DE102006043928B4 - Pressure medium cylinder with adjustable stroke - Google Patents

Abstract

Pressure medium cylinder with adjustable stroke, in which a piston (4) which can be pressurized with pressure medium at least on one side within a cylinder housing section (1) is axially movable, to which a piston rod (2) emerging from the cylinder housing section (1) towards an end face is attached for power transmission A stroke adjustment section (3) is arranged coaxially adjacent to the opposite end face of the cylinder housing section (1), into which the extended piston rod (2) projects with an end stop (5), which has several in the form of essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis the piston rod (2) on the stroke setting section (3) provided locking pressure medium cylinders (4a to 4d) cooperates to limit the stroke, the housing of the locking pressure medium cylinders (4a to 4d) being integrated in the stroke setting section (3) in order to have a piston (6) assigned to each from this outgoing piston rod (7) to receive the opens into a flat slide valve (8) which interacts with the stop (5) to limit the stroke.

Description

The present invention relates to a pressure medium cylinder with adjustable stroke, in which an at least one side within a cylinder housing portion acted upon by pressure piston is arranged to be axially movable on which a from the cylinder housing portion to a front side exiting piston rod is mounted for a force movement, wherein coaxially adjacent to the opposite to the end face of the cylinder housing portion a Hubeinstellabschnitt is arranged, in which the extended piston rod projects with an end-side stop, which cooperates with a plurality of in the form of substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod to the Hubeinstellabschnitt arranged blocking pressure medium cylinders for limiting the stroke.

Such a pressure cylinder is used for example within a transport system for general cargo, as a guide unit, singler unit or the like. By way of the adjustable stroke length of the pressure medium cylinder, such system units of a transport system can be adapted to different outer dimensions of the piece goods to be transported. For example, in a bottle conveyor system, bottles of different sizes can be transported along the material flow, for which only a stroke length adjustment of the pressure medium cylinder used is required.

From the DE 103 57 555 A1 is a generic pressure cylinder known with adjustable stroke. This consists essentially of a cylinder housing portion in which the piston is accommodated for supplying pressure medium, and a Hubeinstellabschnitt, which connects in the manner of a tubular extension on the rear end side of the cylinder housing portion. In the Hubeinstellabschnitt into projects an extension of the piston rod, which is equipped with an end-side disc-shaped stopper. This stop corresponds to the Hubbegrenzung with barrier pressure cylinder, which have an end-side angled piston rod, which cooperates with a corresponding radial slot in the housing of Hubeinstellabschnitts to the stroke limitation. This is then the stop of the piston rod for the purpose of stroke limitation to the plant. In this technical solution, it is possible to releasably attach barrier pressure cylinder at different points of Hubeinstellabschnitts in order to adjust this different stroke lengths according to the fixed by the radial slot spacing grid.

A disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the individual releasable barrier pressure cylinder in the assembled state protrude greatly from Hubeinstellabschnitt. As a result, the pressure fluid cylinder builds quite large overall and it results in a total quite rugged structural unit. Furthermore, it is necessary to protect the individual barrier pressure cylinder against disturbing mechanical loads, so that damage to the protruding barrier pressure cylinder can be avoided.

A generic pressure cylinder is also from the US 3 141 381 A known.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a pressure medium cylinder with adjustable stroke, which is characterized by a compact design and optimum robustness.

The object is achieved on the basis of a pressure cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its characterizing features. The following dependent claims give advantageous developments of the invention.

The invention includes the technical teaching that the individual housing of the barrier pressure cylinder are formed integrated in the Hubeinstellabschnitt to receive a respective associated piston with thereof outgoing piston rod, which opens into a flat slide, which cooperates with the stop for stroke limitation.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention results from the implementation of a much lower stroke for the barrier pressure cylinder, which creates the prerequisite for integration into the wall of Hubeinstellabschnitts. Since in the solution according to the invention the individual barrier pressure cylinder cylinders no longer protrude radially from the Hubeinstellabschnitt, the entire unit wins in compactness and robustness.

According to another, the invention characterizing measure is provided that the flat slide has a lower arcuate recess for cooperation with the stop on the elongated piston rod, which can be brought by stroke in partial overlap with the cross section of the piston. Such a trained flat slide contributes to the further reduction of the stroke of the barrier pressure cylinder. Because of the arcuate recess, the flat slide can be brought by a minimum stroke in an effective stop position or a stop releasing position.

Another, the invention characterizing and improving in terms of a reliable provision of the flat slide in the starting position measure is that the Flat slide at least one extending in the direction of movement recess for at least partially receiving a return spring. The return spring may be formed as a compression spring and acts in this respect between the bottom of the flat slide and the opposite stationary Hubeinstellabschnitt the pressure cylinder. Particularly preferred is an arrangement of exactly two mutually parallel and positioned on both sides of the arcuate recess return springs. By this particular embodiment, jamming of the flat slide can be avoided by uniform Rückstellkraftbeaufschlagung. Furthermore, the restoring forces of the two so far smaller dimensionable return springs add up.

In order to produce the Hubeinstellabschnitt the pressure cylinder in terms of manufacturing technology using less components is proposed to form these two housing halves, which are preferably made of plastic manufactured by injection molding and can be connected to each other via molded snap connections or the like. Instead of the snap connections, the two housing halves can also be releasably connected together by screws or other connecting means. In the assembled state, the Hubeinstellabschnitt preferably forms a cuboid cross-section. This cross-sectional design creates the required space within the wall of the long sides to accommodate the integrated barrier pressure cylinder. In the mounted state of the two housing halves thus a longitudinally split housing is formed with a smooth outer contour, which is extremely compact.

Preferably, the fixing of such a Hubeinstellabschnitts should be made on the cylinder housing portion of the pressure cylinder in a form-fitting manner of a tongue and groove connection. Thus, the two housing halves can be easily pushed over the end of the cylinder housing section into a groove and joined together, which makes the installation conceivable simple.

Further, measures improving the invention will be described in more detail below together with the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. It shows:

1 a longitudinal view of a pressure medium cylinder with adjustable stroke,

2 a longitudinal section through the pressure cylinder after 1 , and

3 a cross section through the Hubeinstellabschnitt the pressure cylinder after 1 ,

According to 1 the pneumatic pressure cylinder consists essentially of a cylinder housing section 1 , from which a piston rod 2 protrudes to transmit power dynamically sealed and a Hubeinstellabschnitt 3 , Overall, this structure results in a compact design for the pressure cylinder. The cylinder housing section 1 is equipped with compressed air connections A and B for bidirectional admission of an internal piston (not visible here).

According to 2 is the - here recognizable - piston 4 approximately in the middle of the piston rod 2 arranged. The piston rod 2 is rearward with respect to the piston 4 extends and projects into the area of Hubeinstellabschnitts 3 into it. Within the Hubeinstellabschnitts 3 are several barrier pressure cylinder 4a - 4d provided, which for a stroke limitation in cooperation with a stop 5 to care. The housing of the individual barrier pressure cylinder 4a - 4d are in the wall of Hubeinstellabschnitts 3a integrated and take a dedicated piston 6 with the piston rod departing therefrom 7 on, each in a safe subsequent flat slide 8th empties. The different barrier pressure cylinder 4a - 4d are offset from each other in the axial direction and form lifting stages with a grid of about 2.5 mm here.

The stroke adjustment section 3 the pressure cylinder is made of two housing halves 9a and 9b formed, which result in the assembled state, a longitudinally split housing with a smooth outer contour. Both housing halves 9a and 9b are injection-molded parts made of plastic, which are fastened together via a snap connection. A fixation of Hubeinstellabschnitts 3 on the cylinder housing section 1 takes place positively in the manner of a tongue and groove connection 10 , Also form-fitting is the end of Hubeinstellabschnitts 3 with a closure plate 11 closed, so that the internal stop mechanism is housed protected.

According to 3 is the Hubeinstellabschnitt 3 Seen in cross-section cuboid. An here exemplified barrier fluid cylinder 4a is about connections 11a and 11b acted upon by the pressure medium required for carrying out the working movement. The end of the piston rod 7 the barrier pressure cylinder 4a trained flat slide 8th has a lower arcuate recess to engage with the stop 5 on the extended piston rod 2 co. By the stroke h of the barrier pressure cylinder 4a will be concerning the stop 5 an overlap 12 generates the stop surface of the stop 5 opposite the flat slide 8th represents.

The flat slide 8th also has two mutually parallel recesses arranged on both sides of the arcuate recess 13a and 13b for each associated return springs 14 on. The return springs 14 generate a restoring force for the barrier pressure cylinder 4a if it is not pressurized.

Both housing halves 9a and 9b the Hubeinstellabschnitts 3 are over - here schematically illustrated - snap connection means 15 connected with each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Cylinder housing section

2

piston rod

3

Stroke adjustment section

4

piston

5

attack

6

piston

7

piston rod

8th

flat slide

9

housing half

10

Tongue and groove

11

closing plate

11a, 11b

connection

12

coverage

13

recess

14

Return spring

15

Snap connection means

A

first pressure medium connection

B

second pressure medium connection

Claims (7)

Pressure medium cylinder with adjustable stroke, in which at least one side within a cylinder housing section ( 1 ) can be acted upon with pressure medium piston ( 4 ) is arranged axially movable, on which one of the cylinder housing section ( 1 ) to a front side emerging piston rod ( 2 ) is mounted for a power transmission, wherein coaxially adjacent to the opposite end face of the cylinder housing portion ( 1 ) a Hubeinstellabschnitt ( 3 ) is arranged, in which the extended piston rod ( 2 ) with an end-side disk-shaped stop ( 5 protruding with several in the form of orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod ( 2 ) at the Hubeinstellabschnitt ( 3 ) provided barrier pressure medium cylinders ( 4a to 4d ) cooperates to Hubbegrenzung, characterized in that the housing of the barrier pressure cylinder ( 4a to 4d ) in Hubeinstellabschnitt ( 3 ) are integrated and an associated piston ( 6 ) with the piston rod departing therefrom ( 7 ), which are in a flat slide ( 8th ), which ends with the stop ( 5 ) cooperates by flat system for limiting the stroke and for cooperation with the stop ( 5 ) on the extended piston rod ( 2 ) has a lower arcuate recess which by stroke in partial overlap ( 12 ) with the cross-section of the stop ( 5 ), wherein furthermore the flat slide ( 8th ) two mutually parallel and arranged on both sides of the arcuate recess and extending in the direction of movement recesses ( 13a . 13b ) for at least partially receiving a return spring ( 14 ) having. Pressure medium cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the Hubeinstellabschnitt ( 3 ) two housing halves ( 9a . 9b ), which result in the assembled state, a longitudinally split housing with a smooth outer contour. Pressure medium cylinder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Hubeinstellabschnitt ( 3 ) is formed cuboid in cross-section. Pressure medium cylinder according to claim 2, characterized in that both housing halves ( 9a . 9b ) are made of plastic injection molded and via molded snap connection means ( 15 ) are connectable to each other. Pressure-medium cylinder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing of the Hubeinstellabschnitts ( 3 ) on the cylinder housing section ( 1 ) positively in the manner of a tongue and groove connection ( 10 ) he follows. Pressure medium cylinder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least four barrier pressure cylinder ( 4a to 4e ) in Hubeinstellabschnitt ( 3 ) are provided, which in pairs offset each other to form a lifting step opposite each in a housing half ( 9a . 9b ) are arranged. Pressure medium cylinder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that per stroke stage a stroke of at least 2.5 mm is provided.

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