Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
  • B25B11/00—Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders
  • B25B11/005—Vacuum work holders

Definitions

• This invention relates to a fixing device with a plurality of vacuum cells, each capable of being connected to a vacuum source common to the cells via at least one corresponding air channel made in the device, the vacuum 5 cells being recesses in a base element, over which an elastically deformable covering element is arranged, against which preferably plane objects are intended to be secured.
• Fixing devices of said kind are previously known, e.g. a mat of rubber or a rubbery material being provided with 10 a plurality of openings, which are in a communicating connection with the vacuum source. A negative pressure arises in the openings covered by the workpiece when the vacuum source is connected, the workpiece being fixed in its position.
• a fixing device made according to these principles 20 requires a large working volume of air and consequently also a great pump capacity for securing objects. This makes great demands on. the utilized pump equipment and brings essential costs.
• valve arrangement associated with this known " * fixing device comprises both balls and springs, which makes j the construction very complicated.
• the use of these and similar valve arrangements also brings the risk of a wrong function due to clogging, as particles in the form of chips 35 and the like often occurring inclose proximity to the fixing device can easily penetrate the sensitive interior portions of the construction.
• O comprises the least possible number of clogging components.
• the construction should be embodied so that possible impurities occurring inits air channels and air ways in the form of particles, e.g. chips, can be easily removed without unnecessary waste of time.
• Another object of the new construction is that it should be capable of operating with the least possible vacuum so that relatively simple vacuum equipment can be utilized.
• a fixing device of the kind mentioned above satisfying the demands made is according to the invention primarily characterized in that an orifice of the respective air channel located above the bottom of each vacuum cell forms a seat of a membrane valve, whose membrane, which can be removed from a closing position, is formed from a portion of the covering element, and that the covering element is provided with passing openings which maintain a communicating connection with the interior of the vacuum cell when the membrane valve is closed.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the main features of a fixing device, which is made according to the principles of the invention.
• Fig. 2 is a lateral view of a section of a plate which can be included in the fixing device illustrated in Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 shows a top view of the portion illustrated in Fig. 2.
• Fig. 4 shows a lateral sectional view of a portion of a plate made as an alternative, which can be included in the fixing device illustrated in Fig. 1.
• Fig. 5 shows a top view of the portion illustrated in Fig. 4.
• the fixing device illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a plate, which is composed of a base element 10 with rectangular sides and a covering element 14 articulatedly connected to this at one long side 12.
• the covering element is dimensioned to cover the upper surface of the base, element completely when it bears against the same.
• the base element 10 manufactured as a block of metal,
• OM hard plastic or the like comprises a great number of air channels partly ending in a common connection means 16 located at one side of the block and intended for connection to a vacuum source not shown, and partly in the respective 5 vacuum cells 18 made at the upper side of the base element.
• the covering element preferably consists of a rubber disc which can have a thickness of e.g. 3-5 mm, or of a steel disc which can have a thickness of e.g. 0.5 mm.
• the thick ⁇ ness relations are of course variable. However, what is essential is that the disc is capable of being resiliently 15 deformed in connection with the evacuation of the vacuum cells 18.
• the fixing device can have many different uses. Thus, it can e.g. be a supporting element on a workbench for retaining workpieces. It can also be used in connection with 20 a lifting device for retaining objects. In the latter case the placement of the plate in the room can be reversed to what applies to its use on a workbench.
• FIGs. 2 and 3 one single vacuum cell 18' as well as surrounding parts of a plate according to Fig. 1 are shown. 25
• An air channel 20 leading from the vacuum cell to a channel 22 common to additional similar air channels is illustrated in the base element 10'.
• the vacuum cell 18' is made at the upper surface of the base element 10' and the air channel 20 ends at an annular section 24 projecting past the bottom 30 26 of the vacuum cell but terminating somewhat below the upper surface 28 of the base plate.
• the fixing device is illustrated in its working position, i.e. when the covering element 14' bears against the upper surface 28 of the base element 10'. However, no working piece has still been placed 35 on the covering element.
• In connection with the vacuum cell.18' there is a plurality of similar holes 30 through the covering element outside the extension of the defining surface of the air channel 24.
• the holes 30 are very fine and their number is not critical for the relative purpose.
• this object prevents air from passing through the holes 30 of the covering element 30 which has the effect that a vacuum is created in the vacuum cell 18*. Due to coaction between a plurality of such vacuum cells an object (not shown) placed on top of the covering element 14' will be fixed in the intended position with a great force. As vacuum cells located outside the defining surface of the object have the connections with the respective channels closed by means of the portions of the covering element 14' serving as membrane a vacuum pump utilized to this end need not have so great a power to fulfil its purpose.
• the embodiment of a plate illustrated with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 is especially suitable for securing sub ⁇ stantially plane objects which can be somewhat air permeable. If the objects are compact and do not let any air pass at all, the same demands, however, are not made on the fixing device. This can in that case, e.g. as far as objects of the type plastic film and the like are concerned, be made in a somewhat simpler manner in such a way that the covering element can lack holes completely.
• the vacuum cell 18' ' ' is deepest in connection with the front end of a corresponding flap 36, which is cut in the covering element 14'' 1 .
• an object 38 is placed so that it covers one of the vacuum cells 18''' shown, whereas another similar vacuum cell is outside the limiting line of the object.
• the flap 36 closes the air channel 40 so that no air passes from the atmosphere.
• the other flap does not reach completely down to the orifice

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Jigs For Machine Tools (AREA)
• Hooks, Suction Cups, And Attachment By Adhesive Means (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20346997

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (9)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (3)

• 1982
  • 1982-06-07 SE SE8203517A patent/SE443316B/sv unknown
• 1983
  • 1983-06-06 DE DE8383901954T patent/DE3371048D1/de not_active Expired
  • 1983-06-06 WO PCT/SE1983/000229 patent/WO1983004384A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1983-06-06 EP EP83901954A patent/EP0111530B1/en not_active Expired
  • 1983-06-06 JP JP58502085A patent/JPS59501053A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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