JP3858425B2 - Knockout device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a knockout device capable of carrying out casting without causing any squeeze between a locating pin after processing a cast molded product or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as a workpiece).
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, the knockout device is used when taking out the workpiece after performing press processing, forging processing, machining, etc. from the processing position to the outside. When the workpiece is unloaded, the locating pin used for positioning the workpiece is used. The problem is that so-called twisting occurs with the workpiece.
[0003]
For example, a power steering housing used in an automobile steering mechanism is molded by casting and then assembled into a turret machine or the like equipped with the knockout device, and various machining processes such as boring, tapping and fine boring are performed. The processed product is taken out from the processing position to the outside by a knockout device.
[0004]
In this case, since the locating pin and the work are closely fitted to ensure the positioning of the work, the work may be twisted against the locating pin when the work is unloaded. There is a problem.
[0005]
For example, when a conventional knockout device is set at a position where machining is performed on a workpiece, first, a plurality of movable locating pins provided so as to be movable up and down are fitted into a hole portion of the workpiece that is carried in, The clamper is lowered and the workpiece is clamped.
[0006]
When the predetermined machining is completed, the movable locating pin is lowered, the clamp by the clamper is released, the knockout pin is raised, the workpiece is moved to the carry-out position, and then the workpiece is carried out to the outside.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a movable locating pin has a lower locating position accuracy than a fixed locating pin provided in a fixed position, and there is a possibility that the machining accuracy when machined is lowered.
[0008]
Also, for example, when two locating pins are respectively fitted in the locating hole portion of the work, if there is a gap between one locating pin and the locating hole portion, when the work is knocked out from the locating pin, this One locating pin with a gap is likely to come off, and the workpiece is knocked out in a tilted state, and the locating hole of the workpiece is distorted by the locating pin, which causes problems such as damage to the workpiece.
[0009]
Furthermore, when the worker manually unloads the workpiece, if the workpiece is unloaded so as to move vertically upward, there is no problem, but the workpiece is unloaded or tilted. If it is carried out, the locating hole of the workpiece may come into contact with the locating pin, so-called twisting may occur, and the workpiece may be damaged. For this reason, if the workpiece is handled carefully, the productivity may be lowered.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and can position a plurality of types of workpieces with high accuracy by a fixed locating method, and can be reliably carried out without causing a twist or the like during knockout. Another object of the present invention is to provide a knockout device that is simple in structure and high in productivity.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
[0012]
(1) In a knockout device in which a workpiece positioned by a plurality of locating pins is clamped by clamping means, and after predetermined processing is performed, the locating pin is provided in a fixed position. A plurality of work support bases are elastically brought into contact with the work located on the locate pin, and the lock means and each work support base are moved together with the work by the moving means while maintaining the contact state by the lock means. A knockout device characterized by being moved to the unloading position.
[0013]
(2) The moving means includes a push bar connected to each work support base, and a drive mechanism that moves the work support base from the clamp position clamped by the clamp means to the carry-out position via the push bar. And a repelling means having a repelling force capable of moving the push bar together with the work and the work support, and a lock means for locking the movement of the push bar, and when the work is carried out, the work is carried out from the clamp position. At a middle position between the positions, the lock of the push bar by the locking means is released, and each work support base is supported by the repelling force of the repelling means. From the intermediate position to the carry-out position, the locking means The control unit controls all the push rods so that all the push rods are simultaneously moved to the unloading position by the drive mechanism in a state where all the push rods are collectively locked. Knockout device to do.
[0014]
(3) The knockout device according to claim 1, wherein at least a seating surface of the locating hole portion and a portion placed on the workpiece support base are machined.
[0015]
(4) The lock means includes a guide member that guides the push rod, and a fastening member that fastens and fixes the push rod provided between the guide member and the push rod, and operates the fastening member. A knockout device characterized in that the push rod is advanced and retracted in the radial direction of the push rod.
[0016]
(5) The drive mechanism has one fluid pressure cylinder device, converts the linear motion of the fluid pressure cylinder device into a rotation motion of the rotation shaft via the main link, and a spline portion provided on the rotation shaft A knockout device characterized in that the push bar is lifted and lowered by engaging the lift link and connecting the tip of the lift link and the lower end of the push bar.
[0017]
(6) The knockout device characterized in that the moving means moves a work supported horizontally on the work support by a push bar that moves up and down.
[0018]
(7) The knockout device, wherein the elastic means is disposed at a lower end portion of the push rod.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the locating pin is fixed in position, the workpiece positioning accuracy is improved, and the machining accuracy when machining is also improved.
[0020]
In addition, when the workpiece is unloaded, the workpiece support is elastically brought into contact with the positioned workpiece, so that the workpiece can be located in the original location regardless of the types of workpieces and the outer shape. If it is held on the work support base at the position and carried out while maintaining this state, it is possible to carry out surely without causing a twist or the like. According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the moving means unloads the work, the push bar is unlocked by the locking means at the intermediate position, and each work supporting base is supported by the elastic force of the elastic means. Is in a state where it can be detached from the locate pin while moving in parallel from the state at the time of clamping.
[0021]
Next, since the work is moved from the intermediate position to the carry-out position with all the push rods locked together, the work can be carried out without causing a twist or the like.
[0022]
Therefore, since the workpiece is temporarily elastically supported at the intermediate position when the workpiece is unloaded, such a difference is absorbed regardless of the types of workpieces and the outer shape. In this state, it is held at a predetermined position, for example, a horizontal position, and if it is carried out from this state, it can be reliably carried out without causing a twist or the like.
[0023]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when machining is performed on at least the seating surface of the locating hole portion of the workpiece and the portion placed on the workpiece support base, the positioning becomes more accurate and the twisting at the time of unloading is performed. Etc. can be prevented more reliably.
[0024]
In the invention according to claim 4, since the fastening member is operated in the radial direction of the push rod by the actuating means to lock the push rod, the lock means is compact as a whole and simplified in structure.
[0025]
Since the invention according to claim 5 is a drive mechanism composed of one fluid pressure cylinder device, a main link, a rotating shaft, a lifting link and the like, the push rod can be lifted and lowered with a simple configuration.
[0026]
In the invention described in claim 6, since the work supported horizontally on the support base is moved by the push bar that moves up and down, the work is moved up and down in a state of being held horizontally by gravity, and is highly convenient. It becomes a device.
[0027]
In the invention according to claim 7, since the elastic means is arranged at the lower end of the push bar, the push bar is moved up and down by the elastic means to move up and down, and the lock can be easily performed. it can.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a knockout device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a workpiece support base 32 is in contact with a workpiece W, and FIG. 2 shows a workpiece processed by the knockout device. A is a sectional view taken along line AA of B, B is a front view, C is a bottom view, FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional equivalent view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional equivalent view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. An equivalent diagram is shown.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, a knockout device 10 according to the present embodiment processes a power steering housing, and generally sets the position of a workpiece W on a base 12 provided at a lower portion of a frame 11. Positioning means 20, clamping means 30 for clamping workpiece W when machining, and moving means 40 for moving workpiece W after machining from the clamping position to the unloading position are provided.
[0030]
First, a power steering housing that is the workpiece W will be described. The workpiece W is formed by casting. The workpiece W is provided with seats for locating holes 13c and 13d in order to perform accurate positioning and to perform clamping more reliably and accurately. The part and both ends are machined in advance.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the workpiece W is machined so that the outer diameter on the boot side (left end) is D1, and the outer diameter on the cylinder side (right end) is D2, and the steering shaft is connected. In addition to the hole 13a and the hole 13b in which a rack is provided, locating holes 13c and 13d as shown in FIG. 2C are also provided.
[0032]
The workpieces W handled here are different in the dimensions of the outer diameters D 1 and D 2, and these various types of workpieces W are processed by one knockout device 10.
[0033]
In addition, the code | symbol "14" in a figure is a reference | standard certificate for a process, A clamp is performed on this reference | standard reference | standard 14, and machining is given.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the positioning means 20 has two locating pins 21 that are fixedly mounted on the base 12. These locating pins 21 are provided so as to protrude from the top of the base member 22 fixed on the base 12, and enter the locating holes 13 c and 13 d previously opened in the workpiece W to position the workpiece W.
[0035]
Since the locate pin 21 is fixed in position, it is superior in accuracy to the movable locate pin. The pitch of the locate holes 13c and 13d into which the locate pin 21 is fitted is different from that of the above-mentioned various types of workpieces. All of W are the same.
[0036]
The two locating pins 21 of the present embodiment are configured such that one is a diamond type (non-cylindrical), the other is a cylindrical type, and both are tapered at the upper end to further increase the positioning accuracy. However, the present invention is not limited to such a locating pin, and any of them may be a diamond type or a cylindrical type, and the shape is not limited.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1, the clamp means 30 clamps the workpiece W positioned by the positioning means 20 to perform machining, and is pressed from above and presses a reference certificate or the like of the workpiece W In order to raise and lower the pressing member 31 above the workpiece W, the member 31 is configured by a first cylinder device 32 attached to the upper portion of the frame body 11.
[0038]
The moving means 40 is provided on the upper side of the base 12 of the positioning means 20 and is attached to the receiving base 41 so as to be movable up and down, and is provided on the left and right so as to support both ends of the workpiece W. A workpiece support base 42, push rods 43 connected to the workpiece support bases 42, a drive mechanism 44 for moving the workpiece support bases 42 from the clamp position to the unloading position via the push rods 43, and the push rod 43 It has a repelling means 45 having a repelling force that can move together with the work support 42 that supports the work W, and a lock means 46 that locks the movement of the push bar 43.
[0039]
The workpiece support 42 is configured to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the workpiece W (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) at the time of changeover performed when the workpiece W has a different length.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 4, the drive mechanism 44 has one second cylinder device 47. The rod 48 is reciprocated linearly by the second cylinder device 47. The rotary shaft 47 converts the rotary motion into a rotational motion via the main link L1 and the spline portion S1 with the tips fitted to the tip.
[0041]
In particular, the second cylinder device 47 is controlled by the control unit C in order to determine the vertical position of the work support base 42 according to the protruding length of the rod 48.
[0042]
The control unit C includes dogs D1, D2, and D3 (D is a generic name of these) provided at the upward projecting portion of the rod 48, limit switches LS1, LS2, and LS3 operated by these dogs D, And the hydraulic circuit (not shown) of the second cylinder device 47 controlled by the above-described control, and the work support 42 is controlled to stop at the lower limit, the intermediate position, and the upper limit.
[0043]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, elevating links L2 and L3 are connected to the rotating shaft 49 through spline portions S2 and S3. The elevating links L2 and L3 are connected to the operating members M2 and M3 shown in FIG. The push rods 43 are respectively driven via the. Each push bar 43 is provided corresponding to each of the elevating links L2, L3 and the operating members M2, M3, and is moved up and down via the elevating links L2, L3 and the operating members M2, M3.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 6, each push bar 43 is slidably held by a first guide member 50 and a second guide member 51 provided in the through hole 12 a of the base 12, and the work support base is provided at the upper end. 42 is attached, and a spring member which is the elastic means 45 is coaxially abutted on the lower end.
[0045]
The elastic means 45 is disposed between the operating members M2 and M3 attached to the second guide member 51 by bolts and the lower end of the push bar 43, and the strength of the elastic force is determined by the workpiece support. The push bar 43 can be raised together with the workpiece W placed on the table 42.
[0046]
The first guide member 50 can slide up and down with respect to the base 12, and the second guide member 51 can slide up and down within the first guide member 50. It has become.
[0047]
Further, the push rod 43 is guided by the first guide member 50 and the second guide member 51, and a groove portion 52 having a predetermined length in the vertical direction is formed in a portion in contact with the first guide member 50, A tip 53 a of a bolt 53 is fitted into the groove 52 to prevent the push rod 43 from rotating.
[0048]
Locking means 46 for locking the push bar 43 so as not to move up and down is provided at an intermediate portion of the push bar 43. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lock means 46 includes a tightening member 54 and an operation means 55 that operates the tightening member 54. In the present embodiment, the operation means 55 is provided. Is a fluid pressure means for introducing a pressure fluid into the rear end portion of the fastening member 54.
[0049]
Note that an engagement plate 51 a that engages with a step portion of the push rod 43 is provided on the top of the second guide member 51. This is so that when the locking means 46 locks the push bar 43, the engagement plate 51a is engaged with the step portion of the push bar 43, and the push bar 43 is more reliably locked.
[0050]
The tightening member 54 can expand and contract in the radial direction provided between the second guide member 51 and the push rod 43, and the pressure fluid from the actuating means 55 is introduced into the tightening member 54. Then, the push rod 43 is protruded inward in the radial direction, and the push rod 43 is tightened so that the push rod 43 cannot be moved up and down.
[0051]
The pressure fluid from the actuating means 55 passes through the passage T 1 established in the base 12, the passage T 2 established so as to penetrate the first guide member 50, and a predetermined length in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface of the second guide member 51. The fastening member 54 acts on the rear end portion of the fastening member 54 through the passage T3 formed so as to extend through the passage T4 formed so as to penetrate the second guide member 51.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.
First, the workpiece W is carried into the knockout device 10 according to the present embodiment. This carry-in may be performed automatically by a robot or other device, but is manually performed in this embodiment.
[0053]
The loaded work W is supported by the locating holes 13c and 13d fitted into the two locating pins 21 on the base 12.
[0054]
Next, the first cylinder device 32 of the clamping means 30 is driven, the pressing member 31 is lowered, the reference mark 14 of the workpiece W is pressed, and the workpiece W is clamped at the position positioned on the locate pin 21. The In addition, when the reference certificate 14 of the workpiece W is not reliably pressed by the pressing member 31 during pressing by the pressing member 31, the pressing member 31 may be rotated to some extent.
[0055]
At this time, the work support 42 is in a lower limit that does not cause interference with the work W. That is, the second cylinder device 47 that drives the work support 42 is at the lower limit, and this position is detected by the lower limit switch LS1. Further, the push bar 43 is not locked by the lock means 46.
[0056]
In this state, the workpiece W is subjected to various machining operations such as boring, tapping, fine boring, etc., by a turret machine (not shown) attached to the knockout device 10 to finish a predetermined product. .
[0057]
The finished work W is carried out. In this carry-out, first, the first cylinder device 32 is moved backward, the clamped state by the pressing member 31 is released, and the second cylinder device 47 is operated.
[0058]
When the second cylinder device 47 linearly moves upward, the rotary shaft 49 rotates via the rod 48, the main link L1, and the spline portion S1, and via the spline portions S2, S3 and the lift links L2, L3. The working members M2 and M3 rise.
[0059]
Since the push bar 43 is not locked by the locking means 46 at the time when it is raised, the work support 42 is in an elastic support state.
[0060]
Accordingly, when the intermediate limit switch LS2 is turned on by the dog D2 when the workpiece support 42 is raised and contacts the workpiece W, that is, when the intermediate position is reached, the push bar 43 is locked by the locking means 46. At the same time, the operation of the second cylinder device 47 is temporarily stopped.
[0061]
The push rod 43 is locked by introducing the pressure fluid from the fluid pressure means 55 to the rear end of the tightening member 54 at this intermediate position. By introducing the pressure fluid, the tightening member 54 moves forward, and the push bar 43 is locked like a disc brake of an automobile and is in a fixed position.
[0062]
The locking by the locking means 46 is performed simultaneously for all the push bars 43. As a result, all the push bars 43 are changed from the elastic support to the fixed support, and the work W is also fixedly supported in the horizontal state.
[0063]
Even at this time, the locating holes 13c and 13d of the workpiece W have not yet come out of the locating pin 21.
[0064]
At this intermediate position, the workpiece W remains in the originally attached state and is in a horizontal state. Therefore, if the locking means 46 locks the push bar 43, the workpiece support base 42 places the workpiece W in the horizontal state. It will be supported as it is.
[0065]
This means that the workpiece W is supported in a horizontal state regardless of the types of outer diameters of the end portion of the workpiece W and the cross-sectional shape of the workpiece W.
[0066]
Therefore, like the workpiece W handled in the present embodiment, it is a cast product in which both ends and the seats of the locating holes 13c and 13d are machined, and the outer diameters D1 and D2 of both ends are Even if a plurality of types of workpieces having different dimensions are supported horizontally at the intermediate position, at this time, the size of the outer diameter of the workpiece end is absorbed and becomes a constant support state.
[0067]
Then, the operation of the second cylinder device 47 is started again in the locked state by the locking means 46. The rod 48 is raised by the operation of the second cylinder device 47. This rod 48 is one. The single rod 48 is provided with left and right push rods 43 that support the work support bases 42 via the main link L1, the spline portion S1, and the rotary shaft 49. As a result, the left and right work support bases 42 are raised simultaneously.
[0068]
As a result, the locating holes 13c and 13d are pulled out from the locating pin 21 while the workpiece W is in a horizontal state. That is, since the workpiece W in the horizontal state is lifted vertically, it will come out of the locate pin 21 in an ideal state, and the portions of the locate holes 13c and 13d will not twist the locate pin 21.
[0069]
When the unloading position, which is the ascending limit, is reached, the upper limit switch LS3 is turned on, whereby the second cylinder device 47 stops operating, but the workpiece W is in the horizontal support state even when the second cylinder device 47 is stopped. Therefore, even when the robot is automatically carried out using a robot or the like, it can be taken out to the outside without any problem.
[0070]
In addition, when processing a workpiece having a length different from that of the initially set workpiece, a setup change is performed. This setup change is performed by shifting the position of the work support 42 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Even after this setup change, the workpiece W can be pulled out of the locate pin 21 and carried out to the outside without squeezing the workpiece W by the same operation as described above.
[0071]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the workpiece W is moved from the clamp position to the unloading position, the workpiece W is horizontally supported by the workpiece support table 42 in the horizontal position where it is initially placed. No matter what kind of workpieces are present, they can be taken out to the outside at a certain unloading position.
[0072]
In addition, since the plurality of push rods 41 are operated using one second cylinder device 47, the overall configuration of the device is simplified, and the workpiece can be easily removed without being damaged during unloading. Also improves.
[0073]
In addition, since the positioning can be performed by the fixed locating method, the positioning accuracy is high, so that the predetermined accuracy can be maintained without lowering the machining accuracy.
[0074]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the fastening member 54, the pressing member 31, and the rod 48 use the fluid pressure actuating means 55 and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other For example, an electric drive means such as a motor can be used.
[0075]
In the above-described embodiment, only one workpiece is conveyed in the vertical direction. However, in some cases, a plurality of workpieces may be used. When handling a plurality of workpieces simultaneously, the second cylinder device 47 serving as one drive source is used. Since a larger number of push rods 41 are operated by using this, the configuration of the apparatus is further simplified and the productivity is improved.
[0076]
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a case where the workpiece is conveyed not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction or the oblique direction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a workpiece used in the embodiment, in which A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of B, B is a front view, and C is a bottom view.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
4 is a schematic side view of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional equivalent view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional equivalent view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;
7 is a cross-sectional equivalent view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
12 ... the base,
13c, 13d ... locating holes,
21 ... Locate pin,
30 ... Clamping means,
31 ... Pressing member,
40. Moving means,
42. Work support base,
43 ... Push rod,
44 ... drive mechanism,
45 ... Repelling means,
46: Locking means,
47. Second cylinder device,
49 ... rotating shaft,
50, 51 ... guide members,
54 ... Fastening member,
55. Actuating means,
C: Control unit,
L1 ... main link,
L2, L3 ... Elevating link,
S1, S2, S3 ... spline part,
W ... Work.

Claims (7)

In a knockout device in which a workpiece positioned by a plurality of locating pins is clamped by a clamping means and subjected to predetermined processing, and then moved to a workpiece unloading position by a moving means.
The locating pin is provided at a fixed position, and a plurality of work support bases are elastically contacted with the work located on the locating pin, and the lock means and each work support base are connected to each other while the contact state is maintained by the lock means. A knockout device that is moved together with the workpiece to the workpiece unloading position by the moving means. The moving means includes a push bar connected to each work support base, a drive mechanism for moving the work support base from the clamp position clamped by the clamp means to the carry-out position via the push bar, and the push bar. A repelling means having a repelling force capable of moving together with the work and the work support, and a lock means for locking the movement of the push bar,
When unloading the workpiece, the push bar is unlocked by the locking means at an intermediate position between the clamping position and the unloading position, and each workpiece support base is supported by the resilience of the resilience means, From the intermediate position to the carry-out position, the control unit controls all the push bars to be simultaneously moved to the carry-out position by the drive mechanism in a state where all the push bars are collectively locked by the locking means. The knockout device according to claim 1. 3. The knockout device according to claim 1, wherein at least a seating surface of the locating hole portion and a portion placed on the workpiece support base are machined in the workpiece. The lock means includes a guide member that guides the push bar, and a tightening member that fastens and fixes the push bar provided between the guide member and the push bar. The knockout device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the knockout device is advanced and retracted in the radial direction. The drive mechanism has one fluid pressure cylinder device, converts the linear motion of the fluid pressure cylinder device into a rotation operation of the rotation shaft through the main link, and moves up and down to a spline portion provided on the rotation shaft. The knockout device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the push rod is lifted and lowered by connecting the tip of the lift link and the lower end of the push rod. The knockout device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the moving means moves a work supported horizontally on the work support by a push bar that moves up and down. The knockout device according to claim 6, wherein the elastic means is disposed at a lower end portion of the push rod.

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