Workpiece holder

Abstract

To provide a workpiece holder which more easily adjusts a mounting position of each fitting body than does a conventional workpiece holder.SOLUTION: A workpiece holder includes: a workpiece side jig; and a master side jig. The workpiece side jig has a workpiece side fitting body on a surface facing the master side jig. The master side jig has a master side fitting body fitted to the workpiece side fitting body on a surface facing the workpiece side jig, a pressing body which abuts on the workpiece side fitting body fitted to the master side fitting body and presses the workpiece side fitting body to the master side jig side, and an actuator which operates the pressing body. The pressing body is provided for each of a set of the workpiece side fitting body and the master side fitting body, which are fitted to each other. When the pressing body is operated by the actuator, the pressing body abuts on the workpiece side fitting body and the workpiece side fitting body is pressed to the master side jig side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece holder used for attaching and detaching a workpiece, which is a processing target, to and from various machines such as welding machines, machine tools, and assembly machines (hereinafter collectively referred to as "processing machines") when processing the workpiece with the processing machines.

Background Art

[0002] Various processing machines are used when performing various types of processing (operations) such as welding, drilling, cutting, and assembly on a workpiece. For example, when processing a large workpiece, a positioner capable of holding the workpiece as the processing target and positioning it at a predetermined position is used. Conventionally, as an apparatus used for attaching and detaching a workpiece to and from a positioner, there is a workpiece holder developed by the present applicant (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The workpiece holder is an apparatus used for attaching and detaching a workpiece to and from a processing machine when processing the workpiece with the processing machine, and includes a workpiece-side jig to which the workpiece is fixed, and a master-side jig fixed to the processing machine side.

[0004] The workpiece-side jig is provided with a workpiece-side fitting body on the surface facing the master-side jig, and the master-side jig is provided with a master-side fitting body that fits with the workpiece-side fitting body on the surface facing the workpiece-side jig, a rotary pressing body that abuts against the workpiece-side fitting body fitted to the master-side fitting body to press the workpiece-side fitting body toward the master-side jig, and a rotary drive source that rotates the rotary pressing body.

[0005] The workpiece holder is configured such that when the rotary pressing body is rotated by the rotary drive source, the rotary pressing body abuts against the workpiece-side fitting body, and the workpiece-side fitting body is pressed toward the master-side jig.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] The aforementioned workpiece holder has a structure in which a single rotating pressing body presses multiple workpiece-side fitting bodies. However, if the heights of the multiple workpiece-side fitting bodies are not aligned, the rotating pressing body will not fit properly. Therefore, adjusting the mounting position of each fitting body is difficult, and there was room for improvement in this respect.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a workpiece holder that allows for easier adjustment of the mounting position of each fitting compared to conventional workpiece holders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The workpiece holder of the present invention comprises a workpiece-side jig and a master-side jig. The workpiece-side jig has a workpiece-side fitting on the surface facing the master-side jig, and the master-side jig comprises a master-side fitting that fits into the workpiece-side fitting on the surface facing the workpiece-side jig, a pressing body that contacts the workpiece-side fitting fitted into the master-side fitting and presses the workpiece-side fitting toward the master-side jig, and an actuator that operates the pressing body. A pressing body is provided for each pair of workpiece-side fittings and master-side fittings that are fitted together. When the pressing body is operated by the actuator, the pressing body contacts the workpiece-side fitting, and the workpiece-side fitting is pressed toward the master-side jig. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The workpiece holder of the present invention is equipped with a pressing body for each pair of workpiece-side fittings and master-side fittings that are fitted together. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the position of other workpiece-side fittings or master-side fittings, and the adjustment of the mounting position of each fitting is easier compared to conventional workpiece holders. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing an example of how the workpiece holder of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing an example of a workpiece holder of the present invention. [Figure 3] (a) is a plan view before the pressing body is moved, and (b) is a plan view with the pressing body moved in the pressing direction. [Figure 4] A plan view showing another example of the workpiece holder of the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) is a cross-sectional view of Va-Va in Figure 3(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of Vb-Vb in Figure 3(b). [Figure 6] (a) is a perspective view showing the workpiece-side jig and the master-side jig separated, (b) is a perspective view showing the workpiece-side fitting and the master-side fitting fitted together, and (c) is a perspective view showing the workpiece-side fitting fitted into the master-side fitting being pressed by the pressing body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] (Embodiment) An example of an embodiment of the workpiece holder of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The workpiece holder of the present invention is a device used to attach and detach a workpiece W to a processing machine when processing the workpiece W in the processing machine. In the following description, the case in which the processing machine is a positioner P will be described as an example.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the workpiece holder of this embodiment comprises a workpiece-side jig 1 to which the workpiece W to be machined is fixed, and a master-side jig 2 fixed to the positioner P side.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the workpiece-side jig 1 comprises a square-shaped base body (hereinafter referred to as the "workpiece-side base") 11 and a fitting body (hereinafter referred to as the "workpiece-side fitting body") 12 provided on the surface of the workpiece-side base 11 facing the master-side jig 2 (the lower surface in Figure 2). Flat plate-shaped guide bodies (hereinafter referred to as "workpiece-side guides") 13 are provided projecting downwards from all four sides of the workpiece-side base 11.

[0015] Note that the back surface of the work-side base 11 (the surface opposite to the surface where the work-side fitting bodies 12 and the like are provided) is a work mounting surface for mounting various works W (see Figure 1).

[0016] In this embodiment, four work-side fitting bodies 12 are provided. The four work-side fitting bodies 12 are provided at the center of each side of the work-side base 11, at positions equidistant from the center of the work-side base 11 (on the same circumference). Specifically, in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), one is provided at the center of the upper side, one at the center of the lower side, one at the center of the left side, and one at the center of the right side.

[0017] In other words, they are provided at positions where the straight line connecting the centers of the upper and lower two work-side fitting bodies 12 in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) intersects the midpoints of both the upper side and the lower side, and the straight line connecting the centers of the left and right two work-side fitting bodies 12 intersects the midpoints of both the left side and the right side.

[0018] The work-side fitting bodies 12 may be provided at other positions as long as the positions allow fitting with the fitting bodies (hereinafter referred to as "master-side fitting bodies") 22 provided on the master-side jig 2. Further, the number of the work-side fitting bodies 12 may be more or less than four as long as the number corresponds to the number of the master-side fitting bodies 22.

[0019] The work-side fitting body 12 of this embodiment includes a work-side pedestal portion 12a screwed to the work-side base 11, a cylindrical body portion 12b protruding downward from the work-side pedestal portion 12a, and a locking flange 12c protruding outward from the peripheral edge of the lower end side of the body portion 12b, and a recess 12d into which the master-side fitting body 22 fits is provided at the center of the body portion 12b.

[0020] The locking flange 12c of the work-side fitting body 12 is a portion that abuts against a pressing body 24 described later. The locking flange 12c of this embodiment has a circular ring shape and is provided on the entire circumference of the main body. The locking flange 12c may be partially provided with a notch.

[0021] The master-side jig 2 comprises a square-shaped base body (hereinafter referred to as "master-side base") 21 and a master-side fitting body 22 provided on the surface of the master-side base 21 facing the workpiece-side jig 1 (the upper surface in Figure 2).

[0022] The master-side base 21 has a central outlet hole 21a for pulling out various cables. Flat guide bodies (hereinafter referred to as "master-side guides") 23 are provided protruding upward from all four sides of the master-side base 21.

[0023] In this embodiment, the master-side guide 23 is bent inward at its upper end to facilitate guiding the workpiece-side guide 13. Alternatively, instead of bending the upper end of the master-side guide 23 inward, the workpiece-side guide 13 can be bent inward.

[0024] As in this embodiment, by providing a workpiece-side guide 13 on the workpiece-side jig 1 and a master-side guide 23 on the master-side jig 2, the alignment of the two jigs becomes easier, and as a result, the time required for positioning and fixing the workpiece W can be reduced.

[0025] In this embodiment, four master-side fittings 22 are provided. The master-side fittings 22 are provided at positions facing the workpiece-side fittings 12 (at the center of each side). The master-side fittings 22 can also be provided at positions other than these, as long as they are positions that fit into the workpiece-side fittings 12. Furthermore, the number of master-side fittings 22 can be more or less than four, as long as it corresponds to the number of workpiece-side fittings 12.

[0026] In this embodiment, the master-side fitting body 22 comprises a master-side base portion 22a screwed to the master-side base 21, and a cylindrical convex portion 22b projecting upward from the master-side base portion 22a.

[0027] In this embodiment, the convex portion 22b is provided with a tapered guide surface 22c that tapers towards the upper side. By providing the tapered guide surface 22c on the convex portion 22b, even if there is a slight misalignment (horizontal misalignment) between the workpiece-side fitting body 12 and the master-side fitting body 22, the convex portion 22b can be reliably fitted into the recess 12d of the workpiece-side fitting body 12.

[0028] In the center of the master-side base 21 (inside the four master-side fittings 22), there is a pressing body 24 that contacts the workpiece-side fitting 12 fitted into the master-side fitting 22 and presses the workpiece-side fitting 12 toward the master-side jig 2. One pressing body 24 is provided for each pair of master-side fittings 22 and workpiece-side fittings 12 that are fitted together.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pressing body 24 is a gate-shaped member with a semicircular notch 24a formed in a rectangular block in plan view. When pressing the workpiece-side fitting body 12 fitted into the master-side fitting body 22, the arc-shaped first contact portion 24b of the pressing body 24 contacts the body portion 12b of the workpiece-side fitting body 12, and the second contact portion 24c on the bottom surface of the pressing body 24 contacts the locking flange 12c of the workpiece-side fitting body 12.

[0030] In conventional workpiece holders, the bottom surface of the rotating pressing body was tapered, but in this embodiment, the bottom surface (second contact portion 24c) of the pressing body 24 is made horizontal, so as to make surface contact with the locking flange 12c of the workpiece-side fitting body 12.

[0031] By making the second contact portion 24c a horizontal plane, the pressing force is not concentrated on a part of the workpiece-side fitting body 12, and even if the workpiece W is subjected to an impact due to an operating error, the pressing body 24 is less likely to come off unintentionally. This prevents the workpiece W from falling off unintentionally.

[0032] In this embodiment, a pair of guide blocks 25 are erected on the sides of each pressing body 24 and on the sides of each master-side fitting body 22, spaced apart and facing each other. Each guide block 25 is rectangular in shape, and a horizontally extending recessed guide groove 25a is provided on the surface facing the opposing guide block 25. The pressing body 24 is fitted into the guide groove 25a of the pair of guide blocks 25 and moves along the guide groove 25a.

[0033] Each pressing body 24 is provided with an actuator (drive source) 26 for moving (forward and backward) each pressing body 24. Multiple actuators 26 (four in this embodiment) are configured to operate synchronously. Air cylinders or the like can be used for the actuators 26.

[0034] In this embodiment, the actuator 26 is an air cylinder with a locking mechanism that fixes the pressing body 24 in place after it has moved to a position where it presses the workpiece-side fitting body 12. When an air cylinder with a locking mechanism is used, even if an impact is applied to the workpiece W due to an operating error, the rod 26a will not retract due to the impact, and the fitted state of the workpiece-side fitting body 12 and the master-side fitting body 22 can be maintained.

[0035] In this embodiment, the lock release part (not shown) of each actuator 26 is located in a position that is visible from the outside without removing any parts, and the lock can be released by inserting a tool such as a screwdriver from the outside and operating the lock release part.

[0036] Each actuator 26 is equipped with a cylinder switch to detect locking and unlocking. By providing a cylinder switch on each actuator 26, it is possible to immediately identify which actuator 26 is malfunctioning when an abnormality occurs, making production management (for example, management using IoT technology) easier.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the four actuators 26 are arranged in different orientations. Specifically, the rods 26a of each actuator 26 are arranged in an orientation such that they move back and forth toward the center of different sides of the master base 21. In other words, the pressing bodies 24 moved by the actuators 26 move toward each outer periphery of the master base 21 (from the inside out).

[0038] By positioning each actuator 26 in a different orientation, if an impact is applied to the workpiece W from one direction, even if some of the pressing bodies 24 loosen due to the impact, the other pressing bodies 24 are less affected, and the overall pressing force is less likely to weaken.

[0039] For example, if the workpiece W hits the floor due to an operational error and is subjected to an impact, the pressing body 24 located in the direction in which the external force due to the impact acts may loosen due to that force, while the other pressing bodies 24 located in the direction in which the external force is less likely to act are less likely to loosen, thereby reducing the risk of unintentional disengagement of the engagement between the workpiece-side fitting body 12 and the master-side fitting body 22.

[0040] Note that the orientation of the actuator 26 described here is just one example, and the orientation of the actuator 26 can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of actuators installed, etc.

[0041] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, one example is shown where the four workpiece-side fittings 12 are located at the center of each side of the workpiece-side base 11, and the four master-side fittings 22 are located at the center of each side of the master-side base 21. However, as shown in Figure 4, the workpiece-side fittings 12 and master-side fittings 22 can also be located at the four corners of the workpiece-side base 11 and master-side base 21.

[0042] In this case, the four actuators 26 are installed such that each rod 26a moves forward and backward toward different corners of the master-side base 21 (the pressing body 24 moves from the inside to the outside), so that the pressing body 24 connected to each actuator 26 can press the workpiece-side fitting body 12 fitted into the master-side fitting body 22.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the case where there are four workpiece-side fittings 12, master-side fittings 22, and pressing bodies 24 is given as an example, but there may be more or fewer than four workpiece-side fittings 12, master-side fittings 22, and pressing bodies 24.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the four actuators 26 and pressing bodies 24 are configured to operate synchronously, but each actuator 26 and pressing body 24 may be configured to operate individually. The same applies when the number of actuators 26 and pressing bodies 24 is greater than or less than four.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an air cylinder with a locking mechanism is used as the actuator 26 as an example, but an air cylinder without a locking mechanism can also be used as the actuator 26. In addition, something other than an air cylinder, such as a hydraulic cylinder, can also be used as the actuator 26.

[0046] Although not described in the above embodiment, the master-side base 21 can also be equipped with a load sensor 27 and guide projections 28 as shown in Figure 4. The load sensor 27 detects when the workpiece-side base 11 and the master-side base 21 are in close proximity and can be composed of a proximity sensor or the like. The guide projections 28 are guides that guide the workpiece-side base 11 and the master-side base 21 so that they overlap without misalignment.

[0047] In the above embodiment, one example is the case where guide bodies 13 and 23 are provided on both the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2, but the guide bodies 13 and 23 can also be provided on only one of the workpiece-side jig 1 or the master-side jig 2. In some cases, the guide bodies 13 and 23 can be omitted.

[0048] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the configuration of the workpiece holder of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments. The configuration of the workpiece holder of the present invention can be modified as appropriate, as long as the intended objective of the present invention is achieved.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the case where the processing machine is a positioner P is given as an example, but the processing machine may be a welding machine, a machine tool, an assembly machine, etc.

[0050] (action) In the workpiece holder of the present invention, as shown in Figure 6(a), the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2 are brought close together, and the workpiece-side fitting body 12 of the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side fitting body 22 of the master-side jig 2 are fitted together (Figures 5(a) and 6(b)). When the pressing body 24 is moved toward the fitted workpiece-side fitting body 12 and master-side fitting body 22, the first contact portion 24b and the second contact portion 24c of the pressing body 24 come into contact with the body portion 12b and the locking flange 12c of the workpiece-side fitting body 12, and the workpiece-side jig 1 is pressed toward the master-side jig 2 (Figures 5(b) and 6(c)).

[0051] Conversely, when the workpiece-side jig 1 is pressed by the pressing body 24 toward the master-side jig 2, if the pressing body 24 moves toward the workpiece-side fitting body 12 and the master-side fitting body 22 toward the workpiece-side fitting body 12, the first contact portion 24b and the second contact portion 24c of the pressing body 24 separate from the body portion 12b and the locking flange 12c of the workpiece-side fitting body 12, and the pressing of the workpiece-side jig 1 toward the master-side jig 2 is released.

[0052] (Example of use) An example of using the workpiece holder of the present invention will be described. Here, we will consider the case where machining of the second workpiece W is performed after machining of the first workpiece W has been completed. (1) Attach the first workpiece W to the workpiece mounting surface of the workpiece jig 1. (2) The workpiece-side jig 1 to which the first workpiece W is attached is fixed to the master-side jig 2. Specifically, the workpiece-side fitting body 12 and the master-side fitting body 22 are fitted together, and the workpiece-side fitting body 12 is pressed with the pressing body 24 to connect it to the master-side jig 2. (3) In the state described in (2) above, the first workpiece W attached to the workpiece mounting surface is machined. (4) After the first workpiece W is processed, the workpiece-side jig 1 and the master-side jig 2 are separated. Specifically, the pressure on the workpiece-side fitting body 12 by the pressing body 24 is released, and the connection between the two is disconnected. (5) The second workpiece W is attached to the workpiece mounting surface of a workpiece-side jig 1 that is different from the workpiece-side jig 1 to which the first workpiece W is attached. The attachment of the second workpiece W is performed in a separate process while the first workpiece W is being machined. (6) The workpiece-side jig 1 to which the second workpiece W is attached is fixed to the master-side jig 2 in the same procedure as in (2) above. (7) In the state described in (6) above, the second workpiece W attached to the workpiece mounting surface is machined. (8) After the machining of the second workpiece W is completed, the workpiece jig 1 and the master jig 2 are separated using the same procedure as in (4) above. (9) From this point onward, steps (5) through (8) above can be repeated the required number of times to process the workpiece W continuously and efficiently. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] The workpiece holder of the present invention can be used particularly suitably as a holder for various workpieces W, especially large workpieces W or heavy workpieces W that are difficult to position or replace manually. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Workpiece-side jig 2 Master side jig 11. Base body (workpiece side base) 12. Mating body (workpiece-side mating body) 12a Workpiece side base 12b Body part 12c Locking collar 12d recess 13. Guide body (workpiece-side guide) 21 Base unit (master side base) 21a Drawer hole 22. Mating body (master side mating body) 22a Master side base 22b Convex part 22c tapered guide surface 23 Guide body (Master side guide) 24 Pressing body 24a Notch 24b First contact part 24c Second contact part 25 Guide Blocks 25a Guide groove 26 Actuators 26a Rod 27. In-stock sensor 28 Guide projection P Positioner Double job

Claims

[Claim 1] In a workpiece holder comprising a workpiece-side jig and a master-side jig, The workpiece-side jig is provided with a workpiece-side fitting body on the surface facing the master-side jig. The master-side jig comprises a master-side fitting body that fits into the work-side fitting body on a surface facing the work-side jig, a pressing body that contacts the work-side fitting body fitted into the master-side fitting body and presses the work-side fitting body toward the master-side jig, and an actuator that operates the pressing body. Two or more sets of the workpiece-side fitting body and the master-side fitting body that engage with each other are provided. The pressing body is provided for each pair of workpiece-side fittings and master-side fittings that are fitted together. The actuator is provided for each of the pressing bodies, Each of the aforementioned pressing bodies is a gate-shaped block having a recess into which the fitted workpiece-side fitting body and the master-side fitting body are housed. Each of the aforementioned pressing bodies is provided in a different orientation such that the recesses of each pressing body face in different directions. When the actuator moves the pressing body, the pressing body comes into contact with the workpiece-side fitting body which is fitted with the master-side fitting body, and the fitted state between the workpiece-side fitting body and the master-side fitting body is maintained. A workpiece holder characterized by the following features.

Images