Rotary clamp device

Abstract

This rotary clamp device comprises: a cylinder body; a piston member that partitions an internal space of the cylinder body into a first chamber and a second chamber; a rod member that can rotate relative to the piston member and can reciprocate relative to the cylinder body together with the piston member; a biasing member that is provided in the first chamber and biases the piston member along a first direction; and a turning mechanism that rotates the rod member. The biasing member and the turning mechanism are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the biasing member is provided so as to be positioned to the outer peripheral side of the turning mechanism. The biasing member is in contact with a first end surface of the cylinder body and a first surface of the piston member. A second end surface of the cylinder body and a second surface of the piston member face each other in the first direction.

Description

Swing Clamp Device

[0001] The present technology relates to a swing clamp device.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a clamping device that fixes an object to be fixed to a base by reciprocating a rod member to which a clamp arm is attached.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-14692, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-115924, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-109239, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-223714

[0004] In one aspect, clamping devices are required to stably exhibit a desired clamping force. In another aspect, further miniaturization of the clamping device is required. In some cases, miniaturization of the output member in the axial direction is particularly required.

[0005] An object of the present technology is to provide a swing clamp device that achieves stable exhibition of a desired clamping force and miniaturization of an output member in the axial direction.

[0006] The present technology provides the following swing clamp device.

[0007] [1] A swivel clamping device capable of fixing an object to be fixed to a base body, comprising: a cylinder body having an internal space and fixed to the base body; a piston member fitted to the cylinder body so as to be reciprocable with respect to the cylinder body and dividing the internal space into a first chamber and a second chamber; a rod member rotatable with respect to the piston member and reciprocable together with the piston member with respect to the cylinder body; a biasing member provided in the first chamber and biasing the piston member along a first direction; and a swivel mechanism for rotating the rod member, wherein the biasing member and the swivel mechanism are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the biasing member is positioned on the outer circumference side of the swivel mechanism, The cylinder body has a first end face defining the first chamber and a second end face defining the second chamber, the piston member has a first surface facing the first chamber and a second surface facing the second chamber, the biasing member abuts against the first end face of the cylinder body and the first surface of the piston member, the second end face of the cylinder body and the second surface of the piston member face each other in a first direction, when fixing the object to be fixed, the biasing force of the biasing member provided in the first chamber biases the piston member toward the second chamber, and when releasing the object to be fixed, the fluid pressure supplied to the second chamber drives the piston member toward the first chamber, the swivel clamping device.

[0008] [2] The swivel clamping device according to [1], wherein the cylinder body includes a cylindrical portion into which the piston member is fitted and a bottom portion that constitutes the second end face, and the cylindrical portion and the bottom portion are integrally provided.

[0009] [3] The swivel clamping device according to [1] or [2], wherein a hole is formed in the piston member, the rod member is inserted into the hole in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the piston member, and the biasing member is provided so as to be located on the outer circumference of the hole.

[0010] [4] The swivel clamp device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein a supply and discharge section for supplying and discharging fluid pressure to and from the second chamber is provided on the second end face of the cylinder body.

[0011] [5] The swivel clamping device according to [4], wherein the second end face of the cylinder body includes a protrusion that projects toward the second chamber in the region including the supply and discharge portion, and the second surface of the piston member includes a recess facing the protrusion.

[0012] This technology allows a swivel clamping device to stably exert the desired clamping force, and also enables the miniaturization of the swivel clamping device.

[0013] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first state (clamped state) of a swivel clamp device according to one embodiment. This is a top view showing the first state of the swivel clamp device. This is a cross-sectional view showing the second state (unclamped state) of a swivel clamp device according to one embodiment. This is a top view showing the second state of the swivel clamp device. These are cross-sectional views showing the state of the swivel clamp device shown in Figures 1 to 4 before it is attached to the base body.

[0014] Embodiments of this technology are described below. Note that the same or corresponding parts may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may not be repeated.

[0015] In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, quantity, etc., unless otherwise specified, the scope of this technology is not necessarily limited to that number, quantity, etc. Also, in the embodiments described below, each component is not necessarily essential to this technology unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, this technology is not necessarily limited to achieving all of the effects and advantages mentioned in these embodiments.

[0016] In this specification, the terms "comprise," "include," and "have" are in open-ended form. That is, if a certain configuration is included, other configurations may or may not be included.

[0017] Furthermore, when geometric terms and terms describing positional and directional relationships are used in this specification, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° oblique," "coaxial," and "alongside," these terms allow for manufacturing tolerances or slight variations. When terms describing relative positional relationships, such as "upper side" and "lower side," are used in this specification, these terms are used to indicate the relative positional relationship in a single state, and the relative positional relationship may be reversed or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by inverting the entire mechanism upside down).

[0018] Furthermore, the dimensions of each component illustrated in this specification, such as width, length, and diameter, are not limited to those shown and may be changed as appropriate. In this specification, each component may be assigned an ordinal number such as "first" or "second," but these ordinal numbers do not limit priority, order, etc., unless explicitly specified.

[0019] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the first state (clamped state) of the swivel clamping device 1000 according to this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a top view showing the state shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 corresponds to the I-I section in Figure 2.

[0020] The swivel clamp device 1000 according to this embodiment is a clamp device capable of fixing the object to be fixed 1 to the base body 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, the fixing position 10 of the object to be fixed 1 is fixed by the swivel clamp device 1000.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the swivel clamping device 1000 includes a cylinder body 100, a piston member 200, a rod member 300, a biasing member 400, an engaging device 500, and a clamping arm 600.

[0022] The cylinder body 100 has an internal space 100A. The internal space 100A is divided into a first chamber 101A and a second chamber 102A by the piston member 200. The cylinder body 100 has a first end face 101 that defines the first chamber 101A and a second end face 102 that defines the second chamber 102A. The cylinder body 100 includes a first member 110 and a second member 120.

[0023] The internal space 100A of the cylinder body 100 has a substantially constant diameter from the first end face 101 to the second end face 102. The diameter of the internal space 100A is, for example, approximately 15 mm to 50 mm. The distance from the first end face 101 to the second end face 102 is, for example, approximately 30 mm to 80 mm. However, the size of the internal space 100A is not necessarily limited to the above range.

[0024] The first member 110 includes a cylindrical portion 111, a bottom portion 112, and a flange portion 113. The cylindrical portion 111 and the bottom portion 112 are formed integrally. The flange portion 113 is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 111 and the bottom portion 112. For example, the first member 110, in which the cylindrical portion 111 and the bottom portion 112 are made from a single material, can be manufactured by machining a block-shaped member. However, the machining for manufacturing the first member 110 is not limited to machining, and additive manufacturing (AM) may be used, for example. A piston member 200 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 111 of the first member 110. The bottom portion 112 constitutes a second end face 102 that defines a second chamber 102A.

[0025] The second member 120 includes a flange portion 121 and a cylindrical portion 122. The flange portion 121 defines a first end face 101 that defines the first chamber 101A. The cylindrical portion 122 protrudes from the flange portion 121 toward the first chamber 101A on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 111.

[0026] On the base body 2, the flange portion 113 of the first member 110 and the flange portion 121 of the second member 120 are superimposed. The base body 2, the flange portion 113, and the flange portion 121 are fixed together by bolts 700. This fixes the cylinder body 100 to the base body 2. Before the cylinder body 100 is fixed to the base body 2, the flange portions 113 and 121 are fixed to each other by bolts 800. The bolts 800 are inserted from the flange portion 113 side toward the flange portion 121 side (see Figure 5).

[0027] A supply and discharge section 112A for supplying and discharging fluid pressure (air pressure or hydraulic pressure) to and from the second chamber 102A is formed on the second end face 102 of the cylinder body 100. The supply and discharge section 112A is located in the center of the second end face 102. The supply and discharge section 112A is located on the axial center of the rod member 300. A pipe fitting 3A for the fluid pressure supply and discharge piping 3 (air piping or hydraulic piping) is connected to the supply and discharge section 112A. A female threaded portion for connecting the pipe fitting 3A is formed on the inner circumference of the supply and discharge section 112A.

[0028] On the second end face 102 of the cylinder body 100, a protrusion 112B is formed that projects toward the second chamber 102A in the region including the supply and discharge section 112A. In the region where the protrusion 112B is provided, a thickened portion of the cylinder body 100 is formed. This makes it possible to thin the cylinder body 100 while ensuring the length of the female thread portion necessary for stable connection of the pipe fitting 3A.

[0029] For example, while the thickness of the cylinder body 100 other than the protrusion 112B (thick-walled portion) is about 1 mm, the height of the protrusion 112B in the supply and discharge section 112A is adjusted so that the thickness of the cylinder body 100 is about 3 mm or more.

[0030] However, the thickness of the cylinder body 100 in the supply / discharge section 112A is not necessarily limited to the above range. Also, the protrusion 112B does not necessarily have to be formed.

[0031] The piston member 200 is reciprocable relative to the cylinder body 100. Preferably, the piston member 200 does not rotate relative to the cylinder body 100. However, the piston member 200 may rotate slightly in response to the twisting of the biasing member 400. A sealing member 200A is provided on the sliding surface between the cylinder body 100 and the piston member 200.

[0032] The piston member 200 has a first surface 201 facing the first chamber 101A and a second surface 202 facing the second chamber 102A. The second surface 202 of the piston member 200 faces the second end surface 102 of the cylinder body 100 in the reciprocating direction (first direction) of the piston member 200. A recess 210 is formed on the second surface 202 of the piston member 200, facing the protrusion 112B. When the piston member 200 moves toward the second chamber 102A, the protrusion 112B can be accommodated in the recess 210. Therefore, the range of motion of the piston member 200 is not limited by the protrusion 112B. A through hole 220 (hole) is formed in the piston member 200. The center of the through hole 220 coincides with the center of the piston member 200. The through hole 220 is formed along the reciprocating direction of the piston member 200. The through hole 220 extends from the first chamber 101A to the second chamber 102A of the cylinder body 100. The through hole 220 extends from the first surface 201 of the piston member 200 to the bottom surface of the recess 210.

[0033] The rod member 300 is inserted through the cylindrical portion 122 of the second member 120 of the cylinder body 100. An arm mounting portion 310 is provided at one end (first end) of the rod member 300. The clamp arm 600 is fixed to the arm mounting portion 310 by a bolt 320. The clamp arm 600 shown in Figure 1 is a cantilever type, but a double-supported clamp arm may also be used.

[0034] A stepped portion is formed at the other end (second end) of the rod member 300, where the tip end of the rod member 300 has a relatively smaller diameter. The tip end of the rod member 300 is inserted into the through hole 220 of the piston member 200. A stopper 330 is attached to the other end of the rod member 300 from the recess 210 side. The stopper 330 is fixed to the rod member 300 by a bolt 340. The rod member 300 and the stopper 330 clamp the piston member 200 in the direction of its reciprocating motion. As a result, the rod member 300 can reciprocate together with the piston member 200 relative to the cylinder body 100. The rod member 300 is inserted into the through hole 220 in a state where it can rotate relative to the piston member 200. The outer circumferential surface of the rod member 300 rotates and slides against the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 220. A sealing member 200B is provided on the sliding surface (the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 220) between the rod member 300 and the piston member 200. Other mechanisms, such as retaining rings, may be used instead of the stopper 330 and bolt 340.

[0035] A cam groove 350 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rod member 300. An engaging device 500 (swivel mechanism) engages with the cam groove 350. Multiple cam grooves 350 (two, three, or four or more) may be provided so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction of the rod member 300, or only one may be provided.

[0036] The biasing member 400 is provided in the first chamber 101A. The biasing member 400 is made of a coil spring. The biasing member 400 biases the piston member 200 along the axial direction (first direction) of the rod member 300. The biasing member 400 abuts against the first end face 101 of the cylinder body 100 and the first surface 201 of the piston member 200. The biasing member 400 is provided on the outer circumference side of the cylindrical portion 122 of the second member 120 of the cylinder body 100. The biasing member 400 is provided between the cylindrical portions 111 and 122. The biasing member 400 is located on the outer circumference side (radially outward) of the rod member 300. The biasing member 400 is located on the outer circumference side of the through hole 220 of the piston member 200. The biasing member 400 is provided at the outermost circumference in the internal space 100A. The biasing member 400 is adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 111 of the cylinder body 100 in the radial direction (second direction) of the rod member 300.

[0037] The biasing member 400 is provided in the first chamber 101A under a compressive force. Therefore, the biasing member 400 biases the piston member 200 toward the second chamber 102A (downward in Figure 1). The biasing force by the biasing member 400 is, for example, approximately 50 N to 100 N. However, the biasing force by the biasing member 400 is not limited to the above range.

[0038] The engaging device 500 can rotate the rod member 300, which moves in the axial direction. The engaging device 500 is preferably a steel ball, but a pin may be used instead of a steel ball. The engaging device 500 is held in the cylindrical portion 122 of the second member 120 of the cylinder body 100. The engaging device 500 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 122. Therefore, the engaging device 500 is positioned on either side of the cylindrical portion 122, in the radial direction (second direction) of the rod member 300, so as to be aligned with the biasing member 400.

[0039] In the clamped state shown in Figures 1 and 2, the piston member 200 is biased toward the second chamber 102A by the biasing force of the biasing member 400 provided in the first chamber 101A of the cylinder body 100. The rod member 300 (output member) is biased downward via the piston member 200 and applies a clamping force to the object to be fixed 1 via the clamp arm 600.

[0040] By performing the clamping operation using the biasing force of the biasing member 400, a stable clamping force can be maintained regardless of the fluid pressure supply conditions.

[0041] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the second state (unclamped state) of the swivel clamping device 1000 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a top view showing the state shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 corresponds to the III-III cross-section in Figure 4.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the fixing of the fixed object 1 is released to enter the unclamped state, fluid pressure is supplied to the second chamber 102A of the cylinder body 100. This drives the piston member 200 toward the first chamber 101A against the biasing force of the biasing member 400. The rod member 300 and the clamp arm 600 move together with the piston member 200 toward the upper side in FIG. 3.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the cam groove 350 includes a straight groove 351 extending along the axial direction (first direction) of the rod member 300, and an inclined groove 352 extending in a direction obliquely inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rod member 300. When the rod member 300 moves upward in the figure from the clamped state shown in FIG. 1, the state transitions from the state where the engaging member 500 is engaged with the straight groove 351 (FIG. 1) to the state where the engaging member 500 is engaged with the inclined groove 352. When the rod member 300 moves in the axial direction with the engaging member 500 engaged with the inclined groove 352, a force for rotating the rod member 300 acts on the rod member 300 from the engaging member 500. The clamp arm 600 pivots along with the rotation of the rod member 300.

[0044] The inclination angle of the inclined groove 352 can be changed as appropriate. Further, in the present embodiment, a structure in which the clamp arm 600 pivots 90° is illustrated, but the pivot angle of the clamp arm 600 can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the pivoting clamp device 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is attached to the base body 2.

[0046] In the state shown in FIG. 5 (the state where there is no fixed object 1), the piston member 200 can move until it abuts against the bottom surface portion 112 of the cylinder body 100. The biasing member 400 extends from the first end surface 101 of the cylinder body 100 to the first surface 201 of the piston member 200. In the pivoting clamp device 1000 according to the present embodiment, in the internal space 100A with a limited volume, the biasing member 400 can be formed as long as possible, excluding only the thickness of the piston member 200 necessary for ensuring the strength of the piston member 200.

[0047] Further, by providing the biasing member 400 on the outer peripheral side relative to the rod member 300, the diameter of the biasing member 400 can be enlarged as much as possible in the internal space 100A with limited volume.

[0048] Along with the automation of various processes, the demand for size reduction of clamp devices is increasing further. According to the swing clamp device 1000 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the internal space 100A of the cylinder body 100 with limited volume can be effectively utilized to maximize the biasing force of the biasing member 400. Therefore, size reduction of the cylinder body 100 can be achieved while stably exerting a desired clamping force.

[0049] Further, by utilizing the entire inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 111 of the cylinder body 100 as a pressure receiving portion of the piston member 200, the pressure receiving area required for the unclamping operation can be secured.

[0050] The embodiments of the present technology have been described above. However, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included therein.

[0051] 1: object to be fixed, 2: base body, 3: piping, 3A: piping joint, 10: fixing position, 100: cylinder body, 100A: internal space, 101: first end face, 101A: first chamber, 102: second end face, 102A: second chamber, 110: first member, 111: cylindrical portion, 112: bottom surface portion, 112A: supply / discharge portion, 112B: convex portion, 113: flange portion, 120: second member, 121: flange portion, 122: cylindrical portion, 200: piston member, 200A, 200B: seal members, 201: first surface, 202: second surface, 210: recessed portion, 220: through hole, 300: rod member, 310: arm attachment portion, 320: bolt, 330: stopper, 340: bolt, 350: cam groove, 351: straight groove, 352: inclined groove, 400: biasing member, 500: engagement member, 600: clamp arm, 700, 800: bolts, 1000: swing clamp device.

Claims

1. A swivel clamping device capable of fixing an object to be fixed to a base body, comprising: a cylinder body having an internal space and fixed to the base body; a piston member fitted to the cylinder body so as to be reciprocable with respect to the cylinder body and dividing the internal space into a first chamber and a second chamber; a rod member rotatable with respect to the piston member and reciprocable together with the piston member with respect to the cylinder body; a biasing member provided in the first chamber and biasing the piston member along a first direction; and a swivel mechanism for rotating the rod member, wherein the biasing member and the swivel mechanism are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the biasing member is positioned on the outer circumference side of the swivel mechanism; the cylinder body has a first end face defining the first chamber and a second end face defining the second chamber; and the piston member has a first surface facing the first chamber and a second surface facing the second chamber. A swivel clamping device wherein the biasing member abuts against the first end face of the cylinder body and the first surface of the piston member, the second end face of the cylinder body and the second surface of the piston member face each other in the first direction, when fixing the object to be fixed, the biasing force of the biasing member provided in the first chamber biases the piston member toward the second chamber, and when releasing the object to be fixed, the fluid pressure supplied to the second chamber drives the piston member toward the first chamber.

2. The swivel clamp device according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder body includes a cylindrical portion into which the piston member is fitted and a bottom portion that constitutes the second end face, and the cylindrical portion and the bottom portion are integrally provided.

3. The swivel clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a hole is formed in the piston member, the rod member is inserted into the hole in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the piston member, and the biasing member is provided so as to be located on the outer circumference side of the hole.

4. The swivel clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a supply and discharge section for supplying and discharging fluid pressure to and from the second chamber is provided on the second end face of the cylinder body.

5. The swivel clamp device according to claim 4, wherein the second end face of the cylinder body includes a convex portion that protrudes toward the second chamber in the region including the supply and discharge portion, and the second surface of the piston member includes a recess facing the convex portion.

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