JP3245128U - Regulatory mechanism and linear actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a regulating mechanism and a linear actuator that can easily adjust the movable range of a slider. A regulating mechanism 16 regulates the movement of a slider 14 capable of holding a workpiece. The regulating mechanism 16 includes a regulating block 150 provided on the actuator 12 that moves the slider 14 along the slide directions D1 and D2, a stopper member 152 provided on the regulating block 150 and regulating the movement of the slider 14, and the regulating block 150. A set screw 154 is provided to suppress displacement of the stopper member 152 in the axial direction. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a regulating mechanism and a linear actuator.

Patent Document 1 discloses an actuator that moves a slide table (slider) capable of holding a work along a sliding direction. The actuator includes a cylinder (cylinder body) and a piston rod. As the piston rod is displaced, an end plate connected to the piston rod and a slide table fixed to the end plate reciprocate linearly along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder body.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-151039

The movable range of the slider may be adjusted. In this case, it is desired to easily perform the adjustment work.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

One aspect of the present invention is a regulation mechanism that regulates movement of a slider capable of holding a workpiece, the regulation mechanism including a regulation block provided in an actuator that moves the slider along a sliding direction, and a regulation block provided in the regulation block, and comprising a stopper member extending in the axial direction along the sliding direction and regulating movement of the slider, and a set screw provided on the regulating block and suppressing displacement of the stopper member in the axial direction, The regulation block includes a through hole that extends in the axial direction and into which the stopper member is inserted, and a through hole that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and communicates with the through hole and is screwed with the set screw. A screw hole is formed.

Another aspect of the present invention is a linear actuator including the above-mentioned regulation mechanism.

According to one aspect of the present invention, adjustment work can be easily performed.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a linear actuator according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the regulation mechanism. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the buffer member. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a linear actuator of a comparative example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the linear actuator of this embodiment is adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the linear actuator 10 includes an actuator 12, a slider 14 capable of holding a workpiece, and two regulating mechanisms 16. The linear actuator 10 is used, for example, to transport a workpiece. The regulating mechanism 16 is applicable to devices other than the linear actuator 10.

Actuator 12 has a cylinder 120 and a piston rod 130. The actuator 12 moves the slider 14 along the sliding direction.

The cylinder 120 is made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum, for example. The cylinder 120 has a guide surface GF, an installation surface IF, a first side surface SF1, a second side surface SF2, a third side surface SF3, and a fourth side surface SF4.

The guide surface GF is a surface for guiding the slider 14. Although the guide groove 122 is formed in the guide surface GF, it is not necessary to form it. The guide groove 122 is located approximately at the center of the cylinder 120 in the width direction and extends along the sliding direction. The sliding direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 120, and includes a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. The installation surface IF is a surface for installing the linear actuator 10 on another member. The installation surface IF is located on the opposite side to the guide surface GF. The first side surface SF1 and the second side surface SF2 are both surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 120. The first side surface SF1 and the second side surface SF2 face each other in the width direction of the cylinder 120. The third side surface SF3 and the fourth side surface SF4 are both surfaces along the width direction of the cylinder 120. The third side surface SF3 and the fourth side surface SF4 face each other in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 120.

A first supply/discharge port 124 and a second supply/discharge port 126 are formed in the first side surface SF1. The internal space of the cylinder 120 is divided into a first pressure chamber (not shown) and a second pressure chamber (not shown) by a piston (not shown) arranged inside the cylinder 120. The first pressure chamber is located on the first direction D1 side with respect to the piston. The second pressure chamber is located on the second direction D2 side with respect to the piston. The first supply/discharge port 124 communicates with the first pressure chamber. The second supply/discharge port 126 communicates with the second pressure chamber. A piston rod 130 is attached to the piston. Although the number of piston rods 130 attached to the piston is two in FIG. 1, it is not limited to this.

A fluid such as air is supplied to one of the first supply and discharge port 124 and the second supply and discharge port 126. When fluid is supplied to the second supply/discharge port 126, the piston rod 130 moves in the first direction D1. According to this movement, the fluid in the first pressure chamber is discharged from the first supply/discharge port 124. When fluid is supplied to the first supply/discharge port 124, the piston rod 130 moves in the second direction D2. According to this movement, the fluid in the second pressure chamber is discharged from the second supply/discharge port 126.

The slider 14 includes a slider body 140, a protrusion 142, and a connecting portion 144. The slider body 140 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The slider body 140 is provided so as to be movable along the guide groove 122 of the cylinder 120. The slider body 140 has a holding surface HF on which a workpiece is held. The slider body 140 has a slide surface (not shown) that faces the guide surface GF of the cylinder 120. The holding surface HF is a surface opposite to the sliding surface.

The protruding portion 142 is a portion that protrudes from the slider body 140 laterally (in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction). Since the protrusion 142 protrudes from the slider body 140, movement of the slider body 140 is regulated by the regulation mechanism 16. The protrusion 142 is fixed to the slider body 140 by a fastening member FM such as a bolt. Note that the protrusion 142 may be formed integrally with the slider body 140.

The connecting portion 144 is a portion that connects the slider body 140 and the piston rod 130. The connecting portion 144 is arranged facing the third side surface SF3 of the cylinder 120. Piston rod 130 includes a first rod end (not shown) and a second rod end (not shown) opposite the first rod end. A piston is connected to the first rod end. A connecting portion 144 is connected to the second rod end. The second rod end of the piston rod 130 and the first longitudinal end 14A of the slider body 140 are each fixed to the connecting portion 144 by a fastening member FM. Note that the connecting portion 144 may be formed integrally with the slider body 140.

The two regulating mechanisms 16 are mechanisms for regulating the movement of the slider 14. The regulating mechanism 16A, which is one of the two regulating mechanisms 16, regulates movement of the slider 14 in the first direction D1. The other of the two regulating mechanisms 16, the regulating mechanism 16B, regulates the movement of the slider 14 in the second direction D2.

The regulating mechanism 16A and the regulating mechanism 16B have substantially the same configuration. The regulating mechanism 16A and the regulating mechanism 16B each include a regulating block 150, a stopper member 152, a set screw 154, and a buffer member 156. The regulation block 150 of the regulation mechanism 16A is provided on the first side surface SF1 of the cylinder 120. The regulation block 150 of the regulation mechanism 16B is provided on the fourth side surface SF4 of the cylinder 120. Although the shape of the regulation block 150 of the regulation mechanism 16A and the shape of the regulation block 150 of the regulation mechanism 16B are different in the example shown in FIG. 1, they may be the same.

Details of the regulation block 150, stopper member 152, set screw 154, and buffer member 156 will be explained using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the regulation mechanism 16A.

The regulation block 150 is formed with a through hole TH and a screw hole SH. The through hole TH penetrates the regulation block 150 along the sliding direction of the slider 14 (FIG. 1). A thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole TH. A stopper member 152 is inserted into the through hole TH. The axial direction AX of the stopper member 152 coincides with the extending direction of the through hole TH. A set screw 154 can be screwed into the screw hole SH. The screw hole SH extends along a direction intersecting the extending direction of the through hole TH and communicates with the through hole TH. That is, the screw hole SH extends along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction AX of the stopper member 152 and communicates with the through hole TH.

One or more fastening holes CH may be formed in the regulating block 150. A fastening member FM is inserted into the fastening hole CH. The restriction block 150 is fixed to the cylinder 120 (FIG. 1) by the fastening member FM inserted into the fastening hole CH. Note that the regulation block 150 may be formed integrally with the cylinder 120. In this case, one or more fastening holes CH are not formed in the regulation block 150.

The stopper member 152 is a rod-shaped screw member that restricts the movement of the slider 14. The stopper member 152 is provided on the regulation block 150. A thread groove corresponding to a thread groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole TH is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the stopper member 152. The stopper member 152 is screwed and inserted into the through hole TH.

A tool fitting portion FH1 into which a bar-shaped tool can be fitted is formed at an end E1 of the stopper member 152 in the first direction D1. The rod-shaped tool may be a polygonal wrench such as a hexagonal wrench, or a screwdriver.

The length of the stopper member 152 in the axial direction AX is longer than the length of the through hole TH formed in the regulation block 150 in the extending direction. An end E2 of the stopper member 152 in the second direction D2 protrudes from the through hole TH to the outside of the regulation block 150. When the end E2 of the stopper member 152 provided in the regulating mechanism 16A comes into contact with the protrusion 142 of the slider 14, movement of the slider 14 in the first direction D1 is regulated. When the end E2 of the stopper member 152 provided in the regulating mechanism 16B comes into contact with the second end 14B of the slider 14, movement of the slider 14 in the second direction D2 is regulated. Alternatively, when the end E2 of the stopper member 152 provided in the regulating mechanism 16B comes into contact with the protrusion 142 of the slider 14, the movement of the slider 14 in the second direction D2 may be regulated. The second end 14B of the slider 14 is the end opposite to the first end 14A of the slider 14. Note that a cushioning material (not shown) such as rubber may be attached to the end E2 of the stopper member 152.

The stopper member 152 is fixed to the regulation block 150 by a set screw 154. When the fixation by the set screw 154 is released, the amount of protrusion of the stopper member 152 from the through hole TH can be adjusted. In the regulating mechanism 16A, the larger the amount of protrusion of the stopper member 152 from the through hole TH in the second direction D2, the smaller the amount of movement of the slider 14. Conversely, the smaller the amount of protrusion of the stopper member 152 from the through hole TH in the second direction D2, the greater the amount of movement of the slider 14. In the regulating mechanism 16B, the larger the amount of protrusion of the stopper member 152 from the through hole TH in the first direction D1, the smaller the amount of movement of the slider 14. Conversely, the smaller the amount of protrusion of the stopper member 152 from the through hole TH in the first direction D1, the greater the amount of movement of the slider 14.

The set screw 154 is a member that suppresses displacement of the stopper member 152 in the axial direction AX. A set screw 154 is provided on the restriction block 150. The set screw 154 is screwed into the screw hole SH of the regulation block 150.

An end portion E11 of the set screw 154 is disposed within the screw hole SH. An end E12 of the set screw 154 opposite to the end E11 may be placed inside the screw hole SH or outside the screw hole SH. A tool fitting portion FH2 into which a rod-shaped tool can be fitted is formed at the end E12 of the set screw 154.

The set screw 154 moves toward the stopper member 152 when rotated in the first rotation direction by the bar-shaped tool fitted into the tool fitting portion FH2. In response to this movement, the stopper member 152 is fixed to the regulation block 150, and displacement of the stopper member 152 in the axial direction AX is suppressed. On the other hand, the set screw 154 moves away from the stopper member 152 when rotated in the second rotation direction by the rod-shaped tool fitted into the tool fitting portion FH2. In response to this movement, the fixation of the stopper member 152 to the regulation block 150 is released.

The buffer member 156 is arranged between the stopper member 152 and the set screw 154. The buffer member 156 is made of aluminum or the like, and when the set screw 154 is screwed in, the buffer member 156 is pressed between the set screw 154 and the stopper member 152 and is plastically deformed. If a thread groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stopper member 152, the stopper member 152 bites into the buffer member 156. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a bite recess 158 is formed on the surface of the buffer member 156 by the stopper member 152 biting into it. Therefore, displacement of the stopper member 152 in the axial direction AX can be suppressed favorably.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a linear actuator 100 of a comparative example. In FIG. 4, the same components as those described in this embodiment are given the same reference numerals. In the linear actuator 100 of the comparative example, an object to be held (work) 160 is placed on the holding surface HF of the slider 14 . Furthermore, in the linear actuator 100 of the comparative example, the cylinder 120 is placed on the placement plate 170. Furthermore, in the linear actuator 100 of the comparative example, a lock nut 180 is provided on the stopper member 152. The lock nut 180 is located between the object to be held 160 and the mounting plate 170.

In the comparative example, when fixing the stopper member 152 at a desired position, the user fits a spanner 190 into the lock nut 180 and rotates it. In this case, the spanner 190 comes into contact with the object to be held 160 or the mounting plate 170. Therefore, rotation of the spanner 190 is restricted. That is, in the comparative example, the spanner 190 can only be rotated slightly. Therefore, the user needs to repeatedly fit the spanner 190 into the lock nut 180 and rotate it.

The number of times the above operation is performed largely depends on the size of the object to be held 160 and the holding surface HF of the slider body 140 on which the object to be held 160 is placed. Furthermore, the number of times the above-mentioned work is performed depends on the height dimension LD of the actuator 12. The height dimension LD of the actuator 12 is the distance between the holding surface HF of the slider body 140 and the installation surface IF of the cylinder 120. The height dimension LD of the actuator 12 is smaller than the width dimension WD of the actuator 12. The width dimension WD of the actuator 12 is the distance between the first side surface SF1 and the second side surface SF2 that face each other in the width direction of the cylinder 120.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the linear actuator 10 of this embodiment is adjusted. The viewpoint in FIG. 5 is the same as the viewpoint in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, a set screw 154 is used to fix the stopper member 152 at a desired position. The set screw 154 is located between the object to be held 160 and the mounting plate 170.

The user fits the first end E21 of the hex wrench 200 into the tool fitting portion FH2 of the set screw 154 and rotates it in the first rotation direction. In this case, the hexagonal wrench 200 does not contact the object to be held 160 or the mounting plate 170. Therefore, the rotation of the hexagonal wrench 200 is not restricted. Therefore, the user can fix the stopper member 152 with the set screw 154 without refitting the hex wrench 200 to the set screw 154. As a result, according to the regulation mechanism 16 of this embodiment, adjustment work can be easily performed.

Note that in this embodiment, when changing the amount of movement of the slider 14 in the first direction D1, the user releases the fixation of the set screw 154. In this case, the user fits the first end E21 of the hex wrench 200 into the tool fitting portion FH2 of the set screw 154 and rotates it in the second rotation direction. With the stopper member 152 unlocked, the user fits the second end E22 of the hexagonal wrench 200 into the tool fitting portion FH1 (see FIG. 2) of the stopper member 152, and rotates the hexagonal wrench 200 in the first rotation direction or Rotate in the direction of rotation shown in step 2. Therefore, the user can rotate the stopper member 152 without refitting the hex wrench 200, similar to when rotating the set screw 154.

In the regulating mechanism 16 of the present embodiment, a buffer member 156 that is pressed between the set screw 154 and the stopper member 152 and undergoes plastic deformation is arranged between the stopper member 152 and the set screw 154. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, displacement of the stopper member 152 in the axial direction AX can be suppressed favorably.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuator 12 is provided with two regulating mechanisms 16. The stopper member 152 of the regulating mechanism 16A, which is one of the two regulating mechanisms 16, regulates the movement of the slider 14 in the first direction D1. Further, the stopper member 152 of the regulating mechanism 16B, which is the other of the two regulating mechanisms 16, regulates the movement of the slider 14 in the second direction D2. Thereby, the degree of freedom in adjusting the movement range of the slider 14 can be increased compared to the case where the actuator 12 is provided with only one regulating mechanism 16.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

For example, the stopper member 152 may be a rod-shaped pin member. That is, the thread groove does not need to be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stopper member 152. In this case, the tool fitting portion FH1 may not be formed at the end portion E1 of the stopper member 152. Further, in this case, a thread groove does not need to be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole TH into which the stopper member 152 is inserted. Even in such a case, the adjustment work can be easily performed as in the above embodiment.

The number of regulating mechanisms 16 provided in the linear actuator 10 may be one. That is, either one of the regulating mechanism 16A and the regulating mechanism 16B may not be provided. Even in such a case, the adjustment work can be easily performed as in the above embodiment.

The buffer member 156 may not be provided. Even in such a case, the adjustment work can be easily performed as in the above embodiment.

Regarding the above-mentioned invention, the following additional notes are further disclosed.

(Additional note 1)
The present disclosure provides a regulation mechanism (16) that regulates a slider (14) capable of holding a workpiece, and a regulation block (16) provided on an actuator (12) that moves the slider along a sliding direction (D1, D2). 150), a stopper member (152) provided on the regulation block, extending in the axial direction (AX) along the sliding direction, and regulating movement of the slider; and a stopper member (152) provided on the regulation block, extending in the axial direction (AX) along the sliding direction, and a set screw (154) for suppressing displacement in the axial direction, and the regulating block has a through hole (TH) extending in the axial direction and into which the stopper member is inserted; A screw hole (SH) is formed that extends along a direction perpendicular to the direction, communicates with the through hole, and screws into the set screw.

(Additional note 2)
The regulating mechanism according to supplementary note 1, including a buffer member (156) disposed between the stopper member and the set screw, the buffer member being pressed between the set screw and the stopper member. It may also be plastically deformed.

(Additional note 3)
The regulating mechanism according to supplementary note 1, wherein two regulating blocks are provided on the actuator, and the stopper member provided on one of the two regulating blocks is arranged in a first direction of the sliding directions. (D1), and the stopper member provided on the other of the two regulating blocks moves in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction of the slide directions. The movement of the slider may be restricted.

(Additional note 4)
In the regulating mechanism described in Supplementary Note 1, a tool fitting portion (FH2) into which a bar-shaped tool can be fitted may be formed at the end portion (E12) of the set screw.

(Appendix 5)
The regulation mechanism according to supplementary note 1, wherein the actuator includes a cylinder (120) in which the regulation block is provided, and a piston rod (130) that is moved by fluid supplied to the inside of the cylinder, and the actuator may be connected to the piston rod and movable along a guide surface (GF) provided in the cylinder.

(Appendix 6)
The present disclosure may be a linear actuator (10) including the regulation mechanism described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the disclosure described above, and may take various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Linear actuator 12... Actuator 14... Slider 16... Regulation mechanism 120... Cylinder 130... Piston rod 140... Slider body 142... Projection part 144... Connection part 150... Regulation block 152... Stopper member 154... Set screw 156... Buffer member

Claims (6)

A regulating mechanism that regulates movement of a slider capable of holding a workpiece,
a regulation block provided on an actuator that moves the slider along a sliding direction;
a stopper member provided on the regulation block, extending in an axial direction along the sliding direction, and regulating movement of the slider;
a set screw provided on the regulation block and configured to suppress displacement of the stopper member in the axial direction;
Equipped with
The regulation block includes:
a through hole that extends in the axial direction and into which the stopper member is inserted; and a screw hole that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, communicates with the through hole, and is screwed with the set screw. A regulatory mechanism is being formed. The regulatory mechanism according to claim 1,
comprising a buffer member disposed between the stopper member and the set screw,
A regulating mechanism in which the buffer member is pressed between the set screw and the stopper member and is plastically deformed. The regulatory mechanism according to claim 1,
Two of the regulation blocks are provided on the actuator,
The stopper member provided on one of the two regulating blocks regulates movement of the slider in a first direction of the sliding directions,
The stopper member provided on the other of the two restriction blocks restricts movement of the slider in a second direction opposite to the first direction among the sliding directions. The regulatory mechanism according to claim 1,
A regulating mechanism in which a tool fitting portion into which a bar-shaped tool can be fitted is formed at an end of the set screw. The regulatory mechanism according to claim 1,
The actuator is
comprising a cylinder in which the regulation block is provided, and a piston rod that is moved by fluid supplied to the inside of the cylinder,
The said slider is connected to the said piston rod, and is movable along the guide surface with which the said cylinder was equipped. A linear actuator comprising the regulating mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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