EP3095558A1 - Substructure tensioner with spring-loaded articulated parallelogram - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a substructure tensioner, in particular for use in the bodywork of the automotive industry. It is shown how structurally simple means such a substructure tensioner for clamping components of different overall thickness can be formed without the transverse dimensions measured transversely to a power drive a toggle joint arrangement are unfavorably increased.

Description

The invention relates to a substructure tensioner, in particular for use in the bodywork of the automotive industry.

State of the art

From the DE 39 36 396 C1 is a sub-base tensioner, in particular for a body part previously known, consisting of a one- or multi-part housing with a cylinder space for the piston and a movement space for the piston rod and the toggle lever assembly; Guide means on the free piston rod end for the piston rod, which are arranged in the housing and on a piston rod pin; a tab which is pivotally mounted on the piston rod pin and on a toggle joint axis; a two-armed lever, the drive end is also mounted on the toggle hinge axis, wherein the two-armed lever forms a rocker arm consisting of an angle lever, whose apex pivotally is mounted in the housing (housing-fixed pivot axis) and whose output-side end is coupled via a pivot axis with a clamping member; a one-armed rocker of the same length as the output side lever arm of the two-armed rocker is pivotally mounted in the housing (pivot axis) and parallel to the output side lever arm of the angle lever and is coupled via a pivot axis with the clamping member, wherein in the clamping position, the housing fixed pivot axes and the toggle joint axis on Drive-side end of the angle lever lie on an imaginary line which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod. The tensioning member has at the tension-side end a tensioning hook, which passes through an opening of the workpiece support surface and faces with its clamping surface of the tensioning device. On the housing a cavity forming centering is provided which surrounds the clamping hook in the relaxed position and can emerge radially in the clamping position.

Other substructure clamps are through the EP 1 393 861 A1 . EP 2 196 286 A1 . EP 1 391 266 A2 and the EP 2 626 174 A1 previously known. In the latter acts below the clamping surface laterally arranged on a housing gas spring with a telescopic part against a roller, which is arranged on a bolt which is mounted in a longitudinal slot of a piston-cylinder unit driven in opposite directions piston rod. This bolt is slidably disposed in a slot of the piston rod transversely to the stroke direction and acts on a flap part, which is connected to a toggle joint arrangement, over which a protruding out of the housing clamping hook is driven to clamp the sheet-shaped workpieces against a pad. The tensioning hook is also assigned a centering mandrel, which has a longitudinal slot into which the tensioning hook can enter with its part emerging from the housing in the release position, so that the centering bolts pass through openings of laminated sheet-metal components and these with respect to the base, against which the sheet metal parts are to be stretched, can center. When centering the clamping hook comes out of the slot-like opening of the centering mandrel laterally. By provided in the piston rod transverse slot tolerances and thus different to exciting plate thicknesses are to be compensated in a limited tolerance range in a certain way. The transversely arranged on the housing gas spring is relatively far from the side and thus increases the transverse dimensions of the substructure tensioner in this direction not insignificant.

Components, be they sheets, be it aluminum castings or molded plastic parts, especially for the bodywork of the automotive industry, are subject not only structurally, but also manufacturing technology in their dimensions thickness variations. This can lead to such components can not or can not be reliably tensioned by substructure clamps or even comes to a release of toggle joints. Apart from the resulting disturbances in the production process, especially in production lines of the automotive industry, sometimes also extensive set-up and replacement work is required, when it comes to tolerance variations or changes in thickness, which are design-related.

The DE 10 2010 046 190 A1 relates to a Zentrierspannvorrichtung, comprising a housing disposed on a movable clamping hook, which is a housing wall by engaging within the housing with a drive mechanism operable and designed to perform a lifting and pivoting movement, wherein the drive mechanism has a lever hook operatively connected to the lever element, the order an axis arranged in the housing is rotatably mounted, wherein the axis of the lever member is formed elastically movably mounted in the housing in the stroke direction. The outside preferably cuboidal housing is formed of two, the drive mechanism between them receiving half-shells and the axis is arranged between the two half-shells of the housing, preferably perpendicular to these and transverse to the stroke direction, wherein on each half-shell a receiving element for receiving and elastically movable storage the axis is arranged. The receiving element consists of a frame and an elastically movably mounted abutment for the axle.

The US 2005/0017424 A1 relates to a substructure tensioner with a toggle joint drive, which is driven by a piston rod and an alternately on both sides to be acted upon pressure medium piston-cylinder unit, wherein a the hinge members is formed elastically and consists of a plurality of plate-shaped superposed in the Längsachsrichtung deformable elements, which are arranged at opposite ends via common pivot axes. This should compensate for differences in thickness when clamping workpieces.

task

The invention has the object of providing a substructure tensioner with simple structural means in such a way that to exciting components, especially in the body of the automotive industry, namely sheets, castings made of aluminum or plastic or other materials, over a certain force path and different to exciting Total thicknesses are sure to clamp.

solution

This object is achieved by a Unterbauspanner, in particular for use in the bodywork of the automotive industry, with a housing, a housing arranged in the toggle joint assembly via a rod-shaped adjusting element in opposite directions by a power drive - piston-cylinder unit or linear motor or Electric motor - as needed in dead center or over-center position, and opposite in the release position is driven, one out the housing with a longitudinally movable lifting clamping element for clamping components against a housing associated with the rigid support member, wherein the toggle joint arrangement is arranged with a arranged in the housing and a housing-fixed pivot axis movable, multi-arm lever element is drivingly connected and this lever element with a lever arm via a portable Swivel axis is coupled by a gear permanently located in the housing end portion of the clamping element, said pivot axis is slidably disposed in a Längsachsrichtung arranged in the housing end portion of the clamping element elongated hole and this lever arm in clamping position via a pressure lever against a spring element - possibly indirectly - Presses, which is supported at its opposite end to an extension or other abutment of the housing disposed in the end portion of the clamping element, or against a the abutment in the axle extension associated abutment, for example, in an interchangeable spring housing - if necessary indirectly - is supported under constant bias, wherein the pivot axis at one end, preferably at both opposite end portions in slot-shaped, kidney-shaped or arcuate slotted guides friction driven, wherein These slotted guides are assigned to the housing.

Such a substructure clamp allows secure clamping of components over a wider tolerance range, eg. B. of components with thicknesses of 0 to 10 mm or more, preferably from 0 to 9 mm, more preferably from 0 to 8 mm, without that, for example, in dead center or over-center position power-driven toggle joint dissolves it. Rather, the clamping element can move with its slot on the multi-arm lever element associated pivot axis in its longitudinal direction and, if necessary, on a circular arc section without the toggle joint is moved out of its locked position and thus the latch is maintained. The against the pressure lever on the one hand and the clamping element on the other hand under bias supporting lever element always provides within predetermined limits for the different total thicknesses to be clamped components a traction ago, which ensures that the pressure lever under the restoring force of the spring element keeps the toggle joint locked in dead center or Übertotpunktlage , The rod-shaped adjusting element, which drives the toggle joint arrangement, can be an alternately on both sides by pressure medium pressure, in particular by compressed air to be acted upon piston-cylinder unit, or else an electric drive or linear drive.

The movable axis, with which the multi-armed lever element designed as an angle lever is coupled to the clamping element, is preferably at its two end regions in the associated in the housing, a lifting / pivoting movement of the Clamping element enabling slide guides, low friction, possibly via needle bearings, largely free of play, forcibly guided.

Further inventive embodiments

Further inventive embodiments are described in the claims 2 to 7 .

In the embodiment of a substructure tensioner according to claim 2 , the length of the elongated hole in the housing located in the longitudinal section of the clamping element is functionally matched to the clamping range of the clamping element and thus to the thickness of the components to be clamped, so that within predetermined limits of different total thickness of the components always secure locking the toggle joint arrangement is ensured. Even with relatively large deviations, either in the tolerances of the components to be clamped or in different types of components with overall thickness deviations of exciting wall thicknesses from 0 to more than 8 mm beyond a secure locking of the toggle joint in the dead center or Übertotpunktbereich guaranteed, as the pivot axis within the Langloches the clamping element can move in the Längsachsrichtung without the different to exciting thicknesses of components could interrupt the frictional connection between the spring element, tendon, lever element and toggle joint arrangement. It is particularly advantageous if, according to claim 3, the spring force of the spring element is infinitely adjustable. As a result, the spring force and thus the counterforce exerted on the toggle joint arrangement via the lever element can be set precisely to the operating conditions.

A further advantageous embodiment is described in claim 4, wherein the pressure lever via a freely rotating roller or ball or a convex end against the spring element or a cooperating abutment - possibly indirectly - is supported and presses on the spring element. This results in a favorable introduction of force, caused by the prestressed spring element on the lever element and thus on the toggle joint arrangement.

In the embodiment according to claim 5 , the spring element is arranged in a sleeve-shaped spring housing.

In the embodiment according to claim 6 , the spring housing is arranged in the axial extension of the clamping element and provided on an end face with thread into which an externally threaded plug as an abutment part can be screwed to adjust the bias of the spring element sensitive and can change.

Claim 7 is characterized in that the axial length of the elongated hole is sized equal to or greater than the clamping range of the clamping element, and that the spring force of the spring element over the entire clamping range of the clamping element ensures locking of the toggle lever assembly in dead center.

Fig. 1

einen Unterbauspanner, wie er mit besonderem Vorteil im Karosseriebau der Kfz-Industrie zur Anwendung kommt, schematisch im Längsschnitt, und zwar in einer ersten Spannstellung X1;

Fig. 2

eine ähnliche Darstellung wie in Fig. 1, wobei sich das Spannelement des Unterbauspanners in einer zweiten Spannstellung X2 befindet;

Fig. 3

den aus den Fig. 1 und 2 ersichtlichen Unterbauspanner in Lösestellung, wobei sich das Spannelement in einer Aussparung eines Zentrierdorns in Lösestellung befindet und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Unterbauspanners und einiger Funktionsteile.

In the drawing the invention - partly schematically - exemplified. Show it:

Fig. 1

a substructure clamp, as it is used with particular advantage in the bodywork of the automotive industry, schematically in longitudinal section, in a first clamping position X1;

Fig. 2

a similar representation as in Fig. 1 , wherein the clamping element of the substructure tensioner is in a second clamping position X2;

Fig. 3

from the Fig. 1 and 2 apparent substructure clamp in release position, wherein the clamping element is in a recess of a centering mandrel in the release position and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the substructure tensioner according to the invention and some functional parts.

The reference numeral 1 denotes a cylinder, at the lower free end of which there is a cylinder cover 2 which has a connection opening 3, to which a line, not shown, for supplying a suitable pressure medium, in particular compressed air, is connected. The connection opening 3 is connected via a channel 4 with the one cylinder chamber 5 druckmittelleitend. In the cylinder 1, a piston 6 is longitudinally displaceable and sealed longitudinally displaceably guided in the cylinder 1 by a sealing element 7. As far as the term "cylinder" is used in the application documents, including both in cross section inside and outside circular cylinder (tubes), as well as the circular shape deviating cylinder, for example, those with elliptical basic shape, flat oval cross section, rectangular or polygonal interior or Outer contour, understood, with a correspondingly adapted piston 6 with sealing elements 7, which are also guided longitudinally displaceable and sealing in such deviating from the circular cylinder.

With the piston 6 designed as a piston rod rod-shaped adjustment 8 is fixed, but releasably connected by gearing, the longitudinal axis 9 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 1, so that the rod-shaped adjusting element 8 coaxial with the cylinder 1 in the direction of X or Y is moved. The rod-shaped adjusting element 8 is connected at its end facing away from the piston 6 with a fork head 10, which is designed as a pivot axis piston rod axis 11, whose longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 9 of the rod-shaped adjusting element 8. With the piston rod axis 11 designed as a tab or tab pair arm 12 is pivotally coupled, which is coupled at its other end via a pivot axis 13 with a multi-arm lever member 14 which may be arranged between fork-shaped parts of the link member 12. The multi-armed lever member 14 is designed as an angle lever rocker, which is mounted on a stationary in a housing 15 pivot axis 16 whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the piston rod axis 11 and the pivot axis 13. In this way, a toggle joint arrangement 17 is formed, which via the rod-shaped adjusting element 8 and formed by a power drive piston-cylinder unit 1, 6 in the clamping direction X, in dead center or a few minutes of arc beyond in the over center position, and in release position Y, depending on the application of Piston 6 with fluid pressure, is moved. Instead of a piston-cylinder unit as a power drive for the rod-shaped adjusting element 8, an electric motor, for example with ball screw, with a screw or a rod-shaped adjusting element, which is driven by an electric motor, or other linear drive come into consideration (not shown).

The multi-armed lever member 14 is configured in the illustrated embodiment as a material integral one-piece angle lever, for example, as well as the rod-shaped adjusting element 8, the link member 12, and all Swivel axes of a metallic material, in particular of steel, may exist, but in case of need also consist of a shock and impact resistant plastic, which is resistant to the usually occurring in industrial operation means such as dust, fats and oils, for example of a polymer plastic , in particular of polyurethane.

The multi-arm lever element 14 has the two lever arms 18 and 19, which form a right angle with their longitudinal axes in the illustrated embodiment, but may also have a different angle shape, depending on the requirements of the operation.

The lever arm 19 is a further pivot axis 20 associated with the longitudinal axis parallel to the piston rod longitudinal axis 11 and the pivot axes 13 and 16 and engages the gear in a slot 21 whose longitudinal axis extends in the axial direction of a clamping element 22 having an end portion in the interior 23 of the housing 15 is arranged, which consists for example of interconnected by screws housing parts, in particular housing shells, which are sealingly and suitably connected to each other and thereby protect the interior 23 of the housing 15 against dust and moisture. The clamping element 22 emerges through an opening 24 of the housing 15 upwards and has at its upper end a hook-shaped configuration 25 for clamping workpieces against a fixed support member 26. The pivot axis 20 is on a housing-fixed part (not shown), preferably at its two end portions on diametrically opposite sides of housing fixed parts, in particular in the housing 15 associated slit-like kidney-like or arcuate running as slotted guides slide guides 40 friction forcibly guided, so that a stable Arrangement results. In the drawing, only one of these slotted guides 40 is shown. The arranged on the opposite side of the housing guide slot 40 is also configured so that the pivot axis 20 thereby not only a vibration-free, but also a jerk-free lifting / pivoting movement of the clamping element 22 allows.

The clamping element 22 is associated with a centering mandrel 27, which has a longitudinally extending in the same slot-shaped recess 28 into which the clamping element 22 in the release position ( Fig. 3 ) fully enters, so that the centering mandrel 27 can enter into openings or holes of exciting components to center them. When clamping stroke of the clamping hook 22 from the slot-shaped recess 28 ( Fig. 1 and 2 ) and biases the components against the support member 26 until, for example, they are permanently joined together, be it by spot welding, clinching, gluing or the like (not shown).

Below the multi-armed lever element 14 embodied as an angle lever, another pivoting flap element 29 is pivotably connected to the clamping element 22 via a pivot axis 30, wherein the longitudinal axis of this pivot axis 30 also runs parallel to the longitudinal axes of the piston rod axis 11, the pivot axes 13, 16 and 20. The pivoting flap element 29 is mounted via a housing-fixed pivot axis 31, which is arranged below the stationary pivot axis 16 of the angle lever 14, so that the clamping element 22 is guided and supported via the pivot axes 16, 20, 30, 31, in a stroke-pivoting movement T - V. As a result, a kind of parallelogram with knee lever function for the clamping element 22 is formed.

As can be seen from the drawing, the multi-arm lever member 14 is supported with a preferably materially integrally connected thereto and beyond the pivot axis 20 extending pressure lever 32 in the illustrations according to the Fig. 1 to 3 via a about an axis 33 rotatably mounted roller or ball (not shown) 34 against an abutment member 35 in clamping position, in particular in dead center or Übertotpunktstellung the toggle joint assembly 17, against a trained as a compression spring spring member 36 from which under adjustable bias in a space 37 is arranged. This room 37 is at the off the Fig. 1 to 3 apparent embodiment associated with an end-side projection or extension of the clamping element 22, but may also be part of a spring housing (not shown), a sleeve, a cartridge-shaped part, which is the clamping element 22 is assigned and with its longitudinal axis parallel or approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the Fig. 1 to 3 apparent piston-cylinder unit 1, 7, is arranged (not shown). Such a sleeve or the like can be assigned by screw thread the end-side extension of the clamping element 22. The spring element 36 can also be supported on its abutment element 35 facing away from the end portion against an abutment which is adjustable in Längsachsrichtung the spring element 36, for example by means of a thread and, for example, a screw plug, which is arranged in a sleeve (not shown), to adjust the bias of the spring element 36, even sensitively, the respective operating conditions.

The length of the elongated hole 21 is dimensioned so that the spring element 36 when locking the toggle lever assembly 17 (dead center or over-center position) within a predetermined clamping range X1, X2 ensures a secure locking of the toggle lever assembly 17 so that they just when clamping different overall thicknesses, for example X1 ( Fig. 1 ), X2 ( Fig. 2 ) of components, eg. As sheets, can not solve, but remains locked.

The clamping range X1, X2, in which the spring element 36 ensures a secure locking of the toggle lever assembly 17 may be different, for example, from 0 to 10 mm and more, preferably from 0 to 8 mm, or even beyond.

Over a relatively large clamping range X1, X2 and thus large tolerance or to exciting component thicknesses is thus a safe voltage, in particular of sheet-metal components, eg. B. in the bodywork of the automotive industry achieved. The spring element 36 designed as a compression spring can, if required, be prestressed with a pretension of, for example, 1500 to 4500, preferably between 1800 and 2500, more preferably 2200 Newton, or more. How to get out Fig. 4 recognizes the pressure lever 32 may also be equipped with a convex configuration with which he presses against the spring element 36 - indirectly -.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 4 the clamping element is provided with an extension 38 which is indicated only schematically and which is supported against the compression spring element 36 under possibly adjustable preload. The extension 38 may be designed to be adjustable in the axial direction of the tensioning element 22 (not shown) in order to change the pretensioning of the spring element 36.

At 39, a further channel connection is provided, can be introduced through the pressure medium pressure for the return stroke of the piston 7, in particular compressed air.

Such substructure clamps are usually arranged in production lines in the bodywork of the automotive industry and are involved in a sequence control, so in that the force unit designed as a piston-cylinder unit can be subjected to a controlled pressure of, for example, 6 bar.

If the spring element 36 is arranged in a cartridge-shaped or sleeve-like spring housing whose longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piston-cylinder unit or other power drive, for. As an electric motor, and is associated with the located in the housing 15 end of the clamping element 22, this cartridge-shaped, sleeve-shaped spring housing may also include differently shaped compression spring elements, which can be changed depending on the existing operating conditions, clamping forces and strokes for the hook-shaped clamping element 22 , Such spring elements may consist of round, rectangular or square spring wire.

The features described in the claims and in the description and apparent from the drawing features, both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention may be essential.

reference numeral

1

cylinder

2

cylinder cover

3

port opening

4

channel

5

cylinder space

6

piston

7

sealing element

8th

Adjustment element, rod-shaped

9

longitudinal axis

10

clevis

11

Piston rod axis; swivel axis

12

Handlebar element, strap pair

13

swivel axis

14

Lever element, multi-arm; bell crank

15

casing

16

Swivel axis, fixed

17

Toggle joint arrangement; toggle

18

lever arm

19

"

20

swivel axis

21

Long hole

22

clamping element

23

inner space

24

opening

25

Design, hook-shaped

26

supporting part

27

centering

28

Recess, slot-shaped

29

Panning tab member

30

swivel axis

31

", fixed to the wall

32

pressure lever

33

axis

34

Roll, ball

35

Abutment member

36

Spring element, compression spring element

37

room

38

extension

39

sewer connection

40

Slotted guide, slide guides

T

Lifting movement of the clamping element 22nd

V

"" "

X

Stroke of the piston 6

Y

"" "

Claims (7)

Substructure tensioner, in particular for use in the bodywork of the motor vehicle industry, comprising a housing (15), a toggle lever arrangement (17) arranged in the housing (15) and passing over a rod-shaped adjusting element (8) in opposite directions (X-Y) Power drive (1, 7) piston-cylinder unit or linear motor or electric motor - if necessary in dead center or Übertotpunktlage, and opposite in the release position can be driven, one of the housing (15) with a longitudinally movable lifting clamping element (22) for clamping of components against a housing (15) associated with the rigid support member (26), wherein the toggle lever assembly (17) arranged in the housing (15) and via a housing-fixed pivot axis (16) movable, multi-arm lever element (14) is drivingly connected and this lever element (14) with a lever arm (19) via a movable pivot axis (20) with a constantly in the housing (15) befin dlichen end portion of the clamping element (22) is coupled by gearing, said pivot axis (20) in a longitudinal axis in the housing (15) arranged end portion of the clamping element (22) extending slot (21) is slidably disposed and this lever arm (19) in clamping position via a pressure lever (32) against a spring element (36) - optionally indirectly - expresses that at its opposite end to an extension (38) or other abutment of the housing (15) arranged end portion the clamping element (22) is supported, or against an abutment associated with the clamping element (22) in Achsverlängerung, for example, in an interchangeable spring housing - possibly indirectly - is supported under constant bias, wherein the pivot axis (20) at an end region, preferably at two opposing end portions, in slot-shaped, kidney-shaped or arcuate slotted guides (40) positively driven forcibly, these slotted guides (40) are associated with the housing (15). Substructure tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the elongated hole (21) is adapted to the clamping range (X1, X2) of the clamping element (22) or practically corresponds within which the toggle lever assembly (17) is locked in the dead center position. Substructure tensioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring force of the spring element (36) is infinitely adjustable. Unterbauspanner according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterized in that the pressure lever (32) via a freely rotating roller or a ball or a convex shape design against the spring element (36) or a cooperating abutment member (35) constantly supports or constantly presses. Substructure tensioner according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterized in that the spring element (36) is arranged in a sleeve-shaped spring housing. Substructure clamp according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring housing is arranged in the axial extension of the clamping element (22) and is provided on a front side with thread into which an externally threaded plug can be screwed in as an abutment part in order to increase the prestressing of the spring element (36). sensitive to adjust and change. Unterbauspanner according to claim 1 or one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the axial length of the elongated hole (21) is equal to or greater than the clamping range (X1, X2) of the clamping element (22) is dimensioned, and that the spring force of the spring element ( 36) over the entire clamping range (X1, X2) of the clamping element (22) ensures locking of the toggle joint arrangement (17) in dead center position.

Images