DK3055104T3

DK3055104T3 - UNIT WITH LITTLE LIGHTED MASS FOR TIGHTENING A PART OF A TOOL

Info

Publication number: DK3055104T3
Application number: DK13783081.6T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Christophe Boiteux
Original assignee: Christophe Boiteux
Priority date: 2013-10-07
Filing date: 2013-10-07
Publication date: 2019-04-01
Also published as: EP3055104A1; PL3055104T3; HRP20190468T1; SI3055104T1; HUE043125T2; EP3055104B1; PT3055104T; RS58626B1; ES2715653T3; WO2015052386A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a device with a small vertical bulk for the clamping of a part on a tool, of the type comprising a jack and a flange actuated by the jack. Such devices according to the preamble of claim 1 are for example known from documents DE 4007590 Al, US 3 724 837 A, US 3 565 415 A, EP 0 663 268 Al, DE 195 31 889 Al and FR2 743 320 Al.

PRIOR ART

[0002] It is common to make machining tools for the manufacture of parts by removal of material. Such tools are provided to be quickly installed on a machine tool such as a machining center. They comprise keys for receiving and positioning one or more part(s) to be machined. They further comprise clamping devices to hold in place the part to be machined during the machining phase.

[0003] Document FR 2 743 320 Al shows an example of a clamping device operated by a fluid such as a hydraulic fluid or air. The device comprises a jack and a flange, the flange being actuated by the jack via transmission means. The flange moves in an arcuate-shaped housing, so that the flange moves in a pivoting movement. A clamping surface at the end of the flange is intended to come into contact with the part to be clamped in such a way as to clamp the part. The device is provided to be fixed on the tool.

[0004] Such a device holds the parts in an effective manner, and is with a limited bulk relative to the fastening plane of the device, thanks to the orientation of the axis of the jack substantially parallel to the fastening plane. However, the movement of abutment of the part is carried out according to a curved trajectory and mainly oblique relative to the support plane of the part. This results in a possible sliding of the part on its supports and a variable positioning from one part to another .

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a clamping device with a reduced bulk relative to a fastening plane and ensuring a clamping and a reliable positioning in the direction of the fastening plane.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] With these objectives in mind, the invention relates to a device for clamping a part on a tool, comprising a jack and a flange, the flange being actuated by the jack via transmission means, the jack being selectively actuated by a pressurised fluid and itself comprising a body fixed to the tool during operation by a fastening face, and a slide slidably mounted relative to the body along a slide axis substantially parallel to the fastening face, the flange travels under the action of the jack between a clamping position and a release position wherein it is retracted relative to the clamping position. The device is characterized in that it further comprises guiding members provided to drive the flange following a movement comprising a rotation around a pivot axis at least at the end of its travel toward its release position and following a translational movement in a clamping direction oblique or perpendicular to the axis of the slide and perpendicular to the pivot axis at least at the end of its travel toward its clamping position.

[0007] The device according to the invention can be installed with the slide axis parallel to a fastening plane, which allow obtaining a clamping movement perpendicular to the fastening plane. As the clamping movement is straight, no sliding movement on the supports is induced for the part to be clamped. A high reliability of the fastening is thus obtained, while having a limited bulk above the fastening plane, due to the orientation of the jack.

[0008] According to a particular arrangement, the guiding members comprise first guiding means and second guiding means separated from one another in such a way as to define the trajectory of the flange between the clamping position and the release position. The guiding means allow defining both the position of the flange and the orientation thereof.

[0009] In a particular manner, the first and the second guiding means comprise respectively a first and a second finger cooperating respectively with a first and a second cam. The cooperation of a finger and a cam allow defining the trajectory of a point of the flange in a plane. By combining two assemblies of this type, the trajectory of the flange is completely defined.

[0010] According to a particular arrangement, the first finger is mounted on the flange while the first cam is carried by the body.

[0011] In a complementary manner, the first cam comprises a first portion wherein the first finger is located when the flange is in the clamping position, the first portion being parallel to the clamping direction, and a second portion which is oriented towards the jack. In combination with the second guiding means, the first portion corresponds to the straight movement towards the clamping position. The orientation of the second portion allows obtaining a tilting of the flange, in such a way as to clear the space above the part and facilitate its installation or its removal.

[0012] According to another arrangement, the second finger is mounted on the body while the second cam is carried by the flange by extending in a straight manner and in the clamping direction when the flange is in the clamping position. This arrangement allows for the straight displacement of the flange towards the clamping position.

[0013] According to a constructive arrangement, the transmission means comprise a transmission finger and a transmission cam cooperating between them. These means allow transforming the straight movement of the slide into a movement combining a rotational phase and a translational phase in another direction.

[0014] In a particular manner, the slide comprises a foot with a flat shape, the transmission cam being carried by the foot of the slide, the flange comprising a flange groove wherein the foot extends and slides, the transmission cam being passed through by a pin forming the transmission finger. The flange groove guides the slide in order to ensure the permanent orientation of the transmission cam. The displacement of the slide conditions the displacement of the pin that drives the flange. This ensures the transformation of the sliding movement provided by the jack. In addition, the pin is not oriented in the cam so that a pivoting of the flange around the axis of the pin is allowed.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the transmission cam comprises a first portion inclined relative to the axis of the slide, and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of the slide and wherein the transmission finger is located when the flange is in the release position. When the transmission finger engages the second portion, in the movement towards the release position, the driving of the flange is carried out substantially in the sliding direction, thereby facilitating the tilting of the flange and reducing the travel of the jack to obtain the tilting.

[0016] According to a constructive arrangement, the body comprises a cheek, the cheek comprising two wings parallel between them, the flange travelling between the wings. A solid and balanced guidance of the flange can thus be carried out. In addition, the wings protect the flange, especially against the intrusions of chips or dust.

[0017] The device comprises first supporting elements and second supporting elements, the first supporting elements comprising a first fixed supporting element relative to the body and a first movable supporting element connected to the flange, these first fixed and movable supporting elements cooperating selectively, at least at the end of the travel of the flange towards its clamping position, in order to mutually be provided with a sliding contact parallel to the clamping direction, the second supporting elements comprising a second fixed supporting element relative to the body and a second movable supporting element connected to the flange, these second fixed and movable supporting elements cooperating selectively, at least at the end of the travel of the flange towards its clamping position in order to mutually be provided with a sliding contact parallel to the clamping direction, the first and second supporting elements being at a distance from one another in order to allow for a bracing of the flange on the part to be clamped. Thus, the clamping forces are transmitted between the body and the flange by direct contacts between surfaces of each of these portions, thereby ensuring good rigidity of the clamping, without requesting the guiding means.

[0018] According to a constructive arrangement, the first fixed supporting element is comprised of a support surface of the body between the wings of the cheek, the first movable supporting element being comprised of a first heel of the flange.

[0019] According to another constructive arrangement, the second movable supporting element is comprised of two second support heels carried by the flange and extending symmetrically on either side of a median plane of the flange and of the slide, transversal to the pivot axis, and the second fixed supporting element is comprised of two support grooves of the body made in the wings one opposite the other, on flanks of which the second support heels symmetrically bear against relative to said median plane. The second supporting elements are thus placed between the wings of the cheek and are well protected against chips and dust.

[0020] According to an improvement, the slide is carried out by a rod and a piston made integral via assembly, the rod being connected to the transmission means. It is thus possible to impart a substantial dimension to the transmission means, without being limited to the diameter of the rod. Indeed, by a two-part design, it is possible to introduce the rod on one side of the bore that guides the rod and to add the piston on the other side. The assembly is made for example by screwing the piston on the rod.

[0021] According to a particular arrangement, the body comprises a fastening face substantially perpendicular to the clamping direction. This provides means for fastening the device on a fastening plane of the tool and applying a flanging force in the direction of this fastening plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description, the description referring to the appended drawings among which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamping device according to one embodiment of the invention and in the release position; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 according to another viewing angle and in the clamping position; - Figure 3 is a sectional view along a median plane of the device in the release position; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, in the clamping position; - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, in the intermediate position between the release position and the clamping position; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, a side cover being removed; - Figure 7 is a top view of the device of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A clamping device according to the invention is represented in Figures 1 to 7. It comprises a body 1 forming the body of a jack 2 and a flange 3 operated by the jack 2. It comprises a fastening face 10 intended to fixedly bear against the fastening plane F of a tool 0, and four through holes perpendicular to the fastening face 10 and intended to receive fastening screws. In the remainder of the description, mention will be made of the top and the bottom with reference to the position of the device on the tool 0 on the fastening plane F, considering that the fastening plane F is horizontal freely upwards. However, it goes without saying that the device can take any other orientation .

[0024] The body 1 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and comprises a cheek 11 both wings 110 of which extend perpendicular to the fastening face 10 symmetrically relative to a plane perpendicular to the fastening face 10. The flange 3 travels between the wings 110 of the cheek 11 between a clamping position and a release position, by being guided between the inner faces of the wings 110 to move parallel to the plane of the wings 110. The flange 3 comprises a spout 30 which protrudes from the body 1 beyond a front face 11 when it is in the clamping position, in such a way as to extend above the fastening plane F of the tool 0 and to clamp a part to be clamped P in the direction of the fastening plane F. In the release position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the spout 30 of the flange 3 has retracted in such a way as to be substantially aligned with the front face 11, i.e. retracted relative to the clamping position. The flange 3 protrudes slightly above the body 1, that is to say, opposite the fastening face 10.

[0025] The jack 2 comprises a slide 20 slidably mounted in a bore 21 of the body 1 extending along a slide axis A parallel to the fastening face 10. The slide 20 comprises a piston 201 and a rod assembled to the piston 201 by screwing. The bore 21 is closed by a cap 21 in such a way as to delimit a first chamber 23 in the bore 21 between the piston 201 and the plug. A second chamber 24 is also delimited in the bore 21 by the piston 201, on the opposite side to the first chamber 23. Each chamber 23, 24 is in fluid communication with respectively a first orifice 101 and a second orifice 102 opening on the fastening face 10. Thus, a connection with supply ducts can be carried out on the fastening plane F. Seals are provided in the appropriate places which are not detailed here.

[0026] The rod 202 passes through a neck 25 which connects the second chamber 24 and the space between the wings 110 of the cheek 11. In this space, the rod 202 joins the flange 3 via transmission means 4. The transmission means 4 comprise a foot 40 with a substantially flat shape carried by the rod 202, a flange groove 41 carried by the flange 3 in which the foot 40 is adjusted in such a way as to be slidably mounted in a plane parallel to the slide axis A 20 and perpendicular to the fastening face 10 and a transmission finger formed by a pin 42 passing through the flange 3 perpendicular to said plane. The foot 40 comprises a transmission cam 401 which passes therethrough and which extends along a first portion 4011 obliquely relative to the slide axis A and a second portion 4012 perpendicular to the slide axis A, on the end side of the rod 202 opposite the piston 201. The pin 42 passes through the transmission cam 401. It is introduced therein by passing through a mounting hole 43 made in one of the wings 110 opposite the position of the pin 42 when the flange 3 is in the clamping position. The mounting hole 43 is closed by a plug 44 placed after passage of the pin 42.

[0027] The clamping device further comprises guiding members 5 provided to drive the flange 3 following a predefined trajectory. The trajectory comprises a rotation around a pivot axis at least at the end of its stroke towards its release position. This pivoting is therefore performed along a pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the wings 110. The trajectory further comprises a translational movement in a clamping direction perpendicular to the axis of the slide 20 at least at the end of its travel towards its clamping position. This translation is therefore also perpendicular to the pivot axis. For this, the guiding members 5 comprise first guiding means 51 and second guiding means 52, separated from one another, in such a way as to define the trajectory of the flange 3 between the clamping position and the release position.

[0028] The first guiding means 51 comprise a first finger 511 cooperating with a first cam 512. The first finger 511 is mounted on the flange 3 while the first cam 512 is carried by the body 1. The first cam 512 is composed of two first cam grooves 5120 made in the wings 110 symmetrically and by passing through the wings 110. The first finger 511 is formed of two slugs 5110 screwed on either side of the flange 3, in such a way as to be housed in the first cam grooves 5120. The first cam 512 comprises a first portion 5121 wherein the first finger 511 is located when the flange 3 is in the clamping position, and which is parallel to a clamping direction S perpendicular to the fastening face 10, and a second portion 5122 which moves away from the front face 11.

[0029] The second guiding means 52 are placed closer to the fastening face 10 than the first guiding means 51 and comprise a second finger 521 cooperating with a second cam 522. The second finger 521 is mounted on the body 1 while the second cam 522 is carried by the flange 3 by extending in a straight manner and in the clamping direction S when the flange 3 is in the clamping position. The first finger 511 is substantially in alignment with the second cam 522. The second cam 522 is composed of two second cam grooves extending on either side of the flange 3. The second finger 521 is composed of two slugs 5210 passing through the wings 110 of the cheek 11 and protruding towards the flange 3 by being housed in the second cam grooves 522.

[0030] The clamping device further comprises first supporting elements 6 comprising a first fixed supporting element 61 relative to the body 1 and a first movable supporting element 62 connected to the flange 3, these first fixed and movable supporting elements 61, 62 cooperating selectively, at the end of the travel of the flange 3 towards its clamping position, in order to mutually be provided with a sliding contact parallel to the clamping direction S. The first fixed supporting element is comprised of a support surface 61 of the body 1 between the wings 110 of the cheek 11, perpendicular to the fastening face 10, and the first movable supporting element is comprised of a first heel 62 of the flange 3 located on the furthest portion of the fastening face 10.

[0031] The clamping device further comprises second supporting elements 7 comprising a second fixed supporting element 71 relative to the body 1 and a second movable supporting element 72 connected to the flange 3. The second movable supporting element 72 is comprised of two second support heels 721 carried by the flange 3 and extending symmetrically on either side of a median plane M of the flange 3 and of the slide 20, transversal to the pivot axis. The second fixed supporting element 71 is comprised of two support grooves 711 of the body 1 made in the wings 110, one opposite the other, on flanks of which the second support heels 721 symmetrically bear against relative to said median plane and can slide in a direction perpendicular to the fastening face 10. The support grooves 711 are open onto the fastening face 10. They also comprise clearances so that the second support heels 721 can pivot when the flange 3 pivots towards the release position.

[0032] Thus, the first and second supporting elements 6, 7 are at a distance from one another and allow for a bracing of the flange 3 on the part to be clamped P.

[0033] The clamping device also comprises two side covers 8, housed in a recess 80 provided on the outer faces of the wings 110 and covering the first cam grooves 512. The side covers 8 are fixed by the second finger slugs 5210 which are screwed in the wings 110. They also cover the passage hole 43 and the plug 44 inserted therein.

[0034] A front cover 9 is also fixed to the front face 11 of the body 1, in a rabbet 90 provided for this purpose on the end of each of the wings 110. The front cover 9 extends from the fastening face 10 to half-height of the body 1, in such a way as to leave a small space between the front cover 9 and the flange 3 when the flange 3 passes from the clamping position to the release position.

Operation of the clamping device [0035] It is assumed that initially, the flange 3 is in the release position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this position, the piston 201 is closest to the cap 21 and the slide 20 is in the stowed position. The pin 42 is located in the second transmission cam 401 portion 4012.

The first finger 511 is located in the second portion 5122 of the first cam 512, while the second finger 521 is located at the end of the second cam 522 opposite to the side of the spout 30. The flange 3 is inclined so that the first heel 62 passes above the body 1.

[0036] By sending a pressurised fluid in the first chamber 23, and allowing the one contained in the second chamber 24 to exit, the slide 20 is controlled to slide towards an extended position. The foot 40 of the slide 20 pushes on the pin 42 engaged in the second portion 4012 of the transmission cam 401 in such a way as to cause the sliding of the first finger 511 in the second portion 5122 of the first cam 512. The flange 3 then carries out a pivoting movement around the axis of the second finger 521. The flange 3 also begins to slide at the second finger 521 in the groove of the second cam 522. During this pivoting, the spout 30 protrudes more substantially beyond the beyond the front face 11.

[0037] When the first finger 511 engages the first portion 5121 of the first cam 512, the pin 42 engages the oblique portion 4011 of the transmission cam 401. The flange 3 is then located in a vertical position, as shown in Figure 5. The displacement of the flange 3 is then a translational movement perpendicular to the fastening face 10. This movement is controlled by the sliding of the pin 42 in the oblique portion 4011 of the transmission cam 401, until the spout 30 bears against the part to be clamped P. The clamping force is thus provided by the jack 2, and is transformed into a vertical force by the transmission cam 401. During the translational movement, the first heel 62 engages opposite the support surface 61 by sliding against it. Furthermore, the second support heels 721 slide in the support grooves 711. The clamping position is then reached.

[0038] The return to the release position is obtained by inverting the fluid supply to the jack 2 chambers 23, 24. This gives then a movement in the opposite direction to the one just described.

[0039] The invention is not limited to the embodiment that has just been described by way of example. The slide axis A is not necessarily parallel to the fastening face 10, but it can be plunging. The transmission cam 401 could be straight, at the expense of a slightly larger travel of the slide 20. The second cam and the second finger 521 could be respectively fixed and movable. The clamping direction could be oblique relative to the fastening face, in order to be adapted to oblique clamping directions relative to the fastening plane of the tool.

Claims

A device for clamping a part for clamping (P) on a tool (0) comprising a control element (2) and a flange (3), wherein the flange (3) actuated by the control element (2) via transmission means ( 4), wherein the control element (2) is selectively actuated by a pressurized liquid and comprises itself a housing (1) secured to the tool (0) during use with a fastening surface (10) and a sliding rail (20) which is slidably mounted relative to the housing (1) along a sliding axis (A) substantially parallel to the fastening surface (10), wherein the flange (3) moves under the influence of the control member between a clamping position and a release position in which it is retracted. relative to the clamping position, wherein the unit is characterized in that it further comprises control elements (5) provided to drive the flange (3) after a movement comprising a rotation about a pivot axis at least at the end of its movement toward its f in a clamping direction (S) inclined path slightly at or perpendicular to the axis of the rail (A) and perpendicular to the pivot axis at least at the end of its movement toward its clamping position.

Device for clamping according to claim 1, characterized in that the control elements (5) comprise primary guiding means (51) and secondary guiding means (52) which are spaced apart in such a way as to define the path of movement of the flange (3). ) between the clamping position and the release position.

A clamping device according to claim 2, wherein the primary and secondary guide means (51,52) comprise a primary and a secondary finger (511,521), respectively, which cooperate with a primary and a secondary cam (512, 522), respectively. .

A clamping device according to claim 3, wherein the primary finger (511) is mounted on the flange (3) while the first cam (512) is carried by the housing (1).

A clamping device according to claim 4, wherein the primary cam (512) comprises a primary member (5121), wherein the primary finger (511) is located when the flange (3) is in the clamping position and is parallel to the clamping direction (S) and a secondary part (5122) facing in the direction of the control element (2).

A clamping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second finger (521) is mounted on the housing (1) while the second cam (522) is carried by the flange (3) through straight ahead and in the clamping direction (S) when the flange (3) is in the clamping position.

A clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means (4) comprises a transmission finger (42) and a transmission cam (401) operating between them.

A clamping device according to claim 7, wherein the rail (20) comprises a flat (40) foot, the transmission cam (401) carried by the foot (40) of the rail (20), the flange (3) comprising a flange (3) groove in which the foot (40) extends and slides, the transmission cam (401) is passed through a pin (42) forming the transmission finger (42).

A clamping device according to claim 7, wherein the transmission cam (401) comprises a primary portion (4011) inclined relative to the axis of the rail (A) and a secondary portion (4012) substantially perpendicular to the axis. of the rail (A) and wherein the transmission finger (42) is positioned when the flange (3) is in the release position.

A clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (1) comprises a fork (11), the fork comprises two wings (110) parallel between them, the flange (3) running between the wings (110).

A clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises primary support members (6) and secondary support members (7), said primary support members (6) comprising a primary fixed support member (61) relative to the housing (1). and a primary movable support member (62) connected to the flange (3), wherein these primary and movable support members (61.62) act selectively at least at the end of the path of movement of the flange (3) toward its clamping position to jointly be provided with a sliding contact parallel to the clamping direction (S), the secondary support members (7) comprising a secondary fixed support member (71) relative to the housing (1) and another movable support member (72) connected to the flange ( 3) wherein these secondary fixed and removable support members (71.72) work selectively together at least at the end of the path of movement of the flange (3) toward its clamping position to both be provided with a g guide contact parallel to the clamping direction (A), the primary and secondary support members (6, 7) spaced apart to allow support of the flange (3) on the part to be clamped (P).

A clamping device according to claims 10 and 11 taken in combination, wherein the primary fixed support member consists of a support surface (61) of the housing (1) between the blades (110) of the fork (11), wherein the primary movable support member consists of a primary ledge (62) on the flange (3).

A clamping device according to claims 10 and 11 taken in combination, wherein the secondary movable support member (72) consists of two secondary support ledges (721) supported by the flange (3) and extend symmetrically on both sides of an intermediate plane (M) for the flange (3) and the rail (20) transverse to the pivot axis, and the secondary fixed support element (71) consists of two support grooves (711) on the housing (1) made in the wings (110) opposite to each other, on the flanges of which the secondary support ledges (721) symmetrically abut against said intermediate plane.

A clamping unit according to claim 1, wherein the rail (20) is formed by a rod (202) and a piston (201) which are fixedly connected by means of assembly, the rod (202) is connected to the transmission means (4). .

A clamping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a fastening surface which is substantially perpendicular to the clamping direction.