JP2016205563A - Clamp apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clamp apparatus capable of being assembled to a fastened object by single-hand work of one worker, thus simplifying assembling and reducing assembling man-hours.SOLUTION: A clamp apparatus includes a clamp body 10 composed of first and second clamp pieces 11, 12 each having a substantially semicircular arc shape, and a connection plate 30 for connecting the two clamp pieces. Each clamp piece has a fastening groove having an U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, an ear portion 17 positioned at one end portion, and a connection end portion 18 positioned at the other end portion. Fastening tools (41, 42) are mounted on both ear portions 17 opposed to each other, and the fastening tools can be fastened to apply a fastening force to a fastened object disposed in the fastening grooves. The connection end portion 18 of the first clamp piece 11 and the connection end portion 18 of the second clamp piece 12 caulk both end portions of the connection plate 30 to connect the two clamp pieces 11, 12 to the connection plate 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention includes a clamp body composed of two clamp pieces each having a U-shaped or V-shaped fastening groove and a connecting member for connecting the two clamp pieces. For example, the present invention relates to a clamp device that can exert a fastening force on an object to be fastened (usually composed of two members) disposed in a fastening groove of a clamp body by fastening with a bolt and a nut.

  This type of clamping device is used, for example, for connecting piping parts (particularly turbocharger piping parts) in an exhaust system of an automobile engine, and several related technologies have been applied for patents or utility model registrations. . For example, “supercharger clamp” in Patent Document 1, “annular clamp” in Patent Document 2, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1, the main body of the clamp of Patent Document 1 is composed of a pair of coupling halves (1 and 2) and a link (3). The link (3) is an annular connecting member for connecting the ends of the two coupling halves (1 and 2). Although there is no explicit explanation in the literature 1, as long as it is estimated from the drawings, a curled end portion (a portion formed by folding back in a substantially arc shape) formed at one end of each coupling half is provided in the link. They are engaged by simply being inserted through the hole. In other words, the curled ends of the coupling halves are inserted into the through-holes of the link, so that the two coupling halves are connected to each other through the link in an inseparable manner. Since it is only loosely fitted in the through hole of the link, the movement between the two coupling halves is not restricted at all, and both coupling halves are free (ie regardless of the operator's intention). Enlarge the opening angle.

  In Patent Document 2, a split ring 116 corresponding to a clamp body is formed of two individual circumferential portions 116a and 116b joined together by a connector 138 (paragraph 0030 of FIG. 2, FIG. 4a). Each of the circumferential portions 116a, 116b is a generally semicircular member that defines two halves of the split ring, and the opposite ends of the two circumferential portions 116a, 116b are each welded (eg, spotted) to the connector 138. It is inferred that they are joined by welding. According to Patent Document 2, the connector 138 is an elastic connector (that is, a leaf spring), and the connector clamps the split ring as shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c unless an external force acts on the split ring. It works to hold in the open position.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-67538 (Fig. 4) JP 2008-202791 A (Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-38332)

However, the conventional clamping device also has some drawbacks.
In the clamp of Patent Document 1, since the two coupling halves can freely change the opening angle, the clamp device is connected to an object to be fastened (for example, the turbine-side casing 1 and the supercharger shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1). When applied to the two members of the machine body 3, the operator needs to hold the coupling halves with both hands to maintain an appropriate opening angle. Therefore, in order to perform all work by one worker, it is necessary to temporarily hold (temporarily fasten) the fastened object (two members) before the mounting of the clamp device is completed with a dedicated jig. there were. Otherwise, a second worker different from the worker who operates the clamp device needs to temporarily hold the fastened object (two members), which requires a lot of manpower.

  In the clamp of Patent Document 2, when the two circumferential portions 116a and 116b are welded to the connector 138, generally, a welded part by spot welding or the like tends to become sensitized by being exposed to a high temperature. Here, “sensitization” means that if a stainless steel or the like experiences a thermal history of 450 to 850 ° C., carbides are precipitated at the grain boundaries of the metal structure and the sensitivity to intergranular corrosion increases (that is, the corrosion resistance is increased). To decrease). There is a concern that defects such as stress corrosion cracking may occur in the sensitized welded part. Moreover, according to the clamp of patent document 2, the welding process for welding them with a connector other than the press molding process for obtaining the two circumferential direction parts for a split ring structure is needed. Since press forming (plastic working) and welding are different operations, if these two types of steps must be performed, the manufacturing cost increases accordingly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a clamp device that can be assembled to an object to be fastened by one-handed operation by one worker and can be simplified and the number of assembling steps can be reduced. In addition, there is no problem of sensitization of the metal structure because there is no need to go through a welding process, and a clamping device that can be manufactured by only plastic working such as press working or bending is provided. There is.

The invention of claim 1
A clamp body composed of a first clamp piece and a second clamp piece each having a substantially semicircular arc shape, and a connecting member for connecting the two clamp pieces;
Each of the two clamp pieces includes a U-shaped or V-shaped fastening groove defined by a pair of groove forming walls, an ear located at one end of each clamp piece, A connecting end located at the other end,
In the clamp device that can apply a fastening force to the object to be fastened arranged in the fastening groove by attaching a fastener to both ears of the two clamp pieces arranged opposite to each other and fastening the fastener.
The two clamp pieces are connected to the connection member by caulking both ends of the connection member with the connection end of the first clamp piece and the connection end of the second clamp piece, respectively. It is the clamping device characterized.

  The first and second clamp pieces are coupled to the coupling member by caulking (clamping) both ends of the coupling member at the respective coupling end portions. In other words, the free movement of the connecting member and the first clamp piece is greatly limited by the connection relation by caulking, and similarly, the free movement of the connecting member and the second clamp piece is also greatly restricted by the connection relation by caulking. The That is, the holding postures of the first clamp piece and the second clamp piece with respect to the connecting member are restricted so as to fall within a certain range. Therefore, the operator can hold either the first clamp piece or the second clamp piece with one hand, and the first clamp piece and the second clamp piece can be opened conveniently through the connecting member. The angle θ (see FIG. 5) can be maintained. Moreover, according to this invention, it becomes possible to manufacture a clamp instrument only by plastic processing, such as a press work and a bending process, without passing through a welding process.

The invention of claim 2 is the clamping device according to claim 1,
The connection member is a plastically deformable plate-like connection member, and the plate-like connection member has first and second insertion holes for inserting the connection end portions of the first and second clamp pieces, respectively. It is characterized by having.

  According to this configuration, the plate-like connecting member has the first and second insertion holes for inserting the connecting end portions of the first and second clamp pieces, respectively, so that both end portions of the plate-like connecting member ( That is, it becomes easy to caulk both end portions adjacent to the first and second insertion holes with the connecting end portions of the clamp pieces. Further, since the plate-like connecting member can be plastically deformed, the opening angle θ between the first clamp piece and the second clamp piece can be adjusted by bending the plate-like connecting member itself.

The invention of claim 3 is the clamping device according to claim 1 or 2,
Each connection end of the first and second clamp pieces is folded back to the back side of the corresponding clamp piece,
Each end portion of the connecting member is caulked in a state of being arranged between the back side of the clamp piece and the connecting end portion folded back to the back side of the clamp piece.

  According to this structure, it becomes easy to caulk both ends of the connecting member with the connecting ends of the first and second clamp pieces by a relatively simple plastic bending process.

The invention of claim 4 is the clamping device according to claim 1 or 2,
Each connection end of the first and second clamp pieces has a proximal end region connected to the clamp piece, and a distal end region located on the distal end side of the proximal end region,
Each end portion of the connecting member is caulked in a state of being arranged between a proximal end region and a distal end region of the connecting end portion of each clamp piece.

  According to this configuration, both ends of the connecting member can be securely caulked at the proximal end and the distal end region of the connecting end of the first and second clamp pieces by a relatively simple plastic bending process.

The invention of claim 5 is the clamping device according to claim 1,
The connecting member is an annular connecting member having a through hole in the center,
Each connection end of the first and second clamp pieces has a proximal end region connected to the clamp piece, and a distal end region located on the distal end side of the proximal end region,
In a state where the proximal end region of the coupling end of the clamp piece is in contact with the inner peripheral side surface of the annular connecting member and the distal end region of the coupling end portion of the clamp piece is in contact with the outer peripheral side surface of the annular connecting member. Each end portion of the annular connecting member is caulked with a connecting end portion of the clamp piece.

  According to this configuration, both ends of the annular connecting member can be securely caulked at the proximal end and the distal end region of the connecting end of the first and second clamp pieces by a relatively simple plastic bending process.

  According to the clamping device of the present invention, it is possible to assemble an object to be fastened by one hand operation by one worker, simplifying the assembly and reducing the number of assembling steps. Moreover, there is no problem of sensitization of the metal structure because it is not necessary to go through a welding process. Furthermore, basically, the clamping device can be manufactured only by plastic processing such as press processing and bending processing, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The clamp instrument according to this invention is shown, (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view. The bottom view of the clamp instrument shown in FIG. The perspective view which expands and shows the connection member vicinity of a clamp instrument. The connection board as a connection member is shown, (A) is a top view, (B) is XX sectional drawing. The front view which shows the state which the clamp instrument of FIG. 1 opened. The front view which shows the closed state (at the time of fastening) of the clamp instrument of FIG. The schematic sectional drawing which shows the fastening aspect of the two flanges by a clamp instrument. (A)-(D) are fragmentary sectional views which show the various aspects of the crimping (caulking) in a connection board. The connection ring as a connection member is shown, (A) is a top view, (B) is a YY sectional view. (A) And (B) is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the various aspects of crimping (caulking) in a connection ring.

Several embodiments of the clamping device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1-7 and FIG. 8 (A) show one embodiment of a clamping device according to the present invention. The clamp device shown in FIG. 1 and the like includes a clamp body 10 including a pair of first and second clamp pieces 11 and 12 on the left and right sides, a connecting plate 30 as a connecting member for connecting two clamp pieces, a bolt 41, and And a fastener made of a nut 42.

  Each of the first and second clamp pieces 11, 12 constituting the clamp body 10 has a substantially semicircular arc shape, and has a U-shaped or V-shaped fastening groove 14 on the inner peripheral side of each clamp piece. doing. As shown in FIG. 7, the fastening groove 14 of the clamp body 10 is defined (partitioned) by a pair of groove forming walls 15 and 16 provided in the respective clamp pieces 11 and 12. Each of the first and second clamp pieces 11 and 12 has an ear portion 17 at one end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 1), and a connecting end portion 18 at the other end portion. The connecting end 18 of the first clamp piece 11 and the connecting end 18 of the second clamp piece 12 are connected via a connecting plate 30. Details of the connection structure (18, 30, 18) will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, by arranging the ear portion 17 of the first clamp piece 11 and the ear portion 17 of the second clamp piece 12 in close proximity to each other, the two clamp pieces connected by the connecting plate 30 can be used. The clamp body 10 can be substantially C-shaped when viewed from the front. In the example of FIG. 1, the head of the bolt 41 is fixed to the ear portion 17 of the first clamp piece 11 by caulking (caulking), and the shaft portion of the bolt 41 is provided on the ear portion 17 of the second clamp piece 12. Is inserted into a hole (not shown). Then, the nut body 42 is screwed onto the shaft portion of the bolt 41 projecting to the right side of the ear portion 17 of the second clamp piece 12, so that the clamp body 10 can have a generally annular shape as viewed from the front. (See FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), each of the two ears 17 protrudes radially outward at the end of a substantially annular clamp body 10. Each ear portion 17 includes a pair of side walls 21, a curved outer end wall 22, a seating surface wall 23, and an arcuate fulcrum portion 24.

  In each ear portion 17, the pair of side walls 21 are connected to the pair of groove forming walls 15 and 16 that define the fastening groove 14, respectively. The curved outer end wall 22 connects a pair of side walls 21 on the outer end side of each ear portion 17, and the pair of side walls 21 and the outer end wall 22 are standing walls (three sides) surrounding three sides of each ear portion 17. (Upright wall). The seat surface wall 23 is a wall portion that is continuous with the pair of side walls 21 and the outer end wall 22 and provides a seat surface (sitting surface) of the bolt 41 or the nut 42. That is, in the ear portion 17 of the first clamp piece 11, the seat surface wall 23 of the ear portion provides a seat surface for the bolt 41, and in the ear portion 17 of the second clamp piece 12, A seat wall 23 provides a seat for the nut 42.

  Further, at the edge of the outer end wall 22 of each ear 17 of each of the first and second clamp pieces 11, 12, a fulcrum portion 24 having an arc shape (in this example, an elliptical arc shape) is curved on each outer end wall 22. It is formed to extend along the direction. Each fulcrum portion 24 has an elliptic arc shape (see FIG. 1B), and both ends of each fulcrum portion 24 reach the pair of side walls 21 and are integrated with each side wall 21. That is, the three-way upright walls (21, 22, 21) in each ear portion 17 are connected to each other by an elliptical arc-shaped fulcrum portion 24 that develops like a sword's heel.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connecting plate 30 is provided as a metal plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the connecting plate 31 has two parallel long holes (first holes). An insertion hole 31 and a second insertion hole 32) are formed through. In addition, in this specification, the both ends 30a of the connection board 30 point out the side which has adjoined the two penetration holes 31 and 32, and divided the outer peripheral wall of each penetration hole. The connecting plate 30 is preferably made of, for example, a stainless steel plate having a thickness of 0.8 to 1.5 mm. In that case, the connecting plate 30 can be connected only by the hand of the operator (that is, without using a special bending tool). The plate 30 can be plastically deformed. Specifically, since the meat portions 33 located at both ends of the two insertion holes 31 and 32 are relatively narrow portions in the connecting plate 30, two meats at both ends of each insertion hole are provided. The connecting plate 30 can be bent only by the operator's hand along the line connecting the portions 33 (virtual folding line L). In addition, it may replace with a stainless steel plate as the connection board 30, and you may make it use a spring steel plate (stainless steel plate for springs).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 8 (A), in the clamping device of the present embodiment, both end portions 30a of the connecting plate disposed in the vicinity of the opposed lower end portions of the first and second clamp pieces 11, 12. Are clamped (clamped) at the connecting end 18 of the first clamp piece 11 and the connecting end 18 of the second clamp piece 12, thereby connecting the two clamp pieces 11, 12 to the connecting plate 30. . Specifically, after the connection end 18 of the first clamp piece 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 31 of the connection plate so as to go from the inside of the annular clamp device to the outside, the first clamp hole 11 passes through the first insertion hole 31. The tip end portion of the connecting end portion 18 is folded back to the back side of the first clamp piece 11 (outward folding to the back side of the first clamp piece). Similarly, after the connection end 18 of the second clamp piece 12 is inserted into the second insertion hole 32 of the connection plate so as to go from the inside of the annular clamp device to the outside, the connection end passed through the second insertion hole 32. The tip of the portion 18 is folded back to the back side of the second clamp piece 12 (outward folding to the back side of the second clamp piece). By these outward folding operations, both end portions 30a of the connecting plate are caulked in a state of being sandwiched between the back side of each clamp piece and the connecting end portion 18 folded back to the back side of the clamp piece. The first clamp piece 11, the connecting plate 30, and the second clamp piece are connected to each other in a mutually restrictive manner (or in an interdependent manner).

  In addition, according to FIG. 8 (A), each connection end part 18 of a 1st and 2nd clamp piece is located in the front end side rather than the base end area | region 18a connected to a corresponding clamp piece, and its base end area | region 18a. And a distal end region 18b. In the caulking state shown in FIG. 8A, the proximal end region 18a of the connecting end is disposed in or near the insertion hole, and the distal end region 18b of the connecting end is in contact with the back surface of the clamp piece. Yes.

The usage method of the clamp instrument of this embodiment is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the natural state before the nut 42 is screwed onto the bolt 41, the clamp body 10 has two clamp pieces 11 and 12 with a predetermined opening angle θ (θ = 30 to 50 °). Opened at. That is, by caulking the connecting plate 30 at the respective connecting end portions 18 of the clamp pieces 11 and 12, the free movement of both the clamp pieces 11 and 12 with respect to the connecting plate 30 is restricted. It is possible to maintain the posture in which the two clamp pieces 11 and 12 are opened at the opening angle θ. Therefore, the operator can hold the clamp device in the open posture only by supporting one of the first clamp piece 11 or the second clamp piece 12 with one hand. In addition, according to the clamp instrument of this embodiment, the opening angle (theta) can also be adjusted by slightly bending the connection board 30 along the virtual bending line L shown, for example in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, in the state where two objects to be fastened (in FIG. 7, the flange 51f of the first piping component 51 and the flange 52f of the second piping component 52) are joined together, 51f, 52f), the clamp body 10 is fitted from the outside. As described above, since the clamp body 10 maintains the opening posture of the opening angle θ, it is easy to externally fit the clamp body 10 to the outer peripheral portion of the joining flange. After the outer fitting to the joining flange, the ear portion 17 of the first clamp piece 11 and the ear portion 17 of the second clamp piece 12 are brought close to each other, and a nut 42 is screwed onto the shaft portion of the bolt 41 and tightened. By fastening with the fasteners (41, 42), the diameter of the substantially annular clamp body 10 is gradually reduced (see FIG. 6), and the joining flanges (51f, 52f) gradually enter deeper into the fastening groove 14 of the clamp body. Be made. Along with this, a fastening force (flange fastening force F in FIG. 7) in a direction in which the two flanges 51 and 52 strengthen the joint is developed, and fastening between the joint flanges by the clamp device is achieved.

  According to this embodiment, the operator only supports one of the first clamp piece 11 or the second clamp piece 12 with one hand, and the first clamp piece 11 and the second clamp piece 12 are connected to the connecting plate 30. It is possible to maintain an opening angle θ that is convenient for the fastening operation via the. In other words, it is possible to assemble the object to be fastened by one-hand work by one worker, simplifying the assembly and reducing the number of assembling steps.

  In the present embodiment, the two clamp pieces 11 and 12 and the connecting plate 30 are interconnected by caulking, and basically can be manufactured only by plastic working such as press working and bending working. Can be reduced. In addition, since there is no welding point in the clamping device of the present embodiment, there is no fear of sensitization of the metal structure as in the conventional example.

  [Modification] The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 (A), but is changed in the manner shown in the drawings after FIG. 8 (B). You can also

  In FIG. 8A, the coupling end 18 of the clamp piece has such a length that the tip region 18b abuts on the back surface of the clamp piece. However, as shown in FIG. The connecting end 18 may be shorter. Even in this case, both end portions 30a of the connecting plate can be caulked in a state of being sandwiched between the back side of each clamp piece and the connecting end portion 18 folded back on the back side of the clamp piece.

  8 (A) and 8 (B), the connecting end 18 of the clamp piece is folded outwardly to the back side of the clamp piece, and crimped. However, as shown in FIGS. 8 (C) and 8 (D), the clamp piece is clamped. Caulking may be performed by folding the connecting end portion 18 of the piece inward to the abdominal surface side (fastening groove 14 side) of the clamp piece. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the connecting plate insertion hole 32 (or 31) is formed so that the connecting end 18 of the clamp piece 12 (or 11) is directed from the outside to the inside of the annular clamp device. Then, the distal end region 18b of the connecting end 18 passing through the insertion hole 32 (or 31) is folded back to the abdominal surface side of the clamp piece 12 (or 11). By such an inward folding operation to the abdominal surface side of the clamp piece, the end portion 30a of the connecting member can be caulked so as to be sandwiched between the proximal end region 18a and the distal end region 18b of the connecting end portion of the clamp piece.

  In the caulking cases of FIGS. 8A to 8D, the plate-like connecting plate 30 is used, but instead of the connecting plate 30, for example, a connecting ring 35 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is used. It may be adopted. The connecting ring 35 in FIG. 9 is an annular member having a substantially square shape in plan view, and has a through hole 36 in the center area thereof. The thickness T of the connecting ring 35 is substantially equal to the width W of the ring portion, and both the thickness T and the width W are preferably set to 3 to 5 mm.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show caulking cases when the connecting ring 35 is used. In these cases, the connection end 18 of the clamp piece 12 (or 11) is inserted into the through hole 36 of the connection ring 35 so as to be directed outward from the inside of the annular clamp device, and then connected through the through hole 36. The tip region 18 b of the end 18 is folded back to the outer peripheral side surface 38 of the connecting ring 35. By such an outward folding operation to the outer peripheral side surface of the connecting ring, the base end region 18a of the clamp piece connecting end is brought into contact with the inner peripheral side surface 37 of the connecting ring 35 and the clamp piece is connected to the outer peripheral side surface 38 of the connecting ring 35. Both ends of the connecting ring with the tip region 18b at the end in contact (that is, with the end 35a of the connecting ring sandwiched between the base region 18a and the tip region 18b of the clamp piece connecting end) The part 35a can be caulked by the connecting end 18 of the clamp piece.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Clamp main body, 11 1st clamp piece, 12 2nd clamp piece 14 U-shaped or V-shaped fastening groove, 15, 16 A pair of groove forming walls, 17 Ear part 18 Connection end part, 18a Base end area, 18b Tip area 30 connection plate (plate-like connection member), 30a both end portions 31 first insertion hole, 32 second insertion hole 35 connection ring (annular connection member), 35a both end portions 36 through hole, 37 inner peripheral side surface, 38 outer peripheral side surface 41 bolt 42 nuts (41 and 42 constitute fasteners)
51f, 52f Flange (fastened object) of first and second piping parts

Claims (5)

A clamp body composed of a first clamp piece and a second clamp piece each having a substantially semicircular arc shape, and a connecting member for connecting the two clamp pieces;
Each of the two clamp pieces includes a U-shaped or V-shaped fastening groove defined by a pair of groove forming walls, an ear located at one end of each clamp piece, A connecting end located at the other end,
In the clamp device that can apply a fastening force to the object to be fastened arranged in the fastening groove by attaching a fastener to both ears of the two clamp pieces arranged opposite to each other and fastening the fastener.
The two clamp pieces are connected to the connection member by caulking both ends of the connection member with the connection end of the first clamp piece and the connection end of the second clamp piece, respectively. Features clamping device.   The connection member is a plastically deformable plate-like connection member, and the plate-like connection member has first and second insertion holes for inserting the connection end portions of the first and second clamp pieces, respectively. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device is provided. Each connection end of the first and second clamp pieces is folded back to the back side of the corresponding clamp piece,
Each end of the connecting member is caulked in a state of being disposed between the back side of the clamp piece and the connecting end part folded back to the back side of the clamp piece. 2. The clamping device according to 2. Each connection end of the first and second clamp pieces has a proximal end region connected to the clamp piece, and a distal end region located on the distal end side of the proximal end region,
Each end part of the said connection member is crimped in the state arrange | positioned between the base end area | region and front-end | tip area | region of the connection end part of each clamp piece, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Clamping instrument. The connecting member is an annular connecting member having a through hole in the center,
Each connection end of the first and second clamp pieces has a proximal end region connected to the clamp piece, and a distal end region located on the distal end side of the proximal end region,
In a state where the proximal end region of the coupling end of the clamp piece is in contact with the inner peripheral side surface of the annular connecting member and the distal end region of the coupling end portion of the clamp piece is in contact with the outer peripheral side surface of the annular connecting member. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein each end portion of the annular connecting member is caulked with a connecting end portion of the clamp piece.

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