Positioning and fixing device

Abstract

To provide a miniaturized positioning and fixing device.SOLUTION: A positioning and fixing device includes a first member fixed to a first mechanism, and a second member fixed to a second mechanism. The first member includes a tapered projection part having a first tapered surface having a diameter reduced toward the second mechanism side. The second member includes an annular part having a second tapered surface capable of being engaged with the first tapered surface. When the first mechanism and the second mechanism are made to approach each other along a first direction so as to bring a first reference plane and a second reference plane into contact with each other, the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface are brought into close contact with each other through elastic deformation to an inner diameter side of the tapered projection part, and thereby relative positioning between the first mechanism and the second mechanism in a plane direction perpendicular to the first direction is performed. A reference part of the first member projects to an outer diameter side from the tapered projection part in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A slit part for at least partially partitioning the tapered projection part is formed in a circumferential direction of the tapered projection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a positioning and fixing device.

Background Art

[0002] Examples of positioning and fixing devices for positioning and fixing objects to be fixed (such as work pallets on which workpieces for machining are mounted, and molds) on a base body include those described in the following Patent Documents 1 to 6.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Further miniaturization of positioning and fixing devices is required. For example, the device described in Patent Document 1 requires space for bolting the reference member. In the positioning and fixing devices described in Patent Documents 2 to 5, the reference member is fixed by press-fitting, but there is a manufacturing limit when further miniaturization is attempted. In the positioning and fixing device described in Patent Document 6, the deformation of the engaging portion is promoted by providing an elastic member, but this elastic member may hinder miniaturization. An object of the present technology is to provide a miniaturized positioning and fixing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The positioning and fixing device according to this technology is capable of relative positioning of a first mechanism and a second mechanism, as well as fixing the first mechanism and the second mechanism to each other.

[0006] The positioning and fixing device comprises a first member fixed to a first mechanism and a second member fixed to a second mechanism. The first mechanism includes a first reference surface and a first fitting hole provided to open onto the first reference surface. The second mechanism includes a second reference surface facing the first reference surface along a first direction and a second fitting hole provided to open onto the second reference surface.

[0007] The first member includes a cylindrical portion that is press-fitted into a first fitting hole, a tapered projection that protrudes from the first reference surface toward the second mechanism side along a first direction and has a first tapered surface that becomes smaller in diameter toward the second mechanism side, and a reference portion that abuts against the first reference surface. The cylindrical portion, the tapered projection, and the reference portion are integrally formed.

[0008] The second member is press-fitted into the second fitting hole, and the second member includes an annular portion having a second tapered surface that can engage with the first tapered surface.

[0009] When the first mechanism and the second mechanism are brought closer together along the first direction and the first reference surface and the second reference surface are brought into contact, the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface are brought into close contact with each other through the elastic deformation of the tapered protrusion toward the inner diameter side, thereby achieving the relative positioning of the first mechanism and the second mechanism in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, in the positioning and fixing device, the reference portion of the first member protrudes outward from the tapered convex portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, in the positioning and fixing device described above, a slit portion that at least partially divides the tapered convex portion in the circumferential direction of the tapered convex portion is formed.

[0012] In one embodiment, in the positioning and fixing device described above, the first tapered surface of the first member is formed to be spaced apart from the first reference surface along the first direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, in the positioning and fixing device described above, a female threaded portion is formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion of the first member.

[0014] In one embodiment, in the positioning and fixing device described above, a female threaded portion is formed on the inner periphery of the second member, and the female threaded portion is provided at a position different from the second tapered surface in the first direction. Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present technology, a downsized positioning and fixing device can be obtained. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a top view of the positioning and fixing device. [Figure 2] It is a side cross-sectional view of the positioning and fixing device (the II-II cross-sectional view in Fig. 1). [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the base body in the positioning and fixing device (a plan view showing a state where the base body is viewed from the III-III direction in Fig. 2). [Figure 4] It is an enlarged view of part IV in Fig. 2. [Figure 5] It is a V-V cross-sectional view in Fig. 4. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the press-fitting process of the reference member. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the press-fitting process of the annular engagement member. [Figure 8] It is a side cross-sectional view of a positioning and fixing device according to a modification. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or corresponding parts, and repeated descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0018] Note that in the embodiments described below, when referring to numbers, amounts, and the like, the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, and the like unless otherwise specified. Further, in the following embodiments, each constituent element is not necessarily essential to the present technology unless otherwise specified. In addition, the present technology is not necessarily limited to those that exhibit all the operational effects mentioned in the present embodiment.

[0019] Note that in the present specification, the descriptions of "comprise", "include", and "have" are open-ended. That is, when a certain configuration is included, other configurations other than the relevant configuration may or may not be included.

[0020] Further, in the present specification, when geometric terms and terms representing positional and directional relationships, such as "parallel", "orthogonal", "45 degrees oblique", "coaxial", and "along", are used, these terms allow for manufacturing errors or slight variations. When terms representing relative positional relationships such as "upper side" and "lower side" are used in the present specification, these terms are used to indicate the relative positional relationship in one state, and the relative positional relationship may be reversed or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, flipping the entire mechanism upside down).

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of the positioning and fixing device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where the base body 10 is viewed from the direction of III-III in FIG. 2.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the positioning and fixing device according to this embodiment is capable of relative positioning of the base body 10 (first mechanism) and the pallet 20 (second mechanism), as well as fixing the base body 10 and the pallet 20 to each other.

[0023] The pallet 20 is an object to be fixed to the base body 10. For example, a workpiece to be cut can be attached to the pallet 20. Note that the pallet 20 is just one example of an object to be fixed, and the objects to be fixed in this technology are not limited to this. For example, a mold or the like may be used as the object to be fixed instead of the pallet 20. The base body 10 may be fixed to a stationary object, or it may be supported by a rotation support mechanism or the like and be in a movable state. Furthermore, the positioning and fixing device according to this technology may be applied to a robot (such as an arm).

[0024] The base body 10 has a fitting hole 10A (first fitting hole) and a reference surface 10B (first reference surface). The pallet 20 has a fitting hole 20A (second fitting hole) and a reference surface 20B (second reference surface). The reference surfaces 10B and 20B face each other along the Z-axis direction (first direction). The fitting holes 10A and 20A are provided to open onto the reference surfaces 10B and 20B, respectively.

[0025] A reference member 100 (first member) is fixed to the base body 10. An annular engaging member 200 (second member) is fixed to the pallet 20.

[0026] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of section IV in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of section VV in Figure 4.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the reference member 100 includes an engaging projection 110 (tapered projection), a fitting cylindrical portion 120 (cylindrical portion), a reference flange portion 130 (reference portion), and a female thread portion 140. The engaging projection 110, the fitting cylindrical portion 120, and the reference flange portion 130 are integrally formed.

[0028] The engaging projection 110 protrudes from the reference surface 10B of the base body 10 toward the pallet 20 along the Z-axis direction. The outer circumferential surface of the engaging projection 110 forms an engaging tapered surface 110A (first tapered surface) that becomes smaller in diameter toward the pallet 20 side (upper side in the figure).

[0029] The engaging projection 110 is provided on the opposite side of the base body 10 (upper side in the figure) from the reference flange portion 130. Therefore, the engaging tapered surface 110A is formed spaced apart from the reference surface 10B of the base body 10 along the Z-axis direction. The provision of the reference flange portion 130 between the engaging projection 110 and the base body 10 increases the height H from the reference surface 10B to the tip of the engaging projection 110. As a result, deformation of the engaging projection 110 in the tilting direction (direction intersecting the Z-axis) is promoted.

[0030] The fitting cylinder portion 120 is press-fitted into the fitting hole 10A of the base body 10 so that the press-fit contact surface 120A is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 10A. This fixes the reference member 100 to the base body 10. An annular gap is formed between the bottom surface of the fitting hole 10A and the lower end surface of the fitting cylinder portion 120. Note that the reference member 100 may be fixed by a method other than press-fitting.

[0031] The reference flange portion 130 has a contact surface 130A that abuts against the reference surface 10B of the base body 10. The reference flange portion 130 is formed to protrude outward from the engagement projection 110 along the XY plane direction perpendicular to the Z axis. For example, the ratio (D2 / D1) of the diameter D2 of the reference flange portion 130 to the outermost diameter D1 of the engagement projection 110 is, for example, about 1.1 to 1.3.

[0032] The female thread portion 140 is formed on the inner circumference of the fitting cylinder portion 120. When removing the reference member 100 from the base body 10, a rod-shaped jig is screwed into the female thread portion 140, and by pulling the jig, the fitting cylinder portion 120, which is press-fitted into the fitting hole 10A, is pulled out.

[0033] The annular engaging member 200 includes an annular portion 210, a bottom portion 220, and a female threaded portion 230. The annular portion 210 and the bottom portion 220 are formed integrally.

[0034] The annular portion 210 has an engaging tapered surface 210A (second tapered surface) and a press-fit contact surface 210B. The engaging tapered surface 210A can engage with the engaging tapered surface 110A (first tapered surface) of the engaging projection 110 when the pallet 20 is positioned and fixed.

[0035] The annular engaging member 200 is press-fitted into the fitting hole 20A of the pallet 20 so that the press-fit contact surface 210B of the annular portion 210 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 20A. The annular engaging member 200 is press-fitted until the upper surface of the bottom portion 220 contacts the bottom surface of the fitting hole 20A. This fixes the annular engaging member 200 to the pallet 20. The annular engaging member 200 may be fixed by a method other than press-fitting. The annular engaging member 200 is positioned approximately concentrically with the reference member 100.

[0036] The female thread portion 230 is formed on the inner circumference of the bottom portion 220. That is, the female thread portion 230 is located at a different position from the engaging tapered surface 210A in the Z-axis direction. When removing the annular engaging member 200 from the pallet 20, a rod-shaped jig is screwed into the female thread portion 230, and by pulling the jig, the annular portion 210, which is press-fitted into the fitting hole 20A, is pulled out.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, a slit portion 110B is formed in the circumferential direction of the engaging projection 110 of the reference member 100, dividing the engaging projection 110. The slit portion 110B may be formed (partially) on a part of the engaging projection 110 in the height direction (Z-axis direction). In the example in Figure 5, four slit portions 110B are formed so as to be evenly spaced in the circumferential direction, but the number of slit portions 110B can be changed as appropriate. The provision of the slit portion 110B promotes deformation of the engaging projection 110 in the tilting direction (direction intersecting the Z-axis).

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base body 10 and the pallet 20 are fixed together by four bolts 300. Each bolt 300 includes a head 310 and a shaft 320. The head 310 of the bolt 300 abuts against the pallet 20, and the shaft 320 of the bolt 300 is screwed into the base body 10. By applying a fastening force to the bolts 300, the base body 10 and the pallet 20 are pulled towards each other.

[0039] The base body 10 is set in a fixed state on, for example, the table of a machine tool. One or more workpieces (not shown) are fixed to the pallet 20 by clamping devices or bolts (not shown). The pallet 20 is transported onto the base body 10, positioned relative to each other in the horizontal direction (XY plane direction) and the vertical direction (Z axis direction), and fixed relative to each other, after which machining is performed on one or more workpieces on the pallet 20.

[0040] As an example, the base body 10 and the pallet 20 are each composed of a steel plate member that is approximately square or rectangular. The reference surface 10B (upper surface) of the base body 10 functions as a horizontal reference seating surface for positioning the pallet 20 vertically by placing the pallet 20 on it and seating the reference surface 20B (lower surface) of the pallet 20 on it. The reference surface 20B of the pallet 20 is formed to be able to contact the reference surface 10B of the base body 10 in a surface contact manner. Positioning in the Z-axis direction is achieved by the contact between the reference surfaces 10B and 20B.

[0041] Of the four bolts 300, the reference member 100 (and the annular engaging member 200) is provided approximately concentrically with two of the bolts 300. That is, the bolts 300 are inserted through the reference member 100 and the annular engaging member 200.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the pair of reference members 100 are positioned at relative distances from each other on the diagonal of the base body 10 and the pallet 20. This allows for horizontal positioning (XY plane direction).

[0043] As described above, when fastening force is applied to the four bolts 300, the base body 10 and the pallet 20 move closer to each other along the Z-axis direction, and the reference surfaces 10B and 20B come into contact with each other. This enables the relative positioning of the base body 10 and the pallet 20 in the Z-axis direction.

[0044] At this time, the engaging projection 110 of the reference member 100 elastically deforms toward the inner diameter. Through this elastic deformation, the engaging tapered surface 110A (first tapered surface) and the engaging tapered surface 210A (second tapered surface) come into close contact with each other. This allows for the relative positioning of the base body 10 and the pallet 20 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (XY plane direction). Note that when the engaging tapered surfaces 110A and 210A are merely in contact, the reference surfaces 10B and 20B are not in contact with each other. From this state, the bolt 300 is further tightened, causing the engaging projection 110 to elastically deform, and the base body 10 and the pallet 20 are brought closer to each other until the reference surfaces 10B and 20B come into contact with each other.

[0045] In the positioning and fixing device according to this embodiment, the above-described operation achieves two-plane constraint by contact between the reference surfaces 10B and 20B and the engaging tapered surfaces 110A and 210A. This allows for accurate relative positioning of the base body 10 and the pallet 20, and enables the base body 10 and the pallet 20 to be fixed to each other.

[0046] When the fastening force is removed from the four bolts 300, the reference surfaces 10B and 20B separate from each other, making it possible to remove the pallet 20 from the base body 10. At this time, the engaging projection 110 of the reference member 100 returns to its shape before the elastic deformation.

[0047] When miniaturizing a positioning and fixing device, reducing the diameters of the reference member 100 and the annular engaging member 200 also reduces the contact area between the engaging tapered surface 110A and the engaging tapered surface 210A. Simply reducing the diameters of the reference member 100 and the annular engaging member 200 reduces the contact area between the engaging tapered surface 110A and the engaging tapered surface 210A, and even if the same surface pressure is applied as before the reduction, the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging projection 110 toward the inner diameter tends to be small. As a result, the desired amount of deformation required for positioning and fixing may not be obtained. Reducing the thickness of the engaging projection 110 can increase the amount of elastic deformation, but thinning the engaging projection 110 has manufacturing constraints as well as the problem that the amount of deformation may become too large and cause plastic deformation.

[0048] In contrast, in the positioning and fixing device according to this embodiment, by providing a reference flange portion 130 between the engaging projection 110 and the base body 10, the height H from the reference surface 10B to the tip of the engaging projection 110 can be increased. This allows for a larger amount of elastic deformation of the engaging projection 110 toward the inner diameter. Furthermore, since a slit portion 110B is provided to divide the engaging projection 110 in the circumferential direction, the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging projection 110 toward the inner diameter can be further increased. As a result, a miniaturized positioning and fixing device can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, by forming the fitting hole 20A deeper, the increase in height H from the reference surface 10B to the tip of the engaging projection 110 can be absorbed. The positioning and fixing device according to this embodiment reduces the reference member 100 and the annular engaging member 200 in the radial direction (XY plane direction) while increasing them in the axial direction (Z axis direction), and the increase is absorbed by the plate thickness of the pallet 20 (depth of the fitting hole 20A).

[0050] Figures 6 and 7 show the press-fitting process for the reference member 100 and the annular engaging member 200, respectively. When fixing the reference member 100 to the base body 10, as shown in Figure 6, the press-fitting jig 400 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the reference flange portion 130 and pushed in the direction of arrow A, thereby press-fitting the fitting cylinder portion 120 into the fitting hole 10A of the base body 10. When fixing the annular engaging member 200 to the pallet 20, as shown in Figure 7, the press-fitting jig 400 is brought into contact with the tip of the annular portion 210 and pushed in the direction of arrow B, thereby press-fitting the annular portion 210 into the fitting hole 20A of the pallet 20.

[0051] The same press-fitting jig 400 can be used in the press-fitting process of the reference member 100 (Figure 6) and the press-fitting process of the annular engaging member 200 (Figure 7).

[0052] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a modified positioning and fixing device. As shown in Figure 8, the annular engaging member 200 may be fixed to the base body 10 and the reference member 100 may be fixed to the pallet 20. In this case, the pallet 20 constitutes the "first mechanism" and the base body 10 constitutes the "second mechanism".

[0053] Furthermore, the reference flange portion 130 may not be provided. In addition, the female thread portions 140 and 230 may not be provided.

[0054] While embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 10 Base body, 10A Fitting hole, 10B Reference surface, 20 Pallet, 20A Fitting hole, 20B Reference surface, 100 Reference member, 110 Engaging projection, 110A Engaging tapered surface, 110B Slit, 120 Fitting cylinder, 120A Press-fit contact surface, 130 Reference flange, 130A Contact surface, 140 Female thread, 200 Annular engaging member, 210 Annular part, 210A Engaging tapered surface, 210B Press-fit contact surface, 220 Bottom, 230 Female thread, 300 Bolt, 310 Head, 320 Shaft, 400 Press-fit jig.

Claims

1. A positioning and fixing device capable of relative positioning of a first mechanism and a second mechanism, and fixing the first mechanism and the second mechanism to each other, A first member fixed to the first mechanism, The second mechanism comprises a second member fixed to the second mechanism, The first mechanism includes a first reference surface and a first fitting hole provided to open onto the first reference surface. The second mechanism includes a second reference surface facing the first reference surface along a first direction, and a second fitting hole provided to open on the second reference surface. The first member includes a cylindrical portion that is press-fitted into the first fitting hole, a tapered projection that protrudes from the first reference surface toward the second mechanism side along the first direction and has a first tapered surface that becomes smaller in diameter toward the second mechanism side, and a reference portion that abuts the first reference surface, wherein the cylindrical portion, the tapered projection, and the reference portion are integrally formed. The second member is press-fitted into the second fitting hole, and the second member includes an annular portion having a second tapered surface that can engage with the first tapered surface. The reference portion of the first member protrudes outward from the tapered projection in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, A positioning and fixing device in which, when the first mechanism and the second mechanism are brought closer together along the first direction and the first reference surface and the second reference surface are brought into contact, the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface are brought into close contact with each other through the elastic deformation of the tapered protrusion toward the inner diameter side, thereby achieving relative positioning of the first mechanism and the second mechanism in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. A positioning and fixing device capable of relative positioning of a first mechanism and a second mechanism, and fixing the first mechanism and the second mechanism to each other, A first member fixed to the first mechanism, The second mechanism comprises a second member fixed to the second mechanism, The first mechanism includes a first reference surface and a first fitting hole provided to open onto the first reference surface. The second mechanism includes a second reference surface facing the first reference surface along a first direction, and a second fitting hole provided to open on the second reference surface. The first member includes a cylindrical portion that is press-fitted into the first fitting hole, a tapered projection that protrudes from the first reference surface toward the second mechanism side along the first direction and has a first tapered surface that becomes smaller in diameter toward the second mechanism side, and a reference portion that abuts the first reference surface, wherein the cylindrical portion, the tapered projection, and the reference portion are integrally formed. The second member is press-fitted into the second fitting hole, and the second member includes an annular portion having a second tapered surface that can engage with the first tapered surface. In the circumferential direction of the tapered protrusion, a slit portion is formed that at least partially divides the tapered protrusion. A positioning and fixing device in which, when the first mechanism and the second mechanism are brought closer together along the first direction and the first reference surface and the second reference surface are brought into contact, the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface are brought into close contact with each other through the elastic deformation of the tapered protrusion toward the inner diameter side, thereby achieving relative positioning of the first mechanism and the second mechanism in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The positioning and fixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first tapered surface of the first member is formed spaced apart from the first reference surface along the first direction.

4. A female threaded portion is formed on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion of the first member. The positioning and fixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the female thread portion is formed such that a rod-shaped jig can be screwed into it to remove the first member from the first mechanism.

5. A female thread is formed on the inner circumference of the second member, and the female thread is provided at a position different from the second tapered surface in the first direction. The positioning and fixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the female threaded portion is formed such that a rod-shaped jig can be screwed into it to remove the second member from the second mechanism.

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