The first clamping interlocking part 33 presses the rotation control part 22c toward the mounting part 10 against the biasing force that rotates the first rotation clamping part 22b in the direction approaching the first fixed clamping part 21, thereby rotating the first rotation clamping part 22b in the direction away from the first fixed clamping part 21. As the movement reference part 31 moves in the direction approaching the mounting part 10, the first clamping interlocking part 33 presses the rotation part 22, specifically the rotation control part 22c, to separate the first rotation clamping part 22b from the first fixed clamping part 21, and as the movement reference part 31 moves in the direction away from the mounting part 10, the first clamping interlocking part 33 moves away from the rotation part 22, specifically the rotation control part 22c, to approach the first rotation clamping part 22b to the first fixed clamping part 21.

[0020] Further, the second clamping part 30 is preferably configured to clamp the object M by the pair of arm parts 32, for example, after the first clamping interlocking part 33 moves away from the rotation part 22, specifically the rotation control part 22c, and the object M is clamped by the first rotation clamping part 22b and the first fixed clamping part 21. This is because alignment can be stably performed.

[0021] This positioning device 1 is used, for example, as follows. First, for example, the movement reference part 31 is moved closer to the mounting part 10 by the driving means, the pair of second arm clamping parts 32e are rotated in the direction of separating from each other, and the first clamping interlocking part 33 is moved in the direction approaching the mounting part 10, and the rotation control part 22c is pressed by the first clamping interlocking part 33 to keep the first rotation clamping part 22b separated from the first fixed clamping part 21. Next, for example, the object M is placed on the mounting part 10 (see FIGS. 1(A) and 2(A)).

[0022] Subsequently, for example, the driving means moves the movement reference portion 31 away from the placement portion 10. As a result, as the movement reference portion 31 moves, the pair of second arm clamping portions 32e rotate in a direction approaching each other. Further, the first clamping interlocking portion 33 moves in a direction away from the rotation control portion 22c, and the first rotation clamping portion 22b rotates so as to approach the first fixed clamping portion 21 by the biasing force. As a result, the object M is clamped between the first rotation clamping portion 22b and the first fixed clamping portion 21 in the width direction. At this time, even if the position of the object M in the width direction is displaced, the object M is pushed and moved by the first rotation clamping portion 22b toward the first fixed clamping portion 21, and the positioning in the width direction is achieved (see FIGS. 1(B) and 2(B)).

[0023] Next, for example, the driving means further moves the movement reference portion 31 away from the placement portion 10. As a result, as the movement reference portion 31 moves, the pair of second arm clamping portions 32e rotate in a direction approaching each other further, and the object M is clamped by the pair of second arm clamping portions 32e in the length direction. At this time, even if the position of the object M in the length direction is displaced, the object M is pushed and moved by the pair of second arm clamping portions 32e, and the positioning in the length direction is achieved. Note that the first clamping interlocking portion 33 further moves in a direction away from the rotation control portion 22c as the movement reference portion 31 moves (see FIGS. 1(C) and 2(C)).

[0024] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the driving means moves the movement reference portion 31 of the second clamping portion 30, and accordingly, moves the pair of arm portions 32 of the second clamping portion 30 to clamp or release the object M in the length direction. At the same time, the first clamping interlocking portion 33 is moved so that the rotating portion 22 of the first clamping portion 20 moves in a direction pressing against the biasing force or in a direction releasing the pressing, and the object M is clamped or released in the width direction by the first rotation clamping portion 22b and the first fixed clamping portion 21 of the first clamping portion 20. Therefore, it can be driven by one driving means. Thus, the cost and the energy consumption can be reduced.

[0025] The present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways. For example, although each component was described in detail in the above embodiments, the specific structure and shape of each component may differ, and the present invention does not have to include all of the above-mentioned components, but may include other components as well. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1...Positioning device, 10...Placement section, 20...First clamping section, 21...First fixed clamping section, 22...Rotating section, 22a...First rotation axis, 22b...First rotational clamping section, 22c...Rotation control section, 22d...Roller, 22e...Connecting section, 23...Fixed guide, 30...Second clamping section, 31...Movement reference section, 32...Arm section, 32a...First arm section, 32b...Second arm section, 32c...Second rotation axis, 32d...Second arm connecting section, 32e...Second arm clamping section, 33...First clamping interlocking section, M...Target object

Claims

1. A mounting section on which the object to be positioned is placed, A first clamping section that clamps the object placed on the mounting section in one direction, A second clamping portion that clamps the object in a direction intersecting the clamping direction of the first clamping portion, The device comprises a driving means for driving the second clamping portion, The first clamping portion comprises a first fixed clamping portion and a rotating portion which is rotatably disposed about a first rotation axis and has a first rotating clamping portion at one end that clamps the object between itself and the first fixed clamping portion, and the first rotating clamping portion is biased to rotate in a direction approaching the first fixed clamping portion. The second clamping portion includes a moving reference portion which is moved by the driving means in a direction toward or toward the previously described mounting portion, a pair of arm portions which move to clamp the object in accordance with the movement of the moving reference portion, and a first clamping interlocking portion which moves in a direction to press the rotating portion against a biasing force or in a direction to release the press in accordance with the movement of the moving reference portion, and as the moving reference portion moves toward the previously described mounting portion it presses the rotating portion to separate the first rotating clamping portion from the first fixed clamping portion, and as the moving reference portion moves toward the previously described mounting portion it separates from the rotating portion and releases the press, bringing the first rotating clamping portion toward the first fixed clamping portion. A positioning device characterized by the following features.

2. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second clamping portion is configured to clamp the object by the pair of arm portions after the first clamping interlocking portion is separated from the rotating portion and the object is clamped by the first rotating clamping portion and the first fixed clamping portion.

3. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rotating clamping portion is provided with a roller that is rotatable in the clamping direction of the second clamping portion.

Images